Cucumber Mosaic
Cucumber mosaic is a viral disease that affects a wide range of fruits, vegetables, herbaceous and woody ornamentals, and weeds. This factsheet covers identification and ways to prevent this incurable disease.
Weeds & Invasive Plants
Weeds and invasive plants can out-compete our desired plants, reduce the attractiveness of our landscapes, and even cause physical harm to people and animals. Identifying and understanding the life cycle of weeds can be important in determining the best control methods and protecting our native landscapes.
Featured Articles
Common Weed Seedlings of the North Central States
This detailed, illustrated guide will help you identify 54 of the most common problem weed species in the north central region of the United States. It is divided into two main sections: grass and grass-like weeds and broadleaf weeds.
Wild Parsnip
Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is an aggressive Eurasian member of the carrot family that grows in sunny areas and tolerates dry to wet soil types. Very invasive, it can overtake roadsides and fields. Contact with this plant can cause severe skin blisters and permanent scarring. Learn how to identify and control this invasive plant in this factsheet.
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Articles
Carpetweed, Mollugo verticillata
Carpetweed lives up to its common name by quickly forming a flat mat over the ground. This prostrate summer annual has freely branching stems with whorls of green leaves at the widely spaced nodes. It is most common in disturbed areas – gardens, new or thin lawns, and roadsides. Find out more about this common weed in this article…
Field Pennycress, Thlaspi arvense
There are many weedy plants in the mustard family. It would be easy to overlook field pennycress early in the season, but once the distinctive seed pods develop with a bottle-brush-like appearance, and especially once they start to dry, this plant becomes much more noticeable. Learn more about this introduced weed by reading this article…
Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale
Those cheerful yellow flowers are everywhere in spring. Dandelion is a European species that has made itself at home throughout North America. A menace to gardeners and homeowners looking for a lush, green lawn, this plant can also be cultivated or foraged as food. You can find out more about this ubiquitous weed in this article…
Invasive Phragmites
Invasive phragmites, or common reed. is a tall, perennial grass that aggressively colonizes and forms dense stands in freshwater wetlands. Learn how to identify and control this invasive threat to Wisconsin’s wetlands in this factsheet.
Japanese Knotweed:
Japanese Knotweed, which is native to Asia, has become an invasive plant in Wisconsin. This brochure describes the plant and gives recommendations for control.
Invasive Exotic Shrub Honeysuckles
Includes history, distribution, habitat, similar species, threats, identification and impact, of the shrub honeysuckles that are invasive in the Midwest. Photos and discussion of control strategies are also included.
Purple Loosestrife
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a fast-spreading, tall Eurasian plant that grows primarily in wetlands and ditches, but can invade home gardens. This factsheet covers identification and control of this attractive, yet invasive, plant.
Dodder
Dodders are parasitic plants that can affect a variety of plants, including vegetables, herbaceous and woody plants, and even weeds. Learn what dodders look like and what to do if you find them in this factsheet.
Identifying grasses in Wisconsin
R.C. Newman Revised: 5/11/2010 Item number: A1827 This 12-page publication will help you identify the 30 most common grass species in Wisconsin turf.
Dame’s Rocket
Dame’s rocket is a Eurasian biennial belonging to the mustard family. It was introduced to North America in the 1600’s and has naturalized itself in moist, wooded areas, but can also invade open areas. Learn how to identify and control this invasive plant in this factsheet.
Garlic Mustard
Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is a European woodland plant introduced to North America by early settlers for its culinary and alleged medicinal qualities. Identification and control methods are covered in this concise factsheet.
