1. Plant Identification Packet 2016
Compiled By: Anthony LaRocca

2. Chickweed (Stellaria media)
Average Mature Height:
1 to 6 inches
Characteristics:
Annual, Herbaceous,
Self-seeding
Easy ID Tip:
Stems are very fragile
and tend to grow in a
circular pattern with
small white flowers.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling from root.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In and around rain
gardens, lawns, planter
beds.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young
Purple Loosetrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Average Mature Height:
4 to 6 feet
Characteristics:
Perennial, Herbaceous,
Tap-root system,
Aggressive, Invasive.
Easy ID Tip:
Grows near bodies of
water and has striking
purple flowers.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling by roots.
Be sure to do this before
it goes to seed.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In and around rain
gardens.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young

3. Cattail (Typha latifolia)
Average Mature Height:
5 to 10 feet
Characteristics:
Perennial, Herbaceous
Easy ID Tip:
Very tall spiked leaves.
It has an oblong brown
flower Spring - Autumn
that becomes a downy
white mass in Winter.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling. Grab by
root network and pull up
as much as possible.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Rain Gardens B and C
(Keep in C)
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young
Smartweed (Polygonum)
Average Mature Height:
2 to 4 feet
Characteristics:
Annual, Herbaceous,
Self-seeding, Aggressive
Easy ID Tip:
Usually found in
disturbed soils with
striking pink flowers.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In and around rain
gardens, planter beds,
fence line.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young

4. Wild Grape Vine (Vitis sp.)
Average Mature Height:
Climbs as high as 20 ft.
Characteristics:
Vining, Perennial,
Aggressive.
Easy ID Tip:
Vine becomes woody
with maturity. Tendrils
wrap around other
species.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling. Tear at
base and let the vine die
back for easy removal.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In and around rain
gardens, edges, fence
line.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young
Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)
Average Mature Height:
4 to 8 feet
Characteristics:
Perennial, Herbaceous,
Rhizome Roots,
Aggressive, Invasive
Easy ID Tip:
Stems are hollow and
resemble bamboo.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling by roots.
Most effective in mid-
Summer. Occupied
areas can also be tarped
for extended periods of
time
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In and around rain
gardens, Fence line.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young

5. Burdock (Arctium)
Average Mature Height:
3 to 4 feet
Characteristics:
Biennial, Herbaceous,
Tap-root.
Easy ID Tip:
Leaves look like collard
greens. Seed pods are
bright pink and velcro
like.
Method for Removal:
Dig out full root system
with spade.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In and around rain
gardens, lawns, and
planting beds, Fence
line.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young
Pokeweed (Phytolaca americana)
Average Mature Height:
4 to 6 feet
Characteristics:
Perennial, Herbaceous,
Tap-root system.
Easy ID Tip:
Leaves are long and
waxy with clusters of
purple berries. Mature
specimens have colored
stalks.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling. Remove in
early summer.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In and around rain
gardens, Fence line, All
beds.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Stalk Mature

6. Common Bed Straw (Galium aparine)
Average Mature Height:
3 to 5 feet long
Characteristics:
Annual, Aggressive,
Native
Easy ID Tip:
Long strads with whirled
leaves. Small white
flowers in the Summer.
Feels prickly and almost
like velcro.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling, Remove in
early summer before it
has gone to seed.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In and around rain
gardens.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young
Lambs Quarters (Chenopodium album)
Average Mature Height:
3 to 5 feet
Characteristics:
Annual, Aggressive,
Herbaceous, Self-
seeding
Easy ID Tip:
Leaves resemble
chrysanthemum, and
are fragrant with white
underside.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In and around rain
gardens, lawns, and
planting beds.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young

7. Purple Dead-Nettle (Lamium purpureum)
Average Mature Height:
1/2 to 2 feet
Characteristics:
Annual, Aggressive,
Invasive
Easy ID Tip:
Flowers have a top petal
that looks like a hood.
Scaley, droopy leaves.
Square stems.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling by root.
Remove in early
summer.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In and around rain
gardens, lawns, and
planting beds.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Habit Flower
Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)
Average Mature Height:
2 to 4 feet
Characteristics:
Perennial, Herbaceous,
Aggressive, Invasive.
Easy ID Tip:
Sharp spines. Grows
in a rosette shape.
Bright pink flowers have
a sphere shape and
spikes.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling (with
gloves). Large quantities
can be sprayed with
chemicals multiple times.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In and around rain
gardens and planting
beds.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Flower Leaf

8. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
Average Mature Height:
1 to 6 inches
Characteristics:
Aggressive, Erect,
Perennial, Self-seeding
Easy ID Tip:
Stems are very fragile
and tend to grow in a
circular pattern with
small white flowers.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
All Rain Gardens.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Leaf
Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
Average Mature Height:
Can climb to over 60 ft.
Characteristics:
Vining, Self-seeding,
Aggressive, Invasive
Easy ID Tip:
Flowers and fruits are
in small clusters on leaf
axils. Roots are bright
orange.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling. Cut at
base and let die.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Rain Gardens (Heavy
within shrubs)
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Root

9. Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii)
Average Mature Height:
15 to 20 feet
Characteristics:
Upright Shrub,
Aggressive, Invasive.
Easy ID Tip:
Bunches of little red
berries. Pith is holllow.
Opposite leaves
resemble dogwood
leaves.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling from roots.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Rain Garden A
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Fruit Flower
Porcelain Berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata)
Average Mature Height:
Climbs 15 to 20 feet
Characteristics:
Vining, Aggressive,
Invasive.
Easy ID Tip:
Very unique leaf shape.
Fruits are multi-colored.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling. Tear at
base and let die for easy
removal.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In and around rain
gardens, mostly in shrub
stands.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Leaf Fruit

10. Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola)
Average Mature Height:
4 to 6 feet
Characteristics:
Invasive, Aggressive,
Erect, Biennial
Easy ID Tip:
Thorns all over stems
and leaves.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling with gloves
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In and around all rain
gardens, beds, and
lawns. Fence line.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Flower Bud
Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)
Average Mature Height:
30 to 40 feet
Characteristics:
Invasive, Fast Growing,
Deciduous Tree
Easy ID Tip:
Young specimens have
massive leaves (often a
foot wide).
Method for Removal:
Dig out and removed by
roots
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Rain Garden B, Fence
Line
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Flower Young

11. Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)
Average Mature Height:
Climbs 15 to 20 feet
Characteristics:
Vining, Aggressive,
Invasive.
Easy ID Tip:
Distinctive purple
flowers.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling. Tear at
base and let die for easy
removal.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In and around rain
gardens, mostly in shrub
stands.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Leaf Flower
Hemp Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum)
Average Mature Height:
2 to 5 feet
Characteristics:
Herbaceous, Perennial,
Native, Poisonus
Easy ID Tip:
Smaller leaves then
similar looking milk
weed.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Beds next to playground
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Leaf

12. Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila)
Average Mature Height:
25 to 30 feet
Characteristics:
Deciduous Tree,
Invasive
Easy ID Tip:
Very distinctive alternate
leaf with prominent veins
and a velvet like texture.
Method for Removal:
Dig up by root.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Rain Gardens A, B, and
C.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Form Seed
Virginia Pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum)
Average Mature Height:
1 foot
Characteristics:
Annual, Native,
Herbaceous
Easy ID Tip:
Stalks look like a bottle
brush.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In and around rain
gardens.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Flower and seed

13. Field Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
Average Mature Height:
2 to 3 feet
Characteristics:
Rhizomatous, Perennial,
Native
Easy ID Tip:
Erect stalks have rings.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Rain Garden C
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young
Hedge Bindweed (Calystegia sepium)
Average Mature Height:
Climbs 15 to 20 feet
Characteristics:
Vining, Aggressive,
Invasive.
Easy ID Tip:
Distinctive white flowers.
Leaf looks square at
base.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling. Tear at
base and let die for easy
removal.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In and around rain
gardens
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Flower Leaf

14. Wild Carrot (Daucus carota)
Average Mature Height:
3.5 feet
Characteristics:
Biennial, Aggressive.
Easy ID Tip:
White lace-like flowers,
Erect flowering stalk,
Unique leaf shape with
deep lobes, Strong
carrot odor.
Method for Removal:
Hand pulling for small
quantities, chamical
spray for large
quantities. Remove in
early summer.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In and around rain
gardens.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young
Crown Vetch (Coronilla varia.)
Average Mature Height:
1 to 2 feet
Characteristics:
Perennial, Aggressive,
Invasive, Herbaceous
Easy ID Tip:
Compound leaf with odd
number of oval shaped
leaflets.
Method for Removal:
Remove by hand if it
becomes a problem.
Some patches should be
kept for ecological value.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In and around rain
gardens.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young

15. False Aster (Boltonia asteroides)
Average Mature Height:
5 to 6 feet
Characteristics:
Herbaceous, Perennial,
Spreads by Rhizomes
(slowly), Erect,
Wildflower
Easy ID Tip:
Small white flowers
arrive in late spring.
Leaves are alternate,
linear, and stalk-less
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Rain Garden B
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Flower Leaf
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Average Mature Height:
4 to 5 feet
Characteristics:
Herbaceous, Perennial,
Erect, Native, Wildflower
Easy ID Tip:
Stalk resembles a
sneezeweed but without
the wings. Flowers tend
to form a large cone
shape.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In and around rain
gardens.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young

16. Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)
Average Mature Height:
4 to 6 feet
Characteristics:
Perennial, Wildflower,
Native, Erect
Easy ID Tip:
Stalks have prominent
wings.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Rain Gardens
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Winged Stem
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Average Mature Height:
3 to 5 feet
Characteristics:
Herbaceous, Perennial,
Native
Easy ID Tip:
Milky sap extrudes from
broken stems and leaf
nodes.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Rain Gardens B and C
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Habit Sap

17. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Average Mature Height:
1 to 2 feet
Characteristics:
Herbaceous, Perennial,
Native, Wildflower
Easy ID Tip:
Leaves are longer and
more lance shaped then
similar milk weed leaves.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Rain Garden B
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Leaf Flower
Winged Sumac (Rhus copallina)
Average Mature Height:
10 feet
Characteristics:
Deciduous, Woody,
Shrub, Small Tree,
Native
Easy ID Tip:
Leaves have wings on
main stem.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Rain Garden B
*Remove young
specimens*
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Leaf Flower

18. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Average Mature Height:
2 to 5 feet
Characteristics:
Herbaceous, Perennial.
Easy ID Tip:
Thin purple lines on furry
stem. Lance shaped
leaves have serrated
edges.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Rain Garden B, D, E, F
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young
Blueflag Iris (Iris versicolor)
Average Mature Height:
2 feet
Characteristics:
Herbaceous, Perennial.
Easy ID Tip:
Purple flower has a very
unique shape. Stalks are
upright and stiff.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
All Rain Gardens
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young

19. Common Rush (Juncus effusus)
Average Mature Height:
2 to 4 feet
Characteristics:
Rush
Easy ID Tip:
Stems are round with
infloresence hanging off.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Rain GArdens A, B, and
C
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Infloresence Habit
Sundial Lupine (Lupinus perrennis)
Average Mature Height:
3.5 feet
Characteristics:
Herbaceous, Perennial.
Easy ID Tip:
Sun shaped whorled
leaves. Tall narrow
purple flower.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Rain Garden B
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Leaf

20. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Average Mature Height:
2 to 4 feet
Characteristics:
Herbaceous, Perennial.
Easy ID Tip:
Striking red flower in the
Spring and summer.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Rain Garden B, D, E, F
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young
Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum)
Average Mature Height:
3 to 6 feet
Characteristics:
Ornamental Grass
Easy ID Tip:
Joints in stalks.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
All Rain Gardens
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young

21. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)
Average Mature Height:
2 to 3 feet
Characteristics:
Herbaceous, Perennial.
Easy ID Tip:
Bright yellow flowers in
Spring and Summer.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Rain Garden B, D, E, F
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young
Prarie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)
Average Mature Height:
2 to 3 feet
Characteristics:
Ornamental Grass
Easy ID Tip:
Soft looking grass. Joints
in stalk.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Rain Garden B and other
beds.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young

22. False Blue Indigo (Baptisia australis)
Average Mature Height:
3 to 4 feet
Characteristics:
Herbaceous, Perennial.
Easy ID Tip:
Young seedlings look like
celery stalks. Whirling
purple flowers in Spring
and Summer
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Rain garden B and
planting beds.
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Mature Young
Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)
Average Mature Height:
4 to 6 feet
Characteristics:
Shrubby, Perennial,
Native
Easy ID Tip:
Massive flowers (several
inches wide)
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Edges of Rain Garden B
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
YoungMature

23. Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris)
Average Mature Height:
6 to 8 feet
Characteristics:
Upright, Woody,
Decideous, Shrub,
Native
Easy ID Tip:
Throned stems, leaves
are finely serrated.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
Rain Garden B
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
SeedLeaf
Oak Leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
Average Mature Height:
6 to 8 feet
Characteristics:
Woody, Deciduous
Shrub, Native, Showy
Flower
Easy ID Tip:
Large leaves resemble
oak leaves. Massive
white flower cones in
Spring.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
In Competition Pool
Beds
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
Leaf Flower

24. Fox Sedge (Carex vulpinoidea )
Average Mature Height:
1 to 2 feet
Characteristics:
Ornamental Grass,
Native, Aggressive
Easy ID Tip:
Inflorescence resembles
a fox’s tail.
Where to Find it at
SAKC:
All Rain Gardens,
Planter Beds, Bioswales
Salvation Army Kroc Center Philadelphia
HabitInflorescence