Comparison hub

Look-alike comparisons

The fastest way to avoid removing the wrong plant or treating the wrong insect is a paired test. These pages put the decisive character first, then explain what changes once the identification is settled.

Common chickweed vs Creeping charlie

Creeping Charlie vs Chickweed: The Stem Test

Creeping charlie vs chickweed: creeping charlie has a square stem and minty smell; chickweed has a round stem with a line of hairs and white star flowers.
Creeping charlie vs Henbit

Creeping Charlie vs Henbit: One Easy Test

Creeping charlie vs henbit: creeping charlie leaves sit on long stalks and its runners root at nodes; henbit's upper leaves clasp the stem.
Cow parsnip vs Giant hogweed

Giant Hogweed vs Cow Parsnip: Native or Hazard?

Giant hogweed vs cow parsnip: hogweed is taller, with coarser hairs and wider flower heads. Cow parsnip is smaller and native, but both can burn skin.
Giant hogweed vs Wild parsnip

Giant Hogweed vs Wild Parsnip: White or Yellow?

Giant hogweed vs wild parsnip: hogweed has white flower heads up to 2.5 feet wide; wild parsnip has flat yellow umbels and grows up to 5 feet.
Giant knotweed vs Japanese knotweed

Giant Knotweed vs Japanese Knotweed: The Leaf Test

Giant knotweed vs Japanese knotweed: a heart-shaped leaf base and leaves over 6 inches point to giant; a squared base points to Japanese.
Bamboo vs Japanese knotweed

Japanese Knotweed vs Bamboo: How to Tell Them Apart

Japanese knotweed vs bamboo: knotweed is herbaceous, hollow and dies back in winter; bamboo is woody and keeps its papery leaves.
Lesser celandine vs Marsh marigold

Lesser Celandine vs Marsh Marigold: Which Is It?

Lesser celandine vs marsh marigold: count the yellow flower parts and check the leaf edge. One is invasive; the other is a native wetland plant to leave alone.
Poison hemlock vs Queen Anne's lace

Poison Hemlock vs Queen Anne's Lace: The Stem Test

Poison hemlock vs Queen Anne's lace: a smooth, purple-blotched stem means hemlock; a bristly, hairy stem means Queen Anne's lace. If unsure, do not touch.
Boxelder bug vs Brown marmorated stink bug

Stink Bug vs Boxelder Bug: Which Is in Your House?

Stink bug vs boxelder bug: boxelder bugs have red-orange stripes; brown marmorated stink bugs are mottled brown with banded antennae. Both come inside in fall.
Kissing bug vs Brown marmorated stink bug

Stink Bug vs Kissing Bug: Which One Bites?

Stink bug vs kissing bug: stink bugs are shield-shaped plant feeders that do not bite. Kissing bugs have a cone-shaped head and can carry Chagas disease.
Staghorn sumac vs Tree of heaven

Tree of Heaven vs Sumac: How to Tell Them Apart

Tree of heaven vs sumac: smooth leaflets with a gland at the base and winged seeds mean tree of heaven; toothed leaflets and red berries mean native sumac.
Poison hemlock vs Water hemlock

Water Hemlock vs Poison Hemlock: The Leaf-Vein Test

Water hemlock vs poison hemlock identification: both are deadly. Poison hemlock leaf veins end at tooth tips; water hemlock veins end in the notches.

Invasive plants
Identification profiles for invasive plants.
Invasive insects
Profiles for invasive insects and other pests.
Removal and prevention guides
Cross-species method guides for identification, removal and prevention.

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