文章
Miss Chen
2017年12月22日
Description: This plant is a summer annual about ½-2½' tall that is abundantly branched; robust specimens can be as wide as they are tall, resembling a tumbleweed. The stems are are erect to widely spreading, terete to angular, and pale green; young stems are covered with appressed woolly hairs, often becoming less hairy with age. Along the stems, there are alternate leaves 1-3" long and ¼-¾" across; they are pale green, narrowly ovate to oblong in shape, and shallowly lobed, coarsely toothed, or undulate along their margins. Some upper leaves may have smooth margins. When lobes are present on the leaves, they are usually triangular-shaped with pointed tips. Young leaves have appressed woolly hairs on both the upper and lower sides, although they often become less hairy with age. Leaves are either sessile or they have short pedicels up to ½" long. During the fall, the deciduous foliage of this plant becomes red or purple.
The upper stems terminate in either spikes or panicles of whitish green flowers. The length of these spikes or panicles is 2-12" long; their branches are frequently curved or crooked. Sessile flowers occur individually along these branches and they are widely separated from each other. Individual flowers are about 5 mm. (1/6"), consisting of 5 green sepals that curve inward, 5 stamens, and a flattened ovary with 2-3 styles. Except for its apex, the ovary of each flower is covered by the sepals. Each sepal is lanceolate-ovate, slightly keeled in the center, and membranous along its margins. The flowers lack petals and there are no bracts. Flowers are sometimes pistillate; such flowers lack stamens. The blooming period occurs from late summer into the fall for 2-3 months. The flowers are cross-pollinated by the wind. Each flower is replaced by a single horizontal seed that is covered by the persistent sepals (except at the apex). Surrounding each group of sepals and the seed, there is a pale membranous wing (wider than 0.5 mm.) that is circular and slightly fringed along its outer margin. Individual seeds are covered with translucent membranes that are chaffy. Individual seeds are about 1.5 mm. across, circular and flattened in shape, black, and smooth. During the fall or winter, the entire plant may break off at the base, becoming a tumbleweed that is blown about by the wind. As a result, the seeds are scattered across the landscape. The root system consists of a taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and very sandy soil. The size of individual plants is variable.
Range & Habitat: The native Winged Pigweed is occasional in northern and west-central Illinois, otherwise it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include dry sand prairies, dry sandy savannas, sandy areas along major rivers, beaches and sand dunes along Lake Michigan, sandy fields, and barren areas along railroads. This plant typically occurs in sandy habitats with sparse ground vegetation and loose sand. It is a pioneer species that plays a minor role in stabilizing loose sand in wind-tossed areas.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known specifically about floral-faunal relationships for this species. An unidentified scale insect (Lecanium sp.) and an aphid (Macrosiphum gei) have been observed to suck juices from the foliage. Many insects that feed on Chenopodium spp. (Lamb's Quarters) undoubtedly feed on Winged Pigweed as well. Some upland gamebirds and granivorous songbirds probably eat the seeds, while mammalian herbivores probably feed occasionally on the foliage. Because the small seeds of species in the Goosefoot family can pass through the digestive tracts of both songbirds and mammals, they may be partially distributed by these animals.
Photographic Location: A sandy beach along Lake Michigan at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana. The photographs of the foliage were taken during late July, while the photograph of the winged seeds was taken during late September.
Comments: The odd-looking Winged Pigweed is the only species in its genus. It differs from other species in the Goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae) by the appressed woolly hairs on its foliage and the winged membrane around its dry fruit. In contrast, other species in this family have foliage that is white-mealy, glandular-pubescent, or hairless. The flowers of Winged Pigweed occur individually on the branches of an inflorescence, whereas most species in the Goosefoot family have flowers that occur in clusters.
The upper stems terminate in either spikes or panicles of whitish green flowers. The length of these spikes or panicles is 2-12" long; their branches are frequently curved or crooked. Sessile flowers occur individually along these branches and they are widely separated from each other. Individual flowers are about 5 mm. (1/6"), consisting of 5 green sepals that curve inward, 5 stamens, and a flattened ovary with 2-3 styles. Except for its apex, the ovary of each flower is covered by the sepals. Each sepal is lanceolate-ovate, slightly keeled in the center, and membranous along its margins. The flowers lack petals and there are no bracts. Flowers are sometimes pistillate; such flowers lack stamens. The blooming period occurs from late summer into the fall for 2-3 months. The flowers are cross-pollinated by the wind. Each flower is replaced by a single horizontal seed that is covered by the persistent sepals (except at the apex). Surrounding each group of sepals and the seed, there is a pale membranous wing (wider than 0.5 mm.) that is circular and slightly fringed along its outer margin. Individual seeds are covered with translucent membranes that are chaffy. Individual seeds are about 1.5 mm. across, circular and flattened in shape, black, and smooth. During the fall or winter, the entire plant may break off at the base, becoming a tumbleweed that is blown about by the wind. As a result, the seeds are scattered across the landscape. The root system consists of a taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and very sandy soil. The size of individual plants is variable.
Range & Habitat: The native Winged Pigweed is occasional in northern and west-central Illinois, otherwise it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include dry sand prairies, dry sandy savannas, sandy areas along major rivers, beaches and sand dunes along Lake Michigan, sandy fields, and barren areas along railroads. This plant typically occurs in sandy habitats with sparse ground vegetation and loose sand. It is a pioneer species that plays a minor role in stabilizing loose sand in wind-tossed areas.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known specifically about floral-faunal relationships for this species. An unidentified scale insect (Lecanium sp.) and an aphid (Macrosiphum gei) have been observed to suck juices from the foliage. Many insects that feed on Chenopodium spp. (Lamb's Quarters) undoubtedly feed on Winged Pigweed as well. Some upland gamebirds and granivorous songbirds probably eat the seeds, while mammalian herbivores probably feed occasionally on the foliage. Because the small seeds of species in the Goosefoot family can pass through the digestive tracts of both songbirds and mammals, they may be partially distributed by these animals.
Photographic Location: A sandy beach along Lake Michigan at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana. The photographs of the foliage were taken during late July, while the photograph of the winged seeds was taken during late September.
Comments: The odd-looking Winged Pigweed is the only species in its genus. It differs from other species in the Goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae) by the appressed woolly hairs on its foliage and the winged membrane around its dry fruit. In contrast, other species in this family have foliage that is white-mealy, glandular-pubescent, or hairless. The flowers of Winged Pigweed occur individually on the branches of an inflorescence, whereas most species in the Goosefoot family have flowers that occur in clusters.
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Miss Chen
2017年12月22日
Description: This plant is a summer annual up to 2' tall and 3' across. Robust specimens branch frequently and have a bushy appearance with a flattened top, while dwarf specimens on sterile ground branch relatively little; the latter can be less than 6" tall. The stems are covered with appressed hairs that shortly turn brown; the lower stem on robust specimens becomes rather stout. The leaves are usually alternate, although the uppermost leaves are often opposite. They are up to 2" long and ¾" across, broadly lanceolate-oblong, and smooth along the margins. The upper surface of each leaf is green and finely pubescent, while the lower surface is whitish green and woolly from appressed hairs. Many of these hairs are stellate (branched and star-like). The petiole of each leaf is about ½" in length. The foliage exudes a fetid aroma from glandular secretions; the leaves and stems have a clear sap. Prairie Tea is monoecious. The small male flowers occur in erect clusters from the axils of the upper leaves. Each male flower has a woolly green calyx with 5 lobes that are spreading and oblong, 3-8 narrow white petals, and 3-8 white stamens. Only a single female flower develops from each axil of the upper leaves. Each female flower has a woolly green calyx with 5 lobes that are spreading and oblong, a woolly green pistil that is ovoid in shape, a pair of cleft styles at its apex, and no petals. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall and lasts about 1-2 months. The female flowers are initially erect, but later droop downward as the seed capsules develop. Each ovoid seed capsule is up to ¼" long and contains a single seed that is rather large and finely pitted (less often, 2 seeds are produced). This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and poor soil containing rocky or gravelly material. The pH of the soil can be acid or alkaline. This plant is quite drought resistant, although some of the lower leaves may turn yellow and wither away. In more fertile soil, robust specimens are produced that are bushy and attractive.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Tea occurs occasionally in the southern half of Illinois (especially in the SW), but it is uncommon or absent elsewhere in the state (see Distribution Map). In the northern half of Illinois, this species is probably adventive from the south, otherwise it is native. Habitats include hill prairies, sandstone and limestone glades, thinly wooded bluffs, fallow fields, and gravelly areas along railroads. This species occurs in disturbed areas and higher quality habitats that are sunny and dry.
Faunal Associations: Little information is available about the insects that pollinate the flowers, but they are probably small bees, flies, and/or wasps. The caterpillars of Anaea andria (Goatweed Butterfly) feed on the foliage of Prairie Tea and other Croton spp. The large oily seeds of Croton spp. are attractive to many upland gamebirds and some songbirds, including the Mourning Dove, Wild Turkey, Prairie Chicken, Bobwhite, Cowbird, and various sparrows. The fetid foliage is unattractive as a source of food for mammalian herbivores, although goats will eat it. Sometimes, Croton spp. are referred to as 'Goatweed' or 'Doveweed' because of their value as a food source to these animals.
Photographic Location: Along an abandoned railroad in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: The foliage of Prairie Tea is reasonably attractive, while the flowers are insignificant. The common name refers to the resemblance of robust specimens to cultivated tea plants; however, the foliage is unsuitable as a source of tea. Generally, Croton spp. are typical prairie plants of the southern plains; they are less typical of eastern tallgrass prairies, where they are often displaced by taller vegetation in fertile areas. Prairie Tea differs from other Croton spp. by the following characteristics: 1) Its leaves lack teeth, 2) each seed capsule contains only a single seed (or at most two), rather than three, 3) the female flowers are produced individually from the leaf axils, rather than in groups, and 4) the seed capsules do not exceed ¼" in length.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and poor soil containing rocky or gravelly material. The pH of the soil can be acid or alkaline. This plant is quite drought resistant, although some of the lower leaves may turn yellow and wither away. In more fertile soil, robust specimens are produced that are bushy and attractive.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Tea occurs occasionally in the southern half of Illinois (especially in the SW), but it is uncommon or absent elsewhere in the state (see Distribution Map). In the northern half of Illinois, this species is probably adventive from the south, otherwise it is native. Habitats include hill prairies, sandstone and limestone glades, thinly wooded bluffs, fallow fields, and gravelly areas along railroads. This species occurs in disturbed areas and higher quality habitats that are sunny and dry.
Faunal Associations: Little information is available about the insects that pollinate the flowers, but they are probably small bees, flies, and/or wasps. The caterpillars of Anaea andria (Goatweed Butterfly) feed on the foliage of Prairie Tea and other Croton spp. The large oily seeds of Croton spp. are attractive to many upland gamebirds and some songbirds, including the Mourning Dove, Wild Turkey, Prairie Chicken, Bobwhite, Cowbird, and various sparrows. The fetid foliage is unattractive as a source of food for mammalian herbivores, although goats will eat it. Sometimes, Croton spp. are referred to as 'Goatweed' or 'Doveweed' because of their value as a food source to these animals.
Photographic Location: Along an abandoned railroad in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: The foliage of Prairie Tea is reasonably attractive, while the flowers are insignificant. The common name refers to the resemblance of robust specimens to cultivated tea plants; however, the foliage is unsuitable as a source of tea. Generally, Croton spp. are typical prairie plants of the southern plains; they are less typical of eastern tallgrass prairies, where they are often displaced by taller vegetation in fertile areas. Prairie Tea differs from other Croton spp. by the following characteristics: 1) Its leaves lack teeth, 2) each seed capsule contains only a single seed (or at most two), rather than three, 3) the female flowers are produced individually from the leaf axils, rather than in groups, and 4) the seed capsules do not exceed ¼" in length.
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Miss Chen
2017年12月21日
Description: This wildflower is a summer annual about 6-12" tall that branches occasionally; it is ascending to erect. The stems are light green, terete, and hairy. The alternate leaves are 1–2½" long and about one-third as much across; they are elliptic to oblong, flat, and smooth along their margins. Both the upper and lower sides are hairy. The upper surface is mediumPlant with Seedpods green, while the lower surface is gray-green. Each leaf has a single central vein that is prominent. The petioles are hairy and short (less than 1/8" or 3 mm. long). Occasionally, racemes of 1-4 flowers are produced oppositely from some of the leaves. The peduncle (central stalk) of each raceme is 1½–4" long, while the short pedicels of the flowers are about 1/8" long (except the pedicel of the terminal flower, which is often longer). Both peduncles and pedicels are hairy. At the base of each raceme, there is a pair of large persistent stipules about ½" long. These stipules are joined together, becoming gradually wider toward their pointed tips. Individual flowers are about 1/3" (8 mm.) long; they have a typical pea-like flower structure: the yellow petals form an upright banner and a projecting keel that is enclosed by a pair of lateral wings. Each calyx is light green and covered with long hairs; it has five long teeth. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall for about 2-3 months. Usually, only a few (if any) flowers are in bloom at the same time. The flowers are replaced by inflated seedpods that are short-oblongoid in shape. The seedpods are initially light green, but they later turn dark brown or black at maturity. Full-sized seedpods are 1–1½" long and about one-third as much across; each seedpod contains several seeds, which can rattle if it is shook. The seeds are distributed in part by the wind, which can blow the inflated seedpods across open ground. The root system consists of a taproot. This wildflower reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, dry-mesic to dry conditions, and barren soil containing sand, gravel, or clay. This wildflower is intolerant of competition from taller ground vegetation.
Range & Habitat: The native Rattlebox is occasional in the southern half of Illinois, while in the northern half of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include sand prairies, gravel prairies, clay prairies, sandy and rocky savannas, upland savannas, rocky glades, openings and small meadows in upland woodlands, fallow fields, and areas along railroads. Rattlebox prefers dry open areas with a history of disturbance.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated primarily by long-tongued bees, including bumblebees (Bombus spp.), Carder bees (Anthidium spp.), Cuckoo bees (Coelioxys spp.), and large Leaf-Cutting bees (Megachile spp.). Sometimes the flowers are visited by small butterflies or skippers, but they are less effective at cross-pollination. The caterpillars of Utetheisa bella (Bella Moth) feed on the foliage of Rattlebox. In addition, there have been reports of the butterfly caterpillars of Callophrys irus (Frosted Elfin) and the skipper caterpillars of Erynnis baptisiae (Wild Indigo Duskywing) feeding on the foliage. The foliage of Rattlebox is toxic to herbivorous mammals, particularly horses, and it is generally avoided by them as a food source. However, sometimes White-Tailed Deer chomp off the tops of individual plants.
Photographic Location: An upland woodland opening at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is the only Crotalaria sp. (Rattlebox) in Illinois. There are other species in this genus that are located in the southern and western states; they are often perennials with more showy flowers. Rattlebox is easy to identify when its inflated seedpods are present; they are large in size in relation to the rest of the plant and tend to stand out. There are other legumes that produce inflated seedpods (e.g., Baptisia spp.), but they usually have compound leaves.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, dry-mesic to dry conditions, and barren soil containing sand, gravel, or clay. This wildflower is intolerant of competition from taller ground vegetation.
Range & Habitat: The native Rattlebox is occasional in the southern half of Illinois, while in the northern half of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include sand prairies, gravel prairies, clay prairies, sandy and rocky savannas, upland savannas, rocky glades, openings and small meadows in upland woodlands, fallow fields, and areas along railroads. Rattlebox prefers dry open areas with a history of disturbance.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated primarily by long-tongued bees, including bumblebees (Bombus spp.), Carder bees (Anthidium spp.), Cuckoo bees (Coelioxys spp.), and large Leaf-Cutting bees (Megachile spp.). Sometimes the flowers are visited by small butterflies or skippers, but they are less effective at cross-pollination. The caterpillars of Utetheisa bella (Bella Moth) feed on the foliage of Rattlebox. In addition, there have been reports of the butterfly caterpillars of Callophrys irus (Frosted Elfin) and the skipper caterpillars of Erynnis baptisiae (Wild Indigo Duskywing) feeding on the foliage. The foliage of Rattlebox is toxic to herbivorous mammals, particularly horses, and it is generally avoided by them as a food source. However, sometimes White-Tailed Deer chomp off the tops of individual plants.
Photographic Location: An upland woodland opening at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is the only Crotalaria sp. (Rattlebox) in Illinois. There are other species in this genus that are located in the southern and western states; they are often perennials with more showy flowers. Rattlebox is easy to identify when its inflated seedpods are present; they are large in size in relation to the rest of the plant and tend to stand out. There are other legumes that produce inflated seedpods (e.g., Baptisia spp.), but they usually have compound leaves.
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Miss Chen
2017年12月20日
Description: This perennial plant is 1–2½' tall and more or less erect. The central stem is unbranched below, while above it branches occasionally. The stems are medium green, terete, and mostly glabrous, except at the bases of leaves, where they have tufts of hair. Pairs of opposite sessile leaves are distributed evenly along the stems. Lobed leaves are 1-3" long and about one-half as much across (in outline), while unlobed leaves are up to 1" long and less than ¼" across; they are widely spreading to ascending. Each leaf is usually divided into 2 lateral lobes and a terminal lobe; some of the uppermost leaves and small axillary leaves lack lobes. Both lateral and terminal lobes are narrowly oblong in shape; the lateral lobes occur toward the middle of each leaf, where they diverge from each other at about a 60º angle. Both unlobed leaves and the bases of lobed leaves are narrowly oblong. The leaf margins are smooth (entire). Upper leaf surfaces are medium to dark green and glabrous, while lower leaf surfaces are medium green and glabrous. The upper stems terminate in either solitary or pairs of flowerheads (usually the former) on peduncles that are more or less erect and about ½–2" long. These peduncles are medium green, terete, and glabrous.
Each flowerhead spans about 1½–2" across, consisting of a dense head of numerous disk florets that are surrounded by about 8 ray florets. The tiny corollas of the disk florets are yellow, tubular in shape, and 4-5 lobed. The petaloid rays of the flowerheads are yellow, broadly oblong in shape, and somewhat truncate and ragged along their tips. Surrounding the base of each flowerhead, there are about 8 appressed phyllaries (inner floral bracts) in a single series; these phyllaries are yellowish green, broadly ovate in shape, and about 8 mm. long. Slightly below the base of each flowerhead, there are about 8 outer bracts that are ascending to erect; these outer bracts are green, glabrous, narrowly oblong in shape, and 8-12 mm. long. The blooming period occurs during early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the florets are replaced by achenes. These achenes are about 5 mm. long, brown or grayish brown, oblong to elliptic-oblong in shape, slightly concave-convex, longitudinally and finely ridged, and hairless; the apices of these achenes are truncate, lacking hairs or significant scales. The root system is fibrous and long-rhizomatous, often forming colonies of clonal plants. During autumn, the deciduous foliage of this plant often acquires reddish tints.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, clay-loam, sandy loam, or some gravel. This plant is easy to cultivate. It may sprawl across the ground unless it receives full sun and rather lean treatment with fertilizer and water. While it can spread aggressively from its rhizomes, Prairie Coreopsis is more impressive when it is allowed to form clonal colonies. The foliage usually remains in good condition until hard frost during the autumn.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Coreopsis occurs occasionally in most counties of Illinois, but it is rare or absent in SE Illinois and some western counties (see Distribution Map). Habitats include well-drained black soil prairies, sand prairies, gravel prairies, hill prairies, thickets, open areas of rocky upland forests, savannas, limestone glades, and abandoned fields. Prairie Coreopsis is usually found in high quality natural areas because the dispersion of its seeds is rather limited and it is infrequently cultivated.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract many kinds of insects because of their abundance and accessibility. These floral visitors include digger bees (Melissodes spp.), cuckoo bees (Epeolus spp., Nomada spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees (including green metallic bees), dagger bees (Calliopsis spp., Heterosarus spp.), Sphecid wasps and other wasps, Syrphid flies (Eristalis spp. and others), bee flies (Exoprosopa spp. and others), thick-headed flies (Conopidae), Tachinid flies, bottle flies (Lucilia spp.), Muscid flies, butterflies, skippers, moths, and beetles (Robertson, 1929). A digger bee, Melissodes coreopsis, is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Coreopsis spp. Some insects feed destructively on the plant juices, flowerheads, and other parts of Prairie Coreopsis and other Coreopsis spp. These species include the Red-spotted Aster Mirid (Polymerus basalis), an aphid (Uroleucon reynoldense), the Ragweed Leaf Beetle (Calligrapha bidenticola) and Coreopsis Leaf Beetle (Calligrapha californica coreopsivora), and larvae of such moths as the Dimorphic Gray (Tornos scolopacinarius), Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata), and Common Tan Wave (Pleuroprucha insulsaria). The larvae of the latter two moths feed on the flowerheads. See Knight (1941), Blackman & Eastop (2013), Clark et al. (2004), Wagner (2005), and Covell (1984/2005) for more information. Mammalian herbivores occasionally browse on the foliage of Coreopsis spp., including rabbits, groundhogs, deer, horses, and livestock.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Among the many prairie wildflowers with showy yellow flowerheads, Prairie Coreopsis (Coreopsis palmata) has the advantage of flowering somewhat earlier in the summer than most of them. It also blooms before the warm-season prairie grasses develop rapidly in response to hot summer weather, allowing its flowerheads to be seen from a distance by flower-visiting insects. Prairie Coreopsis can be distinguished from Sand Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) by its more deeply lobed and shorter leaves; these leaves are distributed evenly along the stems, while the leaves of Sand Coreopsis are more clustered toward the bottoms of the stems. In contrast, the leaves of Prairie Coreopsis have wider lobes than the leaves of Large-flowered Coreopsis (Coreopsis grandiflora) and Whorled Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata). The leaves of these latter two species have lobes that are thread-like, rather than finger-like. Finally, Prairie Coreopsis is a much shorter plant that blooms earlier than Tall Coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris). In addition, the deeply lobed leaves of this latter species are much larger in size.
Each flowerhead spans about 1½–2" across, consisting of a dense head of numerous disk florets that are surrounded by about 8 ray florets. The tiny corollas of the disk florets are yellow, tubular in shape, and 4-5 lobed. The petaloid rays of the flowerheads are yellow, broadly oblong in shape, and somewhat truncate and ragged along their tips. Surrounding the base of each flowerhead, there are about 8 appressed phyllaries (inner floral bracts) in a single series; these phyllaries are yellowish green, broadly ovate in shape, and about 8 mm. long. Slightly below the base of each flowerhead, there are about 8 outer bracts that are ascending to erect; these outer bracts are green, glabrous, narrowly oblong in shape, and 8-12 mm. long. The blooming period occurs during early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the florets are replaced by achenes. These achenes are about 5 mm. long, brown or grayish brown, oblong to elliptic-oblong in shape, slightly concave-convex, longitudinally and finely ridged, and hairless; the apices of these achenes are truncate, lacking hairs or significant scales. The root system is fibrous and long-rhizomatous, often forming colonies of clonal plants. During autumn, the deciduous foliage of this plant often acquires reddish tints.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, clay-loam, sandy loam, or some gravel. This plant is easy to cultivate. It may sprawl across the ground unless it receives full sun and rather lean treatment with fertilizer and water. While it can spread aggressively from its rhizomes, Prairie Coreopsis is more impressive when it is allowed to form clonal colonies. The foliage usually remains in good condition until hard frost during the autumn.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Coreopsis occurs occasionally in most counties of Illinois, but it is rare or absent in SE Illinois and some western counties (see Distribution Map). Habitats include well-drained black soil prairies, sand prairies, gravel prairies, hill prairies, thickets, open areas of rocky upland forests, savannas, limestone glades, and abandoned fields. Prairie Coreopsis is usually found in high quality natural areas because the dispersion of its seeds is rather limited and it is infrequently cultivated.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract many kinds of insects because of their abundance and accessibility. These floral visitors include digger bees (Melissodes spp.), cuckoo bees (Epeolus spp., Nomada spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees (including green metallic bees), dagger bees (Calliopsis spp., Heterosarus spp.), Sphecid wasps and other wasps, Syrphid flies (Eristalis spp. and others), bee flies (Exoprosopa spp. and others), thick-headed flies (Conopidae), Tachinid flies, bottle flies (Lucilia spp.), Muscid flies, butterflies, skippers, moths, and beetles (Robertson, 1929). A digger bee, Melissodes coreopsis, is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Coreopsis spp. Some insects feed destructively on the plant juices, flowerheads, and other parts of Prairie Coreopsis and other Coreopsis spp. These species include the Red-spotted Aster Mirid (Polymerus basalis), an aphid (Uroleucon reynoldense), the Ragweed Leaf Beetle (Calligrapha bidenticola) and Coreopsis Leaf Beetle (Calligrapha californica coreopsivora), and larvae of such moths as the Dimorphic Gray (Tornos scolopacinarius), Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata), and Common Tan Wave (Pleuroprucha insulsaria). The larvae of the latter two moths feed on the flowerheads. See Knight (1941), Blackman & Eastop (2013), Clark et al. (2004), Wagner (2005), and Covell (1984/2005) for more information. Mammalian herbivores occasionally browse on the foliage of Coreopsis spp., including rabbits, groundhogs, deer, horses, and livestock.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Among the many prairie wildflowers with showy yellow flowerheads, Prairie Coreopsis (Coreopsis palmata) has the advantage of flowering somewhat earlier in the summer than most of them. It also blooms before the warm-season prairie grasses develop rapidly in response to hot summer weather, allowing its flowerheads to be seen from a distance by flower-visiting insects. Prairie Coreopsis can be distinguished from Sand Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) by its more deeply lobed and shorter leaves; these leaves are distributed evenly along the stems, while the leaves of Sand Coreopsis are more clustered toward the bottoms of the stems. In contrast, the leaves of Prairie Coreopsis have wider lobes than the leaves of Large-flowered Coreopsis (Coreopsis grandiflora) and Whorled Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata). The leaves of these latter two species have lobes that are thread-like, rather than finger-like. Finally, Prairie Coreopsis is a much shorter plant that blooms earlier than Tall Coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris). In addition, the deeply lobed leaves of this latter species are much larger in size.
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Miss Chen
2017年12月20日
Description: This perennial plant is about 2' tall, unbranched, and hairless. The leaves are arranged oppositely or alternately at intervals along the stem (usually the former). They are pinnatifid and deeply lobed. The leaf segments are linear and rather irregular; the terminal segment is usually the largest. A few leaves at the bottom or the top may be linear and lack lobes. These leaves are up to 3" long and 2" across, although the linear leaf segment are less than ¼" across. At the apex of the plant, is a rather long and naked flowering stem with a single composite flower about 2½" across. It consists of 6-12 yellow ray florets that surround numerous golden yellow disk florets. Each ray floret has 4-5 notches along the outer edge. This provides the composite flower with an attractive, somewhat ragged, appearance. The blooming period occurs during early to mid-summer and lasts about a month. This is little or no floral scent. The flowerbuds have a smooth, spherical appearance, and are olive green. The achenes are flat and rather oblong, with two have small scales at the apex. They are distributed to a limited extent by the wind. The root system has rhizomes, causing colonies to be formed.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and dry conditions. This plant is typically found in a rather heavy soil containing clay or gravel. At a well-drained site, it is an easy plant to grow, and has few problems with foliar disease.
Range & Habitat: The non-native Large-Flowered Coreopsis occurs primarily in western Illinois and the Chicago area (see Distribution Map). This plant is originally from areas that lie west and southwest of Illinois, but it has since spread as an occasional escape from cultivation and other disturbances of modern development. In Illinois, it is a rather uncommon plant, but probably occurs in more areas than official records indicate. Habitats include upland areas of prairie (including prairie restorations), openings in rocky upland forests, thickets, glades, roadsides, and miscellaneous waste areas.
Faunal Associations: Like other coreopsis species, a wide range of insects are probably attracted to the flowers, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers. These insects usually seek nectar, although bees sometimes collect pollen. An oligolege of Coreopsis spp. is Melissodes coreopsis (Coreopsis Miner Bee). The larvae of the moths Tornos scolopacinarius (Dimorphic Gray) and Enychlora acida (Wavy-Lined Emerald) feed on the foliage or flowerheads. Such mammalian herbivores as rabbits, groundhogs, livestock, and probably deer occasionally consume the foliage as well.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Large-Flowered Coreopsis has showy flowers and attractive foliage. For these reasons, it is often available through the nursery trade and cultivated in gardens. This species can be distinguished from other Coreopsis spp. by the ragged appearance of the flower petals, and the linear pinnate leaves that occur along the stems, usually in opposite pairs. The species Coreopsis lanceolata (Sand Coreopsis) has ragged-looking petals, but its leaves are primarily lanceolate or oblanceolate in shape and confined near the base of the central stem. An eastern species that hasn't been observed in Illinois in natural areas, Coreopsis verticillata (Whorled Coreopsis), has leaves with a similar appearance, but they occur in whorls of three along the central stem. Also, the flowers of Whorled Coreopsis don't have a ragged appearance because their petals lack conspicuous outer notches. The narrowness of the leaves of Large-Flowered Coreopsis is somewhat variable, depending on the variety.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and dry conditions. This plant is typically found in a rather heavy soil containing clay or gravel. At a well-drained site, it is an easy plant to grow, and has few problems with foliar disease.
Range & Habitat: The non-native Large-Flowered Coreopsis occurs primarily in western Illinois and the Chicago area (see Distribution Map). This plant is originally from areas that lie west and southwest of Illinois, but it has since spread as an occasional escape from cultivation and other disturbances of modern development. In Illinois, it is a rather uncommon plant, but probably occurs in more areas than official records indicate. Habitats include upland areas of prairie (including prairie restorations), openings in rocky upland forests, thickets, glades, roadsides, and miscellaneous waste areas.
Faunal Associations: Like other coreopsis species, a wide range of insects are probably attracted to the flowers, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers. These insects usually seek nectar, although bees sometimes collect pollen. An oligolege of Coreopsis spp. is Melissodes coreopsis (Coreopsis Miner Bee). The larvae of the moths Tornos scolopacinarius (Dimorphic Gray) and Enychlora acida (Wavy-Lined Emerald) feed on the foliage or flowerheads. Such mammalian herbivores as rabbits, groundhogs, livestock, and probably deer occasionally consume the foliage as well.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Large-Flowered Coreopsis has showy flowers and attractive foliage. For these reasons, it is often available through the nursery trade and cultivated in gardens. This species can be distinguished from other Coreopsis spp. by the ragged appearance of the flower petals, and the linear pinnate leaves that occur along the stems, usually in opposite pairs. The species Coreopsis lanceolata (Sand Coreopsis) has ragged-looking petals, but its leaves are primarily lanceolate or oblanceolate in shape and confined near the base of the central stem. An eastern species that hasn't been observed in Illinois in natural areas, Coreopsis verticillata (Whorled Coreopsis), has leaves with a similar appearance, but they occur in whorls of three along the central stem. Also, the flowers of Whorled Coreopsis don't have a ragged appearance because their petals lack conspicuous outer notches. The narrowness of the leaves of Large-Flowered Coreopsis is somewhat variable, depending on the variety.
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Miss Chen
2017年12月20日
Description: This perennial wildflower is ½–2' tall and either unbranched or sparingly branched. The central stem is green, glabrous to pubescent (usually the latter), terete, erect, and rather succulent. A few alternate leaves occur along the length of the central stem (and any lateral stems); they are widely spreading and slightly recurved. The leaf blades are 2-6" long and ¼–1" across; they are medium green, glabrous (or nearly so), slightly fleshy, linear to lanceolate in shape, parallel-veined, and smooth along their margins. The base of each leaf blade is sessile, or it has short petiole. Each leaf has a closed sheath about ½" long. The upper margin of each sheath is rolled outward, above which there is a tuft of long hairs. There are both axillary and terminal flowers. The flowers usually occur individually, less often in cymes of 2-3.
Each flower spans ¾–1¼" across, consisting of 2 large blue petals (above), 1 small white petal (below), 3 light green sepals, a pistil with a single slender style, and 6 stamens. The petals are well-rounded, but become very narrow at the base. There are 3 kinds of stamens: 3 sterile stamens with cross-shaped pseudo-anthers that are bright yellow, 1 central food stamen with a bright yellow butterfly-shaped anther, and 2 lateral stamens with gray or purple anthers. The sterile stamens (staminodia) are located a little above and behind the food stamen. The pollen of both the food stamen and lateral stamens are yellow. Below each flower, there is a keeled green spathe that resembles the hull of a boat. The upper edges of the spathe are rounded, while the folded edge below is flat and ciliate. The upper edges of the spathe are joined together at the base (behind the flower) for about one-third the length of the spathe, otherwise they are open. Each folded spathe is ½–1½" long and about one-half as much tall. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall and lasts about 2 months. Each flower remains open for a few hours during the morning, after which it closes. There is no noticeable floral scent. The flowers are capable of self-pollination. Each flower is replaced by a 3-celled seed capsule; each cell of the capsule contains a single seed. Individual seeds are about 1/8" long, brown, and smooth. The root system consists of fleshy fibrous roots. This wildflower reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is partial to full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and sandy or rocky soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Slender Dayflower is occasional in the western half of Illinois, NE Illinois, and southern Illinois, otherwise it is absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include dry sand prairies, sand dunes, upland sandy woodlands, upland rocky woodlands, sandy savannas, thinly wooded bluffs and cliffs, rocky glades, sandy areas along railroads, and areas along sandy paths. Slender Dayflower benefits from occasional wildfires as this reduces the encroachment of woody vegetation. Generally, plants with more slender leaves (var. angustifolia and var. deamii) are more common in prairies than the typical variety.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated by various long-tongued bees, which collect pollen from the food stamen. No nectar is provided as a floral reward. A group of several leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) are known to feed on Slender Dayflower; the larvae typically bore through the stems, while the adults occasionally feed on the leaves. These leaf beetle species include: Neolema jacobina, Neolema quadriguttata, Oulema cornuta, Oulema elongata, and Oulema simulans. The seeds of Commelina spp. (Dayflowers) are eaten by the Bobwhite and Mourning Dove, while the foliage is occasionally browsed by White-Tailed Deer, domestic cattle, and similar hoofed mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A sandy path at Hooper Branch Savanna Nature Preserve in Iroquois County, Illinois. The photographed plant is probably Commelina erecta var. deamii.
Comments: Both the flowers and foliage are ornamental. The "true blue" color of the upper petals is very rare among wildflowers. The flowers of Slender Dayflower are very similar to those of the introduced Commelina communis (Asiatic Dayflower). It differs from the latter species by its more erect stems, more slender leaves, and the joined upper margins at the base of its spathes. The Asiatic Dayflower can form rootlets at its nodes, thereby establishing vegetative colonies, and its seeds are irregular and wrinkled. Slender Dayflower, in contrast, does not form rootlets at its nodes and its seeds are smooth. Slender Dayflower is a highly variable species, and three different varieties have been described for Illinois: 1) var. erecta has wide leaves (¾" or more) and large spathes (¾–1½" long), 2) var. angustifolia has narrow leaves (less than ¾" across) and small spathes (less than ¾" long), and 3) var. deamii has narrow leaves (less than ¾" across) and large spathes (¾–1½" long). Because these three varieties can intergrade, some field specimens may be difficult to classify.
Each flower spans ¾–1¼" across, consisting of 2 large blue petals (above), 1 small white petal (below), 3 light green sepals, a pistil with a single slender style, and 6 stamens. The petals are well-rounded, but become very narrow at the base. There are 3 kinds of stamens: 3 sterile stamens with cross-shaped pseudo-anthers that are bright yellow, 1 central food stamen with a bright yellow butterfly-shaped anther, and 2 lateral stamens with gray or purple anthers. The sterile stamens (staminodia) are located a little above and behind the food stamen. The pollen of both the food stamen and lateral stamens are yellow. Below each flower, there is a keeled green spathe that resembles the hull of a boat. The upper edges of the spathe are rounded, while the folded edge below is flat and ciliate. The upper edges of the spathe are joined together at the base (behind the flower) for about one-third the length of the spathe, otherwise they are open. Each folded spathe is ½–1½" long and about one-half as much tall. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall and lasts about 2 months. Each flower remains open for a few hours during the morning, after which it closes. There is no noticeable floral scent. The flowers are capable of self-pollination. Each flower is replaced by a 3-celled seed capsule; each cell of the capsule contains a single seed. Individual seeds are about 1/8" long, brown, and smooth. The root system consists of fleshy fibrous roots. This wildflower reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is partial to full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and sandy or rocky soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Slender Dayflower is occasional in the western half of Illinois, NE Illinois, and southern Illinois, otherwise it is absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include dry sand prairies, sand dunes, upland sandy woodlands, upland rocky woodlands, sandy savannas, thinly wooded bluffs and cliffs, rocky glades, sandy areas along railroads, and areas along sandy paths. Slender Dayflower benefits from occasional wildfires as this reduces the encroachment of woody vegetation. Generally, plants with more slender leaves (var. angustifolia and var. deamii) are more common in prairies than the typical variety.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated by various long-tongued bees, which collect pollen from the food stamen. No nectar is provided as a floral reward. A group of several leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) are known to feed on Slender Dayflower; the larvae typically bore through the stems, while the adults occasionally feed on the leaves. These leaf beetle species include: Neolema jacobina, Neolema quadriguttata, Oulema cornuta, Oulema elongata, and Oulema simulans. The seeds of Commelina spp. (Dayflowers) are eaten by the Bobwhite and Mourning Dove, while the foliage is occasionally browsed by White-Tailed Deer, domestic cattle, and similar hoofed mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A sandy path at Hooper Branch Savanna Nature Preserve in Iroquois County, Illinois. The photographed plant is probably Commelina erecta var. deamii.
Comments: Both the flowers and foliage are ornamental. The "true blue" color of the upper petals is very rare among wildflowers. The flowers of Slender Dayflower are very similar to those of the introduced Commelina communis (Asiatic Dayflower). It differs from the latter species by its more erect stems, more slender leaves, and the joined upper margins at the base of its spathes. The Asiatic Dayflower can form rootlets at its nodes, thereby establishing vegetative colonies, and its seeds are irregular and wrinkled. Slender Dayflower, in contrast, does not form rootlets at its nodes and its seeds are smooth. Slender Dayflower is a highly variable species, and three different varieties have been described for Illinois: 1) var. erecta has wide leaves (¾" or more) and large spathes (¾–1½" long), 2) var. angustifolia has narrow leaves (less than ¾" across) and small spathes (less than ¾" long), and 3) var. deamii has narrow leaves (less than ¾" across) and large spathes (¾–1½" long). Because these three varieties can intergrade, some field specimens may be difficult to classify.
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文章
Miss Chen
2017年12月19日
Description: This biennial or short-lived perennial plant initially forms a low rosette of spiny basal leaves up to 1' across. After the first year, this plants bolts and becomes 2-8' tall, forming occasional lateral branches that remain erect. The light green stems have white hairs, but they are without spines. The alternate leaves are quite spiny, pinnately lobed, and up to 9" long and 3" across. They are green on the upper surface, but powdery white on the lower surface because of minute fine hairs. Flowerheads with little or no scent occur individually on erect flowering stems in the upper part of the plant. These flowerheads are about 2" across and light pink (rarely white), consisting of numerous disk florets. At the base of each flowerhead, there are overlapping floral bracts (phyllaries) that are light green with white central veins; they resemble fish scales. Each floral bract has a single golden spine that is slender, but sharp. Underneath the base of each flowerhead, there are a few leafy bracts that resemble the alternate leaves, but they are smaller in size and more ascending. The blooming period is from late summer to fall, lasting about a month for individual plants. The achenes develop with tufts of white hair, which facilitates their dispersal by wind. The root system consists of a central taproot and some coarse secondary roots. Vegetative spread by rhizomes does not occur.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, soil containing loam or clay-loam, and mesic levels of moisture. During summer droughts, there is a tendency for the lower leaves to turn yellow and fall off the plant. This is an easy plant to grow, but it has a tendency to appear rather the worse for wear as the growing season progresses. Pasture Thistle is short-lived, but reseeds itself readily.
Range & Habitat: This native plant occurs in virtually every county in Illinois (see Distribution Map); it is common within the state. Habitats include moist to dry prairies, openings in woodland areas, moist meadows near rivers, limestone glades, pastures and abandoned fields, open areas along railroads and roadsides, and waste areas. This plant is more abundant in disturbed areas, including degraded prairies, but also occurs in higher quality habitats.
Faunal Associations: The most important pollinators of the flowers are bumblebees, digger bees (Melissodes spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), and butterflies. One of these bees, Melissodes desponsa, is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Cirsium spp. Among the butterflies, are such floral visitors as Monarchs, Fritillaries, Painted Ladies, Swallowtails, and Sulfurs. Sphinx moths and bee flies also visit the flowers for nectar. The caterpillars of the butterfly Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady) feed on the foliage, while the caterpillars of several moths feed on the foliage and other parts of this and other thistles (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include Cassida rubiginosa (Thistle Tortoise Beetle), Euphoria inda (Bumble Flower Beetle), Brachycaudus cardui (Thistle Aphid) and Capitophorus elaeagni (Artichoke Aphid), Melanoplus borealis (Northern Grasshopper), and many others. Among vertebrate animals, the Eastern Goldfinch eats the seeds and uses the tufts of hair as lining material in its nests. The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird has been known to visit the flowers of thistles for nectar. Mammalian herbivores avoid this plant because of the spines.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken near Kaufman Lake Park in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: This native plant can be distinguished from the non-native Cirsium vulgare (Bull Thistle) by the white undersides of its leaves. Also, the floral bracts subtending the flowerheads of Bull Thistle have thick coarse spines, whereas the bracts of the Pasture Thistle have slender golden spines.. Otherwise, they are similar in appearance. Sometimes this plant can be aggressive in disturbed areas, but not to the same extent as the Bull Thistle. It is possible to boil the young leaves and stems and serve them as edible greens. During the month of August, when other forbs are less likely to flower, this plant produces some patches of pink color, making the prairie more interesting during this time of year.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, soil containing loam or clay-loam, and mesic levels of moisture. During summer droughts, there is a tendency for the lower leaves to turn yellow and fall off the plant. This is an easy plant to grow, but it has a tendency to appear rather the worse for wear as the growing season progresses. Pasture Thistle is short-lived, but reseeds itself readily.
Range & Habitat: This native plant occurs in virtually every county in Illinois (see Distribution Map); it is common within the state. Habitats include moist to dry prairies, openings in woodland areas, moist meadows near rivers, limestone glades, pastures and abandoned fields, open areas along railroads and roadsides, and waste areas. This plant is more abundant in disturbed areas, including degraded prairies, but also occurs in higher quality habitats.
Faunal Associations: The most important pollinators of the flowers are bumblebees, digger bees (Melissodes spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), and butterflies. One of these bees, Melissodes desponsa, is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Cirsium spp. Among the butterflies, are such floral visitors as Monarchs, Fritillaries, Painted Ladies, Swallowtails, and Sulfurs. Sphinx moths and bee flies also visit the flowers for nectar. The caterpillars of the butterfly Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady) feed on the foliage, while the caterpillars of several moths feed on the foliage and other parts of this and other thistles (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include Cassida rubiginosa (Thistle Tortoise Beetle), Euphoria inda (Bumble Flower Beetle), Brachycaudus cardui (Thistle Aphid) and Capitophorus elaeagni (Artichoke Aphid), Melanoplus borealis (Northern Grasshopper), and many others. Among vertebrate animals, the Eastern Goldfinch eats the seeds and uses the tufts of hair as lining material in its nests. The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird has been known to visit the flowers of thistles for nectar. Mammalian herbivores avoid this plant because of the spines.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken near Kaufman Lake Park in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: This native plant can be distinguished from the non-native Cirsium vulgare (Bull Thistle) by the white undersides of its leaves. Also, the floral bracts subtending the flowerheads of Bull Thistle have thick coarse spines, whereas the bracts of the Pasture Thistle have slender golden spines.. Otherwise, they are similar in appearance. Sometimes this plant can be aggressive in disturbed areas, but not to the same extent as the Bull Thistle. It is possible to boil the young leaves and stems and serve them as edible greens. During the month of August, when other forbs are less likely to flower, this plant produces some patches of pink color, making the prairie more interesting during this time of year.
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文章
Miss Chen
2017年12月19日
Description: This perennial plant is 2-5' tall, and is either unbranched or sparsely branched. The smooth stems are round or somewhat angular; they often become reddish in the sun near the inflorescence. The willow-like hairless leaves are up to 5" long and ¾" across. They are narrowly lanceolate or linear, with margins that are smooth or slightly serrated (widely spaced), and are sessile or with short petioles. The central stem and upper side stems each terminate in an elongated raceme of showy flowers, about 3-8" long. These flowers range in color from pink to magenta, depending on the local ecotype.
Each flower is about 1" across, consisting of 4 petals and 4 sepals. The petals are narrow at the base, but become broad and rounded toward their tips. The sepals are long and narrow; they are usually a darker color than the petals. In the center of the flower, there are up to 8 long white filaments with large magenta anthers; these anthers eventually shrivel and turn brown. The pedicels of the flowers are rather long and colored magenta. The blooming period occurs primarily from early to late summer, and lasts about a month. There is no floral scent. The flowers quickly wither away, and are replaced by seedpods that are long and narrow. These seedpods split into multiple sections, beginning at their tips (each section curling backward), and release a multitude of tiny seeds with small tufts of white hair. These seeds are readily dispersed by the wind, and can travel a considerable distance. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous, which enables this plant to form colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and cool to warm temperatures. This plant becomes dormant during hot summer weather. The soil should contain abundant organic matter, with or without sand. A low pH is tolerated, if not preferred. This plant is fairly easy to grow, even under conditions that are not entirely suitable for it, but it has difficulty competing with plants that are better adapted to hot, dry summer weather. Foliar disease is not troublesome; however, the stems are easily broken. In warmer areas with a long growing season, Fireweed will bloom during early summer, while in cooler, boreal areas, it tends to bloom later in the summer.
Close-up of Leaf
Range & Habitat: The native Fireweed is a rare plant that occurs in only a few counties of NE and north central Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is more common further to the north in Wisconsin. Habitats include moist sedge meadows, woodland borders, damp ravines, sandy marshes near dunes, remnant bogs, and areas where trees and brush have been removed by fire. This plant is confined to cooler areas of Illinois where the climate has been made more moderate by the influence of the Great Lakes. It is not really a plant of the open prairies, but can be found sometimes in moist meadows. Fire stimulates the germination of this plant's seeds and helps to eliminate competitors, hence the common name.
Faunal Associations: Primarily long-tongued bees visit the flowers for pollen and nectar, including bumblebees and leafcutting bees (Megachile spp.). Smaller short-tongued bees and Syrphid flies also visit the flowers, but they seek pollen and are probably less effective at pollination (personal observations, Mitchell (1960/1962). Other insects feed on the foliage, sap, and other parts of Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium), including such species as Altica tombacina (a flea beetle), Bromius obscurus (a leaf beetle), leaf-mining larvae of Mompha communis (a Momphid moth), larvae of Hyles lineata (White-lined Sphinx) and Hyles galii (Galium Sphinx), nymphs of Aphrophora gelida (Boreal Spittlebug), Aphis oenotherae (Evening Primrose Aphid), Aphis salicariae (Dogwood-Fireweed Aphid), and Aphis varians (Currant-Fireweed Aphid); see Clark et al. (2004), Needham et al. (1928), Wagner (2005), Marshall (2006), Robinson & Bradley (1965), and Blackman & Eastop (2013). Many of these insects are found north of Illinois where Fireweed is more common. The seeds of this plant are too small to be of much interest to birds. The foliage is palatable to various mammalian herbivores, but it has relatively low food value.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) is attractive while in bloom, but it becomes ragged in appearance afterwards. This plant can't be confused with most willow-herb species (Epilobium spp.) because of their much smaller flowers. However, its flowers are similar in size to those of Hairy Fireweed (Epilobium hirsutum), which is not native to Illinois. This latter plant has spreading hairs that are soft and long, while Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) is hairless. A scientific synonym of this plant is Epilobium angustifolium.
Each flower is about 1" across, consisting of 4 petals and 4 sepals. The petals are narrow at the base, but become broad and rounded toward their tips. The sepals are long and narrow; they are usually a darker color than the petals. In the center of the flower, there are up to 8 long white filaments with large magenta anthers; these anthers eventually shrivel and turn brown. The pedicels of the flowers are rather long and colored magenta. The blooming period occurs primarily from early to late summer, and lasts about a month. There is no floral scent. The flowers quickly wither away, and are replaced by seedpods that are long and narrow. These seedpods split into multiple sections, beginning at their tips (each section curling backward), and release a multitude of tiny seeds with small tufts of white hair. These seeds are readily dispersed by the wind, and can travel a considerable distance. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous, which enables this plant to form colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and cool to warm temperatures. This plant becomes dormant during hot summer weather. The soil should contain abundant organic matter, with or without sand. A low pH is tolerated, if not preferred. This plant is fairly easy to grow, even under conditions that are not entirely suitable for it, but it has difficulty competing with plants that are better adapted to hot, dry summer weather. Foliar disease is not troublesome; however, the stems are easily broken. In warmer areas with a long growing season, Fireweed will bloom during early summer, while in cooler, boreal areas, it tends to bloom later in the summer.
Close-up of Leaf
Range & Habitat: The native Fireweed is a rare plant that occurs in only a few counties of NE and north central Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is more common further to the north in Wisconsin. Habitats include moist sedge meadows, woodland borders, damp ravines, sandy marshes near dunes, remnant bogs, and areas where trees and brush have been removed by fire. This plant is confined to cooler areas of Illinois where the climate has been made more moderate by the influence of the Great Lakes. It is not really a plant of the open prairies, but can be found sometimes in moist meadows. Fire stimulates the germination of this plant's seeds and helps to eliminate competitors, hence the common name.
Faunal Associations: Primarily long-tongued bees visit the flowers for pollen and nectar, including bumblebees and leafcutting bees (Megachile spp.). Smaller short-tongued bees and Syrphid flies also visit the flowers, but they seek pollen and are probably less effective at pollination (personal observations, Mitchell (1960/1962). Other insects feed on the foliage, sap, and other parts of Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium), including such species as Altica tombacina (a flea beetle), Bromius obscurus (a leaf beetle), leaf-mining larvae of Mompha communis (a Momphid moth), larvae of Hyles lineata (White-lined Sphinx) and Hyles galii (Galium Sphinx), nymphs of Aphrophora gelida (Boreal Spittlebug), Aphis oenotherae (Evening Primrose Aphid), Aphis salicariae (Dogwood-Fireweed Aphid), and Aphis varians (Currant-Fireweed Aphid); see Clark et al. (2004), Needham et al. (1928), Wagner (2005), Marshall (2006), Robinson & Bradley (1965), and Blackman & Eastop (2013). Many of these insects are found north of Illinois where Fireweed is more common. The seeds of this plant are too small to be of much interest to birds. The foliage is palatable to various mammalian herbivores, but it has relatively low food value.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) is attractive while in bloom, but it becomes ragged in appearance afterwards. This plant can't be confused with most willow-herb species (Epilobium spp.) because of their much smaller flowers. However, its flowers are similar in size to those of Hairy Fireweed (Epilobium hirsutum), which is not native to Illinois. This latter plant has spreading hairs that are soft and long, while Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) is hairless. A scientific synonym of this plant is Epilobium angustifolium.
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