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Weed Identification Resources

Here are some resources to help with weed identification in Connecticut.

Books

• Weeds of the Northeast, by Uva, Neal, and DiTomaso, Comstock Press

Comstock Press describes this as “a lavishly illustrated manual for ready identification of 299 common and economically important weeds in the region south to Virginia, north to Maine and southern Canada, and west to Wisconsin. Based on vegetative rather than floral characteristics, this practical guide gives anyone who works with plants the ability to identify weeds before they flower.

“A dichotomous key to all the species described in the book is designed to narrow the choices to a few possible species. Identification can then be confirmed by reading the descriptions of the species and comparing a specimen with the drawings and photographs.

“A fold-out grass identification table provides diagnostic information for weedy grasses in an easy-to-use tabular key.

“Specimens with unusual vegetative characteristics, such as thorns, square stems, whorled leaves, or milky sap, can be rapidly identified using the shortcut identification table. The first comprehensive weed identification manual available for the Northeast, this book will facilitate appropriate weed management strategy in any horticultural or agronomic cropping system and will also serve home gardeners and landscape managers, as well as pest management specialists and allergists.”

• How to Eradicate Invasive Plants, by Terri Dunn Chace, Timber Press

“Every garden shed should have a copy of this book. The wisdom that it wields will hold the invaders at the gate.” —Roger B. Swain, The Victory Garden

The publisher, Timber Press, says “How to Eradicate Invasive Plants offers a clear, practical solution to the increasingly common problem of invasive plants. Clearly written and easy-to-use, Teri Dunn Chance shows you how to recognize more than 200 common invasive plants and offers organic and responsible chemical eradication options for each species. With this reference on their shelves, gardeners, landscapers, and managers of public and private land across the country can confidently tackle the invasive plants to make room for a sustainable plant community.”

Websites• Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group: cipwg.uconn.edu

• The UMass Weed Herbarium: Extension.umass.edu/landscape/weed-herbarium

• Invasive Plant Atlas of New England: www.eddmaps.org/ipane

• Invasive.org: www.invasive.org/species/weeds.cfm