Problem Plants of Ohio

An essential guide to the identification and control of invasive plants in Ohio

Problem Plants of Ohio is a guide to nonnative plant species in Ohio, providing information on the identification and control of plant species formally listed as invasive or prohibited noxious weeds as well as additional species that are considered a nuisance in gardens, landscaping, or natural settings.

Featuring more than 900 color photographs to aid in the identification of 148 plant species, Problem Plants of Ohio details the origin of each species’ introduction to North America, provides thorough and accessible botanical descriptions, explains the economic and environmental impacts of each species, and includes basic information on control measures. The authors also include suggestions for native alternatives to use in gardens in place of problematic horticultural species.

The first book of this kind written specifically about the state, Problem Plants of Ohio presents new research on the change in nonnative species over time and discusses how climate change will further exacerbate the issue of invasive species. It includes current distribution maps for each plant species.

Problem Plants of Ohio is an invaluable resource for gardeners, landscapers, farmers, academics, and natural areas managers.

Megan E. Griffiths is an adjunct professor in the department of Biological Science at Kent State University. Over the past two decades, Dr. Griffiths has studied plant-plant interactions with particular focus on understanding the mechanisms by which disturbance and competition impact plant communities.

Melissa A. Davis is a botany instructor and the horticulture facilities director at Kent State University Herrick Conservatory and collections manager of the Tom S. and Miwako K. Cooperrider Kent State University Herbarium.

David Ward is the Art and Margaret Herrick Endowed Professor of Plant Biology at Kent State University. His research interests lie in the field of the ecology of plant species redistributions, including the study of both invasive and encroaching plant species.