Useful Plant
Identification References
Jerry
Doll & Chris
Boerboom
Weed identification is a constant challenge for many of us.
The best first step to accurate plant ID is to have the
appropriate reference materials on hand. Here are those that we
find of most help in identifying weed samples.
Identification
of Mature Weeds
A. Books
Weeds of the Northeast is one of
the newest and also one of the best weed ID references. It
contains nearly 300 species, some of which are not found in
either the Weeds of the North Central States or Ontario Weeds.
This is one of the few books to include woody species, which are
more common with CRP land and increasing no-till acreage. The
book contains five "short cut identification tables" that
identify weeds with special characteristics and a standard
dichotomous key for all species that is based on vegetative
characteristics. Each weed has four or more colored pictures, a
narrative (including a useful description of how to distinguish
from similar weeds), and line drawings of key characteristics of
certain weeds. It is available from Gemplers for $32 plus
shipping and handling. To order call 1-800-382-8473.
Ontario Weeds contains excellent
black and white line drawings of 315 species with 28 pages of
color plates, each with six pictures in excellent detail. The
color photos are grouped so that similar species are on the same
page to facilitate easy comparisons of those that look alike.
This book is an excellent match for Wisconsin’s weed spectrum
and the price is right. Available on-line at:
http://pubont.stores.gov.on.ca/pool/.
Price is CN$15.00 plus CN$5.50 for shipping and handling
(approximately $13.50 in US currency). Ordering on-line is a
convenient and economical way to pay.
Weeds of the North
Central States is an old publication that is still a
useful and economical buy. Its 303 pages of black and white line
drawings show the key features mature plants for 230 species of
our common species in the region. It includes a key for all
species in the book based on flower color. Available through any
County Extension Office ($14.00).
A Field Guide to
Wildflowers is excellent aid to ID the not-so-common
plants you might find at field edges, in the woods, in prairies
and other non-disturbed settings. Its 420 pages are arranged by
flower color and each chapter begins with color drawings and
then continues with black and white. It is available in the
Nature section of most bookstores and from Gemplers. To order
call 1-800-382-8473. Paperback. Approximately $18.00.
Weeds of the Northern U.S. and Canada
is dedicated “to farmers
everywhere.” This tells you it is a practical reference on how
to identify weeds. The book contains more than 750 color
photographs of 175 weed species. The overall layout of the book
is excellent and includes 150 line drawings to complement the
color images. What makes this book unique are the 275 small
color pictures as “thumbnail” images of plants at the beginning
of the book that are part of the weed ID key. The broadleaf ID
key is based on leaf arrangement and flower color: nearly 100
species on just four pages! The grass ID key has thumbnail
images of both the leaf collar and the inflorescence for each
species. Also unique are the “quick ID” sections that start the
description of each weed. These give you three key
characteristics of each species. A complete description of all
plant parts then follows. The last two sections for each weed
are “reasons for concern” and “similar species,” very helpful
information not often found in plant ID references. This
resource is approximately $23.00. The book is published by the
University of Alberta Press and is available from Raincoast
Books. Call 604-323-7100 for the exact price and to order. They
accept major credit cards.
Weeds of Nebraska
and the Great Plains is a new and totally revised edition
(1994) of the old Nebraska Weeds book. It has excellent color
photos and black and white line drawings of 265 species (and
descriptions of an additional 125 species) on nearly 600 pages
in a hardbound book. Available from the Nebraska Dept. of
Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry, P.O. Box 94756, Lincoln,
NE 68509. $25.00 (includes shipping). (Ph. 402-471-2394)
Weeds of the West. This book from
the Western Weed Science Society contains excellent color
photographs of nearly 300 species of weeds. Each species is
presented with three colors pictures and an easy to read
narrative gives the descriptions, habitats and characteristics
of each weed. The title is "Weeds of the West" and thus it is no
surprise that less than half of the weeds are common in
Wisconsin. Nevertheless, this 650-page book is a bargain and it
will make a nice addition to your weed ID reference library. It
is available from Gemplers for $32 (softbound) plus shipping and
handling. To order call 1-800-382-8473.
Prairie Plant
ID
Wildflowers of the
Tallgrass Prairie. This 300-page book (5 ˝ x 9 inches,
softback) with more than 125 species of wildflowers, covers the
spectrum of prairie plants from grasses to daises. Each species
is shown with an excellent color photo plus a list of all common
names, the derivation of the Latin names, where the species is
commonly found, its key characteristics, and any known
historical uses of the plant. Plants are arranged in the
approximate order that they flower during the year. Published in
1989, it is now in its fifth printing (1996) and is available
from Iowa State Univ. Press, 2121 S. State Ave., Ames, IA
50014-8300 for $22.45 plus $4.00 for shipping and handling.
(Phone: 1-800-862-6657;
www.isupress.edu).
B. CD ROMS
Weeds of the United
States. 1995. Contains excellent color photos and
descriptions of common weeds of the U.S., tutorials, help
screens, and other features. Requires a “fast” (486 or higher )
computer with 4 MB of RAM, a double speed CD-ROM drive or
faster, Windows 3.1 or later, a mouse, and a high resolution
(640x480) color monitor. Cost is $90.00 or $81.00 each for two
or more copies. Order from the Southern Weed Science Society,
1508 West University Avenue, Champaign, IL 61821.
Broadleaf Weed
Seedling Identification. 1998. An excellent teaching tool
that allows you to explore weeds based on common or Latin names
or to explore plant families. For each species includes a view
if its key features, a line drawing or one of several excellent
color views of the plant in the cotyledon or whole seedling
growth stage, and closeup views of the first true leaf, other
leaves, the leaf junction to the stem, and the root and seed.
The CD has 57 broadleaf weed species and most are in Wisconsin.
While designed primarily for college student use, anyone
interested in enhancing their broadleaf weed ID skills will
benefit from this program. The CD can be ordered for $80 from
Purdue University Media Distribution Center, S. University St.,
1187 Service Bldg., West Lafayette, IN 47907-1187 [Phone: (888)
398 4636; Fax: (765) 496-1540; E-mail:
Media_Order@mdc.ces.purdue.edu]. Refer to item CD-AY-3 when
ordering.
Weed Seedling
Identification
Fewer guides are available for weed seedling identification,
even though the seedling stage requires accurate identification
for selection of proper herbicides or control methods.
Common Weed
Seedlings of the North Central States is a regionalized
version of a Michigan bulletin that now includes 17 grasses, 1
sedge, and 36 broadleaf weeds. It has a simple key for the
grasses and a brief description of each weed. Each weed has a
sharp color photograph of the seedling plus two smaller
photographs of key features. The bulletin (NCR 607) is available
through any County Extension Office for $4.00 each.
Pigweed
Identification, a Pictorial Guide to the Common Pigweeds of the
Great Plains. This is an excellent bulletin that shows
how to distinguish between nine pigweed species, including
waterhemp. It has photos of seed, seedlings, vegetative and
mature plants. It is available from KSU Coop. Exten. Ser.,
Distribution Center, 16 Umberger Hall, Kansas State Univ.,
Manhattan, KS 66506-3406. Order bulletin S-80 ($1.50 for each
bulletin plus shipping). If you have waterhemp, Waterhemp
Management in Agronomic Crops is a bulletin that provides
background information and control programs for corn and
soybeans. It is available from Vocational Agricultural Service,
1401 South Maryland, Urbana, IL 61801 (phone 217-333-3871).
Order bulletin X855 for $2 each, include $3 for shipping if 12
copies or less. Call for shipping cost if ordering more than 12.
Weed Seed
Identification
An Illustrated
Taxonomy of Weed Seeds. This book is the best available
for weed seed identification. It contains species in 40 plant
families common throughout the Midwest. The illustrations are
excellent color photographs of seeds magnified two to six times
and are accompanied be a detailed and easy-to-use taxonomic key.
Anyone doing weed seed bank work, those participating in crop
and weed science contests, instructors of weed science courses,
personnel in certified seed laboratories, and anyone with an
interest in weed seed identification should have this unique
book. It is available from the North Central Weed Science
Society, 1508 W. University Ave., Champaign, IL 61821-333.
Single copies are $20 (includes shipping).
Weed Seeds of the
Great Plains. An excellent reference with 290 species,
many common to Wisconsin. The first section, has a list of 22
general characteristics seeds may have. Once you have determined
which group a seed belongs to, the subgroup section narrows the
choices down to 3 to 10 species. From there, you go to the plant
family for a detailed, species by species description of each
entry. The final section has superb color pictures of the seeds
for each species. Seeds are magnified 2 to 10 times and show
great detail. An illustrated glossary at the end of the book
gives a definition of all possible seed shapes and shows an
outline and cross-sectional view of each one. The book is
available from University Press of Kansas, 2501 West 15th St.,
Lawrence KS 66049-3904 (phone 913-864-4154). Single copies are
$25, plus shipping/handling ($3.00 first book by mail/$3.50 by
UPS, 50˘ for each additional copy).
Poisonous Plant
Reference Books
People are frequently concerned about possible effects of
plants on animal health. In recent years, horses seem to be of
particular concern in this regard. Here are a couple of useful
references on poisonous plants that you may find helpful.
Contact the publishers for current prices.
A Guide to Plant Poisoning of Animals in
North America. 2001. A. P. Knight and R. G. Walter. This
new and excellent 367-page resource is unique in organization
and comprehensive in scope. Its ten chapters are organized by
the impact the poisonous plants have. For example, Chap. 1 is
“Plants causing sudden death,” Chap. 2 is “Plant affecting the
cardiovascular system” the Chap. 10 is “Plants affecting the
mammary gland.” The authors give specific descriptions of the
toxins involved and their modes of action and they have included
a useful glossary of botanical terms. Geographic location maps
are provided which highlight the distribution of specific plant
species within North America. Some species are not found in the
north central region as most poisonous plants that affect
livestock are found in the rangeland in the plains and western
regions.
The book cites more than 470 species, 225 excellent full
color pictures, and is rich is cited literature at the end of
each chapter. For example, Chap. 5 lists plants that affect the
skin and liver and has 197 references. This depth of literature
and breadth of species presented reflect the more than 50 years
of combined experience the authors have in this field. The book
is available for $55 plus shipping from Teton New Media by
calling toll-free 877-306-9793 or by ordering on-line at
www.veterinarywire.com.
Poisonous Plants of
the Central United States. H. A. Stephens. 1980. It
contains 165 pages and includes black and white photos of
several aspects (leaves, seeds, whole plants, etc.) of many
poisonous species. Order from Regents Press of Kansas, 366
Watson Library, Lawrence, KS 66045.
Poisonous Plants of
Pennsylvania. R. J. Hill and D. Folland. 1986. It has 175
pages and covers more than 100 species with information on plant
identification (including black and white line drawings), plant
characteristics, poisonous parts and principles, symptoms of
poisoning, and treatment. Order from Dept. of General Services,
State Bookstore of Penn., P.O. Box 1365, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
Plants Poisonous to
Livestock. A 14-page bulletin is similar to the one above
and is available from the Univ. of Minn., Extension Distribution
Center, 405 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, MN
55108-6068. Or call 1-800-876-8636 and ask for bulletin
AG-FO-5655-D.
June 2003 |
