Here's the new quiz! This plant was growing in open upland woods in southern Missouri. Have fun using your thinkers on this one! ***UPDATE AND HINT: Okay, no one is biting so I'll give you a big hint. This specimen was abnormal, in terms of leaf arrangement. It is usually opposite, rather than whorled. This was just a mutant. That little tidbit should make this a much easier quiz! I admit it was just a little too tricky. Sorry!
I know what it is!!! But then again, those are my greasy hands holding it. I abstain (tear runs down cheek).
ReplyDeleteWow, someone needs to scrape out their fingernails!
ReplyDeleteWell, if no one else will guess (is anyone else blogging anymore?), I'll take a guess. When I first saw the photo, I thought it looked like Eupatorium purpureum. Then Dana gave her hint, and I looked closer and saw the three main veins (only one in Eupatorium purpureum). Then I started thinking Helianthus. I'm guessing Helianthus strumosus, though the leaves look narrow and it appears to have a square-ish stem.
ReplyDeleteScott.
Oh so close Scott! You're in the right Family, it is definitely an Asteraceae. And it looks a LOT like Helianthus strumosus and is often confused with it, even when someone has live material in front of them. Justin says that in your neck of the woods the leaves of this species tend to be narrower. I can give up the answer if you want, but I thought you might like one more shot at it.
ReplyDeleteActually, Justin says that in your neck of the woods the leaves tend to be WIDER.
ReplyDeleteWow. I'm pretty baffled. Maybe Heliopsis helianthoides? I'm just completely guessing now. Anyone else have a guess?
ReplyDelete