Plant Information

The Waukesha County Park System’s Nature Program, housed at Retzer Nature Center, is recognized statewide for its ecological orientation and experience in applied research on prairie plantings and restoration. Over the history of the Nature Program, we have established prairie nurseries and restoration plantings at Retzer Nature Center and in many of the other parks within the Waukesha County Park System.

Native Plant Identification

Need help in identifying a plant found on your property?

Check out the University of Wisconsin - Madison: Waukesha County Extension Horticulture resources.

Contact the Waukesha County Parks and Land Use Ecology Team staff.

Start by taking a photo or cutting a sample of the plant in question.
You can either email the photo or drop off the sample to the front desk of Retzer Nature Center (Monday - Friday: 8 am - 4 pm).

Please provide the following information when submitting a plant sample to aid in the identification of the plant:

• your name
• phone number and/or email
• information on where the sample was found (sun, shade, wet, dry, and soil conditions). 

Invasive Species

Help control invasive species currently found in Southeastern Wisconsin.
Learn to identify and manage these unwelcome plants, animals, and pests.

Check out the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Invasive Species resources. 

Contact the Waukesha County Parks and Land Use Ecology Team staff.

Start by taking a photo or cutting a sample of the plant in question.
You can either email the photo or drop off the sample to the front desk of Retzer Nature Center (Monday - Friday: 8 am - 4 pm).

Please provide the following information when submitting a plant sample to aid in the identification of the plant:

• your name
• phone number and/or email
• information on where the sample was found (sun, shade, wet, dry, and soil conditions). 

Resources:

• "Weeding the Way" Quick Reference guide