There are countless manuals and reference works available that identity
wildflowers, trees, shrubs, mushrooms, herbs, and other plants. Yet, if
you want to identify one of the plants that you see most often and find
everywhere -- those classified as weeds -- you will experience great
difficulty, for remarkably little has been published to help you.
This volume, is almost unique -- the most useful non-technical
identification guide and source of information ever compiled on weeds of
the continental United States. Almost any common weed you are likely to
encounter can be identified from its pages, in which you will also find
much other data about it. Prepared by the United States Department of
Agriculture, it is a painstaking, up-to-date survey of more than 220
important species.
At least two pages are devoted to each species. One contains a clear,
accurate drawing of the plant in habit, flower, fruit, seeds, capsules,
etc. Facing it is a full descriptive text that includes botanical
notice, habitat, area, peculiarities, origin, etc., with a map in each
case showing distribution throughout the United States. The species are
arranged botanically, following the classificatory order. Both
scientific and common names are given. A glossary explains all technical
terms used, and a series of drawings shows the various types of leaves,
roots, stems, fruits, flowers, and inflorescences for the nonbotanist.
The nature lover, collector, and hobbyist will discover here a specialty
rich in interest and potential value, for much about the weeds still
remains to be learned. For the botanist, this volume represents a useful
ready reference. For the gardener, farmer, and livestock owner it can be
an important aid. Even the general reader will find it inviting,
explaining much about what he sees on virtually every patch of untended
ground.
