文章
Miss Chen
2018年03月02日
Description: This wildflower is a biennial or short-lived perennial that forms a low rosette of basal leaves, from which one or more flowering stems develop that are 4-14" long. The basal leaves are ¾-2" long and ¼-½" across; they are oblanceolate to oblong-oblanceolate and pinnatifid (rarely without lobes). The terminal lobes are larger in size than the lateral lobes. The upper and lower surfaces of the basal leaves are grayish green and either short-hairy or glabrous. The stems are erect, ascending, or sprawling; they are usually short-hairy below and glabrous above, but sometimes glabrous throughout. These stems are either branched above or unbranched. The alternate leaves along each stem are ½-1½" long and up to ¼" across; they are linear-elliptic, linear-oblanceolate, or linear-oblong in shape with smooth margins (rarely lobed or sparsely dentate). The alternate leaves are grayish green, sessile, glabrous along their upper surfaces, and either glabrous or short-hairy along their lower surfaces.
Each upper stem terminates in a raceme of flowers. The flowers bloom near the apex of each raceme, while seedpods develop below. Each flower spans ¼" across or a little more, consisting of 4 white petals, 4 green sepals, several stamens, and a pistil with a short style. The sepals are lanceolate with blunt tips and glabrous. The slender pedicels are ¼-½" long and glabrous. The blooming period occurs from late spring to late-summer, lasting about 1-2 months. The flowers are replaced by narrowly cylindrical seedpods (siliques) that are ¾-1¾" long, ascending, glabrous, and somewhat flattened. Each seedpod contains a single row of seeds. The seeds are about 1.0 mm. long, ovoid in shape, and somewhat flattened; they do not possess winged margins of any significance. The root system consists of a taproot. This wildflower reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil that is sandy, gravelly, or rocky. Competition from taller ground vegetation is not tolerated.
Range & Habitat: The native Sand Cress is occasional in northern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is absent (see Distribution Map). In addition to its range in North America, this species is also found in Eurasia. Habitats consist of upland sand prairies, upland gravel prairies, sand dunes near Lake Michigan, sandy upland savannas, sandy upland woodlands, dry areas along sandy paths, and rocky cliffs along rivers. Occasional wildfires are probably beneficial in maintaining populations of this species.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract small bees, Syrphid flies, and small butterflies, including the endangered Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue). Other insects feed destructively on the foliage, flowers, and other parts of Sand Cress and other plants in similar genera (Arabis spp., Boechera spp., etc.). These species include the flea beetles Phyllotreta conjuncta and Phyllotreta punctulata, caterpillars of Plutella xylostella (Diamondback Moth), and caterpillars of the following Pierid butterflies: Anthocharis midea (Falcate Orangetip), Euchloe olympia (Olympia Marble), Pieris napi (Mustard White), and Pontia protodice (Checkered White). For North America, little is known about the interrelationships of Sand Cress with vertebrate animals.
Photographic Location: A sandy savanna and open sand dune at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: Sand Cress (Arabidopsis lyrata) is somewhat variable across its range and several subspecies have been proposed that are differentiated by the shape of the basal leaves and hairiness of the foliage. It is similar in appearance to Arabidopsis thaliana (Mouse-Ear Cress), Cardamine hirsuta (Hairy Bitter Cress), and Cardamine parviflora arenicola (Small-Flowered Bitter Cress). Sand Cress has slightly larger and showier flowers (6-8 mm. across) than the preceding species. Other characteristics that are useful for identification purposes include: 1) whether or not the basal leaves are lobed, 2) whether or not the cauline leaves along the stems are lobed, 3) whether the siliques are erect, ascending, widely spreading, or drooping, and 4) the length of the siliques. A scientific synonym of Sand Cress is Arabis lyrata, while another common name of this species is Lyre-leaved Rock Cress.
Each upper stem terminates in a raceme of flowers. The flowers bloom near the apex of each raceme, while seedpods develop below. Each flower spans ¼" across or a little more, consisting of 4 white petals, 4 green sepals, several stamens, and a pistil with a short style. The sepals are lanceolate with blunt tips and glabrous. The slender pedicels are ¼-½" long and glabrous. The blooming period occurs from late spring to late-summer, lasting about 1-2 months. The flowers are replaced by narrowly cylindrical seedpods (siliques) that are ¾-1¾" long, ascending, glabrous, and somewhat flattened. Each seedpod contains a single row of seeds. The seeds are about 1.0 mm. long, ovoid in shape, and somewhat flattened; they do not possess winged margins of any significance. The root system consists of a taproot. This wildflower reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil that is sandy, gravelly, or rocky. Competition from taller ground vegetation is not tolerated.
Range & Habitat: The native Sand Cress is occasional in northern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is absent (see Distribution Map). In addition to its range in North America, this species is also found in Eurasia. Habitats consist of upland sand prairies, upland gravel prairies, sand dunes near Lake Michigan, sandy upland savannas, sandy upland woodlands, dry areas along sandy paths, and rocky cliffs along rivers. Occasional wildfires are probably beneficial in maintaining populations of this species.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract small bees, Syrphid flies, and small butterflies, including the endangered Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue). Other insects feed destructively on the foliage, flowers, and other parts of Sand Cress and other plants in similar genera (Arabis spp., Boechera spp., etc.). These species include the flea beetles Phyllotreta conjuncta and Phyllotreta punctulata, caterpillars of Plutella xylostella (Diamondback Moth), and caterpillars of the following Pierid butterflies: Anthocharis midea (Falcate Orangetip), Euchloe olympia (Olympia Marble), Pieris napi (Mustard White), and Pontia protodice (Checkered White). For North America, little is known about the interrelationships of Sand Cress with vertebrate animals.
Photographic Location: A sandy savanna and open sand dune at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: Sand Cress (Arabidopsis lyrata) is somewhat variable across its range and several subspecies have been proposed that are differentiated by the shape of the basal leaves and hairiness of the foliage. It is similar in appearance to Arabidopsis thaliana (Mouse-Ear Cress), Cardamine hirsuta (Hairy Bitter Cress), and Cardamine parviflora arenicola (Small-Flowered Bitter Cress). Sand Cress has slightly larger and showier flowers (6-8 mm. across) than the preceding species. Other characteristics that are useful for identification purposes include: 1) whether or not the basal leaves are lobed, 2) whether or not the cauline leaves along the stems are lobed, 3) whether the siliques are erect, ascending, widely spreading, or drooping, and 4) the length of the siliques. A scientific synonym of Sand Cress is Arabis lyrata, while another common name of this species is Lyre-leaved Rock Cress.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年03月02日
Description: This wildflower is an herbaceous perennial about 1½-3' tall that branches divergently. The stems are light green to red, glabrous, and terete. Pairs of opposite leaves occur along these stems; they are 1½-4" long and ¾-2" across. Individual leaves are oblong-lanceolate to oblong-ovate, pinnately veined, and smooth along their margins. The upper leaf surface is medium green and glabrous, while the lower surface is pale green and either hairless or pubescent. The slender petioles are about ¼" in length and light green to red. Generally, the leaves are widely spreading or they have a tendency to droop along the stems. Both the stems and leaves contain milky juice.
The slightly nodding flowers are produced in terminal cymes (flat-headed panicles) spanning 1-4" across. Individual flowers are about 1/3" (8-9 mm.) long and about the same length across; each flower has a white to pink bell-shaped corolla with 5 spreading to recurved lobes, a small light green calyx with 5 teeth, 5 stamens, and 2 pistils. The stamens form a cone over the merged stigmata of the pistils. There are also 5 nectaries between the bases of the stamens. The interior of the corolla has 5 thick pink stripes that lead to the nectaries. The peduncles and pedicels of the cymes are light green to red and glabrous; individual pedicels are less than 1/3" long. The blooming period occurs during the summer for 1-2 months. There is a sweet floral fragrance. Flowers that have been successfully cross-pollinatedDistribution Map produce follicles in pairs. Each follicle is 3-6" long and narrowly cylindrical, tapering gradually to a point. At maturity, it splits open along one side to release small seeds with tufts of hair. The seeds are distributed by the wind. The root system is rhizomatous.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and a somewhat barren soil that is sandy or rocky. Spreading Dogbane tolerates other kinds of habitats, but it tends to be less competitive with other plants.
Range & Habitat: The native Spreading Dogbane is occasional in most areas of the state; it is slightly more common in the northern section of the state than elsewhere. Habitats include upland prairies, sand prairies, sandy savannas, stabilized sand dunes near Lake Michigan, thin sandy woodlands, thinly wooded rocky bluffs, and abandoned sandy fields. Spreading Dogbane tends to be particularly common in areas that are burned over from wildfires. In wooded areas, it is typically found in association with oak trees.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by small bees (particularly Halictid bees) and miscellaneous flies. The floral reward of these visitors is nectar. Other insects feed on the foliage, plant juices, and other parts of Spreading Dogbane. These species include Chrysochus auratus (Dogbane Beetle) and Tetraopes tetrophthalmus (Red Milkweed Beetle); they also include caterpillars of the moths Cycnia oregonensis (Oregon Cycnia), Cycnia tenera (Delicate Cycnia), Papaipema baptisiae (Wild Indigo Borer Moth), and Spargaloma sexpunctata (Six-Spotted Gray). Hottes & Frison (1931) observed the following aphids feeding on one or more Apocynum spp. (Dogbanes): Aphis asclepiadis, Aphis citricola, and Macrosiphum gei. The last two aphid species are highly polyphagous. Because the white latex of the foliage is acrid and toxic, mammalian herbivores rarely bother Spreading Dogbane.
Photographic Location: A stabilized sand dune near Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana. The dominant vegetation of this sand dune consisted of oak trees.
Comments: Spreading Dogbane is a rather lanky plant with small fragrant flowers. It is less aggressive (at least in Illinois) than the closely related Apocynum cannabinum (Common Dogbane). This latter plant refers wetter habitats than Spreading Dogbane. These two species are similar to each other in appearance, but Spreading Dogbane can be distinguished as follows: 1) it tends to be a shorter and more widely spreading plant than Common Dogbane, 2) its flowers are slightly larger in size and the lobes of its corollas are more widely spreading or recurved, and 3) its flowers have conspicuous pink stripes along the sides of the corolla's interior.
The slightly nodding flowers are produced in terminal cymes (flat-headed panicles) spanning 1-4" across. Individual flowers are about 1/3" (8-9 mm.) long and about the same length across; each flower has a white to pink bell-shaped corolla with 5 spreading to recurved lobes, a small light green calyx with 5 teeth, 5 stamens, and 2 pistils. The stamens form a cone over the merged stigmata of the pistils. There are also 5 nectaries between the bases of the stamens. The interior of the corolla has 5 thick pink stripes that lead to the nectaries. The peduncles and pedicels of the cymes are light green to red and glabrous; individual pedicels are less than 1/3" long. The blooming period occurs during the summer for 1-2 months. There is a sweet floral fragrance. Flowers that have been successfully cross-pollinatedDistribution Map produce follicles in pairs. Each follicle is 3-6" long and narrowly cylindrical, tapering gradually to a point. At maturity, it splits open along one side to release small seeds with tufts of hair. The seeds are distributed by the wind. The root system is rhizomatous.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and a somewhat barren soil that is sandy or rocky. Spreading Dogbane tolerates other kinds of habitats, but it tends to be less competitive with other plants.
Range & Habitat: The native Spreading Dogbane is occasional in most areas of the state; it is slightly more common in the northern section of the state than elsewhere. Habitats include upland prairies, sand prairies, sandy savannas, stabilized sand dunes near Lake Michigan, thin sandy woodlands, thinly wooded rocky bluffs, and abandoned sandy fields. Spreading Dogbane tends to be particularly common in areas that are burned over from wildfires. In wooded areas, it is typically found in association with oak trees.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by small bees (particularly Halictid bees) and miscellaneous flies. The floral reward of these visitors is nectar. Other insects feed on the foliage, plant juices, and other parts of Spreading Dogbane. These species include Chrysochus auratus (Dogbane Beetle) and Tetraopes tetrophthalmus (Red Milkweed Beetle); they also include caterpillars of the moths Cycnia oregonensis (Oregon Cycnia), Cycnia tenera (Delicate Cycnia), Papaipema baptisiae (Wild Indigo Borer Moth), and Spargaloma sexpunctata (Six-Spotted Gray). Hottes & Frison (1931) observed the following aphids feeding on one or more Apocynum spp. (Dogbanes): Aphis asclepiadis, Aphis citricola, and Macrosiphum gei. The last two aphid species are highly polyphagous. Because the white latex of the foliage is acrid and toxic, mammalian herbivores rarely bother Spreading Dogbane.
Photographic Location: A stabilized sand dune near Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana. The dominant vegetation of this sand dune consisted of oak trees.
Comments: Spreading Dogbane is a rather lanky plant with small fragrant flowers. It is less aggressive (at least in Illinois) than the closely related Apocynum cannabinum (Common Dogbane). This latter plant refers wetter habitats than Spreading Dogbane. These two species are similar to each other in appearance, but Spreading Dogbane can be distinguished as follows: 1) it tends to be a shorter and more widely spreading plant than Common Dogbane, 2) its flowers are slightly larger in size and the lobes of its corollas are more widely spreading or recurved, and 3) its flowers have conspicuous pink stripes along the sides of the corolla's interior.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年03月02日
Description: This perennial plant is about 1-2½' tall. The stems have scattered white hairs and there is little branching, except for the production of long stalks for the flowers. The leaves occur in 1 or 2 whorls along the stem, usually in groups of 2 or 3. They are up to 5" long and across, and have long petioles with scattered white hairs. Each major leaf is divided into 2 or 3 deep lobes, which are in turn divided into 2 or 3 shallower lobes. Because these divisions are rather sharp, the leaves are cleft. Furthermore, the margins are coarsely serrate or dentate. The leaves are often light green or yellowish green in bright sunlight.
From the upper axil of each leaf, there occasionally develops a long stalk with a single flower about ¾" across when it is fully open. This flower consists of 5 white or greenish white sepals (looking like petals), and numerous stamens with yellow or light brown anthers surrounding a compound head of pistils. This pistillate head is green and prickly in appearance. This compound head becomes larger and more elongated as the sepals fall off. It is about ¾–1" long and up to ½" across, eventually turning into a fluffy mass with numerous dark seeds. These seeds are eventually distributed by the wind. The root system is rhizomatous, often producing vegetative offsets from the mother plant. Tall Anemone produces an allelopathic substance, protoanemonin, which inhibits seed germination and seedling growth in many species of plants.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to full sun. The soil should contain loam with some organic material to retain moisture. Mature plants resist drought fairly well, and the leaves are not often subject to foliar disease.
Range & Habitat: The native Tall Anemone is a fairly common plant that occurs throughout Illinois, except for a few southern counties (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, savannas, open woodlands, woodland borders, thickets, and limestone glades. It usually doesn't stray far from wooded areas.
Faunal Associations: Small bees and flower flies visit the flowers occasionally for pollen. Bee visitors include Plasterer bees (Colletes spp.) and Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp., etc.). Mammalian herbivores usually leave this plant alone because the foliage contains a blistering agent that can irritate the mouth parts and digestive tract. When this plant forms colonies, it provides a minor source of cover for small animals.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This curious plant offers different attractions at different times of the year. During early summer, white flowers are produced, which are soon replaced by long-lasting thimble-shaped seedheads. During the fall, these seedheads slowly distintegrate into white cottony masses that remain attractive all winter. Tall Anemone can be easily distinguished from Anemone canadensis (Canada Anemone) because its leaves have conspicuous petioles, while the leaves of the latter species are sessile or perfoliate. Distinguishing Tall Anemone from Anemone cylindrica (Thimbleweed) is a bit trickier, but examination of the following characteristics are helpful: 1) the former species has a shorter, more prickly central head that is greater than 1/3" across, while the latter has a central head that is 1/3" across or less and is at least twice as long as it is wide; 2) the leaves of the former species are sharply tripartite (cleft) and have sharper dentation or serration along the margins, while the leaves of the latter are more likely to be palmate and less cleft and more blunt and fewer teeth along the margins.
From the upper axil of each leaf, there occasionally develops a long stalk with a single flower about ¾" across when it is fully open. This flower consists of 5 white or greenish white sepals (looking like petals), and numerous stamens with yellow or light brown anthers surrounding a compound head of pistils. This pistillate head is green and prickly in appearance. This compound head becomes larger and more elongated as the sepals fall off. It is about ¾–1" long and up to ½" across, eventually turning into a fluffy mass with numerous dark seeds. These seeds are eventually distributed by the wind. The root system is rhizomatous, often producing vegetative offsets from the mother plant. Tall Anemone produces an allelopathic substance, protoanemonin, which inhibits seed germination and seedling growth in many species of plants.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to full sun. The soil should contain loam with some organic material to retain moisture. Mature plants resist drought fairly well, and the leaves are not often subject to foliar disease.
Range & Habitat: The native Tall Anemone is a fairly common plant that occurs throughout Illinois, except for a few southern counties (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, savannas, open woodlands, woodland borders, thickets, and limestone glades. It usually doesn't stray far from wooded areas.
Faunal Associations: Small bees and flower flies visit the flowers occasionally for pollen. Bee visitors include Plasterer bees (Colletes spp.) and Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp., etc.). Mammalian herbivores usually leave this plant alone because the foliage contains a blistering agent that can irritate the mouth parts and digestive tract. When this plant forms colonies, it provides a minor source of cover for small animals.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This curious plant offers different attractions at different times of the year. During early summer, white flowers are produced, which are soon replaced by long-lasting thimble-shaped seedheads. During the fall, these seedheads slowly distintegrate into white cottony masses that remain attractive all winter. Tall Anemone can be easily distinguished from Anemone canadensis (Canada Anemone) because its leaves have conspicuous petioles, while the leaves of the latter species are sessile or perfoliate. Distinguishing Tall Anemone from Anemone cylindrica (Thimbleweed) is a bit trickier, but examination of the following characteristics are helpful: 1) the former species has a shorter, more prickly central head that is greater than 1/3" across, while the latter has a central head that is 1/3" across or less and is at least twice as long as it is wide; 2) the leaves of the former species are sharply tripartite (cleft) and have sharper dentation or serration along the margins, while the leaves of the latter are more likely to be palmate and less cleft and more blunt and fewer teeth along the margins.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月01日
Description: This vine is a summer annual about 2-8' long that twines about adjacent vegetation and branches occasionally. The slender stems are light green to reddish green, terete, and covered with either appressed white hairs (var. bracteata) or spreading tawny hairs (var. comosa). Alternate trifoliate leaves occur along these stems. The terminal leaflets are up to 2½" long (var. bracteata) or as much as 4" long (var. comosa); the lateral leaflets are a little shorter. All leaflets are ovate to ovate-rhombic in shape and smooth along their margins. The upper surface of the leaflets is medium green and hairless to sparsely covered with appressed hairs; the lower surface of the leaflets is pale green and usually more hairy. In each trifoliate leaf, the petiolule (basal stalklet) of the terminal leaflet is up to ¾" long, while the petiolules of the lateral leaflets are about 1/8" (3 mm.) long. The slender petioles are 2-6" long. At the base of eachTwo Flowers & Seedpod petiole, there is a pair of small stipules less than ¼" long. Occasionally, congested racemes of 2-15 flowers up to 2" long are produced from the axils of the leaves. Individual flowers consist of 5 petals, a tubular calyx with 4 teeth, several stamens, and a pistil. The petals have a pea-like floral structure consisting of an upright banner, 2 lateral wings, and a keel that is curved upward. The edges of the banner are often folded backward, while the narrow wings and keel project forward. The petals are light pink, pale lavender, or white; the calyx is light green to nearly white and either hairless or hairy. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer into the fall and lasts about 1½-3 months. Fertile flowers are replaced by seedpods about 1-1½" long; these seedpods are oblongoid and flattened with short curved beaks. Each seedpod contains 1-4 relatively large seeds; individual seeds are reniform and flattened. In addition to the preceding flowers and their seedpods, Hog Peanut also produces self-fertile flowers that lack petals. These inconspicuous flowers are produced on low stolons along the ground; they mature into single-seeded fleshy fruits with an obovoid shape. Sometimes, these fruits become subterranean.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and soil containing sand or loam. The root system of Hog Peanut fixes nitrogen in the soil through the assistance of symbiotic bacteria.
Range & Habitat: The native Hog Peanut is occasional throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map); the two varieties of Hog Peanut, var. bracteata and var. comosa, are about equally common. Habitats consist of floodplain woodlands, low wooded areas along streams, soggy thickets, damp sandy meadows, and seeps. Some disturbance is beneficial if it reduces the shade of canopy trees and other kinds of woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The caterpillars of Epargyreus clarus (Silver-Spotted Skipper) and Autochton cellus (Gold-Banded Skipper) feed on the foliage of Hog Peanut. Other insect feeders include the aphid Microparsus variabilis and several leaf beetles: Cerotoma trifurcata, Odontota dorsalis, Odontota horni, Odontota mundula, Odontota scapularis, Phyllecthris dorsalis, and Sumitrosis rosea. Some of these beetles have larvae that mine the leaves. Various vertebrate animals also use Hog Peanut as a food source. Either the seeds or the fleshy fruits of self-fertile flowers are eaten by the Ruffed Grouse, Ring-Necked Pheasant, Bobwhite, Passenger Pigeon (now extinct), White-Footed Mouse, and Meadow Vole; the Ruffed Grouse also feeds on the foliage. To a limited extent, White-Tailed Deer also feed on the foliage.
Photographic Location: Near a stream in sandy woodland at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: Sometimes the scientific name is spelled 'Amphicarpa bracteata.' The common name refers to the fleshy fruits of the self-fertile flowers, which are edible to humans. These unusual fruits distinguish Hog Peanut from many other species in the Bean family. Another vine in the Bean family, Apios americana (Groundnut), produces edible underground tubers. These tubers are part of the root system, rather than a modified seedpod. Compared to Hog Peanut, Groundnut has compound leaves with 5 leaflets and its flowers are often reddish brown and less cylindrical in shape. Other vines in the Bean family have differently shaped flowers and their leaflets are usually less broad and rhombic than those of Hog Peanut.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and soil containing sand or loam. The root system of Hog Peanut fixes nitrogen in the soil through the assistance of symbiotic bacteria.
Range & Habitat: The native Hog Peanut is occasional throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map); the two varieties of Hog Peanut, var. bracteata and var. comosa, are about equally common. Habitats consist of floodplain woodlands, low wooded areas along streams, soggy thickets, damp sandy meadows, and seeps. Some disturbance is beneficial if it reduces the shade of canopy trees and other kinds of woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The caterpillars of Epargyreus clarus (Silver-Spotted Skipper) and Autochton cellus (Gold-Banded Skipper) feed on the foliage of Hog Peanut. Other insect feeders include the aphid Microparsus variabilis and several leaf beetles: Cerotoma trifurcata, Odontota dorsalis, Odontota horni, Odontota mundula, Odontota scapularis, Phyllecthris dorsalis, and Sumitrosis rosea. Some of these beetles have larvae that mine the leaves. Various vertebrate animals also use Hog Peanut as a food source. Either the seeds or the fleshy fruits of self-fertile flowers are eaten by the Ruffed Grouse, Ring-Necked Pheasant, Bobwhite, Passenger Pigeon (now extinct), White-Footed Mouse, and Meadow Vole; the Ruffed Grouse also feeds on the foliage. To a limited extent, White-Tailed Deer also feed on the foliage.
Photographic Location: Near a stream in sandy woodland at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: Sometimes the scientific name is spelled 'Amphicarpa bracteata.' The common name refers to the fleshy fruits of the self-fertile flowers, which are edible to humans. These unusual fruits distinguish Hog Peanut from many other species in the Bean family. Another vine in the Bean family, Apios americana (Groundnut), produces edible underground tubers. These tubers are part of the root system, rather than a modified seedpod. Compared to Hog Peanut, Groundnut has compound leaves with 5 leaflets and its flowers are often reddish brown and less cylindrical in shape. Other vines in the Bean family have differently shaped flowers and their leaflets are usually less broad and rhombic than those of Hog Peanut.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月01日
Description: This plant is a herbaceous perennial that becomes 1¼–2½' tall when it flowers. The central stem is light green, terete, sparsely hairy, and unbranched. Alternate compound leaves occur primarily along the lower one-half of this stem; they are odd-pinnate with 3-9 primary leaflets (usually about 5). In addition to the primary leaflets, there is usually a single pair of secondary leaflets on each compound leaf; these secondary leaflets are much smaller in size. Successive pairs of primary leaflets become gradually larger in size, while the terminal primary leaflet is the largest in size, for each compound leaf. The terminal primary leaflets are 2–3½" long and 1¼–2" across; all primary leaflets are obovate to broadly ellipsoid in shape, while their margins are coarsely dentate-crenate. The secondary leaflets are less than ½" long and lanceolate to elliptic in shape. All of the leaflets are sessile.
The upper leaflet surface is medium green or yellowish green and hairless (or nearly so), while the lower leaflet surface is light or whitish green and sparsely hairy along the undersides of primary veins. In addition, the lower leaflet surface usually has minute glandular hairs that can glisten in bright sunlight (a 10x hand lens may be necessary to see them). The petioles and rachises of the compound leaves are light green and sparsely hairy; they are flat or finely grooved along their upper surfaces, while their lower surfaces are convex. Pairs of stipules up to 1" long occur at the petiole bases of compound leaves. These stipules are either unlobed and lanceolate in shape, or they are divided into 2-3 lanceolate lobes. The central stem terminates in either an unbranched raceme or sparingly branched racemes of flowers. The racemes are spike-like in appearance and they are ½–1¼' long. If lateral racemes are present, they are shorter than the central raceme. The flowers are distributed alternately along each raceme. Each flower is about ¼" across or slightly larger in size, consisting of 5 yellow petals, 5 green sepals, 5-15 stamens, and a burry green hypanthium containing a pair of carpels (female reproductive organs). The rachis of each raceme is light to medium green, terete, sparsely hairy below, and short glandular-hairy above. The pedicels of the flowers are short (less than ¼" long).
The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 3 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. The burry fruits (mature hypanthia) are 3-4 mm. long and slightly less across; they are obconic-hemispheric below, tapering to a knobby apex above. Around the middle of each fruit, there are 2-3 rows of hooked spines that are widely spreading to ascending (mainly the latter). The obconic-hemispheric section of the fruit may have shallow longitudinal grooves, or such grooves may be lacking. The entire fruit is covered with very short glandular hairs. These fruits usually nod or hang downward from their pedicels. Each fruit contains are pair of seeds. The root system is fibrous, occasionally forming narrow spindle-shaped tubers.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, clay-loam, glacial till, or rocky material.
Range & Habitat: The native Woodland Agrimony is occasional in the southern half of Illinois and NE Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland woodlands, upland savannas, rocky bluffs, and openings in upland woodlands. This plant is found in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by Halictid bees, other small bees, Syrphid flies, and other flies. Insects that feed destructively on species of Agrimony (Agrimonia spp.) include the aphids Macrosiphum agrimoniellum and Macrosiphum pallidum, larvae of the gall fly Contarinia agrimoniae, larvae of the sawfly Fenella nigrita, and larvae of the moths Anacampsis agrimoniella and Coptotriche agrimoniella (Blackman & Eastop, 2013; Felt, 1917; Smith, 2006; Covell, 1984/2005; Microleps website, 2010). There is some evidence that White-tailed Deer browse on Woodland Agrimony (Agrimonia rostellata), reducing its abundance in wooded areas (Dávalos et al., 2014). The burry fruits can cling to the fur of mammals (cattle, sheep, deer), feathers of birds, and clothing of people, spreading the seeds to new areas.
Photographic Location: An opening in an upland woodland at Merwin Nature Preserve in McLain County, Illinois.
Comments: The different species of Agrimony (Agrimonia spp.) all have spike-like racemes of small yellow flowers and compound leaves that are odd-pinnate. Their compound leaves are unusual in having smaller secondary leaflets interspersed between the larger primary leaflets. Because they are similar in appearance, different species of Agrimony can be difficult to identify. Woodland Agrimony (Agrimonia rostellata) can be distinguished from these other species of Agrimony by examining its fruits: 1) its burry fruits tend to be smaller in size (3-4 mm. long), 2) they have fewer bristles that are spreading to ascending, and 3) they are more hemispheric below and develop a knob-like beak above, rather than being obconic below and with a more tapered beak above. In addition to its fruits, Woodland Agrimony can be distinguished from some species of Agrimony by the short glandular hairs on its floral stalks, the scarcity of secondary leaflets on its compound leaves, the presence of minute glandular hairs on the lower sides of its leaflets (this can be difficult to see), and its greater tendency to develop branching racemes of flowers. Overall, Woodland Agrimony tends to be less robust and smaller in size than other species of Agrimony within the state.
The upper leaflet surface is medium green or yellowish green and hairless (or nearly so), while the lower leaflet surface is light or whitish green and sparsely hairy along the undersides of primary veins. In addition, the lower leaflet surface usually has minute glandular hairs that can glisten in bright sunlight (a 10x hand lens may be necessary to see them). The petioles and rachises of the compound leaves are light green and sparsely hairy; they are flat or finely grooved along their upper surfaces, while their lower surfaces are convex. Pairs of stipules up to 1" long occur at the petiole bases of compound leaves. These stipules are either unlobed and lanceolate in shape, or they are divided into 2-3 lanceolate lobes. The central stem terminates in either an unbranched raceme or sparingly branched racemes of flowers. The racemes are spike-like in appearance and they are ½–1¼' long. If lateral racemes are present, they are shorter than the central raceme. The flowers are distributed alternately along each raceme. Each flower is about ¼" across or slightly larger in size, consisting of 5 yellow petals, 5 green sepals, 5-15 stamens, and a burry green hypanthium containing a pair of carpels (female reproductive organs). The rachis of each raceme is light to medium green, terete, sparsely hairy below, and short glandular-hairy above. The pedicels of the flowers are short (less than ¼" long).
The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 3 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. The burry fruits (mature hypanthia) are 3-4 mm. long and slightly less across; they are obconic-hemispheric below, tapering to a knobby apex above. Around the middle of each fruit, there are 2-3 rows of hooked spines that are widely spreading to ascending (mainly the latter). The obconic-hemispheric section of the fruit may have shallow longitudinal grooves, or such grooves may be lacking. The entire fruit is covered with very short glandular hairs. These fruits usually nod or hang downward from their pedicels. Each fruit contains are pair of seeds. The root system is fibrous, occasionally forming narrow spindle-shaped tubers.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, clay-loam, glacial till, or rocky material.
Range & Habitat: The native Woodland Agrimony is occasional in the southern half of Illinois and NE Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland woodlands, upland savannas, rocky bluffs, and openings in upland woodlands. This plant is found in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by Halictid bees, other small bees, Syrphid flies, and other flies. Insects that feed destructively on species of Agrimony (Agrimonia spp.) include the aphids Macrosiphum agrimoniellum and Macrosiphum pallidum, larvae of the gall fly Contarinia agrimoniae, larvae of the sawfly Fenella nigrita, and larvae of the moths Anacampsis agrimoniella and Coptotriche agrimoniella (Blackman & Eastop, 2013; Felt, 1917; Smith, 2006; Covell, 1984/2005; Microleps website, 2010). There is some evidence that White-tailed Deer browse on Woodland Agrimony (Agrimonia rostellata), reducing its abundance in wooded areas (Dávalos et al., 2014). The burry fruits can cling to the fur of mammals (cattle, sheep, deer), feathers of birds, and clothing of people, spreading the seeds to new areas.
Photographic Location: An opening in an upland woodland at Merwin Nature Preserve in McLain County, Illinois.
Comments: The different species of Agrimony (Agrimonia spp.) all have spike-like racemes of small yellow flowers and compound leaves that are odd-pinnate. Their compound leaves are unusual in having smaller secondary leaflets interspersed between the larger primary leaflets. Because they are similar in appearance, different species of Agrimony can be difficult to identify. Woodland Agrimony (Agrimonia rostellata) can be distinguished from these other species of Agrimony by examining its fruits: 1) its burry fruits tend to be smaller in size (3-4 mm. long), 2) they have fewer bristles that are spreading to ascending, and 3) they are more hemispheric below and develop a knob-like beak above, rather than being obconic below and with a more tapered beak above. In addition to its fruits, Woodland Agrimony can be distinguished from some species of Agrimony by the short glandular hairs on its floral stalks, the scarcity of secondary leaflets on its compound leaves, the presence of minute glandular hairs on the lower sides of its leaflets (this can be difficult to see), and its greater tendency to develop branching racemes of flowers. Overall, Woodland Agrimony tends to be less robust and smaller in size than other species of Agrimony within the state.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月01日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is about 1½–2½' tall and unbranched or sparingly so. The lower central stem has long ascending hairs and short pubescent hairs, while the upper stem(s) has only short pubescent hairs; this stem (or stems) is terete (round in cross-section) and rather stout. The alternate leaves are odd-pinnate with 5-9 primary leaflets. Between adjacent pairs of primary leaflets, there is a single pair of secondary leaflets along the stalk (or rachis) of each compound leaf. The primary leaflets are up to 3" long and 1½" across; they are ovate, oval-ovate, or oblong-ovate in shape. The upper surface of each primary leaflet is dull green, hairless, and conspicuously veined; its margins are coarsely toothed. The lower surface of each primary leaflet is whitish green and pubescent. The secondary leaflets are much smaller in size than the primary leaflets, otherwise they share many of the same characteristics. The stalk (or rachis) of each compound leaf is light green and pubescent or hairy. At the base of each compound leaf, there is a pair of leafy stipules about 2/3" (16 mm.) long. The stipules are coarsely toothed or cleft with pointed lobes. The upper stem(s) terminates in a spike-like raceme of flowers up to 1' long. The flowers are sparsely distributed along the stalk of the raceme. Normally, this raceme is straight and erect, but sometimes it leans over to one side or curves slightly. The stalk of the raceme is covered with short pubescent hairs. Each flower is up to 1/3" (8 mm.) across; it has 5 yellow petals, 5 green sepals, and about 10 stamens. The petals are oblong in shape and spread outward while the flower is in bloom.
The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall and lasts about 1 month. Each flower is replaced by a green fruit that is broadly conical toward the bottom and pointed-turbinate toward the top. Along the upper rim of each fruit, there is a fringe of short hooked prickles. The fruits turn brown when they become mature. The root system is rhizomatous and fibrous.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist to dry conditions, and a reasonably fertile soil containing some loam.
Range & Habitat: The native Downy Agrimony is occasional to locally common in central and northern Illinois, but it is less common or absent in southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open deciduous woodlands, savannas, thickets, small meadows in wooded areas, areas along woodland paths, and powerline clearances in wooded areas. Disturbance is beneficial if it reduces excessive shade from trees and other woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Little information is currently available about floral-faunal relationships for this species. According to Robertson (1929), Halictid bees collect pollen or suck nectar from the flowers. The hooked bristles of the fruits can cling to the fur of animals, the feathers of birds, or the clothing of humans. In this manner, the seeds can be transported for considerable distances.
Photographic Location: A powerline clearance at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Downy Agrimony is one of several Agrimonia spp. in Illinois. It can be distinguished from these other species by the short pubescent hairs on the stalks of its racemes; the other species have floral stalks that are long hairy or hairless. The leaves and leaflets of these Agrimonia spp. are rather similar to each other, except for Agrimonia parviflora (Swamp Agrimony). This latter species has more primary leaflets per compound leaf (about 11-17) and its primary leaflets are more narrow in shape. Swamp Agrimony prefers habitats that are more moist and sunny than other Agrimonia spp. in Illinois. Agrimony species are easily distinguished from other plants by the small secondary leaflets on their compound leaves; other plants with pinnate leaves typically lack such leaflets. Another common name of Agrimonia pubescens is Soft Agrimony.
The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall and lasts about 1 month. Each flower is replaced by a green fruit that is broadly conical toward the bottom and pointed-turbinate toward the top. Along the upper rim of each fruit, there is a fringe of short hooked prickles. The fruits turn brown when they become mature. The root system is rhizomatous and fibrous.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist to dry conditions, and a reasonably fertile soil containing some loam.
Range & Habitat: The native Downy Agrimony is occasional to locally common in central and northern Illinois, but it is less common or absent in southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open deciduous woodlands, savannas, thickets, small meadows in wooded areas, areas along woodland paths, and powerline clearances in wooded areas. Disturbance is beneficial if it reduces excessive shade from trees and other woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Little information is currently available about floral-faunal relationships for this species. According to Robertson (1929), Halictid bees collect pollen or suck nectar from the flowers. The hooked bristles of the fruits can cling to the fur of animals, the feathers of birds, or the clothing of humans. In this manner, the seeds can be transported for considerable distances.
Photographic Location: A powerline clearance at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Downy Agrimony is one of several Agrimonia spp. in Illinois. It can be distinguished from these other species by the short pubescent hairs on the stalks of its racemes; the other species have floral stalks that are long hairy or hairless. The leaves and leaflets of these Agrimonia spp. are rather similar to each other, except for Agrimonia parviflora (Swamp Agrimony). This latter species has more primary leaflets per compound leaf (about 11-17) and its primary leaflets are more narrow in shape. Swamp Agrimony prefers habitats that are more moist and sunny than other Agrimonia spp. in Illinois. Agrimony species are easily distinguished from other plants by the small secondary leaflets on their compound leaves; other plants with pinnate leaves typically lack such leaflets. Another common name of Agrimonia pubescens is Soft Agrimony.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月01日
Description: This is a herbaceous perennial that becomes 2-4' tall when it blooms, often forming tufts of clonal plants. The stems are light green, terete, glandular short-pubescent, and sparsely to moderately covered with spreading hairs. Alternate compound leaves occur primarily toward the base of this plant; they are widely spreading to ascending and odd-pinnate with 3-11 primary leaflets. In addition, these compound leaves also have 1-4 pairs of secondary leaflets that are inserted between the primary leaflets. The terminal primary leaflets are the largest in size (up to 4" long and 2¼" across), while the lateral primary leaflets become gradually smaller in size as they approach the bases of compound leaves. The primary leaflets are elliptic, broadly elliptic, ovate, obovate, or orbicular-ovate in shape, while their margins are coarsely toothed. The upper surfaces of primary leaflets are yellowish green or medium green and glabrous to sparsely appressed-pubescent. The lower surfaces of primary leaflets are light green and glandular short-pubescent; they also have long spreading hairs that are distributed sparsely along the undersides of the major veins.
The secondary leaflets are similar to the primary leaflets, except they are smaller in size (less than ½" in length). The secondary leaflets are lanceolate to ovate in shape and their margins are either toothless (entire) or sparingly toothed. The rachises and petioles of compound leaves are light green, flat or narrowly grooved above, and convex below; they are glandular short-pubescent and sparsely to moderately covered with long spreading hairs. The primary leaflets are either sessile or they have very short petiolules (basal stalklets). At the bases of petioles, there are pairs of leafy stipules that are up to 1" long, half-ovate or ovate in shape, and sparingly toothed. The stems terminate in spike-like racemes of flowers (¾–2¼' long) that are either unbranched or sparingly so. The central stalks of these racemes are light green, terete, and glandular short-pubescent; they are moderately covered with spreading hairs below, sparsely covered with spreading hairs in the middle, and largely devoid of such spreading hairs above.
Each flower is about ¼" across or slightly more, consisting of 5 yellow petals, 5 green sepals, 10-15 stamens, and a burry hypanthium containing a pair of carpels (female reproductive organs). Both the sepals and hypanthium are minutely glandular-pubescent along their outer surfaces; the sepals are cordate-ovate in shape. The pedicels of the flowers are short (less than ¼" in length), light green, and glandular short-pubescent. The blooming period occurs during the summer for about 3 weeks; only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by burry fruits that are obconic with shallow furrows below and ovoid in shape above, tapering abruptly into an acute beak. Around the middle of each fruit, there 3-5 rows of hooked bristles that are slightly descending, widely spreading, or ascending. Mature fruits are 3½–5 mm. long and slightly wider across (including the hooked bristles); they hang downward from their pedicels. Each fruit contains a pair of seeds. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam or clay-loam, although other soil types are tolerated. In full sunlight, the foliage becomes yellowish green. Sometimes this plant grows in waterlogged conditions, but this is not preferred. The long spike-like racemes have a tendency to arch or lean to one side as they mature.
Range & Habitat: The native Tall Agrimony is occasional in northern Illinois, uncommon in central Illinois, and rare or absent in the southern section of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland woodlands, upland savannas, thickets, disturbed open woodlands, woodland borders, areas along woodland paths, soggy meadows, and swamps. Areas with a history of disturbance are preferred, although this species is also found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily Halictid bees, other small bees, Syrphid flies, and other flies. Robertson (1929) observed a single species of Halictid bee, Lasioglossum versatum, visiting the flowers of an agrimony (probably Agrimonia gryposepala) in Illinois. Other insects feed on the leaves, flowering stems, and developing seeds of agrimony (Agrimonia spp.). These species include aphids (Macrosiphum agrimoniellum, Macrosiphum pallidum), larvae of a gall fly (Contarinia agrimoniae), larvae of a sawfly (Fenella nigrita), and larvae of moths (Anacampsis agrimoniella, Coptotriche agrimoniella); see Blackman & Eastop (2013), Felt (1917), Smith (2006), Covell (1984/2005), and the Microleps website (2010). The burry fruits readily attach to the feathers of birds, fur of mammals, and clothing of humans, by which means their seeds are spread to new locations.
Photographic Location: A soggy meadow at Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: Tall Agrimony (Agrimonia gryposepala) can vary somewhat in the number of primary leaflets per compound leaf, and also in the shape of those leaflets. With the exception of Swamp Agrimony (Agrimonia parviflora), species of agrimony (Agrimonia spp.) are very similar to each other in appearance and usually prefer similar habitats. Downy Agrimony (Agrimonia pubescens) can be distinguished by the lack of glandular hairs on its flowering stalks, and similarly for Roadside Agrimony (Agrimonia striata) and Small-fruited Agrimony (Agrimonia microcarpa). While Woodland Agrimony (Agrimonia rostellata) has glandular hairs on its flowering stalks, like Tall Agrimony, it tends to have smaller fruits (typically 3-4 mm. in length) that are differently shaped and less bristly. Swamp Agrimony differs from the preceding species of agrimony by its more abundant primary leaflets (9-17 primary leaflets per compound leaf) and the more narrow shape of those leaflets. It also prefers wetter habitats than Tall Agrimony and the other species of agrimony that occur in Illinois. Another species that is not recorded from Illinois, European Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), can be distinguished from native species of agrimony by the abundant long hairs on both its flowering stalks and fruits.
The secondary leaflets are similar to the primary leaflets, except they are smaller in size (less than ½" in length). The secondary leaflets are lanceolate to ovate in shape and their margins are either toothless (entire) or sparingly toothed. The rachises and petioles of compound leaves are light green, flat or narrowly grooved above, and convex below; they are glandular short-pubescent and sparsely to moderately covered with long spreading hairs. The primary leaflets are either sessile or they have very short petiolules (basal stalklets). At the bases of petioles, there are pairs of leafy stipules that are up to 1" long, half-ovate or ovate in shape, and sparingly toothed. The stems terminate in spike-like racemes of flowers (¾–2¼' long) that are either unbranched or sparingly so. The central stalks of these racemes are light green, terete, and glandular short-pubescent; they are moderately covered with spreading hairs below, sparsely covered with spreading hairs in the middle, and largely devoid of such spreading hairs above.
Each flower is about ¼" across or slightly more, consisting of 5 yellow petals, 5 green sepals, 10-15 stamens, and a burry hypanthium containing a pair of carpels (female reproductive organs). Both the sepals and hypanthium are minutely glandular-pubescent along their outer surfaces; the sepals are cordate-ovate in shape. The pedicels of the flowers are short (less than ¼" in length), light green, and glandular short-pubescent. The blooming period occurs during the summer for about 3 weeks; only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by burry fruits that are obconic with shallow furrows below and ovoid in shape above, tapering abruptly into an acute beak. Around the middle of each fruit, there 3-5 rows of hooked bristles that are slightly descending, widely spreading, or ascending. Mature fruits are 3½–5 mm. long and slightly wider across (including the hooked bristles); they hang downward from their pedicels. Each fruit contains a pair of seeds. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam or clay-loam, although other soil types are tolerated. In full sunlight, the foliage becomes yellowish green. Sometimes this plant grows in waterlogged conditions, but this is not preferred. The long spike-like racemes have a tendency to arch or lean to one side as they mature.
Range & Habitat: The native Tall Agrimony is occasional in northern Illinois, uncommon in central Illinois, and rare or absent in the southern section of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland woodlands, upland savannas, thickets, disturbed open woodlands, woodland borders, areas along woodland paths, soggy meadows, and swamps. Areas with a history of disturbance are preferred, although this species is also found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily Halictid bees, other small bees, Syrphid flies, and other flies. Robertson (1929) observed a single species of Halictid bee, Lasioglossum versatum, visiting the flowers of an agrimony (probably Agrimonia gryposepala) in Illinois. Other insects feed on the leaves, flowering stems, and developing seeds of agrimony (Agrimonia spp.). These species include aphids (Macrosiphum agrimoniellum, Macrosiphum pallidum), larvae of a gall fly (Contarinia agrimoniae), larvae of a sawfly (Fenella nigrita), and larvae of moths (Anacampsis agrimoniella, Coptotriche agrimoniella); see Blackman & Eastop (2013), Felt (1917), Smith (2006), Covell (1984/2005), and the Microleps website (2010). The burry fruits readily attach to the feathers of birds, fur of mammals, and clothing of humans, by which means their seeds are spread to new locations.
Photographic Location: A soggy meadow at Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: Tall Agrimony (Agrimonia gryposepala) can vary somewhat in the number of primary leaflets per compound leaf, and also in the shape of those leaflets. With the exception of Swamp Agrimony (Agrimonia parviflora), species of agrimony (Agrimonia spp.) are very similar to each other in appearance and usually prefer similar habitats. Downy Agrimony (Agrimonia pubescens) can be distinguished by the lack of glandular hairs on its flowering stalks, and similarly for Roadside Agrimony (Agrimonia striata) and Small-fruited Agrimony (Agrimonia microcarpa). While Woodland Agrimony (Agrimonia rostellata) has glandular hairs on its flowering stalks, like Tall Agrimony, it tends to have smaller fruits (typically 3-4 mm. in length) that are differently shaped and less bristly. Swamp Agrimony differs from the preceding species of agrimony by its more abundant primary leaflets (9-17 primary leaflets per compound leaf) and the more narrow shape of those leaflets. It also prefers wetter habitats than Tall Agrimony and the other species of agrimony that occur in Illinois. Another species that is not recorded from Illinois, European Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), can be distinguished from native species of agrimony by the abundant long hairs on both its flowering stalks and fruits.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月28日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is up to 2½' tall, forming occasional lateral stems. These stems are light green, hairless, and rather shiny. The shiny compound leaves are medium green, hairless, and odd-pinnate with 3 or 5 leaflets. The lower compound leaves have long petioles, which become shorter as the leaves alternate upward along the stems. The variable leaflets are up to 3" long and 2" across; they are lanceolate, ovate, cordate, or broadly oblong in shape, although the larger leaflets sometimes have 1-2 cleft lobes. Leaflet margins are serrated.
Compound Umbel
Flat to slightly rounded compound umbels of yellow flowers occur at the ends of the upper stems. Each compound umbel is about 2-3" across, and consists of about 12 umbellets. There are about 21 flowers in each umbellet; the central flower of each umbellet is sessile (or nearly so) during the blooming period. Each flower is about 1/8" (3 mm.) across; it has 5 incurved yellow petals, an insignificant calyx, a pistil, and 5 stamens. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer, and lasts about 1 month. There is no floral scent. The seeds are oblong and flattened, but not winged, with several lighter-colored longitudinal ridges. The root system consists of a dense cluster of coarse fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun, although light shade under trees is tolerated. The soil should be moist and loamy, and can contain some rocky material. Foliar disease rarely occurs. The seeds can be difficult to germinate, otherwise this plant is easy to grow and maintain.
Range & Habitat: The native Golden Alexanders is occasional to locally common in most areas of Illinois, except for some southern and western counties, where it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist black soil prairies, openings in moist to mesic woodlands, areas along woodland paths, savannas, thickets, limestone glades, thinly wooded bluffs, powerline clearances in wooded areas, and abandoned fields. Golden Alexanders occurs in both degraded and higher quality habitats. It adapts readily to habitat restorations.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are attractive to many kinds of insects seeking pollen or nectar, especially short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, and beetles. Among the short-tongued bees are such visitors as Green Metallic bees, Masked bees, and Andrenid bees (including the oligolege, Andrena ziziae). Wasp visitors include Eumenine wasps, spider wasps, Ichneumonid wasps, and Crabronine wasps. Such long-tongued bees as bumblebees, cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.) also visit the flowers, as do some small butterflies and true bugs. Notwithstanding all of these visitors, this plant is capable of self-pollination. Caterpillars of the butterflies Papilio polyxenes asterius (Black Swallowtail) and Papilio joanae (Ozark Swallowtail) feed on the leaves and flowers, while caterpillars of Papaipema rigida (Rigid Sunflower Borer Moth) bore through the stems. Two aphids, Aphis saniculae and Aphis thaspii, suck plant juices from Golden Alexanders and similar species in the Carrot family.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Golden Alexanders should not be confused with Pastinaca sativa (Wild Parsnip), which is a weedy Eurasian biennial. The latter is taller, blooms later, and has more leaflets in each compound leaf. It can be particularly difficult to distinguish Golden Alexanders from Thaspium trifoliatum aureum (Yellow Meadow Parsnip), which is another native perennial plant. For the latter plant, the central flower of each umbellet has a short pedicel, the achenes are winged, and its basal leaves are simple, rather than trifoliate. Otherwise, these two species share nearly the same characteristics. Golden Alexanders is an excellent addition to a wildflower garden because it provides accessible nectar to many beneficial insects with short mouthparts during the spring and early summer when such flowers are relatively uncommon.
Compound Umbel
Flat to slightly rounded compound umbels of yellow flowers occur at the ends of the upper stems. Each compound umbel is about 2-3" across, and consists of about 12 umbellets. There are about 21 flowers in each umbellet; the central flower of each umbellet is sessile (or nearly so) during the blooming period. Each flower is about 1/8" (3 mm.) across; it has 5 incurved yellow petals, an insignificant calyx, a pistil, and 5 stamens. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer, and lasts about 1 month. There is no floral scent. The seeds are oblong and flattened, but not winged, with several lighter-colored longitudinal ridges. The root system consists of a dense cluster of coarse fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun, although light shade under trees is tolerated. The soil should be moist and loamy, and can contain some rocky material. Foliar disease rarely occurs. The seeds can be difficult to germinate, otherwise this plant is easy to grow and maintain.
Range & Habitat: The native Golden Alexanders is occasional to locally common in most areas of Illinois, except for some southern and western counties, where it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist black soil prairies, openings in moist to mesic woodlands, areas along woodland paths, savannas, thickets, limestone glades, thinly wooded bluffs, powerline clearances in wooded areas, and abandoned fields. Golden Alexanders occurs in both degraded and higher quality habitats. It adapts readily to habitat restorations.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are attractive to many kinds of insects seeking pollen or nectar, especially short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, and beetles. Among the short-tongued bees are such visitors as Green Metallic bees, Masked bees, and Andrenid bees (including the oligolege, Andrena ziziae). Wasp visitors include Eumenine wasps, spider wasps, Ichneumonid wasps, and Crabronine wasps. Such long-tongued bees as bumblebees, cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.) also visit the flowers, as do some small butterflies and true bugs. Notwithstanding all of these visitors, this plant is capable of self-pollination. Caterpillars of the butterflies Papilio polyxenes asterius (Black Swallowtail) and Papilio joanae (Ozark Swallowtail) feed on the leaves and flowers, while caterpillars of Papaipema rigida (Rigid Sunflower Borer Moth) bore through the stems. Two aphids, Aphis saniculae and Aphis thaspii, suck plant juices from Golden Alexanders and similar species in the Carrot family.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Golden Alexanders should not be confused with Pastinaca sativa (Wild Parsnip), which is a weedy Eurasian biennial. The latter is taller, blooms later, and has more leaflets in each compound leaf. It can be particularly difficult to distinguish Golden Alexanders from Thaspium trifoliatum aureum (Yellow Meadow Parsnip), which is another native perennial plant. For the latter plant, the central flower of each umbellet has a short pedicel, the achenes are winged, and its basal leaves are simple, rather than trifoliate. Otherwise, these two species share nearly the same characteristics. Golden Alexanders is an excellent addition to a wildflower garden because it provides accessible nectar to many beneficial insects with short mouthparts during the spring and early summer when such flowers are relatively uncommon.
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