Weed Identification

For the action-oriented, gawking at weed identification pictures may seem rather lame. Perhaps as far as they're concerned, they simply don't like a particular "volunteer plant" and are ready to go pull it up or spray it with an herbicide. They won't "dignify" the plant by identifying it, first, before locking horns with it.

What's wrong with such a disdain for identifying the enemy as a preliminary step to doing battle? Plenty, as you probably realize if you're reading this guide. The most basic objection is that it helps to know something about what it is that you're fighting. Proper weed identification can be the gateway to knowledge that has been compiled over the years regarding a particular plant. As superficial as a mere name may seem, without it, you're barring yourself from all kinds of helpful tips and warnings. The purpose of the present guide is not only to help you identify common weeds through photos, but also to introduce you to some of those helpful control tips -- and a few warnings, too.

Often, we approach control from a position of ignorance. As children, perhaps, we're told by someone misinformed on the subject that a particular noxious plant is called such and such, but it turns out to be an erroneous weed identification. I myself was told during my childhood years that a particularly loathsome nuisance growing in my yard was "sumac" when, in fact, it was Japanese knotweed (see picture on right). I later learned its true identity, which is important, since there's an impressive body of literature out there on Japanese knotweed control.

One salient fact that speaks volumes in favor of first identifying your enemy correctly is the fact that not all herbicides are equally effective against all weeds in all situations. If you neglect weed identification prior to spraying your foe, you may be wasting time and/or money.

Also, by studying up on the plant first, you may discover facts about it that will alter your approach in fighting it (for instance, see below for poison ivy). And in some cases, weed identification may even altogether alter your desire for eradication of a particular plant, as you discover its good qualities. Remember a "weed" remains a weed only so long as you consider it undesirable. For that reason, in the following resources, I not only discuss plants that are commonly and justifiably found on homeowners' "hit lists," but also plants whose designation as "weeds" you may wish to reconsider. I also discuss examples of seemingly innocuous plants that may actually be among the worst weeds.

1. Poison Ivy Pictures

Poison ivy can cause more than just an annoying itch. Did you know that you can develop serious health problems from attempting to eradicate poison ivy by burning the vines? And as commonly as one hears people speaking of poison ivy, proper weed identification for this plant is not as common as one might think. Many people needlessly spray the vine, Virginia creeper, thinking it's poison ivy. Worse yet, many others fail to identify the poison ivy that they encounter when enjoying outdoor activities -- walking blindly into it and paying the price, afterwards. For information on poison ivy, please see my identification photo gallery, "Pictures of Poison Ivy":

Pictures of Poison Ivy

2. How to Get Rid of Poison Oak

If you live on the West Coast of the U.S., that "itchy vine" in your backyard is probably poison oak, not poison ivy. For information on poison oak, please see the following resource:

How to Get Rid of Poison Oak

3. Poison Sumac Pictures

Of the "big 3," poison sumac isn't as widely encountered as its 2 relatives, poison ivy and poison oak. But it can give you just as bad a rash. Learn how to identify it by using my photo gallery, "Poison Sumac Pictures":

Poison Sumac Pictures

4. How to Kill Crabgrass

The next two entries won't harm your health, but they are eyesores. The first is the common lawn weed, crabgrass, whose very name suggests how tenacious a foe it is! For information on crabgrass, please see the following resource:

How to Kill Crabgrass

5. Japanese Knotweed Plants

The aforementioned Japanese knotweed may be the most widely detested plant that nobody has ever heard of! Japanese knotweed typically takes over areas of a property where the soil has been disturbed. This perennial weed forms dense stands of bamboo-like canes. So what's the problem? The problem is, when cold weather comes and the plants die, the dead canes remain left behind. In fact, it can take years for them to break down, thus creating an unsightly and unmanageable mess on your landscape. For information on Japanese knotweed, please see the following resource:

Japanese Knotweed Plants

Please continue on to Page 2 for further weed identification resources, beginning with a plant that causes suffering for untold millions every autumn....