CFAES Give Today
Agronomic Crops Network

Ohio State University Extension

CFAES

Weed Identification Resources

We frequently receive questions about how to identify weeds and what the best resources are to help with identification.  There are many resources available for plant identification, but these are some of the ones we use the most, divided into four categories – books, online pdf’s, websites, and apps (internet access not necessarily required except to download initially).  We still often start the identification process with several books, because this can be faster and more comprehensive than using the web.

1.  Books

We have shelves of ID books and all of them serve a purpose.  They are full of amazing descriptions, sketches, and pictures. Our top picks, in order of preference are:  Weeds Of the Northeast, Weeds of the Midwestern United States and Central Canada, and Weeds of the North Central States.  These are all available for purchase on the web.

2.  Online pdf’s

Weed seedling ID - http://fieldcrop.msu.edu/uploads/documents/Ncr607.pdf

Early spring no-till weed IDhttp://weeds.cropsci.illinois.edu/extension/Other/NCR614.pdf

3.  Websites

Many solid weed ID websites are available, and the best one is really a matter of personal preference.  Weed science programs at Virginia Tech and the Universities of Illinois and Wisconsin have good ID sites.  A favorite for just looking at photos of weeds is http://images.bugwood.org.  The “images” tool in Google is very helpful for confirming an ID.

http://courses.missouristate.edu/pbtrewatha/Midwest_Weeds.htm

            -  good arrangement and labeling

http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/listall.asp

            - written descriptions better than some pics

http://www.weedinfo.ca

            - database with search options

4.  Apps

“ID Weeds” from University of Missouri Extension. A little technical; however, a solid weed list with a good vocabulary to get you headed in the right direction.

Weed ID” by BASF. This one has a “take a picture” option that can be very helpful. It also has general ID pictures instead of just terms when choosing characteristics.

Ag Weed ID by Penton Media Inc..  Has a Compare Image option that is nice, or browse option with unique narrowing search option

AG-PHD by FM - multiple tools, has a pest detection section with list of weeds and photos

Invasive Plants in Southern Forest: Identification Management - specialized list of species

Federal Noxious Weeds Key by USDA - seed and fruit for the hardcore ID

The first and normally easiest step in identification is determining if the weed is a monocot (grass) of dicot (broadleaf). If you go with grass the main characteristics to look at are the leaf shape, presence or absence of hair, auricle, ligule, flower shape, and overall plant structure. If you go with broadleaf the main characteristics are cotyledons (if still present), hair (present or absent), leaf arrangement, leaf type, leaf shape, leaf margin, petioles, ochrea, and flower shape/color.  With all of these characteristics a lot of variation occurs, and not just between species but within as well.  Feel free to email us for help with weed identification.  We can often identify a weed with a few good digital photos.

Crop Observation and Recommendation Network

C.O.R.N. Newsletter is a summary of crop observations, related information, and appropriate recommendations for Ohio crop producers and industry. C.O.R.N. Newsletter is produced by the Ohio State University Extension Agronomy Team, state specialists at The Ohio State University and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC). C.O.R.N. Newsletter questions are directed to Extension and OARDC state specialists and associates at Ohio State.

Author(s):