What is?..........................................

Sounds like you're describing Blackberry bushes.

you would know better than I but didn't the state plant A bunch of autumn olive along the highways years ago? I've never seen much of it around here but see a lot of staghorn summack instead along the highway.

Could also be Multaflora rose, but I still think it Blackberry bushes.

Lotus Plant or Common Water Lily.  (Photos above)

Here are pictures of the bush that I had the orig. question about:

It's hard to tell in the pics, I will try to get better ones of a single bush by itself. There could be both growing next to each other in those pics now that I look at them here.

maybe a water primrose or type of loosestrife. pic of the flower would help

I give-up on I.D. of plants in question. Got a few wild plants growing down here in Central Kentucky that I've not yet been able to Identify.

CHECK OUT THE 4TH PARAGRAPH



Management Requirements:
Elaeagnus umbellata seems to be a problem only in locations where small stands or rows were planted, usually within the last 10-20 years, and have begun to spread into adjacent fields or natural areas. It apparently can become troublesome where it occurs on or next to prairies with infrequent prescribed burns because it resprouts quickly after fire damage or cutting.

Since burning and cutting stimulate resprouting, herbicide treatment may be necessary to eradicate large patches. One method of application is to cut the plant off at the main stem and paint the herbicide on the stump. Glyphosate is effective and commonly used. Kurz (pers. comm.)[3] and Nyboer (pers. comm.)[4] recommended a 10-20% dilution for painting on stumps. Foliar applications may be adequate for small patches; the recommended dilution of glyphosate in this case is a 1-2% solution. Kurz (pers. comm.)[3] stated that the best time for herbicide application is in late August or September when the plant is actively translocating materials to the roots.

Kuhns (1986)[5] reported that March dormant season basal applications (stem injections) of triclopyr alone or in combination with 2,4-D provided excellent control of autumn olive at very low concentrations (down to 1% triclopyr in diesel oil). The lowest concentrations of triclopyr and all treatments with the 2,4- D/triclopyr combinations provided slower kills than higher concentrations of triclopyr alone, but only one of the treatment plants were expected to survive.[5] Foliar applications of 2,4-D, triclopyr or metsulfuron methyl in late May or June at recommended rates did not provide adequate control, and even plants that were severely injured recovered the following year. Dicamba applied in late June at 4 lbs/gal (2 qts/100 gal/acre) with a surfactant provided 90% total kill and severely retarded the growth of surviving stems the following year.[5] Glyphosate was not included in this study.

Ohlenbusch and Ritty (1979)[6] reported excellent results for the control of russian olive (E. angustifolia) in Kansas using a variety of herbicides and treatments. Applications were made on June 14 and results evaluated in late August. Foliar applications of dicamba, picloram, and glyphosate, all in a 90% water/10% diesel oil carrier, resulted in total root kill. However, glyphosate in both 1% and 2% solutions damaged herbaceous plants under the trees so extensively that foliar application of this chemical is not recommended.

Basal application of triclopyr, all mixed in diesel oil and applied June 14, also resulted in 100% control. A second study by the same authors indicated that diesel oil alone also provides highly effective basal control of E. angustifolia.[6]