Questions tagged [identification]

Use this tag for questions that ask "what is this thing?" Pictures, geographic location, and descriptive titles are important. Ask only one identification request per question. When you get an answer, consider adding a further tag (for the flower, tree, beetle etc. that has been identified) so your question is cataloged correctly. If the question is about determining the cause of a plant problem (e.g. disease), the diagnosis tag is more appropriate.

When asking an identification question:

  • Make a good title:

    • Include the type of thing (weed, bug, plant, etc.) that you want to identify.
    • Include distinctive features. ("Red fuzzy vines".)
    • Include where it was found -- both where in the world, and where in a "micro" sense ("eating the lower leaves of my plant", "under a rock", "fungus growing on my tree trunk", etc).

    • Ask only one plant identification request per question. If you'd like more than one plant identified, feel free to ask additional questions.

  • Include at least one photo.

  • Repeat the descriptive features in your question.
  • Include how it relates to gardening.

When you get a satisfactory answer, consider adding a further tag so that your question is cataloged with other similar questions. If an answer makes the question relevant to another category (e.g. a vine later identified as Morning Glory), then it should be tagged as such.

3188 questions
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ID this plant from an inherited garden

I recently inherited a garden on my university campus in Buffalo, New York. We think that it's a fruiting plant, but we're not sure what it is. Can anyone help?
Throsby
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How can I tell if this is a weed?

Can anybody tell me if this is a weed or a nice plant?
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Office plant identification

Does anybody know what plant is this?
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What kind of lily is this?

This lily is odd because of its hosta-like evergreen leaves. It is tolerant of shallow planting, weekly mowing, poor soils, and dense shade. The flower is like an Easter lily. What is the variety name?
J. Musser
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Succulent identification

I had a small succulent plant that sat indoors (in Austin, TX) and did absolutely nothing for years. Then in the spring of 2010 it produced this: A long tendril with delicate flowers. The dimensions of what is visible in the image are about 2…
Jim Garrison
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What is this African shrub with spikes of brilliant blue flowers?

A friend of mine is currently abroad in Africa, and she took this photo of a brilliantly-colored flower in Malawi: I'd love to have something at home so brilliant, but obviously I have no idea what it is. My first thought was of some kind of…
TylerH
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Can Oyster mushrooms grow on a Yucca tree?

I am not certain of the exact species of this Yucca (Maybe Yucca Guatemalensis?) But there are several of these trees growing in the front yards of several homes in a co-workers neighborhood in the San Francisco peninsula area. Recently, mushrooms…
renesis
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Can you please identify these trees?

Could you identify these two trees please? I live in Western Australia if that helps. I believe the first one is a blood Gum. My dog likes chewing the lower branches of this second one, so really want to make sure that's not a problem. Thanks!
Matt
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What is this giant prehistoric looking plant?

It has massive green leaves that stay green through out the year, purple flowers in clusters that bloom from early spring through out the summer. And it's in Spain :) Any help appreciated! Thank you.
Ana
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What tree does this nut come from? Is it a walnut?

I was hoping someone can help me identify this nut and the tree it goes with. I found a bunch of these near my truck when I went to my Uncle's mountain place in Grayson County, Virginia. I'm pretty sure it's growing wild as he cleared the property…
Dalton
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What is this large leaf by a river in Pennsylvania?

This plant is new to me. It's about 3 ft tall, in a well-shaded area on a river bank in Pennsylvania. It's rough to the touch and looks like a huge parsley-type leaf. I've lived in PA for about 16 years, only to find tons of new plants and vines…
Debra Brooks
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What is this stinging plant with little hairs on the leaves?

I have no idea what this plant came from, where it came from or any thing about it. What I do know is its leaves are covered in little hairs, there's little thorns growing all over it and just by rubbing its leaf it burns you and leaves a red mark…
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Identify small, white, "ant-like" bug found in chips near tree

Can you help me identify and "diagnose" these small, white, ant-like bugs? There are red wood mulch chips around the base of a tree in my front yard. I pushed some around with my shoe, and was a bit surprised to see a bunch of little bugs like…
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Bermuda grass (I think?) is a muddy mess in the winter time

I live in Knoxville, TN. My back lawn sees a lot of action year-round with two medium-sized dogs. I think much of it is Bermuda grass, since it runs close to the ground, is very thick and soft in summer, and goes completely dormant (dead-looking) in…
Andy
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Is this deciduous shrub with leathery green leaves in Northern England, some sort of cotoneaster?

Our garden in the North of England was full of these when we moved in. It grows a lot vertically, never seems to flower, is deciduous, and has leathery green leaves. Been trying to work out what it is for a while with no luck. Photos:
Matt Roberts
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