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What is a weed," opined Emerson, "but a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered?" While that may be a worthy notion in theory, these plants of undiscovered virtue cause endless hours of toil for backyard gardeners. Wherever they take root, weeds compete for resources, and most often win. They also wreak havoc on industry-from agriculture to golf courses to civic landscape projects, vast amounts of money are spent to eradicate these virile and versatile invaders. With so much at stake, reliable information on weeds and their characteristics is crucial. Richard Dickinson and France Royer shed light on this complex world with Weeds of North America, the essential reference for all who wish to understand the science of the all-powerful weed.
Encyclopedic in scope, Weeds of North America is the first to cover North American weeds at every stage of growth. Weeds of North America is organized by plant family, and more than five hundred species are featured. Each receives a two-page spread with images and text identification keys. Species are arranged within family alphabetically by scientific name, and entries include vital information on seed viability and germination requirements. Whether you believe, like Donald Culross Peattie, that "a weed is a plant out of place," or align with Elizabeth Wheeler Wilcox's "weeds are but unloved flowers," Dickinson and Royer provide much-needed background on these intrusive organisms. In the battle with weeds, knowledge truly is power.
Weeds of North America is the perfect tool for gardeners, as well as anyone working in the business of weed ecology and control.
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Abbreviations for Provincial and State Names
Plant Structures
Identification of Weed Species
Key to Trees and Shrubs
Key to Vines and Climbing Plants
Key to Herbaceous Land Plants
Key to Aquatic Plants
Key to Grasses and Grasslike Plants
Family and Species Descriptions
Glossary
Illustration Credits
Bibliography
Index to Common and Scientific Names
Richard Dickinson lives in Toronto and has taught plant taxonomy for more than twenty-five years. France Royer is a photographer living in Edmonton, Alberta. Together they are the authors of Wildflowers of Edmonton and Central Alberta, Wildflowers of Calgary and Southern Alberta, Weeds of Canada and the Northern United States, and Plants of Alberta.
"Weeds of North America offers excellent narratives and fantastic pictures of all growing stages of each weed assisting in identifying various species through numerous means. It is a very handy, easy to use guide with Quick identifications, descriptions, and color photos which will benefit field staff in accomplishing weed management programs."
- Jim Broatch, Pest Management Specialist, Alberta Agriculture, and Jennifer Zuidhof, Cropping Systems Technician, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
