Resources — Wisconsin Invasive Plant Identification
Invasive Plant Identification Resources
Welcome to Wisconsin’s Regulated (NR40) Invasive Plant Identification Resource Page. The goal of this page is to improve the ability of users to identify Wisconsin’s regulated invasive terrestrial plants. This page contains key resources that showing users how to identify 114 of Wisconsin’s regulated terrestrial invasive plants, view national and statewide distribution, and differentiate each invasive plant from similar looking species. Information and photographs for all 114 species can be found in the Master Resource Table that links to resources for each species. Additionally, to facilitate learning about this large number of species, we have separated the 114 species into 15 groups based on taxonomic relationships or similar traits. Each of the 15 groups has an overview of the group characteristics, including photos within referenced factsheets, and a Species Summary Table describing key traits of each species (leaves, flowers, etc.) to allow users to differentiate species within the group.
In addition to these resources, we provide a certification test to document test-takers’ ability to identify regulated terrestrial plants in Wisconsin. Individuals who successfully pass the test will receive an Invasive Plant Identification Certification from University of Wisconsin — Madison Division of Extension. If interested in completing the certification, click here for more information.
Plant Identification
For a brief introduction on plant terminology and an approach to identifying unknown plants, click here.
Plant Groups
Select a button below to view a summary of characteristics common to all species within each plant category, in addition to a table of resources for each individual species. We recommend working through the plant groups in the order presented. These groups can also be accessed through the menu on the right hand side of your screen (desktop and tablet only).