Here are some resources to help you identify weeds and invasive plants.
Have you noticed white-flowering vines engulfing trees or shrubs, particularly in more rural areas, lately? Wild cucumber is a warm season annual that becomes quite conspicuous in late summer at the peak of its growth and bloom. Although it is in the same family as cultivated cucumber, this species is not edible. To learn more about this native plant, read this article…
Every spring I rip out handfuls of a sticky annual weed with whorls of leaves along its lanky stems. This species (Galium aparine) is a low-brow relative of the nice, ornamental perennial Sweet Woodruff (G. odorata). To learn more about this annoying weed, read this article…
Yellow toadflax is a weedy Eurasian species of Linaria that has naturalized throughout the country. Although it has pretty yellow flowers, this perennial spreads by creeping rhizomes, making it difficult to control. Learn more about this plant in this article…
Have you seen those tall spikes poking up along roadsides or in gardens from wooly leaves? Soon the yellow flowers will start to open (if they haven’t already) on these common mullein plants. If you’d like to learn more about this widespread weed, read this article…
Common yellow woodsorrel is a low-growing weed found throughout most of the US and almost all of Wisconsin. It can be a problem in gardens and lawns. Learn more about this species in this article…
Weeds are an unfortunate part of every garden. Velvetleaf is one common species that occurs primarily in the southern half of the state. Learn more about this rather distinctive and conspicuous weed in this article…
With inconspicuous flowers and relatively short stature, and often growing in disturbed sites, common groundsel is often overlooked. This European annual can be locally common and spread rapidly, but may be absent or uncommon in other areas. Read more about this introduced weed in this article…
Black medic is a prostrate clover-like weed with small yellow flowers, often growing in lawns and garden beds. Originating from Europe and temperate Asia, this leguminous plant (legume) is also called yellow trefoil, black clover and hop medic. Read more about identifying and managing this weed.
Hanging high in trees in warmer climates, mistletoe is a plant that has a long history of myth and tradition dating back to ancient times. To find out more about this interesting group of parasitic plants, read this article…
