in the ground

Be careful.

There is a plant that is very poisonous that puts out roots resembling parsnips.

"Wild Parsnip burns usually occur in streaks and elongated spots, reflecting where a damaged leaf or stem moved across the skin before exposure to sunlight. If the sap gets into the eyes, it may cause temporary or permanent blindness. - See more at: http://www.healthunit.org/hazards/dangerousweeds.html#sthash.4oLDMMAo.dpuf";

Here is a link that might be useful: Google

No I don't think it's that, the leaves don't look anything like it...

Take a look at all of the images found at the link below. Your plant looks very much like Phytolacca Americana "Pokeweed" to me.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pokeweed

Yes! That's it tulsarose!!

I remember the berries from last year, found them in the yard in random spots. You're a genius.

Looks like I'd better be careful with these around the kiddos. Thanks for your help. : )

i was wondering when the first pokeweed post would pop up ... lol

ken

You're very welcome, Nikki. I don't usually promote growing plants that others consider to be weeds...that said, I do have one really old Pokeweed plant that I have allowed to grow for the birds. They LOVE the berries. :-) I would probably faint if I saw the size of the taproot. lol! The self-seeded babies are easy to pull up so it's not that hard to control in your flowerbeds, yard, etc.