Weeds of the Northeast

by Richard H. Uva, Joseph C. Neal, Joseph M. DiTomaso

Here, at last, is 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.

Genres: Gardening, Nature, Plants, Reference, Nonfiction, Field Guides

408 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1997

Reviews

[Ambrose Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have mowed them down and yanked them out of the ground for years. You can say I have a personal relationship with weeds. Over the last seven years I've cultivated a small parcel of land devoted to weeds.OK, I've given up. They grow faster than I can pick them, but what the heck...I'm now calling it scientific research. Thanks to this book on the identification of weeds (which covers all of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia) I can give them names like Virginia pepperweed, Dodder, Purple loosestrife, and one of my favorites, Devils beggarticks. Perhaps some day I'll give them their Latin names.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must-own for foragers in the Northeast. Very clear pictures of each plant for easy ID and concise information. The only thing missing is the medicinal and culinary qualities of each plant.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It was the first weed book I ever bought, and although there is less depth of information provided (each weed gets a page or two rather than the three-five allotted in Field and Roadside) this allows the book to be more functional as an aid for identifying and (hopefully) controlling the weed populations in my gardens. Also the geographical range is more focused here, so I have some experience with nearly all of the weeds profiled. Lucky me!

[Elizabeth R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic! I met it when I described a strange weed to someone at the cooperative extension at a summer county fair, and just had to get my own copy. If you are interested in what's growing wild in your yard or roadside or fields, this book is your friend! Mine is full of dried bits of plants and penciled notes.

It's not perfect.. you still need a separate guide for wildflowers and another for edibles, but it's got a LOT of info ... can't do without it.

[JEAVONNA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was looking for something I did not find. Started at the back and worked forward through every page. Good stuff. Was able to identify a lot of weeds, but not not these mystery vines.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you live in the NE or in a neighboring state and are interested in identifying and learning about the "weeds" around you, buy this amazing book immediately. With two pages devoted to each weed, several color photographs show the plant at various stages of development including flowers, roots and seeds. The full page of text gives various common names as well as its latin name with paragraphs devoted to a description of the plant, roots, flowers, fruit as well as its habitat and distribution. This book should be on the bookshelf of every nature lover in the Northeast!

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fine description of weeds of the northeast USA. It was a little too technical and not at all anectdotal enough to please my taste but it contains a fabulous appendix of lists and charts comparing the most difficult plants making identifcation very easy.

[Ash Seeliger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful resource for cultivating a relationship with some of the most commonly encountered plants in New England. I’ve spent years interacting with so many of these plants, it’s been invaluable in my foraging and hobbyist botanist studies to finally be able to identify them. I have found it most valuable to do a yearly re-read late winter to brush up before foraging season picks up.

[Jessica Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best resource for invasive weed ID I've found.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

You are in there and you're like, they've surely covered every weed I've ever seen and then you turn the page and you're like no way, that one sucks too!!

[Pierre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Handy book to identify random plants that have taken up residence in your garden, or that you have observed on the roadside. This book would be perfect if it discussed whether the plants are edible. The color plates alone are great for identification. One look at the five pictures of the plant will instantly tell you if you've seen it before. The plants discriptions are scientific and botanical in nature, but there is enough plain english that laypeople can use to help identify the plant. Neat book.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good reference book. Adding to my 'want to own it' shelf although I am not 100% sure of that. I especially liked the pictures of plants in various stages, seedling, dried in the winter, etc. Many times I am trying to ID something that is not in flower so this is useful. It did not have much of anything about controlling weeds as that was not the focus of the book, but when it did, there was very little that would apply to organic growing.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice reference for identifying weeds at all stages of growth (e.g., seeds, new growth, flowers). Only drawback that it is pretty pricey for a paperback reference. We volunteers use this at the horticultural helpdesk and I bought my own copy in order to recognize those pesky weeds before they get out of hand.

[Ellenh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference for identifying weeds. I started putting a sticky note on the pages that had weeds from our farm...then had so many stickies that I just read it. I own this. would have liked it to include more on irradication of the weeds.

[Nich Traverse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I use this book ALL THE TIME! I bought it in Vermont, but even now that I'm in Virginia, it is no less of an amazing reference book. Weeds do that I guess...get around, that is. Great fold out chart at the back for grasses...

[Nancy Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the go-to book for weed i.d. flip thru it and easily find photos on one side, name and accurate details on the left. i've read mine till it's almost worn out. clear descriptions, easy glossary, superb photos of individual weeds at various stages of development.

[Caborst · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that this book has helped me accurately identify the weeds in my landscape! As an inexperienced gardener, I thought my yard was riddled with poison ivy--turns out it is a multitude box elder trees. :)

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

has the slanted view of calling plants "weeds," among other ideas, but great photos of common plants in several stages of development. sprout, seed, flower, whole plant.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well this is what I am reading now, very descriptive and has some pictures/diagrams, just loads of information, can't say I read cover to cover but am exploring all the weeds in PA.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful guide, but would be improved if there was information on best methods for weed removal/prevention.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have this book on my bookshelf and use it for reference often. So far, there hasn't been a weed in my yard that I haven't been able to identify using this book.

[Celest · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book you skim through to identify what oddities are growing in your yard. Well organized, lots of color photos, and a pull out identification guide. Great book.