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Monday - February 27, 2012
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Weed identification
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Weeds / Wildflower. I dream of a photo identification for weeds / wildflowers that pop up in my garden here in Austin, Texas. Maybe I don't want to pull them up. How do I know? Do you know of a book or website?ANSWER:
As far as I know, there aren't any books or websites with pictures or identifications of weeds specifically for the Austin area, but I can guide you to a websites that cover various areas of the US. All of these have photographs and many have photographs of seedlings as well as mature plants. Many have the option of selecting characteristics (e.g., leaf shape and flower color) to narrow the list for viewing.
Websites for weed identification:
- Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide for weeds in Virginia and the Southeastern United States.
- Weedalogue with photos of weeds in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.
- Weed Science from the University of Illinois.
- Weed Identification from the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
- Weed Gallery from the University of California Davis
- Weed Science Society of America
- Weed Identification and Management from the University of Wisconsin
- MSU Turf Weeds from Michigan State University
- Weed ID Guide from the University of Missouri
- Weed Identification Resources from Iowa State University.
- Weed ID from Montana Weed Control Association
- Turf & Weed ID from North Carolina State University
Websites for seedling identification of wildflowers:
- Wildflowers in Bloom from Texas A&M
- American Meadows has a limited number of photos of wildflower seedlings
- Wildseed Farms has photos of seedlings for the wildflowers it sells
- Native American Seed has photos of seedlings for the wildflowers it sells
Here are books that will help identify weeds:
- Weeds of the Northeast by R. H. Uva, J. C. Neal and J. M. Ditomaso. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. 1997.
- Weeds in South Texas and Northern Mexico: A guide to identification by J. H. Everitt, R. I. Lonard and C. R. Little. Lubbock: Texas Tech University Press. 2007.
- Weeds of the Great Plaiins by J. L. Stubbendleck, M. J. Coffin and L. M. Landholt. Lincoln, Nebraska: Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry. 2003.
- Weeds of the Northern U. S. and Canada: A guide for identification by F. Rover and R. Dickinson. Renton, WA: Lone Pine Publishing. 1999.
- Weeds of the West by Tom D. Whitson and others. 9th ed. University of Wyoming Press. 2006.
Good luck!
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