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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What are these tall, tree-like shrubs and how often should I water them?

My wife and I just bought a property and I don't know anything about plants or trees. Can someone tell me what the large trees/bushes/plants are and also how often do I need to water them?
schmudu
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What is this thin-stemmed plant with narrow leaves in an aquaponics bed in my greenhouse?

This plant grew from seed to about 2' high within 3 months. I'm sure it's not done growing. I have no clue what it could be, since I'm in the bad habit of sticking anything that looks like a seed into the soil. It could come from the grocery store…
Marion
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What is this plant growing all over my backyard?

These plants/weeds are everywhere in my garden. Could someone confirm whether they are weeds or a plant (ground cover perhaps)? They are slightly different as you can see one of them has an actual leaf shape. Whilst the other one is round and grows…
Lisa
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What is this red corn-like fruit?

I've had these in my garden for years but only saw the inside of one today. I remember seeing something like this in a salad once. What is it, and is it edible?
Greg Zaal
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What is this bonsai tree with serrated elliptic leaves and why has it lost all its leaves?

My son bought me a bonsai tree for Father's day in June last year. It grew new leaves and shoots for a while and has been watered regularly. It has now dropped all its leaves and there does not seem to be any new growth. I would like to know how I…
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Can anybody identify these small, red insects?

What kind of bugs are these? Are they good or bad for plants? Do they bite?
xpda
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Is this plant really holy basil?

I bought some holy basil seeds on the internet and grew them. However, I think the shape of the leaves on my plants are more ruffled than those in the pictures I saw online. Here are some photos of my plant (click on the image for a larger…
lamwaiman1988
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How do I link a specific garden plant to its native plant community?

If I have a garden plant, say for example, Herniaria glabra, and I want to identify its native plant community, i.e. the dominant species, associated species, soil, climate etc., how do I go about researching this information? What…
Eric Nitardy
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What kind of chili turns brown and shrivels when ripening on the plant?

I have a few of these chili plants growing and they produce a longish (approx 4", sometimes curled chili that turns brown and begins to shrivel (slightly) when it ripens. It does not transition to a different, more standard colour (red/orange) and I…
anon
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What animal is eating my cherry tomatoes and strawberries?

My garden (first ever!) has been doing great. Yesterday I harvested my potatoes, which left half the garden open and bare. Some critter seemed to view this now-open landscape as an invitation to come and dine. Whatever it was, it ate all my…
Caffeine Coma
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What kind of pepper is this and when will it be "ripe"?

What kind of pepper is this and when will it be "ripe"? The peppers are a bit larger than a cherry tomato (maybe apricot size). UPDATE: The peppers turn red after they ripen.
Michael Pryor
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What is this spiky tree?

What is this spiky tree as seen in northern Mississippi? Another one:
bill999
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What are these swirly green growths inside my bell peppers?

I occasionally discover swirly green growths inside my bell peppers, such as the ones pictured below. What are they exactly? Are they edible?
Brad Koch
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Does anyone know the name of this young plant shrub?

The plant has opposite toothed single leaves and opposite stems growing in Northern Virginia. The color of new growth stems is a deep burgundy with white speckles. I'm guessing it is a shrub in the honeysuckle family. It is a volunteer whose seed…
E. Garrity
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Identify shrub with red berries in UK

Could you tell me what is the name of this plant? Found in the park in London at the end of May. Red berries on shrub with saw-toothed leaves.
Shige
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