Invasive Plants: Guide to Identification and the Impacts and Control of Common North American Species [Paperback]

Sylvan Ramsey Kaufman (Author), Wallace Kaufman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 22, 2007

Identifying and understanding the plants that are changing the North American landscape forever

Full-color photographs make identification simple

An easy-to-use, wide-ranging guide to invasive plants in North America. Features full-color photos and descriptions of some 175 alien species--both terrestrial and aquatic--that are in some cases changing the landscape to an almost unimaginable degree. Accompanying text describes the plant's environmental and economic impacts as well as management techniques used to control it. Also includes an explanation of what an invasive is and a step-by-step identification key. An essential guide to understanding this unprecedented environmental challenge.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The first-ever field guide to invasive plants in North America. Features full-color photos and descritpions of some 175 alien species--both terrestial and aquatic--that are in some cases changing the landscape to an almost unimagineable degree.

From the Author

Invasive plants are part of nature's story and human history, and we have written this book not just to help identify and name a plant, but to tell its story--where did it originate, how did it get here, who brought it, and what what role does it play in the dynamics of the natural environment and our ongoing history.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1 edition (March 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811733653
• ISBN-13: 978-0811733656
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #391,465 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great, Comprehensive Field Guide to Invasive Plants, April 24, 2007

By 

David Barnes (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Invasive Plants: Guide to Identification and the Impacts and Control of Common North American Species (Paperback)

This book is an outstanding reference for homeowners, hikers, naturalists, and botanists trying to learn more about what plants are invasive in their backyards,neighborhood parks, and forests and what to do about them. I especially like the pictures -- most useful for identification. And not only can you learn to identify invasive plants, but the book has informative sections for each species on why that species is a problem and how to control it. I really liked the fascinating stories behind the plants. Once you take a look at this book, you will start seeing invasive plants everywhere.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical reference for invasive plants, May 15, 2007

By 

Ecorico - See all my reviews

This review is from: Invasive Plants: Guide to Identification and the Impacts and Control of Common North American Species (Paperback)

This book is much more than a field guide. The authors provide practical advice on eradicating invasive species, as well as fascinating histories of how the invasive plants got here in the first place. It's amazing how many of them were brought over for gardens! The guide is thorough, covering both terrestrial and aquatic species. Recommended for anyone with pesky invasive plant problems, be it a homeowner or a natural resource manager.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally!! An Invasive Plant Guide, January 6, 2008

By 

Randy J. Mercurio (Morrisville, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Invasive Plants: Guide to Identification and the Impacts and Control of Common North American Species (Paperback)

Although I am not a professional botanist to point out technical errors I have found this book to be very useful. Each plant species covered has a "Name and Family" section which includes the common and scientific name along with the common and scientific name of the family. There are also brief "Identifying Characteristics", "Habitat and Range", "What it does in the Ecosystem", "How it came to North America", "Management" and a "For More Information" section which refers to literature and/or web sites. I wanted a book that could help me quickly identify plants along roadsides and disturbed habitats that are typically known to be invasive. My interests involve edible plants and this book helps me determine if the plant I am curious about has any edible parts because it allows me to identify the plant and then cross reference it in other books or on the internet once I know the species. Lots of photographs (at least 2/species usually more) to help spot that plant you are looking for and they usually show enough features of the plant to help identify it. From an ecological standpoint I think it is great to have this book at the fingertips of those looking to restore natural habitats on their own property or our nature preserves. Finally!, a book that can assist us all with the massive problem of invasive plants.