trough invader

[Paul T]

Cohan,

It does look araceae, doesn't it.  I've never seen an aroid with runners quite like that though, unless you're thinking along the lines of Philodendrons etc.  I wouldn't expect them to live outside for years in Mark's conditions though?

Actually, having just checked Mark's original comments, my assumption of long term (i.e overwintering) is incorrect, which definitely does open up quite a few other possibilities such as Philodendron etc.  A flower would of course sort out a lot. 

[Pascal B]

Leaf wise it looks a little bit like a Lagenandra (or Cryptocoryne) but I very much doubt they do well in a colder climate in a trough, they usually grow emersed or submersed in the tropics. All Araceae I can think of with this type of leaf are tropical, I doubt it is an aroid. The runners remind me more of a Chlorophytum... Or a member of the Liliaceae?

[mark smyth]

If it survives the winter we will hopefully see flower/s next year

[Pascal B]

Mark,

Do you have any idea how it ended up in the trough? Seeded itself or came with the compost?

[ThomasB]

I'm also thinking of some kind of aquatic plant. Somehow it reminds me of a Saururus species (lizard's tail).

[Maren]

When did you take the picture? is it still looking like that now?

[mark smyth]

I took the photo last week. So far it has survived a few frosty nights

[daveyp1970]

Mark a shot in the dark but is it a Ranunculus of sorts.

[cohan]

Cohan,

It does look araceae, doesn't it.  I've never seen an aroid with runners quite like that though, unless you're thinking along the lines of Philodendrons etc.  I wouldn't expect them to live outside for years in Mark's conditions though?

Actually, having just checked Mark's original comments, my assumption of long term (i.e overwintering) is incorrect, which definitely does open up quite a few other possibilities such as Philodendron etc.  A flower would of course sort out a lot. 

i was thinking of aquatic/water's edge plants rather than tropical vines, though of course i have no idea what is possible in mark's area..
chlorophytum was my first thought too, though i don't know species with leaves like that (not that i know anything about various chloro species!)

[Graham Catlow]

If that was growing in my trough it would have been called a weed a long time ago and have been disposed of
Though it will now be interesting to see what it turns out to be. My guess is it's still a weed.

[Afloden]

Why not Alisma plantago-aquatica? It has the look of something in the Alismataceae. Or maybe an Echinodorus?

[Pascal B]

chlorophytum was my first thought too, though i don't know species with leaves like that (not that i know anything about various chloro species!)

Chlorophytum amaniense/orchidastrum. But then again, also tropical (USDA Zone 9-11) so most likely can be ruled out as possible ID too.

[annew]

We go for Alisma as well, dwarfed because it's on dry land. If it flowers, ID should be easy!

[Paul T]

The other question that needs to be addressed when talking about any of these is..... what are the odds of a seedling of any of these appearing in Mark's trough?  How long established has the trough been, Mark?  Have you planted anything new in it that could have had a seed in the soil?  New mulch?  I would think that a lot of these things we're suggesting are pretty limited as possibly appearing as a volunteer out of the blue, aren't they?

[Great Moravian]

A seedling of Japanese miniature Hosta cultivars is my preliminary guess.
Let it be and the flowers decide.
I am really curious which guess is correct.