What is this vine-like plant with pink buds - Ask Extension
In late August or early September of 2025, a vine-like invasive plant with pink buds appeared in my yard. It showed up in my yard again this year in l...
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What is this vine-like plant with pink buds #947668
Asked October 25, 2026, 7:02 PM EDT
In late August or early September of 2025, a vine-like invasive plant with pink buds appeared in my yard. It showed up in my yard again this year in late August/early September. I say 'vine-like' because it will grow along the ground. However, it also will grow straight up. The stems and roots are hard. Multiple stems can branch out from a single root. The roots can spread out, resulting in a small bare spot when I pull the plant out of the ground. It grows fast.
For the past 2 years I have been pulling it out of the ground. I'd like to identify what this plant is and if there is a way to control or kill it other than pulling the plants out of the ground.
Thank you.
Hamilton County Ohio
Expert Response
This is a technically difficult challenge for me, so I am going to give you a shot at what it might be and tell you how to find it yourself. I think it could be Persicaria macularia/Spotted Ladys Thumb, an invasive knotweed.
There are 2 free apps that you can use: https://plantnet.org/en/ and https://www.inaturalist.org/. In addition, there is Google Lens. One takes a picture, follows the directions, and Voila!, one has answers. Because iNaturalist has contributors from around the world contributing, I personally think it is more accurate, but Google Lens is a snap. Go to Google, take a picture with that little camera, and ask what it is. (Just now, from a screenshot, it suggested snowberry, which would not be flowering now)
Good luck. These apps are really terrific; once you know what it is, you can ask how to eradicate it and follow the advice of anything that ends in .edu, .ext, .org, or .gov. for reliable, research-based information.
There are 2 free apps that you can use: https://plantnet.org/en/ and https://www.inaturalist.org/. In addition, there is Google Lens. One takes a picture, follows the directions, and Voila!, one has answers. Because iNaturalist has contributors from around the world contributing, I personally think it is more accurate, but Google Lens is a snap. Go to Google, take a picture with that little camera, and ask what it is. (Just now, from a screenshot, it suggested snowberry, which would not be flowering now)
Good luck. These apps are really terrific; once you know what it is, you can ask how to eradicate it and follow the advice of anything that ends in .edu, .ext, .org, or .gov. for reliable, research-based information.
