Clemson Extension weeds and wildflowers book recognized for excellence by S.C. State Library

COLUMBIA – For the second consecutive year, a Clemson Cooperative Extension Service publication has been named to the South Carolina State Library’s Notable State Documents list.

The book, Common Weeds and Wildflowers, written by Bert McCarty, renowned turfgrass researcher, is one of 12 publications and websites declared a Notable State Document. This publication highlights weeds and wildflowers commonly found in South Carolina gardens, along roadsides, in pastures and fields and on golf courses and lawns. This is McCarty’s third S.C. State Library Notable State Document award.

Charlene Mayfield, Clemson Extension graphic designer, designed the book’s pages and cover. The format has a written description of each plant, including its growth habit and details of root systems, stems, leaves and reproductive structures. To separate and identify closely related plants or plants with similar vegetative characteristics, hints and characteristics with key features are included. Additional information covers habitat or growing conditions in which each plant is usually found, primary means of spread, or reproduction, as well as distribution in the United States and throughout the world. Each plant’s origin is included.

“Clemson Extension’s mission is to impart unbiased, research-based information to the citizens of South Carolina,” said Thomas Dobbins, director of Clemson Extension. “Providing current information, along with agent-client interactions and the many educational programs we offer help us fulfill our mission effectively and efficiently. I am proud of Bert and Charlene, as well as everyone else on our team who provide information to help improve the lives of people living in South Carolina.”

Common Weeds and Wildflowers was published in 2018 and is an expanded and updated version of one of the most widely read Cooperative Extension publications, Weeds of Southern Turfgrasses, McCarty co-authored with renowned botanist David Hall. It can be ordered from local Clemson Extension County offices, online at http://bit.ly/McCartyWeedsAndWildflowers, or by calling 1-888-772-2665.

Winning documents for 2018 were selected by judges, including State Library staff members, document librarians from around the state and state employee representatives. The documents were graded based on design, writing style and breadth of information. Leesa Aiken, state library director, said the annual award showcases some of the strongest work completed by state agencies.

“South Carolina state documents provide a wealth of information, statistics and share a broad range of knowledge about our state,” Aiken said. “I am pleased that we are able to publicly recognize these important publications and websites as notable documents and it is my hope that all South Carolina state agencies continue to produce high quality documents such as these.”

The awards were presented to the winning agencies and authors on March 20 at the South Carolina State Library in Columbia.

In 2018, the Clemson Extension website, www.clemson.edu/extension, was named to the 2017 South Carolina State Library’s Notable State Documents list.

Documents declared Noble State Documents, as well as other state government publications, are available online through the State Documents Depository. State library staff also are digitizing paper records and saving born-digital documents available through state agency websites. These publications provide information about state government, including statistics, annual accountability reports and data on a wide variety of topics related to the state.