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Miss Chen
2018年02月02日
Description: This perennial wildflower consists of a small rosette of basal leaves spanning 2-4" across, from which there develops a single stalk of flowerheads about 6-14" tall. The basal leaves are 1½-3" long and ½-¾" across (at least twice as long as across); they are oblong-elliptic to oblong-lanceolate in shape and crenate-serrate along their margins. The teeth along the margins have blunt tips and they vary in size from large and coarse to small and fine. The upper and lower surfaces of the basal leaves are medium green and glabrous (or nearly so); young basal leaves are sometimes sparsely hairy or white-mealy. The petioles of the basal leaves are about one-half the length of the blades and relatively narrow; they are light green to pale purple and glabrous. The central stalk is light green to purple and glabrous (or nearly so); sometimes it has sparse cobwebby hairs toward the bottom. Along this stalk, there are 2-4 alternate leaves; they are up to 2½" long and ½" across, becoming smaller as they ascend the stalk. The alternate leaves are narrowly lanceolate-oblong, pinnatifid with cleft lobes, and/or coarsely dentate along their margins; they are sessile. The upper and lower surfaces of the alternate leaves are medium green and glabrous.
The central stalk terminates in a flat-headed panicle of 5-30 flowerheads. Each daisy-like flowerhead spans about ½-¾" across, consisting of 40 or more disk florets and 8-13 ray florets (rarely none); the disk and ray florets are both perfect and fertile. The corollas of the disk florets are deep golden yellow, cylindrical in shape, and 5-lobed. The petaloid extensions of the ray florets are yellow and linear-oblong in shape. Around the base of each flowerhead, there are several phyllaries (floral bracts) in a single series; they are about ¼" long. These phyllaries are linear in shape, glabrous, and mostly light green, except toward their tips, where they become pale purple. The branches and peduncles of the inflorescence are light green to pale purple and glabrous; there are often tiny bractlets where they diverge. These bractlets are scale-like and purple. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. Afterwards, the florets are replaced by small achenes with sessile tufts of white hair. These achenes are 1-2 mm. long and bullet-shaped. The root system consists of a short crown of fibrous roots and occasional rhizomes or stolons. Occasionally, clonal colonies of plants are produced from the rhizomes or stolons.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and soil containing loam, sandy loam, or rocky material. Most growth and development occurs during the spring. The basal leaves persist throughout the warmer months into winter.
Range & Habitat: The native Balsam Ragwort is occasional in the northern half of Illinois, becoming rare or absent in the southern half of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist sand prairies, prairie remnants along railroads, sedge meadows, streambanks, moist sandy savannas, open woodlands, and abandoned fields. Areas with low ground vegetation and some history of disturbance are preferred.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract a variety of small to medium-sized insects, including cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), Halictid bees, Andrenid bees, Syrphid flies, small butterflies and skippers, and miscellaneous beetles. An Andrenid bee, Andrena gardineri, is a specialist pollinator (oligolege) of Packera spp. (ragworts). Some insects feed on the foliage or seeds of ragworts. These species include caterpillars of the moth Agonopterix canadensis (Canadian Agonopterix) and the seed bug Neacoryphus bicrucis. The foliage of ragworts is toxic to most mammalian herbivores, causing liver damage.
Photographic Location: Along a bike path through a sand prairie at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in NW Indiana.
Comments: As compared to the similar Prairie Ragwort (Packera plattensis), this ragwort prefers habitats that are more moist. Balsam Ragwort differs from the former species by its glabrous foliage and more narrow basal leaves. The basal leaves of other perennial ragworts (Packera spp.) in Illinois have basal leaves that are more broad. However, across its range, Balsam Ragwort is rather variable, possibly because of hybridization with similar species. The perennial ragworts in Illinois all bloom during the spring or early summer and they have showy yellow flowerheads. The annual and biennial ragworts in Illinois are mostly from Eurasia and they have less showy flowerheads. An exception is the native Butterweed (Packera glabella). This latter species is usually taller than the perennial ragworts and it lacks their conspicuous basal leaves during the blooming period. A scientific synonym of Balsam Ragwort is Senecio pauperculus; another common name of this species is Northern Ragwort.
The central stalk terminates in a flat-headed panicle of 5-30 flowerheads. Each daisy-like flowerhead spans about ½-¾" across, consisting of 40 or more disk florets and 8-13 ray florets (rarely none); the disk and ray florets are both perfect and fertile. The corollas of the disk florets are deep golden yellow, cylindrical in shape, and 5-lobed. The petaloid extensions of the ray florets are yellow and linear-oblong in shape. Around the base of each flowerhead, there are several phyllaries (floral bracts) in a single series; they are about ¼" long. These phyllaries are linear in shape, glabrous, and mostly light green, except toward their tips, where they become pale purple. The branches and peduncles of the inflorescence are light green to pale purple and glabrous; there are often tiny bractlets where they diverge. These bractlets are scale-like and purple. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. Afterwards, the florets are replaced by small achenes with sessile tufts of white hair. These achenes are 1-2 mm. long and bullet-shaped. The root system consists of a short crown of fibrous roots and occasional rhizomes or stolons. Occasionally, clonal colonies of plants are produced from the rhizomes or stolons.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and soil containing loam, sandy loam, or rocky material. Most growth and development occurs during the spring. The basal leaves persist throughout the warmer months into winter.
Range & Habitat: The native Balsam Ragwort is occasional in the northern half of Illinois, becoming rare or absent in the southern half of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist sand prairies, prairie remnants along railroads, sedge meadows, streambanks, moist sandy savannas, open woodlands, and abandoned fields. Areas with low ground vegetation and some history of disturbance are preferred.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract a variety of small to medium-sized insects, including cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), Halictid bees, Andrenid bees, Syrphid flies, small butterflies and skippers, and miscellaneous beetles. An Andrenid bee, Andrena gardineri, is a specialist pollinator (oligolege) of Packera spp. (ragworts). Some insects feed on the foliage or seeds of ragworts. These species include caterpillars of the moth Agonopterix canadensis (Canadian Agonopterix) and the seed bug Neacoryphus bicrucis. The foliage of ragworts is toxic to most mammalian herbivores, causing liver damage.
Photographic Location: Along a bike path through a sand prairie at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in NW Indiana.
Comments: As compared to the similar Prairie Ragwort (Packera plattensis), this ragwort prefers habitats that are more moist. Balsam Ragwort differs from the former species by its glabrous foliage and more narrow basal leaves. The basal leaves of other perennial ragworts (Packera spp.) in Illinois have basal leaves that are more broad. However, across its range, Balsam Ragwort is rather variable, possibly because of hybridization with similar species. The perennial ragworts in Illinois all bloom during the spring or early summer and they have showy yellow flowerheads. The annual and biennial ragworts in Illinois are mostly from Eurasia and they have less showy flowerheads. An exception is the native Butterweed (Packera glabella). This latter species is usually taller than the perennial ragworts and it lacks their conspicuous basal leaves during the blooming period. A scientific synonym of Balsam Ragwort is Senecio pauperculus; another common name of this species is Northern Ragwort.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月02日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 1-2½' tall, branching occasionally. The stems are terete and either glabrous or slightly pubescent. Alternate trifoliate leaves occur along the stems on petioles that are ½-2" in length. At the base of each petiole, there is a pair of narrowly lanceolate stipules less than ¼" long. The rather narrow leaflets are 1-3" long and ¼-¾" across; they are ellipsoid to oblong in shape and smooth along their margins. The upper surfaces of the leaflets are medium green and hairless (or nearly so). In each trifoliate leaf, the lateral leaflets are nearly sessile, while the terminal leaflet has a short petiolule (stalklet) at its base. Spike-like racemes of flowers about 1½–4" long develop from some of the leaf axils. These racemes are held more or less erect above the foliage on long naked peduncles about 3-6" long. The peduncles are glabrous or slightly pubescent. The flowers are arranged somewhat densely all around the raceme; they vary in color from blue-violet to white. Usually, the buds near the apex of a raceme are more blue-violet than the flowers in bloom below, which tend to be more white. Individual flowers are ¼" long, consisting of 5 petals, a short tubular calyx with 5 teeth, and the reproductive organs. The arrangement of the petals is typical for species in the Bean family: there is an upright banner and a pair of lateral wings that project forward to enclose the keel (consisting of two smaller petals).
The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer and lasts about 3 weeks. The flowers are replaced by small seedpods (a little less than ¼" in length) that are flattened and nearly circular in shape. The sides of each pod have transverse wrinkles. Each seedpod contains a single seed. The root system consists of a taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic soil that is sandy or rocky.
Range & Habitat: The native Sampson's Snakeroot is occasional in southern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is absent (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the northern range limit for this flowering plant. Habitats include mesic to dry prairies, sand prairies, sandstone glades, rocky upland woodlands, savannas, and thinly wooded bluffs. This wildflower benefits from occasional disturbance that reduces the encroachment of woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: In general, very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. The flowers are pollinated primarily by bees, which seek nectar and pollen. A Carder bee, Anthidium psoraleae, is one of the bee visitors of the flowers; it is a weak oligolege (specialist pollinator) of flowering plants in the Fabaceae (Bean family). A similar species, Anthidium maculifrons, may be another oligolectic visitor of the flowers. The caterpillars of the moth, Cyclophora pendulinaria (Sweetfern Geometer), have been observed to feed on Sampson's Snakeroot.
Photographic Location: The flowering plants were photographed by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2009) at a prairie in Fayette County, Illinois. The trifoliate leaf was photographed by the webmaster at the top of a semi-shaded sandstone cliff in southern Illinois.
Comments: Sampson's Snakeroot is a fairly typical example of a species in the Bean family: it has trifoliate leaves and racemes of pea-like flowers. The seedpods are perhaps its most unusual feature: they are nearly circular in shape and contain a single seed. More typically, the seedpods of species in this family are more elongated in shape and contain several seeds. In Illinois, the closest relative of Sampson's Snakeroot is Orbexilum onobrychis (Sanfoin), which is found in habitats that are more moist (e.g., river-bottom prairies). This latter species is larger in size (3-4' tall) than Sampson's Snakeroot, its leaflets are more wide (often exceeding 1" across), and its flowers are usually a deeper shade of blue-violet. Another similar species, Psoralidium tenuiflorum (Scurfy Pea), has palmately compound leaves with as many as 5 leaflets and the flowers of its racemes are more loosely arranged on shorter peduncles. An older scientific name of Sampson's Snakeroot is Psoralea psoralioides.
The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer and lasts about 3 weeks. The flowers are replaced by small seedpods (a little less than ¼" in length) that are flattened and nearly circular in shape. The sides of each pod have transverse wrinkles. Each seedpod contains a single seed. The root system consists of a taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic soil that is sandy or rocky.
Range & Habitat: The native Sampson's Snakeroot is occasional in southern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is absent (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the northern range limit for this flowering plant. Habitats include mesic to dry prairies, sand prairies, sandstone glades, rocky upland woodlands, savannas, and thinly wooded bluffs. This wildflower benefits from occasional disturbance that reduces the encroachment of woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: In general, very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. The flowers are pollinated primarily by bees, which seek nectar and pollen. A Carder bee, Anthidium psoraleae, is one of the bee visitors of the flowers; it is a weak oligolege (specialist pollinator) of flowering plants in the Fabaceae (Bean family). A similar species, Anthidium maculifrons, may be another oligolectic visitor of the flowers. The caterpillars of the moth, Cyclophora pendulinaria (Sweetfern Geometer), have been observed to feed on Sampson's Snakeroot.
Photographic Location: The flowering plants were photographed by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2009) at a prairie in Fayette County, Illinois. The trifoliate leaf was photographed by the webmaster at the top of a semi-shaded sandstone cliff in southern Illinois.
Comments: Sampson's Snakeroot is a fairly typical example of a species in the Bean family: it has trifoliate leaves and racemes of pea-like flowers. The seedpods are perhaps its most unusual feature: they are nearly circular in shape and contain a single seed. More typically, the seedpods of species in this family are more elongated in shape and contain several seeds. In Illinois, the closest relative of Sampson's Snakeroot is Orbexilum onobrychis (Sanfoin), which is found in habitats that are more moist (e.g., river-bottom prairies). This latter species is larger in size (3-4' tall) than Sampson's Snakeroot, its leaflets are more wide (often exceeding 1" across), and its flowers are usually a deeper shade of blue-violet. Another similar species, Psoralidium tenuiflorum (Scurfy Pea), has palmately compound leaves with as many as 5 leaflets and the flowers of its racemes are more loosely arranged on shorter peduncles. An older scientific name of Sampson's Snakeroot is Psoralea psoralioides.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月02日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 2-3½' tall and either unbranched or sparingly branched. The central stem and any lateral stems are medium green, terete, and sparsely short-pubescent. The alternate leaves are trifoliate; their petioles are 2-6" long, somewhat angular, medium green, and sparsely short-pubescent. At the base of each petiole, there is a pair of stipules about 8 mm. (0.3") long; they are linear-lanceolate in shape and early-deciduous. The leaflets of the trifoliate leaves are 2-4' long and 1-2" across; they are lanceolate-ovate to ovate in shape, while their margins are smooth (entire) and slightly ciliate. The bases of these leaflets are rounded, while their tips are rather slender and pointed. The upper leaflet surface is medium green and sparsely short-pubescent to glabrous, while the lower leaflet surface is pale to medium green and sparsely short-pubescent. Leaflet venation is pinnate. The terminal leaflets have petiolules (basal stalklets) about ½-1" long, while the petiolules of the lateral leaflets are less than 1/8" in length.
Both axillary and terminal racemes of flowers are produced on peduncles about 2-8" in length. These racemes are 2-6" long and spike-like in appearance; the density of flowers along each raceme is intermediate. The central stalk of each raceme is pale green and sparsely covered with short fine pubescence. Each flower is about ¼" long and relatively narrow in shape, consisting of 5 blue, purple, or nearly white petals, a short-tubular calyx with 5 teeth, and the reproductive organs. The petals form an upright banner, a pair of forward-projecting wings, and a small keel that is largely hidden by the wings. At the base of the banner, there is a small patch of yellow with fine purple veins. The calyx is pale green to pale purplish yellow and sparsely short-pubescent. The pedicels of the flowers are very short (less than 1/8" in length). The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 1 month. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by short seedpods about 8-12 mm. long. These seedpods are obovoid, somewhat compressed (flattened), and asymmetric (more curved on one sideLeaflet Underside than the other); they are single-seeded. Individual seeds are 4-6 mm. long, reniform (kidney-shaped), and somewhat compressed, becoming dark brown at maturity. The root system is rhizomatous, often forming clonal colonies of plants.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and loamy soil. This wildflower can be propagated by seed or division of its rhizomes.
Range & Habitat: The native French Grass is uncommon to occasional in central Illinois, becoming rare or absent in the southern and northern sections of the state (see Distribution Map). It is found primarily in the lower Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and eastern Missouri). Habitats include black soil prairies, pioneer cemetery prairies, lower slopes of hill prairies, riverbanks, upland open woodlands, poorly maintained embankments along country roads, and fallow fields. French Grass is found in both high quality habitats (mostly prairie remnants) and more disturbed habitats that have a history of neglect.
Faunal Associations: Aside from flower-visiting insects, very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. Robertson (1929) observed honeybees, bumblebees, cuckoo bees (Coelioxys spp.), leaf-cutter bees (Megachile spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.) Halictid bees, plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, bee flies (Bombyliidae), thick-headed flies (Conopidae), butterflies, skippers, and moths visiting the flowers for nectar. Some of the bees also collected pollen from the flowers. Robertson also observed an uncommon carder bee, Anthidium psoralaeae, visiting the flowers of French Grass. This latter bee is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of some prairie species (Orbexilum spp., Psoralidium spp., etc.) in the Bean family. There is also a newly discovered, but still unnamed, moth caterpillar (Schinia sp.) that feeds on French Grass in the lower Midwest. This caterpillar is pale yellowish green with pairs of large black dots along its sides.
Photographic Location: An overgrown embankment along a gravelly road in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: In spite of the common name, this species is a legume in the Bean family, rather than a grass. The foliage of French Grass has a striking similarity to the foliage of cultivated Soybeans (Glycine max). However, both the inflorescences and seeds of these two species bear little resemblance to each other. French Grass appears to be a species that is often neglected in prairie and savanna restorations, even though it is probably not difficult to cultivate. Another species that is native to Illinois, Orbexilum pedunculatum (Sampson's Snakeroot), is a smaller plant with more narrow leaves and its flowers are usually more white or pinkish white than those of French Grass. Sometimes 'Sanfoin' is used as a common name for Orbexilum onobrychis. A scientific synonym of this species is Psoralea onobrychis.
Both axillary and terminal racemes of flowers are produced on peduncles about 2-8" in length. These racemes are 2-6" long and spike-like in appearance; the density of flowers along each raceme is intermediate. The central stalk of each raceme is pale green and sparsely covered with short fine pubescence. Each flower is about ¼" long and relatively narrow in shape, consisting of 5 blue, purple, or nearly white petals, a short-tubular calyx with 5 teeth, and the reproductive organs. The petals form an upright banner, a pair of forward-projecting wings, and a small keel that is largely hidden by the wings. At the base of the banner, there is a small patch of yellow with fine purple veins. The calyx is pale green to pale purplish yellow and sparsely short-pubescent. The pedicels of the flowers are very short (less than 1/8" in length). The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 1 month. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by short seedpods about 8-12 mm. long. These seedpods are obovoid, somewhat compressed (flattened), and asymmetric (more curved on one sideLeaflet Underside than the other); they are single-seeded. Individual seeds are 4-6 mm. long, reniform (kidney-shaped), and somewhat compressed, becoming dark brown at maturity. The root system is rhizomatous, often forming clonal colonies of plants.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and loamy soil. This wildflower can be propagated by seed or division of its rhizomes.
Range & Habitat: The native French Grass is uncommon to occasional in central Illinois, becoming rare or absent in the southern and northern sections of the state (see Distribution Map). It is found primarily in the lower Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and eastern Missouri). Habitats include black soil prairies, pioneer cemetery prairies, lower slopes of hill prairies, riverbanks, upland open woodlands, poorly maintained embankments along country roads, and fallow fields. French Grass is found in both high quality habitats (mostly prairie remnants) and more disturbed habitats that have a history of neglect.
Faunal Associations: Aside from flower-visiting insects, very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. Robertson (1929) observed honeybees, bumblebees, cuckoo bees (Coelioxys spp.), leaf-cutter bees (Megachile spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.) Halictid bees, plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, bee flies (Bombyliidae), thick-headed flies (Conopidae), butterflies, skippers, and moths visiting the flowers for nectar. Some of the bees also collected pollen from the flowers. Robertson also observed an uncommon carder bee, Anthidium psoralaeae, visiting the flowers of French Grass. This latter bee is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of some prairie species (Orbexilum spp., Psoralidium spp., etc.) in the Bean family. There is also a newly discovered, but still unnamed, moth caterpillar (Schinia sp.) that feeds on French Grass in the lower Midwest. This caterpillar is pale yellowish green with pairs of large black dots along its sides.
Photographic Location: An overgrown embankment along a gravelly road in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: In spite of the common name, this species is a legume in the Bean family, rather than a grass. The foliage of French Grass has a striking similarity to the foliage of cultivated Soybeans (Glycine max). However, both the inflorescences and seeds of these two species bear little resemblance to each other. French Grass appears to be a species that is often neglected in prairie and savanna restorations, even though it is probably not difficult to cultivate. Another species that is native to Illinois, Orbexilum pedunculatum (Sampson's Snakeroot), is a smaller plant with more narrow leaves and its flowers are usually more white or pinkish white than those of French Grass. Sometimes 'Sanfoin' is used as a common name for Orbexilum onobrychis. A scientific synonym of this species is Psoralea onobrychis.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月01日
Description: This perennial plant is ¾–2' tall. It consists of a single pad (swollen stem) that is partially inserted in the ground, from which 1-2 additional sessile pads may develop from its upper curved margin. These fleshy pads are usually erect or ascending, although sometimes they sprawl horizontally. Individual pads are 2-7" long, 1½–5" across, and ½–1¼" thick; they are obovoid in shape and somewhat flattened. The pad surfaces are medium green or bluish green, shiny or dull, and hairless (excluding the woolly hair, bristles, and spines of areoles). The pads are evergreen during the winter, although they often become slightly yellowish and wrinkled at this time. Areoles (air pores) are scattered across the surface of each pad in diagonal rows; they often have a brownish appearance. Areoles have small tufts of fine sharp bristles (glochids) up to 3 mm. long that are embedded in woolly hairs. In addition, 0-2 hardened spines develop from each areole. The spines are light gray to light brown, straight, and variable in length (½–4" long). There are also small leaves near the areoles (one leaf per areole); these leaves are green or pale brown, about 3-6 mm. long, awl-shaped (subulate), and early-deciduous.
One or more flower buds can develop along the upper curved margin of each pad. These flower buds are up to 2" long and ¾" across; they are oblanceoloid-oblongoid in shape, greenish, and somewhat fleshy-scaly in appearance. When the flowers are fully open, they are 2-3" across. Each flower several tepals, numerous stamens, and an inferior ovary with a single style. Mature tepals are light yellow to yellow and satiny in appearance. Sometimes, the bases of inner tepals toward the center of each flower are orange-red. The filaments of the stamens are yellow to pale orange, while their anthers are yellow. At the apex of the style, there is a narrow ring of short stigmas; these stigmas are white. to pale yellow. The blooming period occurs during early summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks for a colony of plants. Each flower is diurnal, lasting only a single day. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by sessile fruits. Mature fruits are 1¼–2" long and ½–¾" across, dull red to reddish brown, and oblanceoloid-oblongoid in shape with concave apices. Each fruit contains several seeds in a fleshy interior. Depending on the local ecotype and stage of ripeness, the flesh of these fruits is green to red and either sour, bland, or sweet.
Individual seeds are about 4 mm. long, tan to dark brown, globoid, and somewhat flattened in shape; there is narrow ridge along at least one-half of the outer margin of each seed. The root system is fibrous and spreading. Upper pads occasionally break off from lower pads, falling to the ground. Such detached pads can develop new roots in the ground, creating new plants that are clonal offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sunlight (at least one-half day of sun), mesic to dry conditions, and sandy or rocky soil. Soil containing loam or clay-loam is tolerated if it is well-drained. Older stems on the ground have a tendency to become brown and woody with age, which is natural. It is faster and easier to start new plants using pads, rather than seeds; detached pads form new roots in the ground readily. This is the easiest cactus to grow in Illinois because of its tolerance of moisture, humidity, and cold winter weather. It also blooms more reliably than most cacti.
Range & Habitat: The Eastern Prickly Pear occurs occasionally in about one-half of the counties in Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is most likely to be found in sandy or hilly areas along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, in hilly areas of southern Illinois, and sandy or rocky areas of northern Illinois. This is by far the most common cactus in Illinois. Most populations of this plant are native, although some local populations are the result of restoration efforts or occasional escapes from cultivation. Typical habitats include openings in sandy woodlands, sandy savannas, sand prairies, hill prairies, gravel prairies, barrens and rocky bluffs, sandstone and limestone glades, sand dunes along Lake Michigan and other areas, rocky or sandy slopes along major rivers and lakes, sandy cemeteries, pastures, and sandy or gravelly areas along railroads. The greatest threats to the survival of this plant are the destruction of habitat by modern development and the invasion of its habitat by woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Both long-tongued and short-tongued bees visit the flowers, including bumblebees, the Large Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), digger bees (Melissodes spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees (including green metallic bees), and plasterer bees (Colletes spp.). Long-tongued bees suck nectar or collect pollen, while short-tongued bees collect pollen only; the larger bees are more likely to cause cross-pollination (Mitchell, 1960/1962; Kevan & Aiello, 2002). Some insects feed on the pads of Eastern Prickly Pear and other prickly pears (Opuntia spp.). These species include larvae of the Eastern Cactus-boring Moth (Melitara prodenialis); larvae of a polyphagous moth, Julia's Dicymolomia (Dicymolomia julianalis); larvae of another polyphagous moth, the Arge Tiger Moth (Grammia arge); and larvae of a Syrphid fly, Copestylum vittatum. Other insects suck plant juices from the pads or fruits of these plants. These species include the Prickly Pear Cactus Bug (Chelinidea vittiger), Pale-margined Stink Bug (Chlorochloa persimilis), and Uhler's Stink Bug (Chlorochroa uhleri). Some of these insects are found in the Great Plains region and SE United States, but not in the Midwest. See Needham et al. (1928), Covell (1984/2005), Hart & Gleason (1907), Froeschner (1942), Vestal (1913), and Rider (2009) for more information.
In the Eastern states, the relationships of prickly pears with vertebrate wildlife are less well-known than in western United States. From studies in these western areas, the fruits and seeds of these plants are eaten occasionally by the Wild Turkey and Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel. Both the fruits and pads are eaten occasionally by the Coyote, Gray Fox, Cottontail Rabbit, Striped Skunk, and White-tailed Deer, notwithstanding the presence of bristles and occasional spines (Martin et al., 1951/1961). The fruits and pads are also eaten by the Ornate Box Turtle (Ernst et al., 1994); this turtle is often found in sand prairies. All of these vertebrate animals occur in Illinois at the present time. Domesticated animals, such as cattle, horses, and sheep, normally avoid the consumption of the fruits and pads of the Eastern Prickly Pear because of its spines and bristles. However, when these plants are eaten by such animals, the spines and bristles can irritate and damage both their mouth parts and digestive tracts (Georgia, 1913). When White-tailed Deer (and probably other vertebrate animals) eat the fruits, they help to spread the seeds to new locations (Myers et al., 2004). The relatively large pads of Eastern Prickly Pear provide nesting habitat for the Bobwhite Quail (Hernandez et al., 2003), and protective cover for snakes and other kinds of wildlife.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a sandy meadow near Kickapoo State Park in Vermilion County, Illinois, and at a sand prairie of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in NW Indiana.
Comments: The Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa) is a striking plant with large beautiful flowers. It has fewer spines than many western species of prickly pear (Opuntia spp.), but they are still fairly formidable. The fine bristles near the areoles can easily penetrate the skin, causing irritation should the pads of this cactus be carelessly handled or brushed against. While Eastern Prickly Pear normally occurs as scattered individual plants or in small colonies, sometimes this cactus can form impressively large colonies if it persists at the same location for a sufficiently long period of time. The only other cactus with a similar size and appearance in Illinois is the less common Big-rooted Prickly Pear (Opuntia macrorhiza). This latter species differs from the Eastern Prickly Pear by its thick tuberous root and the greater abundance of spines on its pads. While Eastern Prickly Pear develops 0-2 spines per areole, Big-rooted Prickly Pear develops 2 or more spines per areole. Other scientific names that refer to Eastern Prickly Pear include Opuntia compressa and Opuntia rafinesquei.
One or more flower buds can develop along the upper curved margin of each pad. These flower buds are up to 2" long and ¾" across; they are oblanceoloid-oblongoid in shape, greenish, and somewhat fleshy-scaly in appearance. When the flowers are fully open, they are 2-3" across. Each flower several tepals, numerous stamens, and an inferior ovary with a single style. Mature tepals are light yellow to yellow and satiny in appearance. Sometimes, the bases of inner tepals toward the center of each flower are orange-red. The filaments of the stamens are yellow to pale orange, while their anthers are yellow. At the apex of the style, there is a narrow ring of short stigmas; these stigmas are white. to pale yellow. The blooming period occurs during early summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks for a colony of plants. Each flower is diurnal, lasting only a single day. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by sessile fruits. Mature fruits are 1¼–2" long and ½–¾" across, dull red to reddish brown, and oblanceoloid-oblongoid in shape with concave apices. Each fruit contains several seeds in a fleshy interior. Depending on the local ecotype and stage of ripeness, the flesh of these fruits is green to red and either sour, bland, or sweet.
Individual seeds are about 4 mm. long, tan to dark brown, globoid, and somewhat flattened in shape; there is narrow ridge along at least one-half of the outer margin of each seed. The root system is fibrous and spreading. Upper pads occasionally break off from lower pads, falling to the ground. Such detached pads can develop new roots in the ground, creating new plants that are clonal offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sunlight (at least one-half day of sun), mesic to dry conditions, and sandy or rocky soil. Soil containing loam or clay-loam is tolerated if it is well-drained. Older stems on the ground have a tendency to become brown and woody with age, which is natural. It is faster and easier to start new plants using pads, rather than seeds; detached pads form new roots in the ground readily. This is the easiest cactus to grow in Illinois because of its tolerance of moisture, humidity, and cold winter weather. It also blooms more reliably than most cacti.
Range & Habitat: The Eastern Prickly Pear occurs occasionally in about one-half of the counties in Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is most likely to be found in sandy or hilly areas along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, in hilly areas of southern Illinois, and sandy or rocky areas of northern Illinois. This is by far the most common cactus in Illinois. Most populations of this plant are native, although some local populations are the result of restoration efforts or occasional escapes from cultivation. Typical habitats include openings in sandy woodlands, sandy savannas, sand prairies, hill prairies, gravel prairies, barrens and rocky bluffs, sandstone and limestone glades, sand dunes along Lake Michigan and other areas, rocky or sandy slopes along major rivers and lakes, sandy cemeteries, pastures, and sandy or gravelly areas along railroads. The greatest threats to the survival of this plant are the destruction of habitat by modern development and the invasion of its habitat by woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Both long-tongued and short-tongued bees visit the flowers, including bumblebees, the Large Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), digger bees (Melissodes spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees (including green metallic bees), and plasterer bees (Colletes spp.). Long-tongued bees suck nectar or collect pollen, while short-tongued bees collect pollen only; the larger bees are more likely to cause cross-pollination (Mitchell, 1960/1962; Kevan & Aiello, 2002). Some insects feed on the pads of Eastern Prickly Pear and other prickly pears (Opuntia spp.). These species include larvae of the Eastern Cactus-boring Moth (Melitara prodenialis); larvae of a polyphagous moth, Julia's Dicymolomia (Dicymolomia julianalis); larvae of another polyphagous moth, the Arge Tiger Moth (Grammia arge); and larvae of a Syrphid fly, Copestylum vittatum. Other insects suck plant juices from the pads or fruits of these plants. These species include the Prickly Pear Cactus Bug (Chelinidea vittiger), Pale-margined Stink Bug (Chlorochloa persimilis), and Uhler's Stink Bug (Chlorochroa uhleri). Some of these insects are found in the Great Plains region and SE United States, but not in the Midwest. See Needham et al. (1928), Covell (1984/2005), Hart & Gleason (1907), Froeschner (1942), Vestal (1913), and Rider (2009) for more information.
In the Eastern states, the relationships of prickly pears with vertebrate wildlife are less well-known than in western United States. From studies in these western areas, the fruits and seeds of these plants are eaten occasionally by the Wild Turkey and Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel. Both the fruits and pads are eaten occasionally by the Coyote, Gray Fox, Cottontail Rabbit, Striped Skunk, and White-tailed Deer, notwithstanding the presence of bristles and occasional spines (Martin et al., 1951/1961). The fruits and pads are also eaten by the Ornate Box Turtle (Ernst et al., 1994); this turtle is often found in sand prairies. All of these vertebrate animals occur in Illinois at the present time. Domesticated animals, such as cattle, horses, and sheep, normally avoid the consumption of the fruits and pads of the Eastern Prickly Pear because of its spines and bristles. However, when these plants are eaten by such animals, the spines and bristles can irritate and damage both their mouth parts and digestive tracts (Georgia, 1913). When White-tailed Deer (and probably other vertebrate animals) eat the fruits, they help to spread the seeds to new locations (Myers et al., 2004). The relatively large pads of Eastern Prickly Pear provide nesting habitat for the Bobwhite Quail (Hernandez et al., 2003), and protective cover for snakes and other kinds of wildlife.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a sandy meadow near Kickapoo State Park in Vermilion County, Illinois, and at a sand prairie of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in NW Indiana.
Comments: The Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa) is a striking plant with large beautiful flowers. It has fewer spines than many western species of prickly pear (Opuntia spp.), but they are still fairly formidable. The fine bristles near the areoles can easily penetrate the skin, causing irritation should the pads of this cactus be carelessly handled or brushed against. While Eastern Prickly Pear normally occurs as scattered individual plants or in small colonies, sometimes this cactus can form impressively large colonies if it persists at the same location for a sufficiently long period of time. The only other cactus with a similar size and appearance in Illinois is the less common Big-rooted Prickly Pear (Opuntia macrorhiza). This latter species differs from the Eastern Prickly Pear by its thick tuberous root and the greater abundance of spines on its pads. While Eastern Prickly Pear develops 0-2 spines per areole, Big-rooted Prickly Pear develops 2 or more spines per areole. Other scientific names that refer to Eastern Prickly Pear include Opuntia compressa and Opuntia rafinesquei.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月01日
Description: This perennial plant is 2-5" (5-12 cm.) tall, eventually forming sprawling mats of cactus pads. An individual plant typically consists of 2-6 pads (modified fleshy stem-segments) that form either branched or unbranched chains (usually the former). These pads can become detached from each other easily, especially the uppermost and youngest pads. The pads are ascending to widely spreading. Individual pads are 1-2.5" (2.5-6 cm.) long, ½-1" (1.2-2.5 cm.) across, and slightly to moderately flattened; mature pads are ellipsoid, broadly ellipsoid, or obovoid in shape. Pad surfaces are medium green and glabrous; they often shrivel and become wrinkled during the dormant stage of winter, while remaining green. Scattered across the pads in diagonal rows are areoles (air pores) about 2-3 mm. across; they are initially white-woolly. The areoles contain inconspicuous glochids (fine spiny bristles) about 1-2 mm. long that are yellowish or brownish. In addition, clusters of 2-6 divergent spines develop from the areoles. These spines are ¼-1¼" (5-30 mm.) long, light gray or brown, straight, terete, and barbed at their tips. With age, some of the spines become detached from the pads. On young developing pads, scale-like leaves develop near the areoles that are 1-3 mm. long, green to reddish green, and lanceolate in shape; they are early-deciduous.
While most plants fail to bloom during a given year, usually a small minority of plants in a colony will produce 1-2 flowers each. Each flower is about 1½-2" (4-5 cm.) across when it is fully open, consisting of several rounded yellow tepals, numerous stamens, and a pistil with a single slender style. Sometimes the inner tepals are reddish or greenish at their bases. The filaments of the stamens are yellow or reddish brown, while their anthers are yellow. The style is whitish yellow with a cluster of 4-10 green stigmata at its tip. For a colony of plants, the blooming period occurs during mid-summer for about 1-2 weeks; each diurnal flower lasts only a single day. Sometimes there is a slight floral fragrance. Most flowers fail to set fruit. Among those that do, their fruits are ½-¾" (12-20 mm.) long and ovoid in shape. Immature fruits are green to reddish green, while mature fruits are tan to brown and bur-like in appearance. Like the pads, the fruits have areoles with glochids and barbed spines; the spines are more common toward the apex of each fruit. The interior of mature fruits is dry and seedy. These fruits are easily detached from their pads. Individual seeds are 4-6 mm. across, bone-colored to grayish brown, and hairless; they are rather chunky and irregular in shape. The root system is shallow and fibrous. This plant can reproduce vegetatively whenever detached pads have contact with the ground surface, as they willDistribution Map form new roots. This is the primary method of reproduction. It is not uncommon for little-disturbed plants to form sprawling colonies at favorable sites.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and open barren ground that is rocky, gravelly, or sandy. However, this cactus will adapt to ordinary garden soil if other plants are kept away from it. Under these conditions, it is not difficult to cultivate, however flowers and fruits are uncommonly produced in most geographical areas where this cactus occurs. This dwarf cactus is a good candidate for a sunny rock garden. It is the most winter-hardy cactus in North America.
Range & Habitat: The native Brittle Prickly Pear is found in only the NW corner of Illinois, where it is rare and state-listed as 'endangered.' Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this cactus; it is more common in areas further to the west, especially in the northern plains region of the United States. In Illinois, Brittle Prickly Pear occurs on a dry sand prairie of an abandoned army base that is in the process of being restored. Outside of the state, this cactus can be found in open grassy prairies, sandy hills, and rocky outcrops containing granite, limestone, or quartzite. In Illinois, this cactus is found in a higher quality natural area, while toward the center of its range, it sometimes occurs in disturbed areas (e.g., cattle pastures).
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily bees, including Halictid bees. Insects that feed destructively on Brittle Prickly Pear and other Opuntia spp. include the Coreid bug, Chelinidea vittiger, which sucks juices from the cactus pads and fruits; the stink bugs, Chlorochroa uhleri and Chlorochroa persimilis, which also suck juices from the cactus pads and fruits; larvae of the Syrphid fly, Copestylum vittatum, which bore into the cactus pads; and larvae of the Pyralid moths, Melitara dentata and Melitara prodenialis, which also bore into the cactus pads. The sharp spines and bristly glochids provide the cactus pads and fruits with some protection from browsing by vertebrate herbivores. Nonetheless, in some areas the Brittle Prickly Pear is eaten by the Plains Pocket Gopher, and its seeds are an important source of food for the Harris Ground Squirrel and many species of birds (Ribbens, 2007). Among cacti, the Brittle Prickly Pear is unusual in having individual pads and fruits that are designed to attach themselves to the fur of mammals, such as the American Bison; they also become attached to the clothing and skin of humans. By such means, new clonal plants and seeds can be transported across long distances.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: In Illinois, Brittle Prickly Pear can be distinguished from other Opuntia spp. (Prickly Pears) by its small size and dry bur-like fruits. Like many other cacti, it produces large showy flowers that are short-lived. The detachable pads make this cactus difficult to handle while transplanting as they readily cling to fingers, hands, or gloves, thanks to its barbed spines. In particular, the inconspicuous glochids (fine sharp bristles of the areoles) can embed themselves underneath the surface of the skin and are difficult to remove. So its wise to exercise considerable care while handling this plant. Not only can the pads become detached by the movements of animals or people, even heavy rainfall, blowing snow, or a strong gust wind sometimes dislodge them. Each one of these detached pads has the potential to become another clonal plant, forming low mats of sprawling plants over time.
While most plants fail to bloom during a given year, usually a small minority of plants in a colony will produce 1-2 flowers each. Each flower is about 1½-2" (4-5 cm.) across when it is fully open, consisting of several rounded yellow tepals, numerous stamens, and a pistil with a single slender style. Sometimes the inner tepals are reddish or greenish at their bases. The filaments of the stamens are yellow or reddish brown, while their anthers are yellow. The style is whitish yellow with a cluster of 4-10 green stigmata at its tip. For a colony of plants, the blooming period occurs during mid-summer for about 1-2 weeks; each diurnal flower lasts only a single day. Sometimes there is a slight floral fragrance. Most flowers fail to set fruit. Among those that do, their fruits are ½-¾" (12-20 mm.) long and ovoid in shape. Immature fruits are green to reddish green, while mature fruits are tan to brown and bur-like in appearance. Like the pads, the fruits have areoles with glochids and barbed spines; the spines are more common toward the apex of each fruit. The interior of mature fruits is dry and seedy. These fruits are easily detached from their pads. Individual seeds are 4-6 mm. across, bone-colored to grayish brown, and hairless; they are rather chunky and irregular in shape. The root system is shallow and fibrous. This plant can reproduce vegetatively whenever detached pads have contact with the ground surface, as they willDistribution Map form new roots. This is the primary method of reproduction. It is not uncommon for little-disturbed plants to form sprawling colonies at favorable sites.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and open barren ground that is rocky, gravelly, or sandy. However, this cactus will adapt to ordinary garden soil if other plants are kept away from it. Under these conditions, it is not difficult to cultivate, however flowers and fruits are uncommonly produced in most geographical areas where this cactus occurs. This dwarf cactus is a good candidate for a sunny rock garden. It is the most winter-hardy cactus in North America.
Range & Habitat: The native Brittle Prickly Pear is found in only the NW corner of Illinois, where it is rare and state-listed as 'endangered.' Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this cactus; it is more common in areas further to the west, especially in the northern plains region of the United States. In Illinois, Brittle Prickly Pear occurs on a dry sand prairie of an abandoned army base that is in the process of being restored. Outside of the state, this cactus can be found in open grassy prairies, sandy hills, and rocky outcrops containing granite, limestone, or quartzite. In Illinois, this cactus is found in a higher quality natural area, while toward the center of its range, it sometimes occurs in disturbed areas (e.g., cattle pastures).
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily bees, including Halictid bees. Insects that feed destructively on Brittle Prickly Pear and other Opuntia spp. include the Coreid bug, Chelinidea vittiger, which sucks juices from the cactus pads and fruits; the stink bugs, Chlorochroa uhleri and Chlorochroa persimilis, which also suck juices from the cactus pads and fruits; larvae of the Syrphid fly, Copestylum vittatum, which bore into the cactus pads; and larvae of the Pyralid moths, Melitara dentata and Melitara prodenialis, which also bore into the cactus pads. The sharp spines and bristly glochids provide the cactus pads and fruits with some protection from browsing by vertebrate herbivores. Nonetheless, in some areas the Brittle Prickly Pear is eaten by the Plains Pocket Gopher, and its seeds are an important source of food for the Harris Ground Squirrel and many species of birds (Ribbens, 2007). Among cacti, the Brittle Prickly Pear is unusual in having individual pads and fruits that are designed to attach themselves to the fur of mammals, such as the American Bison; they also become attached to the clothing and skin of humans. By such means, new clonal plants and seeds can be transported across long distances.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: In Illinois, Brittle Prickly Pear can be distinguished from other Opuntia spp. (Prickly Pears) by its small size and dry bur-like fruits. Like many other cacti, it produces large showy flowers that are short-lived. The detachable pads make this cactus difficult to handle while transplanting as they readily cling to fingers, hands, or gloves, thanks to its barbed spines. In particular, the inconspicuous glochids (fine sharp bristles of the areoles) can embed themselves underneath the surface of the skin and are difficult to remove. So its wise to exercise considerable care while handling this plant. Not only can the pads become detached by the movements of animals or people, even heavy rainfall, blowing snow, or a strong gust wind sometimes dislodge them. Each one of these detached pads has the potential to become another clonal plant, forming low mats of sprawling plants over time.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月01日
Description: This perennial plant is 2-5' tall and unbranched, except near the inflorescence. The central stem is covered with fine white hairs. The basal leaves are up to 10" long and 5" wide, while much smaller leaves alternate upward along the central stem. These leaves are light green and pubescent; their margins are smooth or slightly serrated. They are variably shaped, appearing lanceolate, oblanceolate, oblong, or oval, but always with blunt tips. Initially, the leaves have a soft floppy texture, but they become more stiff later in the year. The basal leaves often persist through the winter and are semi-evergreen. At the apex of the central stem is a corymb of small yellow flowers. This inflorescence is about 2-4" across, while each flower is ¼–½" across. The upper side stems also produce corymbs of these flowers, which are more or less all bunched together. There is a mild floral fragrance. The blooming period occurs from late summer to fall, and lasts about a month. The achenes have small tufts of white or light brown hair, and are distributed by the wind. This plant has deep fibrous roots, and it has a tendency to form offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and moist to slightly dry conditions. This plant is not particular about soil, which can consist of loam, clay-loam, or gravelly material. There is a tendency to flop over during bloom if it is spoiled by fertile soil or too much water. Powdery mildew sometimes attacks the leaves. Drought resistance is good; some of the lower leaves may wither away in response. This plant is easy to grow.
Range & Habitat: The native Stiff Goldenrod occurs in most counties of Illinois and is fairly common, but it is rare or absent in parts of southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to slightly dry black soil prairies, clay prairies, savannas, thickets, limestone glades, abandoned fields, roadsides, and open areas along railroads, particularly where prairie remnants occur.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract many kinds of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, and beetles. Monarch butterflies are especially attracted to the flowers. The caterpillars of several species of moths feed on various parts of this and other goldenrods (see Moth Table). Other insects that feed on this plant are Disonycta latifrons (Flea Beetle sp.), Microrhapala vittata (Leafminer Beetle sp.), Hesperotattix viridii (Spur-Throated Grasshopper sp.), and Corythucha marmorata (Lace Bug sp.). The Greater Prairie Chicken and Eastern Goldfinch eat the seeds to a limited extent. Many mammalian herbivores eat this plant, particularly during the early stages of growth and development. This includes the White-Tailed Deer, Cottontail Rabbit, Muskrats, and livestock. The latter tend to leave this plant alone when there are other sources of food available.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois, and the wildflower garden of the webmaster in the same city.
Comments: This is one of the more attractive goldenrods. It has a unique appearance and is easy to distinguish from other goldenrods: 1) the foliage is quite pubescent and light green, with a felty appearance; 2) the basal leaves are quite large, assuming that they haven't withered away; 3) the inflorescence consists of erect bunches of flowers; it does not radiate outward, nor form a narrow wand; 4) the individual flowers are slightly larger than those of other goldenrods. Along with a few other goldenrod species, such as Riddell's Goldenrod and Ohio Goldenrod, Stiff Goldenrod has been recently reassigned from the Solidago genus to the Oligoneuron genus. Formerly, it was referred to as Solidago rigida.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and moist to slightly dry conditions. This plant is not particular about soil, which can consist of loam, clay-loam, or gravelly material. There is a tendency to flop over during bloom if it is spoiled by fertile soil or too much water. Powdery mildew sometimes attacks the leaves. Drought resistance is good; some of the lower leaves may wither away in response. This plant is easy to grow.
Range & Habitat: The native Stiff Goldenrod occurs in most counties of Illinois and is fairly common, but it is rare or absent in parts of southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to slightly dry black soil prairies, clay prairies, savannas, thickets, limestone glades, abandoned fields, roadsides, and open areas along railroads, particularly where prairie remnants occur.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract many kinds of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, and beetles. Monarch butterflies are especially attracted to the flowers. The caterpillars of several species of moths feed on various parts of this and other goldenrods (see Moth Table). Other insects that feed on this plant are Disonycta latifrons (Flea Beetle sp.), Microrhapala vittata (Leafminer Beetle sp.), Hesperotattix viridii (Spur-Throated Grasshopper sp.), and Corythucha marmorata (Lace Bug sp.). The Greater Prairie Chicken and Eastern Goldfinch eat the seeds to a limited extent. Many mammalian herbivores eat this plant, particularly during the early stages of growth and development. This includes the White-Tailed Deer, Cottontail Rabbit, Muskrats, and livestock. The latter tend to leave this plant alone when there are other sources of food available.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois, and the wildflower garden of the webmaster in the same city.
Comments: This is one of the more attractive goldenrods. It has a unique appearance and is easy to distinguish from other goldenrods: 1) the foliage is quite pubescent and light green, with a felty appearance; 2) the basal leaves are quite large, assuming that they haven't withered away; 3) the inflorescence consists of erect bunches of flowers; it does not radiate outward, nor form a narrow wand; 4) the individual flowers are slightly larger than those of other goldenrods. Along with a few other goldenrod species, such as Riddell's Goldenrod and Ohio Goldenrod, Stiff Goldenrod has been recently reassigned from the Solidago genus to the Oligoneuron genus. Formerly, it was referred to as Solidago rigida.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月01日
Description: This is a herbaceous perennial plant, producing one or more erect stems that are ¾–2' tall. Each stem is light green to reddish purple, terete, and unbranched below the inflorescence; it is usually glabrous below and sparsely short-hairy above. Several alternate leaves occur along each stem, becoming significantly smaller in size as they ascend; they are up to 6" long and 1/3" (1 cm.) across (rarely larger). Relative to the stem, the blade orientation of lower leaves is widely spreading to ascending, while the blade orientation of middle to upper leaves is ascending. The leaf blades are linear-oblanceolate, linear-elliptic, and linear in shape; they are entire (toothless) to sparingly and shallowly toothed along the sides of their outer margins. The upper and lower surfaces of leaf blades are medium green and glabrous. The lower leaves taper gradually into petiole-like bases, while the upper leaves are sessile. Each stem terminates in a flat-headed panicle of flowerheads spanning up to 6" across; the branching structure of this inflorescence is corymbiform (corymb-like). The branches of this inflorescence are light green to reddish purple and sparsely short-hairy. Sometimes there are solitary leafy bracts where these branches diverge; these bracts are up to 1" long and linear in shape.
Each flowerhead spans about ¾–1" across, consisting of 10-25 pistillate ray florets that surround numerous perfect disk florets. The petaloid rays (ligules) are widely spreading, elliptic or oblong-elliptic in shape, and bright white; sometimes they are slightly notched at their tips. The corollas of the disk florets are about 4 mm. long, short-tubular in shape, 5-lobed, and dull white; their conjoined stamens are yellow. The base of the flowerhead is surrounded by appressed phyllaries (floral scales) that are arranged in about 4 overlapping series. These phyllaries are about 4 mm. long, linear-oblong to oblong in shape, light to medium green, and glabrous; their margins are a deeper shade of green above than below. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 1-2 months for a local population of plants. Afterwards, the flowerheads become light brown and their florets are replaced by small achenes with white tufts of hair. Individual achenes are about 1-1.5 mm. long, bullet-shaped, and glabrous; their apices are truncate where the tufts of hair occur. The root system consists of a branching caudex.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, moist to dry conditions, and calcareous barren ground that is sandy, gravelly, or rocky. This plant can be cultivated in rock gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native White Goldenrod is uncommon in northern Illinois and sandy areas of mid-central Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include hill prairies, gravel prairies, sand prairies, and moist sand flats (pannes) along Lake Michigan. Other habitats outside of Illinois include alvars (limestone pavements) along the Great Lakes, rocky cliffs, rocky crevices, river outcrop prairies, sandy Jack Pine plains, and fens. This plant is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. A rare butterfly, Karner's Blue (Lycaeides melissa samuelis), a rare skipper, Poweshiek Skipperling (Oarisma poweshiek), and the common Pennsylvania Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus) have been observed to visit the flowerheads of White Goldenrod (Oligoneuron album); see Grundel & Pavlovic (2000), Semmler (2010), and Williams (2006). The butterfly and skipper feed on nectar, while the soldier beetle probably feeds on pollen. Many other insects undoubtedly visit its flowerheads as well.
Photographic Location: A moist sand flat near Lake Michigan at Illinois Beach State Park in NE Illinois.
Comments: This goldenrod is very unusual because it looks like an aster, and it was even classified as an aster, Aster ptarmicoides, for many years. Other scientific names of White Goldenrod (Oligoneuron album) include Solidago ptarmicoides and Unamia alba. In spite of its deceptive appearance, it was discovered that this species forms naturally occurring hybrids with such flat-topped goldenrods as Oligoneuron rigidum, Oligoneuron riddellii, and Oligoneuron ohiense. In contrast, there is no evidence that it can form hybrids with other goldenrods (Solidago spp.) and asters (Aster spp.). Several common names have been used to refer to this plant, including Prairie Goldenrod, Stiff Aster, Stiff Goldenrod (also used for Oligoneuron rigidum), White Upland Aster, White Upland Goldenrod, and White Flat-topped Goldenrod.
Each flowerhead spans about ¾–1" across, consisting of 10-25 pistillate ray florets that surround numerous perfect disk florets. The petaloid rays (ligules) are widely spreading, elliptic or oblong-elliptic in shape, and bright white; sometimes they are slightly notched at their tips. The corollas of the disk florets are about 4 mm. long, short-tubular in shape, 5-lobed, and dull white; their conjoined stamens are yellow. The base of the flowerhead is surrounded by appressed phyllaries (floral scales) that are arranged in about 4 overlapping series. These phyllaries are about 4 mm. long, linear-oblong to oblong in shape, light to medium green, and glabrous; their margins are a deeper shade of green above than below. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 1-2 months for a local population of plants. Afterwards, the flowerheads become light brown and their florets are replaced by small achenes with white tufts of hair. Individual achenes are about 1-1.5 mm. long, bullet-shaped, and glabrous; their apices are truncate where the tufts of hair occur. The root system consists of a branching caudex.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, moist to dry conditions, and calcareous barren ground that is sandy, gravelly, or rocky. This plant can be cultivated in rock gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native White Goldenrod is uncommon in northern Illinois and sandy areas of mid-central Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include hill prairies, gravel prairies, sand prairies, and moist sand flats (pannes) along Lake Michigan. Other habitats outside of Illinois include alvars (limestone pavements) along the Great Lakes, rocky cliffs, rocky crevices, river outcrop prairies, sandy Jack Pine plains, and fens. This plant is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. A rare butterfly, Karner's Blue (Lycaeides melissa samuelis), a rare skipper, Poweshiek Skipperling (Oarisma poweshiek), and the common Pennsylvania Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus) have been observed to visit the flowerheads of White Goldenrod (Oligoneuron album); see Grundel & Pavlovic (2000), Semmler (2010), and Williams (2006). The butterfly and skipper feed on nectar, while the soldier beetle probably feeds on pollen. Many other insects undoubtedly visit its flowerheads as well.
Photographic Location: A moist sand flat near Lake Michigan at Illinois Beach State Park in NE Illinois.
Comments: This goldenrod is very unusual because it looks like an aster, and it was even classified as an aster, Aster ptarmicoides, for many years. Other scientific names of White Goldenrod (Oligoneuron album) include Solidago ptarmicoides and Unamia alba. In spite of its deceptive appearance, it was discovered that this species forms naturally occurring hybrids with such flat-topped goldenrods as Oligoneuron rigidum, Oligoneuron riddellii, and Oligoneuron ohiense. In contrast, there is no evidence that it can form hybrids with other goldenrods (Solidago spp.) and asters (Aster spp.). Several common names have been used to refer to this plant, including Prairie Goldenrod, Stiff Aster, Stiff Goldenrod (also used for Oligoneuron rigidum), White Upland Aster, White Upland Goldenrod, and White Flat-topped Goldenrod.
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成长记
攀雲樓 趙春
2018年01月31日
泥炭4 、赤玉土4、 植金石4、仙土3、（仙土2+松鳞）
桐生砂2、颗粒泥炭1、火山岩1、稻壳碳1
桐生砂2、颗粒泥炭1、火山岩1、稻壳碳1
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攀雲樓 趙春：@lrgarden 这是养十二卷的
lrgarden：好多👍
文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月31日
Description: This perennial plant is is usually ½-2' tall. The light green stems are terete, covered with appressed pubescence, and either erect or sprawling. The central stem is usually little branched, except near the apex of the plant, where the flowers occur. The alternate leaves are up to 2-3" long and ¾" across. They are lanceolate, elliptic, or oblanceolate in shape, while their margins are smooth (entire), dentate, or shallowly pinnatifid. Some leaves may have paired basal lobes. The leaves are either sessile against their stems or they have petioles up to 1" in length. Both the upper and lower leaf surfaces are light to medium green and either glabrous or sparsely appressed-pubescent.
About 1-3 flowers develop from the axils of the upper leaves. The appressed-pubescent flower buds are rather long and spindle-shaped. The showy flowers open up during the daytime, and they are 2-3½" across. Each flower has 4 broad petals, 8 stamens with white or yellow anthers, and a long white stigma that is 4-cleft at its tip, resembling a white cross. These flowers are usually pinkish white; they have fine pink lines that radiate outward from their throats across the rather wrinkled petals. The throats of these flowers are usually yellow. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about a month, although individual flowers are short-lived. The flowers are replaced by elongated 4-angled capsules that contain numerous seeds. The root system is highly rhizomatous, forming sizable colonies at some sites.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and dry conditions. This plant often grows on poor, rocky soil, but it can tolerate other kinds of soil as well. This plant can spread aggressively at dry, sunny locations, and it becomes rather ragged in appearance after the blooming period is over.
Range & Habitat: Showy Evening Primrose is widely scattered across Illinois, where it has been reported most often from the Chicago area, central Illinois, and SW Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is native to the Great Plains and other areas that lie west of Illinois. Habitats include upland areas of degraded prairies, glades, old homesteads and abandoned fields, areas along railroads and roadsides, and dry waste areas. In Illinois, Showy Evening Primrose occurs primarily in disturbed areas. Many local populations are undoubtedly cultivated plants that have managed to escape for one reason or another. This species has been naturalized in Illinois for a long time.
Faunal Associations: Small bees collect pollen from the flowers, but they are unlikely to pollinate them. The size and length of the stamens and style suggest that hummingbirds, large butterflies, or day-flying Sphinx moths are more likely to pollinate the flowers while seeking nectar, although this is somewhat speculative. Some insects feed destructively on the foliage and other parts of Showy Evening Primrose and other Oenothera spp. (Evening Primrose species). These insect species include the flea beetles Altica texana and Altica polita, the aphids Anoecia oenotherae and Aphis oestlundi, the weevil Acanthoscelidius acephalus, and the larvae of several moths. Among these moths, there are several Mompha spp. that feed on the seed capsules or bore through the stems, the flower-eating Schinia florida (Primrose Moth), and the foliage-eating Proserpinus juanita (Green-Banded Day Sphinx). The foliage is occasionally browsed by various mammalian herbivores, including rabbits, groundhogs, deer, and livestock.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Considering the size of Showy Evening Primrose as a plant, the flowers seem impossibly large. They are also very bright and showy. For this reason, this species is often cultivated in flower gardens in areas far outside its normal range in the Great Plains and southwestern states. It can be distinguished from other Oenothera spp. by its large pinkish white flowers. Other species in this genus typically have yellow flowers.
About 1-3 flowers develop from the axils of the upper leaves. The appressed-pubescent flower buds are rather long and spindle-shaped. The showy flowers open up during the daytime, and they are 2-3½" across. Each flower has 4 broad petals, 8 stamens with white or yellow anthers, and a long white stigma that is 4-cleft at its tip, resembling a white cross. These flowers are usually pinkish white; they have fine pink lines that radiate outward from their throats across the rather wrinkled petals. The throats of these flowers are usually yellow. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about a month, although individual flowers are short-lived. The flowers are replaced by elongated 4-angled capsules that contain numerous seeds. The root system is highly rhizomatous, forming sizable colonies at some sites.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and dry conditions. This plant often grows on poor, rocky soil, but it can tolerate other kinds of soil as well. This plant can spread aggressively at dry, sunny locations, and it becomes rather ragged in appearance after the blooming period is over.
Range & Habitat: Showy Evening Primrose is widely scattered across Illinois, where it has been reported most often from the Chicago area, central Illinois, and SW Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is native to the Great Plains and other areas that lie west of Illinois. Habitats include upland areas of degraded prairies, glades, old homesteads and abandoned fields, areas along railroads and roadsides, and dry waste areas. In Illinois, Showy Evening Primrose occurs primarily in disturbed areas. Many local populations are undoubtedly cultivated plants that have managed to escape for one reason or another. This species has been naturalized in Illinois for a long time.
Faunal Associations: Small bees collect pollen from the flowers, but they are unlikely to pollinate them. The size and length of the stamens and style suggest that hummingbirds, large butterflies, or day-flying Sphinx moths are more likely to pollinate the flowers while seeking nectar, although this is somewhat speculative. Some insects feed destructively on the foliage and other parts of Showy Evening Primrose and other Oenothera spp. (Evening Primrose species). These insect species include the flea beetles Altica texana and Altica polita, the aphids Anoecia oenotherae and Aphis oestlundi, the weevil Acanthoscelidius acephalus, and the larvae of several moths. Among these moths, there are several Mompha spp. that feed on the seed capsules or bore through the stems, the flower-eating Schinia florida (Primrose Moth), and the foliage-eating Proserpinus juanita (Green-Banded Day Sphinx). The foliage is occasionally browsed by various mammalian herbivores, including rabbits, groundhogs, deer, and livestock.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Considering the size of Showy Evening Primrose as a plant, the flowers seem impossibly large. They are also very bright and showy. For this reason, this species is often cultivated in flower gardens in areas far outside its normal range in the Great Plains and southwestern states. It can be distinguished from other Oenothera spp. by its large pinkish white flowers. Other species in this genus typically have yellow flowers.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月31日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is up to 2' tall and sometimes bushy. The stems are covered with conspicuous white hairs. The sessile alternate leaves are up to 3" long and 1" wide, lanceolate or ovate, with smooth to slightly dentate margins. They are pubescent on both the upper and lower surfaces. The inflorescence at the top of the plant consists of a short cluster of flowers or hairy buds. These flowers are bright yellow and individually about 2" across. Each one has four large petals, large showy stamens, and fine white or transparent lines that radiate outward from the center of the flower. These lines function as nectar guides, and are more visible to insects than humans in the ultraviolet spectrum. The blooming period occurs during late spring or early summer and lasts about a month. The flowers bloom during the day and have a pleasant fragrance. The seeds are without tufts of hairs, while the root system is highly rhizomatous. In disturbed areas, colonies of plants are readily formed. The new growth during early spring and older foliage during the fall often acquire reddish tints.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, moist conditions, and a loamy soil with high organic content. This plant develops quickly during the spring and flowers readily. Later in the year, it becomes dormant and less attractive in appearance, but can tolerate some drought. This plant is easy to grow if it is not too dry, and can spread aggressively.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Sundrops occurs occasionally in the majority of counties in Illinois; it is uncommon or absent in central and NW Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, edges of pothole marshes, abandoned pastures, and prairie remnants along railroads.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated primarily by long-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers. Halictid bees and Syrphid flies often visit the flowers, but they are attracted by the abundant pollen and cannot be considered very effective at pollination. Among the long-tongued bees, are such visitors as Little Carpenter bees and large Leaf-Cutting bees, which suck nectar or collect pollen. The foliage is eaten occasionally by rabbits, and probably other mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This lovely plant should be grown more often. During the 19th century, this was a more popular garden plant, but it has since passed from favor and is not widely available. Prairie Sundrops resembles Oenothera fruticosa, but differs from the latter by its hairy leaves. The latter species has a range that lies east and south of Illinois, and is widely available through horticultural sources.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, moist conditions, and a loamy soil with high organic content. This plant develops quickly during the spring and flowers readily. Later in the year, it becomes dormant and less attractive in appearance, but can tolerate some drought. This plant is easy to grow if it is not too dry, and can spread aggressively.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Sundrops occurs occasionally in the majority of counties in Illinois; it is uncommon or absent in central and NW Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, edges of pothole marshes, abandoned pastures, and prairie remnants along railroads.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated primarily by long-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers. Halictid bees and Syrphid flies often visit the flowers, but they are attracted by the abundant pollen and cannot be considered very effective at pollination. Among the long-tongued bees, are such visitors as Little Carpenter bees and large Leaf-Cutting bees, which suck nectar or collect pollen. The foliage is eaten occasionally by rabbits, and probably other mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This lovely plant should be grown more often. During the 19th century, this was a more popular garden plant, but it has since passed from favor and is not widely available. Prairie Sundrops resembles Oenothera fruticosa, but differs from the latter by its hairy leaves. The latter species has a range that lies east and south of Illinois, and is widely available through horticultural sources.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月31日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 8-24" long, unbranched or sparingly branched, and erect to ascending. The stems are light green to pale red and terete; they are often pubescent above, becoming glabrous below. The alternate leaves are up to 2½" long and ¾" across; they are medium green, glabrous to slightly pubescent, and narrowly ovate or elliptic. The base of each leaf is sessile, while its tip is blunt. In addition to the alternate leaves, the basal leaves are often present at the bottom of each plant. The central stem (and any lateral stems) terminates in a leafy spike of several flowers; it is usually several inches long. Individual flowers usually alternate along the spike, although sometimes they occur in pairs. At the base of each flower, there is a leafy bract about ½–1" long that is linear-oblong. The central stalk of the spike is often pubescent.
Each flower is about ½–¾" across, consisting of 4 yellow petals, 4 green or reddish green calyx lobes, a slender calyx tube that is often reddish, and an ovary that is located below the calyx tube. There are also several yellow stamens and a central style with a cross-shaped stigma. The well-rounded petals are often slightly notched at their tips. Each petal has a central vein, from which several lateral veins radiate from both sides; these veins are pale-colored and rather inconspicuous. The calyx lobes are lanceolate in the shape and pubescent on their outer surfaces; they eventually hang downward from the petals and turn yellow. The calyx tube is about the same length or a little shorter than the ovary. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer and lasts about a month; the flowers are diurnal. After the blooming period, each fertile flower is replaced by a pubescent seed capsule about ½" long; it is ovoid-obovoid with 4 strongly winged margins along its sides that are reddish green. Each capsule contains numerous seeds.
Distribution MapCultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and sandy or gravelly soil.
Range & Habitat: Small Sundrops is a boreal species that is restricted to NE Illinois, where it is native. This plant is rare in Illinois and state-listed as 'endangered.' Habitats include sand prairies, gravel prairies, sandy savannas and open woodlands, and abandoned sandy fields. In some parts of its range, this wildflower is found in damp depressions of various kinds. Occasional wildfires and brush-removal are beneficial because they reduce competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by bees, skippers, and butterflies; a Halictid bee, Lasioglossum oenotherae, is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Oenothera spp. These insects suck nectar from the flowers, and some bees also collect pollen for their larvae. There are several insects that feed on Oenothera spp. They include the caterpillars of Eudryas unio (Pearly Wood Nymph), Schinia florida (Primrose Moth), and some Mompha spp. (Momphid Moths). Other insect feeders include the seed-eating weevils Tyloderma aereum and Tyloderma foveolatum, the weevil Chalcodermus collaris, and the aphid Anoecia oenotherae. The seeds of Oenothera spp. are eaten to a minor extent by the Eastern Goldfinch and Mourning Dove, while the foliage is sometimes eaten by White-Tailed Deer.
Photographic Location: A nature preserve in Cook County, Illinois. The photograph was taken by Lisa Culp (Copyright © 2009).
Comments: Small Sundrops is a pretty little plant that blooms during the day. It resembles the often cultivated Oenothera fruticosa (Common Sundrops), but this latter plant has larger flowers (1" across or more) that bloom together in rather flat-topped clusters. In contrast, the flowers of Small Sundrops bloom along a more elongated floral spike. Other Oenothera spp. have seed capsules that lack the strongly winged margins that are characteristic of Small Sundrops' seed capsules. Some Oenothera spp. have night-blooming flowers that are pollinated by Sphinx moths; they are commonly referred to as 'Evening Primroses' rather than Sundrops.
Each flower is about ½–¾" across, consisting of 4 yellow petals, 4 green or reddish green calyx lobes, a slender calyx tube that is often reddish, and an ovary that is located below the calyx tube. There are also several yellow stamens and a central style with a cross-shaped stigma. The well-rounded petals are often slightly notched at their tips. Each petal has a central vein, from which several lateral veins radiate from both sides; these veins are pale-colored and rather inconspicuous. The calyx lobes are lanceolate in the shape and pubescent on their outer surfaces; they eventually hang downward from the petals and turn yellow. The calyx tube is about the same length or a little shorter than the ovary. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer and lasts about a month; the flowers are diurnal. After the blooming period, each fertile flower is replaced by a pubescent seed capsule about ½" long; it is ovoid-obovoid with 4 strongly winged margins along its sides that are reddish green. Each capsule contains numerous seeds.
Distribution MapCultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and sandy or gravelly soil.
Range & Habitat: Small Sundrops is a boreal species that is restricted to NE Illinois, where it is native. This plant is rare in Illinois and state-listed as 'endangered.' Habitats include sand prairies, gravel prairies, sandy savannas and open woodlands, and abandoned sandy fields. In some parts of its range, this wildflower is found in damp depressions of various kinds. Occasional wildfires and brush-removal are beneficial because they reduce competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by bees, skippers, and butterflies; a Halictid bee, Lasioglossum oenotherae, is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Oenothera spp. These insects suck nectar from the flowers, and some bees also collect pollen for their larvae. There are several insects that feed on Oenothera spp. They include the caterpillars of Eudryas unio (Pearly Wood Nymph), Schinia florida (Primrose Moth), and some Mompha spp. (Momphid Moths). Other insect feeders include the seed-eating weevils Tyloderma aereum and Tyloderma foveolatum, the weevil Chalcodermus collaris, and the aphid Anoecia oenotherae. The seeds of Oenothera spp. are eaten to a minor extent by the Eastern Goldfinch and Mourning Dove, while the foliage is sometimes eaten by White-Tailed Deer.
Photographic Location: A nature preserve in Cook County, Illinois. The photograph was taken by Lisa Culp (Copyright © 2009).
Comments: Small Sundrops is a pretty little plant that blooms during the day. It resembles the often cultivated Oenothera fruticosa (Common Sundrops), but this latter plant has larger flowers (1" across or more) that bloom together in rather flat-topped clusters. In contrast, the flowers of Small Sundrops bloom along a more elongated floral spike. Other Oenothera spp. have seed capsules that lack the strongly winged margins that are characteristic of Small Sundrops' seed capsules. Some Oenothera spp. have night-blooming flowers that are pollinated by Sphinx moths; they are commonly referred to as 'Evening Primroses' rather than Sundrops.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月31日
Description: This plant is an annual about ½–2' long that often sprawls across the ground, or it is weakly ascending (particularly near the tips of its branches). Small plants are usually unbranched, while larger plants produce lateral stems occasionally. Each stem is terete, light green, and more or less hairy. Along each stem, there are alternate leaves up to 4" longFlower & Upper Leaves and 1" across. The leaves are oblong-lanceolate to oblong-oblanceolate and pinnatifid; they are hairy, although less so along their upper surfaces. The middle to upper leaves are sessile, while the lower leaves have short petioles. From the axils of the middle to upper leaves, there develops individual flowers that are sessile. Each flower spans about 1" across when it is fully open, consisting of 4 yellow petals, a narrowly cylindrical calyx (about 2" long) with 4 narrowly triangular lobe-segments at its apex, a narrowly cylindrical ovary/fruit (about 1–1½" long), 8 stamens, and a central united style with cross-shaped stigmata. The flowers bloom at night and become closed during the morning. Even though it appears that each flower has a stalk-like pedicel about 3" long, this is actually the narrowly cylindrical calyx and ovary/fruit of the flower. The lobe-segments of the calyx hang downward. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer and lasts about 1½–2 months. Only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. After pollination of a flower, the entire calyx becomes pale salmon pink and falls off the fruit. The cylindrical fruit (or developing seed capsule) is straight to slightly curved and ascends upward; it is terete, slightly 4-ribbed, and more or less pubescent along its length. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself; the surfaces of the small seeds are pitted.
Cultivation: The preference is full sunlight, mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil where the ground vegetation is low and sparse. Most growth and development occurs during the cool weather of spring.
Range & Habitat: Ragged Evening Primrose is occasional throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Habitats include sand prairies, hill prairies, sandy fields and meadows, areas along railroads, roadsides, and waste areas. Usually this wildflower is found in disturbed sandy habitats, although it is occasionally found in barren gravelly areas. It is somewhat weedy.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated by Sphinx moths and, to a lesser extent, by bumblebees, honeybees, and other long-tongued bees. Small bees and Syrphid flies may also visit the flowers, where they collect or feed on the pollen, but these latter insects are less effective at cross-pollination. Insects that feed on Ragged Evening Primrose and other Oenothera spp. include several aphids, flea beetles, weevils, moths, and other insects (see the Insect Table for a listing of these species). The Mourning Dove has been observed eating the seeds, while the Cottontail Rabbit and White-Tailed Deer often browse on the foliage.
Photographic Location: A sandy meadow at the Heron Boardwalk in Vermilion County, Illinois. Because the photograph was taken during the early morning, the flower and foliage were still covered with dew; the flower is already beginning to close.
Comments: Because the flowers usually bloom at night, Ragged Evening Primrose is a fairly low and inconspicuous plant. These flowers are very similar in appearance to those of Oenothera biennis (Common Evening Primrose) and other species in this genus. It is primarily the pinnatifid shape of the leaves that sets Ragged Evening Primrose apart; they have conspicuous lateral lobes. The leaf-margins of other Oenothera spp. in Illinois are usually less wavy. Another common name of Oenothera laciniata is Cutleaf Evening Primrose.
Cultivation: The preference is full sunlight, mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil where the ground vegetation is low and sparse. Most growth and development occurs during the cool weather of spring.
Range & Habitat: Ragged Evening Primrose is occasional throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Habitats include sand prairies, hill prairies, sandy fields and meadows, areas along railroads, roadsides, and waste areas. Usually this wildflower is found in disturbed sandy habitats, although it is occasionally found in barren gravelly areas. It is somewhat weedy.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated by Sphinx moths and, to a lesser extent, by bumblebees, honeybees, and other long-tongued bees. Small bees and Syrphid flies may also visit the flowers, where they collect or feed on the pollen, but these latter insects are less effective at cross-pollination. Insects that feed on Ragged Evening Primrose and other Oenothera spp. include several aphids, flea beetles, weevils, moths, and other insects (see the Insect Table for a listing of these species). The Mourning Dove has been observed eating the seeds, while the Cottontail Rabbit and White-Tailed Deer often browse on the foliage.
Photographic Location: A sandy meadow at the Heron Boardwalk in Vermilion County, Illinois. Because the photograph was taken during the early morning, the flower and foliage were still covered with dew; the flower is already beginning to close.
Comments: Because the flowers usually bloom at night, Ragged Evening Primrose is a fairly low and inconspicuous plant. These flowers are very similar in appearance to those of Oenothera biennis (Common Evening Primrose) and other species in this genus. It is primarily the pinnatifid shape of the leaves that sets Ragged Evening Primrose apart; they have conspicuous lateral lobes. The leaf-margins of other Oenothera spp. in Illinois are usually less wavy. Another common name of Oenothera laciniata is Cutleaf Evening Primrose.
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