What is this plant growing among my strawberries?

1. 92

   MarleneBposted 10 years ago

   What is this plant growing among my strawberries?
   
   In the process of pulling weeds from my strawberry garden, I discovered strange plants intermingled among the strawberry plants. When I pulled on the strangers, they came up easily, roots and all. I noticed that the leaves looked similar to the strawberry leaves, but not quite the same. When I pinched the leaves, they smelled similar to mint, but not quite (they had a chocolaty-mint scent). Help! Are they toxic, safe? What are they?
   
   

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2. 83

   Faith Reaperposted 10 years ago

   Very interesting, Marlene!  Well, believe it or not there are so many chocolaty-mint smelling plants, even a Strawberry mint.  There is one called Chocolate Mint, and it has a very minty smell with an undertone of chocolate. If it is this plant, then it is very invasive though and grows about 18" tall, and you should really plant it in a container.  However, it has lavender-colored fuzzy flowers.  There is also the Chocolate Daisy which blooms at night.  In California, there is one called Bird's Eyes which is an annual but its leaves are bronze-green.  Hmmm, hope someone knows exactly what you have there and it is something good!

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   1. 92

      MarleneBposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Well, Faith, you have given me a lot to think about. While I knew about the chocolate mint because I had seen it at Home Depot and Lowes, I didn't know about the strawberry mint and other plants that you mentioned. Thanks so much for your answer.

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3. 80

   snakeslaneposted 10 years ago

   Yes, looks like a chocolate mint from the pic and the scent you describe. Mint is invasive, but nice to have around.

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   1. 92

      MarleneBposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      If the leaf didn't smell like chocolate, I would have guessed mint, but that chocolate scent confused me. And, now that I look around, I see it all over the strawberry garden.

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4. 60

   The Examiner-1posted 10 years ago

   If I am correct, it looks like some type of strawberry leaf to me.

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   1. 92

      MarleneBposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      It does look like a strawberry leaf with a little bit of a twist. It's kind of like a cross between strawberries and mint. It's all over the place where the strawberries are growing.

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   2. 60

      The Examiner-1posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      You may have chocolate plants mixed in. Their leaves are similar to but darker than the strawberries. They are great together.
      In case you are unfamiliar with them, strawberry leaves undersides are a silvery-green.

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5. 84

   bac2basicsposted 10 years ago

   Hi MarleneB. Straight off the bat I would say it´s mint too. Faith is absolutely right in telling you there are many types of mint, even cat nip is a variety of mint. For a definite answer to what it is why not take a piece with you the next time you go plant shopping and ask an expert. Mint puts out very long runners so if you don´t want it taking over your Strawberry patch get it out quick.

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   1. 92

      MarleneBposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you bac2basics. I'll take a piece of the plant with me on my next trip to the nursery. And, yes, that plant is growing quickly and I'm seeing it everywhere now.

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6. 96

   cat on a soapboxposted 10 years ago

   It looks like chocolate mint to me also!  Mints are quite invasive, so I tend to keep them in pots. You'll soon have plenty to share:)

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   1. 92

      MarleneBposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      cat on a soapbox, thank you for your answer. I just went out again today and new plants have sprouted up. I don't know where they came from and I can't seem to get rid of them.

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      cat on a soapboxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry, Marlene. You will need to dig deeply to remove the running roots or keep shaving the leaves w/ a hoe to starve them from sunlight. They can only survive w/ photosynthesis. Be vigilant.
      On a good note, Happy Easter/Spring

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