Plant Identification

Melissa Graves
Extension Weeds and IPM Specialist

Outline
Basic plant parts Characteristics used for plant ID Plants currently listed on the high priority list

Basic plant parts

roots stems internode node leaves flower/fruit

Identifying Characteristics
Leaves
Arrangement Parts Types Shapes Margins

Identifying Characteristics
Flowers
Symmetry Shape Location

Fruit types Root systems

Leaf arrangement

Opposite

Alternate

Whorled

Leaf Parts

Leaf type

Simple leaf

Compound leaf

Leaf shape

11

Elliptic leaf

Linear leaf

Cordate leaf

Leaf margin

13

Entire margin

Lobed margin

Dentate margin

Sinuate margin

14

Flower Symmetry

Bilateral Symmetry

Radial Symmetry

Flower Shapes

Cruciform

Ligulate

Papilionaceous (Pea flower)

Inflorescence Types

Corymb

Umbel

Head (capitulum)

Raceme

Helicoid cyme

Fruit Types

Achene

Silicle

Nutlet

Root Systems

Outline
Basic plant parts Characteristics used for plant ID Plants currently listed on the high priority list

Curlyleaf Pondweed
Aquatic plant, leaves submersed Leaves narrowly oblong, curly margined Leaves clasping to stem Forms dense mats

Similar Species

Dyers Woad

Bluish-green leaves with white mid-vein Flat-topped to umbrella-shaped clusters of yellow flowers 1-4 ft. tall Purplish brown to black teardrop-shaped seeds
Photos by Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org

Similar Species
Tumblemustard
Unbranched lower stem, bushy upper stem Lower leaves broad and divided almost to mid-vein Upper leaves with narrow, linear lobes Flowers white to pale yellow
Oregon State University uspest.org

Missouri Flora www.missouriplants.com

Michael L. Charters www.calflora.net

Similar Species
Western Wallflower (Native)
National Park Service www.nps.gov

Basal leaves spreading, linear-elliptical shaped Leaf margins toothed (dentate) Leaf surface with fine hairs Flowers bright yellow to yellow-orange Inflorescence tight, terminal raceme

National Park Service www.nps.gov

Similar Species
Yellow Alyssum
Stems branching at base, 3-10 inches in height Short, narrow leaves Stems and leaves covered with fine hairs Flowers white to pale yellow Inflorescence tight, terminal raceme
Matt Lavin gemini.oscs.montana.edu

Mark Turner www.pnwflowers.com

Wikipedia www.commons.wikipedia.org

Eurasian Watermilfoil
Aquatic perennial 4 whorled leaves at each stem joint >14 paired leaflets/leaf give feathery appearance Foliage does not collapse when removed from water Inconspicuous pink flowering spike above water surface Stem width twice as wide below flower spike

Native Watermilfoils
Distinguishing from Eurasian Stem width remains constant below flowering spike Sparse branching near water surface Short-spike <14 paired leaflets/leaf Whorl-leaf (western) Bracts longer than flowers

Drawings by Hilary Parkinson, MSU

Flowering Rush
Aquatic perennial Creeping rhizomes and bulblets (not in PNW) Erect or floating leaves, 3 ft. long and inch wide Triangular cross-section Umbrella-shaped clusters of pink to white flowers with 3 petals

Photos by Leslie Mehrhoff, Univ. of CT, Bugwood.org

Knotweed Complex
Japanese, Giant, Himalayan
Separated by leaf shape and size

Hollow, smooth, jointed stems Base of stem surrounded by membranous sheath Up to 20 ft. tall (depending on species) Small greenish-white flowers in sprays

Photo by Leslie Mehrhoff, Univ. of CT, Bugwood.org

Purple Loosestrife
Height often 6-8 feet Leaves smooth margined; either opposite or whorled on stem Flowers rose-purple with 5-7 petals Inflorescence is a long terminal raceme Typically found in moist or marshy sites

Elizabeth J. Czarapata dnr.wi.gov

Elizabeth J. Czarapata dnr.wi.gov

Kentucky Division of Forestry www.forestry.ky.gov

Similar Species
Fireweed (Native)
Matt Lavin gemini.oscs.montana.edu University of Northern British Columbia web.unbc.ca

Up to 9 feet tall Leaves lance-shaped, up to 8 inches long Flowers rose to purple (4 petals); inflorescence a long terminal raceme Flowers have linear bracts

J.K. Lindsey www.commanster.eu Walter Siegmund en.wikipedia.org

Rush Skeletonweed
dandelion from hell Sharp, deeply toothed rosette leaves Yellow flower Downward bent, coarse hairs on lower stem

Utah St. University, Bugwood.org

Gary Piper, Washington State Univ., Bugwood.org

Gary Old, Bugwood.org

Similar Species
Skeletonweed
Up to 18 inches tall Stems lacking hairs Leaves small, linear, upper leaves reduced to awl-like projections Flowers light purple Basal leaves absent
Brian Peterson www.tolweb.org

Jim Pisarowicz www.nps.gov

National Park Service www.nps.gov

Scotch Broom
Woody shrub, up to 10 ft tall Bright yellow pea flowers Inflorescences terminal and axillary Trifoliate leaves, entire leaflets Seed pods only hairy on the margins

Similar Species
Striated Broom
Currently found in California and Oregon Bright yellow pea flowers Terminal inflorescence Trifoliate leaves, entire leaflets Seed pods very hairy

Similar Species
Whitespanish Broom
Currently found in California, Oregon, and Washington White pea flowers Trifoliate leaves, entire leaflets Seed pods very hairy

Similar Species
Yellow Sweetclover
Annual to short-lived perennial Found throughout the United States Yellow pea flowers Trifoliate leaves, entire leaflets Seed pods small
Photo by Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Photo by Mary Ellen Harte (bugwood.org)

Photo by Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Yellow Starthistle
Annual Single yellow flower per branch -1 inch spines radiating from flower bracts Grayish-green foliage Vertical leaves along stem give stem a winged appearance
Photos by Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org

Similar Species
Spotted Knapweed
Basal leaves long, very dissected Upper leaves narrow Foliage gray-green, hairy Flowers normally purple, may also be white or cream Stiff bracts with hairy margins and dark tips
Joseph M. DiTomaso www.invasive.org

U.S. Fish & Wildlife www.fws.gov

Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board www.nwcb.wa.gov

Similar Species
Diffuse Knapweed
Stems rough, 1-2 feet tall Most leaves pinnately divided Flower heads narrow, may be white to purple Margins of bracts comb-like

Montana Department of Ag agr.mt.gov Montana Weed Control Association www.mtweed.org

Salt Lake County Weed Control www.weeds.slco.org

Hydrilla
Leaves in whorls of 3-6 Leaves strap shaped, minutely saw-toothed (serrate) margins Tiny white flowers, rarely seen Reproduces by stem fragmentation and tubers Not currently found in Montana

Quiz Time
A B Which plant is purple loosestrife?

Which plant is dyers woad?

Which plant is Eurasian Watermilfoil? A B

Additional Resources
Bugwood Network (http://wiki.bugwood.org/Main_Page) High Plains IPM (http://wiki.bugwood.org/HPIPM:Main_Page) Montana Extension (http:/www.msuextension.org) Montana Weed Control Association (MWCA website www.mtweed.org/ ) Schutter Diagnostic Lab (http://diagnostics.montana.edu) USDA Plants Database (http://plants.usda.gov) Weeds of the West. Whitson, T.D. et al. 2006.

Questions?
For more information contact: Melissa Graves Extension Weeds and IPM Specialist (406)994-6297; melissa.graves@montana.edu

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