Question: I have been unable to identify this plant which has been growing for about three years now near my compost …
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Question
I have been unable to identify this plant which has been growing for about three years now near my compost piles here in southwestern Vermont. It has very distinct shaped leaves and never seems to flower. Is it a weed of some sort or perhaps something that got there from seeds in the compost pile (edible?). Your help is much appreciated.
Answer
Dear lmc825, your plant is Lapsana communis (common nipplewort), a non-native member of the Asteraceae (aster family). The basal leaves (which you have photographed) are very different in morphology from the stem leaves. I you examine some web images of this species, you gain a familiarity with the leaf blade outlines of this species. This species is a well known edible with slightly bitter foliage.
