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Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast: A Field Guide
Characterized by an abundance of pavement, reflected heat, polluted air and contaminated soil, our cities and towns may seem harsh and unwelcoming to vegetation. However, there are a number of plants that manage to grow spontaneously in sidewalk cracks and roadside meridians, flourish along chain-link fences and railroad tracks, line the banks of streams and rivers, and emerge in the midst of landscape plantings and trampled lawns. On their own and free of charge, these plants provide ecological services including temperature reduction, oxygen production, carbon storage, food and habitat for wildlife, pollution mitigation, and erosion control on slopes. Around the world, wild plants help to make urban environments more habitable for people. Peter Del Tredici's lushly illustrated field guide to wild urban plants of the northeastern United States is the first of its kind. While it covers the area bounded by Montreal, Boston, Washington, D.C. and Detroit, it is broadly applicable to temperate urban environments across North America. The book covers 222 species that flourish without human assistance or approval. Rather than vilifying such plants as weeds, Del Tredici stresses that it is important to notice, recognize, and appreciate their contribution to the quality of urban life. Indeed their very toughness in the face of heat islands, elevated levels of carbon dioxide and ubiquitous contamination is indicative of the important role they have to play in helping humans adapt to the challenges presented by urbanization, globalization and climate change. The species accounts―158 main entries plus 64 secondary species-feature descriptive information including scientific name and taxonomic authority, common names, botanical family, life form, place of origin, and identification features. Del Tredici focuses especially on their habitat preferences, environmental functions, and cultural significance. Each entry is accompanied by original full-color photographs by the author which show the plants' characteristics and growth forms in their typical habitats. Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast will help readers learn to see these plants-the natural vegetation of the urban environment-with fresh appreciation and understanding.
392 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 8, 2017
A sympathetic view of of the plants we call invasive. I may buy this because it makes me feel confident that I could survive the downfall of our civilization.
August 5, 2015
Peter Del Tredici's field guide re-imagines the urban landscape, trumping the myth that cities are devoid of plant diversity. Many urban areas consist of parking lots, concrete walkways, alleys, gutters and chain link fences and thus the amount the amount of nature within these areas is thought to be minimal, especially in relation to plant life. Tredici's guide unveils the misconception and provides the reader with multiple photos of each plant entry, throughout life-cycles. Also Tredici includes the "ecological function" and habitat preference of each plant.
The approach that Tredici takes allows for one to see a parking lot as something that contains something more than "troublesome" weeds but bull thistle (Cirsium vulagre), and broadleaf plantain (Plantago major L), transforming the urban experience and how how one interprets a bioregion and changing the narrative of that region. Tredici demonstrates a comprehension of this need for change of narratives in several of his entries; he accomplishes this by including the cultural significance of many of the plants included. This "cultural plant key" is a nice compliment to the other standard aspects of a plant field guide-- such as the physical description, scientific name of a plant. The book is definitely a must read the urban forager and city hiker.
Bachelors of English Literature
Humboldt State University.
P: 1.323.592.7649
Freelance Writing, Editing, & Cinematography
The approach that Tredici takes allows for one to see a parking lot as something that contains something more than "troublesome" weeds but bull thistle (Cirsium vulagre), and broadleaf plantain (Plantago major L), transforming the urban experience and how how one interprets a bioregion and changing the narrative of that region. Tredici demonstrates a comprehension of this need for change of narratives in several of his entries; he accomplishes this by including the cultural significance of many of the plants included. This "cultural plant key" is a nice compliment to the other standard aspects of a plant field guide-- such as the physical description, scientific name of a plant. The book is definitely a must read the urban forager and city hiker.
Bachelors of English Literature
Humboldt State University.
P: 1.323.592.7649
Freelance Writing, Editing, & Cinematography
March 2, 2011
This is a fascinating book of facts and trivia about the weeds that manage to grow in urban and suburban yards. I really enjoy it, along with
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. October 29, 2019
This book is great. One wish: I wish this book could be navigated as a dichotomous key.
November 10, 2022
Very clear descriptions and photos, with points of difference from similar/related species. Enabled me to identify what I assumed was an aggressive invasive in my backyard as a bur cucumber, a fascinating, pollinator-sustaining native vine. The author's comparison of the language we use about plants - alien, invasive - as analogous to how we talk about human immigrants is food for thought.
December 5, 2011
I was introduced to Tredici's work when he gave a talk at The Arnold Arboretum a few months ago, and have been wanting to buy this book ever since. I'm glad I finally did! I flipped through the plant profiles all at once, and found numerous common plants that I am familiar with by sight but not by name. Having a horticulture background, I am somewhat abashed to have been stumped by these plants for so long. No more! Now that I have the field guide I feel armed with enough info about the weeds, shrubs and trees that push up between pavements on their own accord. Tredici's admiration for the tenacity of these species is evident throughout the profiles (which each include full name and synonyms, as well as information on form, place of origin, vegetative characteristics, flowers and fruit, germination and regeneration, habitat preferences, ecological function, and cultural significance) and it is contagious.
September 20, 2011
I love this book! This is a great reference to have on hand if you are the kind of person who wants to know what that unidentified green thing is that you didn't plant but nonetheless has popped up in your garden. Should you leave it? Is it edible? Does it repel pests? Might your grandmother have made tea with it to combat consumption? It's so interesting to be able to identify every little weed growing out of the cracks in the sidewalk. Also I have to note that the author makes one of the most interesting arguments in the introduction comparing the native plant movement to the immigration debate! I have to admit he made me rethink my strict natives only approach to gardening! Highly, highly recommended reference book.
September 19, 2013
Don’t be put off by the word “urban” in the title of this book. This book is an excellent field guide for wild plants, in suburban and rural areas, too. Several color photos are included for every plant listed in the book and are very helpful in identification. The descriptive information provided for the 158 main entries includes scientific name and taxonomic authority, common names, botanical family, life form, place of origin, and identification features.
September 13, 2015
There is so much to learn from this book about those plants that too often go neglected and unnoticed as humble squalid weeds. They have to make up much of our interaction with Mother Nature as we live in increasingly urban environments, so getting used to them and knowing them is a worthy endeavor.
August 5, 2016
This is a fantastic book for those who live in urban/ suburban areas. It covers the trees, flowers, grasses, and weeds all in one volume that are seen all over this environment. In addition he tells why these plants thrive and what uses they may have for people and the planet. This is a must read if you like botany and live the city.
August 25, 2012
I am an enthusiastic observer of urban wildlife. This is the first book I have read which includes interesting histories of the enthusiastic plants often called "weeds", sans instructions on killing them.
May 23, 2012
Excellent reference -- not as punchy as I hoped. More of a guide than an exegesis.
June 12, 2011
INDISPENSIBLE. Books like this make nature seem at hand, they make our world three dimensional with the names of things on our tongues. Go find it, you'll recognize nearly every plant in this book.
September 12, 2012
Really good reference to ID things. And I had no idea how many "weeds" were native!
February 19, 2020
A bummer most plants in the book are European (Eurasian), I was hoping to discover North-American plants.
Update: decided to change this to four stars.
Update: decided to change this to four stars.
February 19, 2016
Worthy - thought provoking
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews