‘Weeds of the South’ recommended
Oct 22, 2009 9:55 AM, By David Bennett, Farm Press Editorial Staff
The book can be purchased through Amazon at Weeds of the South.
My family uses guidebooks a lot and the newly-released Weeds of the South is simply excellent, among the best on our shelf. Charles Bryson and Mike DeFelice have co-authored a book that is visually appealing, educational, comprehensive and easy to use. Five stars out of five.
Of course, my layperson’s opinion is a paltry second next to the experts’ opinions. Luckily, I’m not off-base in my assessment. Asked for their opinions of the book, several Mid-South weed scientists also offer glowing reviews.
Arkansas Extension weed specialists Ken Smith and Bob Scott “have purchased a number of copies for distribution to all county offices in Arkansas,” says Scott. “This is the most up-to-date text thus far on weed species of the South and replaces the older, bulkier, big yellow books that were previously published through the SWSS (Southern Weed Science Society). It is an excellent reference. Everyone that works in weed control in any way should have a copy.”
The book is “a ‘must-have’ for plant taxonomists, weed science students and practitioners, crop consultants, and natural world enthusiasts interested in the flora of the region,” says Bob Hayes, weed scientist and superintendent of the West Tennessee Research and Extension Center. “Outstanding photography and plant characteristics make for easy identification and classification of weeds.”
Hayes just procured a copy in June and has “used it almost everyday since I received it. I keep it within arms-reach and have recommended it to numerous persons bringing in weeds for identification.”
DeFelice appreciates the kind words — and has heard plenty of similar sentiment. “We’ve gotten great response from the book. Really nice notes are coming in from all over. People seem stunned at how well it turned out. The South is the most diverse region of the nation for weeds and there was a huge gap without a book like this.”
Dashboard material
Weeds of the South “belongs on the dashboard of a pickup truck,” says Bryson, a USDA-ARS research botanist stationed in Stoneville, Miss. “It’s so much easier to use than the loose-leaf weed guide binders we had previously.
“With this book, in the index, we list every species and every common name — even if the common name is the same for multiple weeds. Those are all referenced and it makes it so much easier to find particular weeds.”
(For more on Bryson’s work with invasive species, see Cogongrass, deep-rooted sedge.)
The big yellow binder — which was the standard for the South for around three decades — “was hard to lug around,” says DeFelice, a Pioneer senior manager based in Des Moines, Iowa. “It became way too expensive and unwieldy. Four years ago, we decided the binder was no longer the answer.”
