Weed Identification

Weed identification (ID) on a farm can be a tedious task. But weeds must be properly identified prior to weed control activities. Two weed species may look very similar at a given growth stage but may differ greatly in terms of the life cycle, modes of reproduction, crop-weed competition, and responses to control tactics. Resources listed below can help you identify weeds.

Tools:

Web-based apps:

University of Missouri
Weed Identification Key

University of Wisconsin
Weed Identification Key

 

Smartphone apps (iOS or Android)

PictureThis

LeafSnap

PlantNet

Plantstory
Download

Seek by iNaturalist
Download

 

  For a review of these apps and others, see this Michigan State University analysis.

Photo Galleries (by region):

Northeast

Rutgers University
New Jersey Weed Gallery

University of Massachusetts Amherst
Weed Herbarium

Penn State University
Weed ID For Pennsylvania

Midwest

University of Missouri
Weed ID

University of Minnesota
Weed Identification

The Ohio State University
Ohio Perennial and Biennial Weed Guide

South

Louisiana State University
Weed Identification

University of Florida
Weed Identification Guide

Auburn University
Weed Identification

West

University of California IPM
Weed Photo Gallery

New Mexico State University
Weed Database

University of Wyoming
Weed ID Guide

Guides (hard copy):

Weeds of the Northeast

Weeds of the Northeast Richard H. Uva, Joseph C. Neal, and Joseph M. DiTomaso
ISBN: 978-0801483349

Browse

Weeds of the South

Weeds of the South edited by Charles T. Bryson and
Michael S. DeFelice
ISBN: 978-0820330464

Browse

Weeds of the Midwestern United States and Central Canada

Weeds of the Midwestern United States and Central Canada edited by Charles T. Bryson & Michael S. DeFelice
SBN: 978-0820335063

Browse

Weeds of the Wests

Weeds of the West by Tom D. Whitson, Larry C. Burrill, Steven A. Dewey, David W. Cudney, and B.E. Nelson
ISBN: 978-0756711825

Browse

Other Resources:

IPM Pocket Guide for Weed ID in Field Crops

Michigan State University ($16)
IPM Pocket Guide for Weed ID in Field Crops

Weed ID and Herbicide Injury Guide

University of Missouri ($21)
Weed ID and Herbicide Injury Guide

Weed ID Field Guide

Iowa State University ($10)
Weed ID Field Guid

For more information on weed identification and characteristics click the button below:

Identification and characteristics of weeds

The following video shows tips on identifying summer annual grasses commonly found in corn, soybean, and cotton fields:

Developed by GROW

The following video shows tips on identifying grassy weeds at the end of the season, by their seedheads:

Developed by GROW