Mystery Thick-Stemmed Plant: Hollyhock or Brussels Sprouts?

Mystery Thick-Stemmed Plant: Hollyhock or Brussels Sprouts?

A gardener in southern New York found a 3-4 foot thick stem (1 inch thick) with buds up the sides and top among irises. The stem and buds were green; the husband thought it resembled Brussels sprouts.

Expert Comparison

Without a photo, the expert listed distinguishing features:

• Brussels sprouts: bluish-green foliage, leaves at base, yellow flowers, very thick stem.
• Hollyhocks: standard green foliage, smaller maple-shaped leaves on stems, red/purple/white/pink flowers, thinner stems.

The thick stem suggests Brussels sprouts, but a photo would confirm.