A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2007 Weed-looks like rhubarb

What is that horrible weed that looks like rhubarb? It has a red stem, kind of resembling celery and big wide leaves. Very hard to dig out, and herbicides haven't killed it. I have one area that I keep neglected because I want to gradually build it up, but this stuff makes it a real ordeal when I try to trim the area. How do you get rid of it?

Is it like this Docks?

Maybe burdock?

http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/plants.Folder/Burdock.html

I see that stuff at the park a lot - by ponds, rivers. I've always called it wild rhubarb.

I think there's a piece of it out by our ramp - maybe I'll take a pic of it (if I haven't done so)

Oh! I do have a pic of it - yes, I understand how awkward it must be trying to work around it.

Yep, that's the stuff. Only the leaves on mine don't have that little curl. It's a devil to try to dig out--those roots go to China!

PS: Looks like you're both right. The photos I found for burdock confirm that's it--I guess I just never let it get to the burr stage. Also, I found out that Dock is the old name for it, although the picture for dock didn't look the same. I found out that it has lots of herbal benefits, too (but I still don't think I'll keep it). Now, anyone know how to get rid of this stuff? The roots can go down 3'.