weed identification

Question

Would like to figure out just what the heck has plagued our garden for the last 18 years. It’s a rhizome, perennial, about 4″ – 6″ tall, no flowers, has a leaf similar to poison ivy but clearly isn’t.

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Answer 1

Bishop's weed is hard to control, but it is possible.

This article will help:
http://blog.pennlive.com/gardening/2013/06/how_to_get_rid_of_bishops_weed.html

Answer 2

They do produce all green leafed plants which are highly invasive. The leaf structure and growing pattern you describe matches.
The article refers to the green leafed variety.
I have not found anything else that matches.

Answer 3

Did some reading last night. Perhaps I will just feed it to my husband, or grind it into a poultice for my sister. Throw it in a salad and see if anyone notices. We blacktopped over the patch (about 40ft x 10ft) on the other side of the driveway some fifteen years ago, and it still creeps out the edge! The only place I have it now is in the flower bed at the front of the house, it's sneaking in under the fence from the public walkway on the other side. If it wasn't for the little kids using the walkway, I'd Round-Up the hell out of it weekly until it finally gave up.

Answer 4

I've never seen it flower...but my most pressing question - is it possible to get rid of it? If so, how?

Answer 5

There is no flower produced by this plant. The link to snow on the mountain indicates a two-toned leaf. This is monotone.

Answer 6

I believe this to be the solid variation of Snow On The Mountain or Bishops Weed.

It is a vigorous growing rhizome.
Here is a link with more information.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/groundcover/snow-on-the-mountain/snow-on-the-mountain-plant.htm