Most invasive plants in Sligo are garden escapes. Some entered from adjoining back yards, and of these English ivy is the worst offender. A few such as thistle seem to have come from soil brought in by the Park. Most remaining plants, including kudzu, mile-a-minute and porcelain berry were probably brought in by birds.
The photos in this section, all taken in Sligo unless noted, should help with identification. The text reports technique, look-alikes and other information acquired through experience and websites which are cited.
When searching for additional web material on invasive plants, entering the scientific name will turn up academic websites. Entering the common name will yield sites that include human interest newspaper articles and nursery establishments.
The Maryland Native Plant Society website maintains an excellent annotated bibliography under Resources, at www.mdflora.org/publications/booklist.html
In 2006 a card showing Thirteen Common Invasives in Sligo was distributed to nearly all houses within two blocks of Sligo Creek. A digital file for printing a large batch of cards is available. Consult the webmaster.
Books on Wildflower Identification
For identifying plants in Sligo, you can narrow the search by bringing a printout of the John Parrish Native Plant Inventory.
- Peterson, R.T. Wildflowers: Northeastern/North-central North America. Houghton-Mifflin; 1968. 1996.
Classification by color, then flower type. This book is the author's personal preference.
- Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb's Wildflower Guide. Little, Brown; 1977. Classification by flower and leaf type.
Preferred by many to Peterson.
- Niering, William A.; Nancy C. Olmstead. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers: Eastern Region 1979; Knopf; 1979.
Color photographs; fewer species covered than the other books described here.
A Book on Tree Identification
- Elbert L. Little, Jr. The National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region. Knopf; 1980. Recommended by the Maryland Native Plant Society.
Professional Identification Books
A pair of extremely useful technical manuals that are comprehensive and have line drawings for every species, are:
- Brown, Melvin L., and Brown, Russell G. Herbaceous Plants of Maryland. Port City Press, Baltimore; 1964, 1984.
- Brown, Russell G., and Brown, Melvin L. Woody Plants of Maryland. Port City Press, Baltimore; 1972.
