文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月11日
Description: This small wildflower is 3-9" tall. Sometimes it branches from the base, otherwise the stems are unbranched. The stems are light green, 4-sided, and slightly to moderately hairy, especially along the angles of the sides. Pairs of opposite leaves occur along the stems. The leaf blades are ½–¾" long and about one-half as much across; they are lanceolate, ovate, or oval, while their revolute margins are smooth to crenate with a few blunt teeth. Generally, the upper leaves are more slender and less likely to have teeth than the lower leaves. The upper leaves are sessile, while the lower leaves have short petioles about 1/8" (3 mm.) long. The upper leaf surface is medium green and hairless to sparsely pubescent, while the lower surface is pale green and sparsely to densely pubescent. In this variety of Small Skullcap, all of the hairs lack sticky glandular secretions.
Close-up of Flowers
Individual flowers develop from axils of the upper leaves; this occurs along the upper half of each plant. Each flower is about 1/3" (8 mm.) long, consisting of a tubular corolla with upper and lower lips, a short 2-lipped calyx, 4 stamens, and a pistil with a single style that is cleft at its tip. The corolla is light blue to blue-violet, except for a white patch on the lower lip that is covered with blue-violet dots. The upper lip is short and recurved along its margin, while the lower lip is long and usually divided into 3 lobes with undulate margins. The calyx is usually greenish red and hairy; there is a prominent protuberance along the back of its upper lip. The pedicels are about 1/8" (3 mm.) long, greenish red, and hairy. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 1½ months. On each plant, only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. In addition to these flowers, there are also cleistogamous flowers that are self-fertile and inconspicuous. The flowers are replaced by 2-lipped seed capsules with concave upper sides. At maturity, the capsules split open into 2 parts to release the seeds. Individual seeds are about 1 mm. long, ovoid, and indented on one side; their surfaces are covered with minute spiky tubercles. The root system produces rhizomes with tuberous swellings at intervals. This wildflower can spread vegetatively by the rhizomes, or it can reseed itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, dry conditions, and shallow soil containing some sandy or rocky material. This wildflower will adapt to sunny rock gardens and does not tolerate much competition from taller plants.
Range & Habitat: This variety of the native Small Skullcap is occasional in the northern half of Illinois and uncommon in the southern half of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include hill prairies, upland prairies, gravel and sand prairies, barren savannas, thinly wooded bluffs and slopes, rock ledges, limestone glades, and abandoned fields. Small Skullcap usually occurs where the ground vegetation is somewhat sparse, and it probably benefits from occasional wildfires.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by various bees, including Mason bees (Osmia spp., Hoplitis pilosifrons), Little Carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), and Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.). Bees usually suck nectar from the flowers, although some of them also collect pollen. Less common floral visitors include skippers and Syrphid flies, which are less effective at cross-pollination. Insects that are known to feed on the foliage of Small Skullcap include the caterpillars of Prochoreutis inflatella (Skullcap Skeletonizer Moth), the leaf beetles Phyllobrotica lengi and Phyllobrotica limbata, and Asphaera lustrans (Shiny Flea Beetle). The foliage of Scutellaria spp. (Skullcaps) are usually bitter and avoided by mammalian herbivores. It is possible that the tiny tuberculate seeds of Small Skullcap, when they are wet, can cling to the feathers of birds, the feet of animals, and the shoes of humans. By this means, they may be distributed to new areas.
Photographic Location: The Coneflower Hill Prairie near Lake Shelbyville in Moultrie County, Illinois.
Comments: Small Skullcap is easily overlooked because of its diminutive size, but its flowers are very attractive when they are viewed up-close. The variety of Small Skullcap that is described here, var. missouriensis, has hairs that lack glandular secretions, while var. parvula and var. australis have foliage with some glandular hairs. Otherwise, these different varieties are similar to each other. Regardless of variety, Small Skullcap can be distinguished from other species in its genus by the small size of individual plants (3-9" tall), the small size of its flowers (about 1/3" long), and its form of inflorescence: flowers are produced individually from the axils of the leaves, rather than in terminal or axillary racemes. Scientific synonyms of Scutellaria parvula missouriensis include Scutellaria parvula leonardii and Scutellaria leonardii. As a result of these other scientific names, this variety of Small Skullcap is sometimes referred to as Leonard's Skullcap.
Close-up of Flowers
Individual flowers develop from axils of the upper leaves; this occurs along the upper half of each plant. Each flower is about 1/3" (8 mm.) long, consisting of a tubular corolla with upper and lower lips, a short 2-lipped calyx, 4 stamens, and a pistil with a single style that is cleft at its tip. The corolla is light blue to blue-violet, except for a white patch on the lower lip that is covered with blue-violet dots. The upper lip is short and recurved along its margin, while the lower lip is long and usually divided into 3 lobes with undulate margins. The calyx is usually greenish red and hairy; there is a prominent protuberance along the back of its upper lip. The pedicels are about 1/8" (3 mm.) long, greenish red, and hairy. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 1½ months. On each plant, only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. In addition to these flowers, there are also cleistogamous flowers that are self-fertile and inconspicuous. The flowers are replaced by 2-lipped seed capsules with concave upper sides. At maturity, the capsules split open into 2 parts to release the seeds. Individual seeds are about 1 mm. long, ovoid, and indented on one side; their surfaces are covered with minute spiky tubercles. The root system produces rhizomes with tuberous swellings at intervals. This wildflower can spread vegetatively by the rhizomes, or it can reseed itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, dry conditions, and shallow soil containing some sandy or rocky material. This wildflower will adapt to sunny rock gardens and does not tolerate much competition from taller plants.
Range & Habitat: This variety of the native Small Skullcap is occasional in the northern half of Illinois and uncommon in the southern half of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include hill prairies, upland prairies, gravel and sand prairies, barren savannas, thinly wooded bluffs and slopes, rock ledges, limestone glades, and abandoned fields. Small Skullcap usually occurs where the ground vegetation is somewhat sparse, and it probably benefits from occasional wildfires.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by various bees, including Mason bees (Osmia spp., Hoplitis pilosifrons), Little Carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), and Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.). Bees usually suck nectar from the flowers, although some of them also collect pollen. Less common floral visitors include skippers and Syrphid flies, which are less effective at cross-pollination. Insects that are known to feed on the foliage of Small Skullcap include the caterpillars of Prochoreutis inflatella (Skullcap Skeletonizer Moth), the leaf beetles Phyllobrotica lengi and Phyllobrotica limbata, and Asphaera lustrans (Shiny Flea Beetle). The foliage of Scutellaria spp. (Skullcaps) are usually bitter and avoided by mammalian herbivores. It is possible that the tiny tuberculate seeds of Small Skullcap, when they are wet, can cling to the feathers of birds, the feet of animals, and the shoes of humans. By this means, they may be distributed to new areas.
Photographic Location: The Coneflower Hill Prairie near Lake Shelbyville in Moultrie County, Illinois.
Comments: Small Skullcap is easily overlooked because of its diminutive size, but its flowers are very attractive when they are viewed up-close. The variety of Small Skullcap that is described here, var. missouriensis, has hairs that lack glandular secretions, while var. parvula and var. australis have foliage with some glandular hairs. Otherwise, these different varieties are similar to each other. Regardless of variety, Small Skullcap can be distinguished from other species in its genus by the small size of individual plants (3-9" tall), the small size of its flowers (about 1/3" long), and its form of inflorescence: flowers are produced individually from the axils of the leaves, rather than in terminal or axillary racemes. Scientific synonyms of Scutellaria parvula missouriensis include Scutellaria parvula leonardii and Scutellaria leonardii. As a result of these other scientific names, this variety of Small Skullcap is sometimes referred to as Leonard's Skullcap.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月10日
Description: This biennial wildflower forms a low rosette of leaves during the 1st year, bolting into an erect plant about 1-2½' tall during the 2nd year. The central stem is 4-angled, winged, and glabrous; it is unbranched below and oppositely branched above. Opposite leaves (up to 1½" long and 1" across) occur along the stems; they are medium green, glabrous, smooth along their margins, and lanceolate to oval-cordate in shape. The leaves are sessile or slightly clasp the stems. The upper stems terminate in small cymes of flowers. The pedicels of these flowers are ½–1¼" long and glabrous. When they are fully open, individual flowers are 1-1½" across. Each flower has a corolla with 5 petals, 5 stamens with yellow anthers, a superior ovary with a divided style, and a green calyx with 5 sepals that are linear-lanceolate. The petals are obovate in shape and vary in color from rose-pink to white; they are about twice the length of the sepals. At the center of the flower, the petal bases are yellow to greenish yellow, presenting a small 5-sided star. The margins of this star are outlined in dark rose-pink. When they are receptive to pollen, the 2 linear stigmata of the style become bright yellow. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer. The flowers open up during the day and close at night; they are fragrant. During the fall, the flowers are replaced by single-celled seed capsules about 1/3" (8 mm.) long; each capsule contains a multitude of tiny seeds that can be blown about by the wind or float on water. The root system is shallow and fibrous.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun and moist conditions. The soil can contain loam, sand, silt, or some rocky/gravelly material.
Range & Habitat: Common Rose Pink is occasional in the southern half of Illinois, while in the northern half of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). This plant is native to the state. Habitats include moist prairies and sand prairies, moist sandy thickets, marshes and sandy marshes, interdunal swales, rocky glades, openings in rocky woodlands, sandy pits on mined land, poorly drained fields, and roadsides. This wildflower can be found in both degraded and higher quality habitats.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by long-tongued bees and possibly other diurnal insects with long mouthparts (e.g., butterflies and skippers). Charles Robertson (1929) observed a little carpenter bee, Ceratina dupla, and a large leaf-cutting bee, Megachile brevis, visiting the flowers for nectar or pollen. The caterpillars of the moth, Agyrostrotis anilis (Short-Lined Chocolate), feed on Sabatia spp. (Rose Pinks). Common Rose Pink is a bitter-tasting plant, but it is unclear to what extent this may deter its consumption by mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A prairie in Fayette County, Illinois. The photographs of the flowering plants were taken by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2009).
Comments: Like other species in this genus, Common Rose Pink is a showy and attractive plant. It resembles an oversized version of Centaurium pulchellum (Branching Centaury) from Europe, which is also in the Gentian family. Another species, Sabatia campestris (Prairie Rose Pink), also occurs in Illinois; it is usually found in drier habitats. Prairie Rose Pink differs from Common Rose Pink by its tendency to branch alternately, rather than oppositely. It also has 5 vertical ribs along the tubular portion of its calyx, while the calyx of Common Rose Pink lacks such ribs. Other common names that have been applied to Sabatia angularis include Rose Gentian, Marsh Pink, and Bitterbloom.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun and moist conditions. The soil can contain loam, sand, silt, or some rocky/gravelly material.
Range & Habitat: Common Rose Pink is occasional in the southern half of Illinois, while in the northern half of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). This plant is native to the state. Habitats include moist prairies and sand prairies, moist sandy thickets, marshes and sandy marshes, interdunal swales, rocky glades, openings in rocky woodlands, sandy pits on mined land, poorly drained fields, and roadsides. This wildflower can be found in both degraded and higher quality habitats.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by long-tongued bees and possibly other diurnal insects with long mouthparts (e.g., butterflies and skippers). Charles Robertson (1929) observed a little carpenter bee, Ceratina dupla, and a large leaf-cutting bee, Megachile brevis, visiting the flowers for nectar or pollen. The caterpillars of the moth, Agyrostrotis anilis (Short-Lined Chocolate), feed on Sabatia spp. (Rose Pinks). Common Rose Pink is a bitter-tasting plant, but it is unclear to what extent this may deter its consumption by mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A prairie in Fayette County, Illinois. The photographs of the flowering plants were taken by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2009).
Comments: Like other species in this genus, Common Rose Pink is a showy and attractive plant. It resembles an oversized version of Centaurium pulchellum (Branching Centaury) from Europe, which is also in the Gentian family. Another species, Sabatia campestris (Prairie Rose Pink), also occurs in Illinois; it is usually found in drier habitats. Prairie Rose Pink differs from Common Rose Pink by its tendency to branch alternately, rather than oppositely. It also has 5 vertical ribs along the tubular portion of its calyx, while the calyx of Common Rose Pink lacks such ribs. Other common names that have been applied to Sabatia angularis include Rose Gentian, Marsh Pink, and Bitterbloom.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月10日
particularly along the upper half of the plant. The alternate leaves are up to 4" long and 2" across. They are lanceolate to ovate, slightly to coarsely dentate, and rough-textured from minute stiff hairs. Some of the lower leaves are divided into three lobes. Individual upper stems terminate in 1-2 flowerheads. Each flowerhead is about 1½-2" across, consisting of 6-12 ray florets that surround a brown to black flattened cone of numerous disk florets. The petaloid rays of the flowerheads are bright yellow and oblong in shape. The tiny disk florets are narrowly cylindrical. Around the base of each flowerhead, there are inner and outer floral bracts (phyllaries) that are green and ciliate. The flowerheads have little or no scent. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to late summer for about 1-2 months. On robust plants, 6 or more flowerheads are often in bloom at the same time, creating a showy effect. The small achenes are 4-angled and have no tufts of hair. The root system is shallow and fibrous.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and fertile loamy soil, although soil with some gravel or clay is tolerated. This plant has moderate drought-tolerance; it may drop some of its lower leaves or wilt should this occur. After the blooming season is over, Brown-Eyed Susan can appear rather untidy.
Range & Habitat: The native Brown-Eyed Susan is a common plant in Illinois, except for some counties in the southern and NW sections of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include black soil prairies, prairie remnants along railroads, thickets, savannas, meadows and openings in wooded areas, riverbanks, edges of fens, roadsides, vacant lots, and abandoned fields. Areas with a history of disturbance are preferred, although this plant also occurs in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Brown-Eyed Susan is often self-pollinated, but it nonetheless attracts numerous nectar-seeking and pollen-seeking insects to its flowers. These visitors include bumblebees, little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), digger bees (Melissodes spp.), cuckoo bees (Triepeolus spp., Coelioxys spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp., Heterosarus spp.), and Halictid bees (including green metallic bees). One of these bees, Andrena rudbeckiae, is a specialist pollinator (oligolege) of Rudbeckia and Ratibida coneflowers. Other floral visitors include Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, Syrphid flies, bee flies, thick-headed flies, Tachinid flies, small to medium-sized butterflies, and the common Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus (Goldenrod Soldier Beetle). Other insects feed destructively on Brown-Eyed Susan and other Rudbeckia spp. These insects include the leaf beetles Brachypnoea clypealis and Sumitrosis inaequalis, the aphids Uroleucon ambrosiae and Uroleucon rudbeckiae, and caterpillars of the Tortricid moths Epiblema carolinana (feeding on roots), Epiblema tandana (feeding on roots), and Epiblema triparitana (feeding on flowerheads & stems). The foliage is sometimes browsed by deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and other mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken of plants growing in a wildflower garden at Crystal Lake Park, Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Brown-Eyed Susan can be distinguished from similar species by the smaller size of its flowerheads and the smaller number of ray florets per flowerhead. It is usually more tall and bushy than Rudbeckia hirta (Black-Eyed Susan), but it is shorter with fewer lobed leaves than Rudbeckia laciniata (Cutleaf Coneflower). Brown-Eyed Susan is often observed in the eastern range of the tallgrass prairie, but it tends to retreat to wetland or woodland areas further to the west where rainfall amounts are lower and summer temperatures are more extreme.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and fertile loamy soil, although soil with some gravel or clay is tolerated. This plant has moderate drought-tolerance; it may drop some of its lower leaves or wilt should this occur. After the blooming season is over, Brown-Eyed Susan can appear rather untidy.
Range & Habitat: The native Brown-Eyed Susan is a common plant in Illinois, except for some counties in the southern and NW sections of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include black soil prairies, prairie remnants along railroads, thickets, savannas, meadows and openings in wooded areas, riverbanks, edges of fens, roadsides, vacant lots, and abandoned fields. Areas with a history of disturbance are preferred, although this plant also occurs in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Brown-Eyed Susan is often self-pollinated, but it nonetheless attracts numerous nectar-seeking and pollen-seeking insects to its flowers. These visitors include bumblebees, little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), digger bees (Melissodes spp.), cuckoo bees (Triepeolus spp., Coelioxys spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp., Heterosarus spp.), and Halictid bees (including green metallic bees). One of these bees, Andrena rudbeckiae, is a specialist pollinator (oligolege) of Rudbeckia and Ratibida coneflowers. Other floral visitors include Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, Syrphid flies, bee flies, thick-headed flies, Tachinid flies, small to medium-sized butterflies, and the common Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus (Goldenrod Soldier Beetle). Other insects feed destructively on Brown-Eyed Susan and other Rudbeckia spp. These insects include the leaf beetles Brachypnoea clypealis and Sumitrosis inaequalis, the aphids Uroleucon ambrosiae and Uroleucon rudbeckiae, and caterpillars of the Tortricid moths Epiblema carolinana (feeding on roots), Epiblema tandana (feeding on roots), and Epiblema triparitana (feeding on flowerheads & stems). The foliage is sometimes browsed by deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and other mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken of plants growing in a wildflower garden at Crystal Lake Park, Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Brown-Eyed Susan can be distinguished from similar species by the smaller size of its flowerheads and the smaller number of ray florets per flowerhead. It is usually more tall and bushy than Rudbeckia hirta (Black-Eyed Susan), but it is shorter with fewer lobed leaves than Rudbeckia laciniata (Cutleaf Coneflower). Brown-Eyed Susan is often observed in the eastern range of the tallgrass prairie, but it tends to retreat to wetland or woodland areas further to the west where rainfall amounts are lower and summer temperatures are more extreme.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月09日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is up to 4' tall while in flower. The long slender stems are slightly ridged. The basal leaves occur toward the bottom of these stems and are irregularly shaped – the larger leaves are pinnately divided into 3-7 lobes, sometimes subdividing further into 1-2 secondary lobes. The margins of these leaves are smooth, or sparsely dentate; they are individually up to 8" long and 5" across. The smaller leaves higher up on the stems are usually lanceolate; they are few in number. The texture of these leaves is rough as a result of tiny stiff hairs and bumps. The daisy-like composite flowers occur at the apex of the tall stems. Each composite flower has up to 13 drooping yellow ray florets spanning 1-2½" across, and an oblong head of disk florets that is about ½–¾" tall when mature. This head is initially light green or grey, but later becomes dark brown. The blooming period occurs from early to late summer, and lasts about 1-2 months. There is little or no floral scent – although the seedheads release an anise scent when they are crushed. The root system is rhizomatous, often forming tight clumps of plants. The dark achenes are without tufts of hair.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic conditions, and a loam or clay-loam soil. However, this is a robust plant that will tolerate partial sun, moist to slightly dry conditions, and many kinds of soil. Foliar disease doesn't affect the leaves until after the blooming period. There is a tendency for the flowering stems to flop around if this plant is spoiled by too much water or fertile soil. This plant is easy to grow.
Range & Habitat: The native Yellow Coneflower is fairly common in Illinois, except in some SE counties (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to slightly dry black soil prairies, clay prairies, thickets, woodland borders, limestone glades, and areas along railroads, particularly where remnant prairies occur. Yellow Coneflower tends to colonize the more disturbed areas of these habitats.
Close-up of Compound Leaf
Faunal Associations: Many kinds of insects visit the flowers, but especially bees, including Epeoline Cuckoo bees, large Leaf-Cutting bees, Green Metallic bees, and other Halictine bees. Other insect visitors include wasps, flies, small butterflies, and beetles. These insects suck nectar from the flowers, although the bees also collect pollen and some beetles feed on pollen. The caterpillars of the butterfly Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) feed on Yellow Coneflower, as well as the caterpillars of the moths Eynchlora acida (Wavy-Lined Emerald) and Eupithecia miserulata (Common Eupithecia). Goldfinches occasionally eat the seeds, while some mammalian herbivores eat the foliage and flowering stems, particularly groundhogs and livestock.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken at a prairie of Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: Yellow Coneflower is an excellent choice for a wildflower garden because of its long blooming period and attractive yellow flowers. The entire plant is delicately constructed, and has a tendency to sway or flutter with each passing breeze. This species can be distinguished from other yellow coneflowers, such as Rudbeckia hirta, by its drooping ray florets and the complex structure of the basal leaves.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic conditions, and a loam or clay-loam soil. However, this is a robust plant that will tolerate partial sun, moist to slightly dry conditions, and many kinds of soil. Foliar disease doesn't affect the leaves until after the blooming period. There is a tendency for the flowering stems to flop around if this plant is spoiled by too much water or fertile soil. This plant is easy to grow.
Range & Habitat: The native Yellow Coneflower is fairly common in Illinois, except in some SE counties (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to slightly dry black soil prairies, clay prairies, thickets, woodland borders, limestone glades, and areas along railroads, particularly where remnant prairies occur. Yellow Coneflower tends to colonize the more disturbed areas of these habitats.
Close-up of Compound Leaf
Faunal Associations: Many kinds of insects visit the flowers, but especially bees, including Epeoline Cuckoo bees, large Leaf-Cutting bees, Green Metallic bees, and other Halictine bees. Other insect visitors include wasps, flies, small butterflies, and beetles. These insects suck nectar from the flowers, although the bees also collect pollen and some beetles feed on pollen. The caterpillars of the butterfly Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) feed on Yellow Coneflower, as well as the caterpillars of the moths Eynchlora acida (Wavy-Lined Emerald) and Eupithecia miserulata (Common Eupithecia). Goldfinches occasionally eat the seeds, while some mammalian herbivores eat the foliage and flowering stems, particularly groundhogs and livestock.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken at a prairie of Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: Yellow Coneflower is an excellent choice for a wildflower garden because of its long blooming period and attractive yellow flowers. The entire plant is delicately constructed, and has a tendency to sway or flutter with each passing breeze. This species can be distinguished from other yellow coneflowers, such as Rudbeckia hirta, by its drooping ray florets and the complex structure of the basal leaves.
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成长记
Koala小熊
2018年02月08日
之前扦插和葉插的小熊童子轉眼也四個半月大了
中間陸續有被認養走4、5株
目前這五株還被主人寄放在熊這兒的感覺長得都很不錯呢(^^)
希望未來它們的新主人們也可以好好的照顧
中間陸續有被認養走4、5株
目前這五株還被主人寄放在熊這兒的感覺長得都很不錯呢(^^)
希望未來它們的新主人們也可以好好的照顧
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月08日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 2-4' tall, branching frequently to create a slender bushy appearance. The stems are light green, 4-angled, and densely pubescent on all sides. Pairs of opposite leaves occur along these stems, becoming gradually smaller and more slender as they ascend. These leaves are up to 1-3" long and ¼–¾" across; they are narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate in shape and either sessile or short-petiolate. The leaf margins are entire (toothless) and ciliate. When petioles are present, they are light green and densely short-pubescent. The upper leaf surface is grayish green and short-pubescent, while the lower leaf surface is slightly more pale and densely pubescent. The foliage has a typical mint fragrance. The upper stems terminate in branching flowerheads of flowers; individual heads are flat-topped and densely flowered, spanning up to 1" across.
Flowerbud Heads
Each flower is about ¼" long (from upper lip to lower lip), consisting of a 2-lipped corolla, a long-tubular calyx with 5 teeth, 4 stamens, and a pistil. The corolla is white; there are purple specks and dots scattered across its throat and the lobes of its lips. The upper lip of the corolla consists of a short hood, while its lower lip is longer and 3-lobed. The sides of the calyx tube are light green, vertically ribbed, and pubescent; the teeth along the upper rim of the calyx are erect and narrowly triangular in shape. At the base of each flowerhead, there occurs several leafy bracts that are up to 1" long; they are grayish green, lanceolate in shape, and pubescent. The margins of these bracts are entire and ciliate. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer, lasting about 1 month. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by tiny seeds (4 seeds per flower); these seeds are hidden from view by the persistent calyces. Individual seeds are about 1 mm. long, oblongoid in shape, and dark brown. The root system is rhizomatous, often forming a dense tuft of clonal offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun and moist to slightly dry conditions. Growth is best in fertile loamy soil, although other kinds of soil are acceptable, including those that are stony or clayish. During hot dry weather, some of the leaves may turn yellow and fall off, but the plant usually survives. Occasionally, some of the leaves may be affected by rust, especially when a plant is stressed out by adverse weather or is suffering from transplant shock. This problem is almost always temporary. Some protection from afternoon sun and occasional watering during dry spells can keep this plant healthy; fertilizer is neither necessary nor desirable. Overall, this is an easy plant to cultivate in gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native Hairy Mountain Mint occurs occasionally in central Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent in the southern and northern sections of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include black soil prairies, meadows in wooded areas, rocky upland forests, woodland edges, savannas, thickets, limestone glades, and abandoned fields. Hairy Mountain Mint is usually found in higher quality natural areas, although it may colonize adjacent disturbed areas. Occasional wildfires or mowing may be beneficial in maintaining populations of this plant if it reduces competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The nectar-rich flowers are very attractive to many kinds of insects, including honeybees, cuckoo bees (Triepeolus spp., Coelioxys spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees (Agapostemon spp., Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.), Halictid cuckoo bees (Sphecodes spp.), thread-waisted wasps (Ammophila spp.), the Great Golden Digger Wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus), the Black Grasshopper Wasp (Prionyx atratus), bee wolves (Philanthus spp.), paper wasps (Polistes spp.), Eumenine wasps (Euodynerus spp., Stenodynerus spp.), Syrphid flies, bee flies (Exoprosopa spp.), thick-headed flies (Conopidae), Tachinid flies, small- to medium-sized butterflies, and skippers (Robertson, 1929). Because of the frequent bee and wasp visitors to the flowers, parasitoid wedge-shaped beetles (Macrosiagon spp.) are often common on the flowers. These beetles lay their eggs on the flowers, and the hatched larvae attach themselves to their hosts and hitch-hike a ride back to the brood chamber, where they feed on the larvae and their food stores. Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum) is one of the host plants of a a stink bug, Neottiglossa cavifrons (Hart, 1919; Rider, 2009). Among vertebrate animals, Hairy Mountain Mint and other mountain mints have little value as sources of food. The seeds are too small to be of much interest to birds, while mammalian herbivores display little interest in the foliage, probably because of the chemicals that are associated with its strong mint fragrance.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Some authorities refer to this plant as Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum. The appearance of Hairy Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum pilosum) is similar to other mountain mints (Pycnanthemum spp.), but its leaves and stems are more hairy. Compared to two prairie species, Common Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) and Slender Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuiflorum), Hairy Mountain Mint has wider leaves. Other mountain mints that occur in Illinois are restricted to the southern section of the state, where they are found primarily in hilly woodlands. The fresh leaves of Hairy Mountain Mint can be boiled in water to make an excellent mint-flavored tea (personal observation).
Flowerbud Heads
Each flower is about ¼" long (from upper lip to lower lip), consisting of a 2-lipped corolla, a long-tubular calyx with 5 teeth, 4 stamens, and a pistil. The corolla is white; there are purple specks and dots scattered across its throat and the lobes of its lips. The upper lip of the corolla consists of a short hood, while its lower lip is longer and 3-lobed. The sides of the calyx tube are light green, vertically ribbed, and pubescent; the teeth along the upper rim of the calyx are erect and narrowly triangular in shape. At the base of each flowerhead, there occurs several leafy bracts that are up to 1" long; they are grayish green, lanceolate in shape, and pubescent. The margins of these bracts are entire and ciliate. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer, lasting about 1 month. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by tiny seeds (4 seeds per flower); these seeds are hidden from view by the persistent calyces. Individual seeds are about 1 mm. long, oblongoid in shape, and dark brown. The root system is rhizomatous, often forming a dense tuft of clonal offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun and moist to slightly dry conditions. Growth is best in fertile loamy soil, although other kinds of soil are acceptable, including those that are stony or clayish. During hot dry weather, some of the leaves may turn yellow and fall off, but the plant usually survives. Occasionally, some of the leaves may be affected by rust, especially when a plant is stressed out by adverse weather or is suffering from transplant shock. This problem is almost always temporary. Some protection from afternoon sun and occasional watering during dry spells can keep this plant healthy; fertilizer is neither necessary nor desirable. Overall, this is an easy plant to cultivate in gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native Hairy Mountain Mint occurs occasionally in central Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent in the southern and northern sections of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include black soil prairies, meadows in wooded areas, rocky upland forests, woodland edges, savannas, thickets, limestone glades, and abandoned fields. Hairy Mountain Mint is usually found in higher quality natural areas, although it may colonize adjacent disturbed areas. Occasional wildfires or mowing may be beneficial in maintaining populations of this plant if it reduces competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The nectar-rich flowers are very attractive to many kinds of insects, including honeybees, cuckoo bees (Triepeolus spp., Coelioxys spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees (Agapostemon spp., Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.), Halictid cuckoo bees (Sphecodes spp.), thread-waisted wasps (Ammophila spp.), the Great Golden Digger Wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus), the Black Grasshopper Wasp (Prionyx atratus), bee wolves (Philanthus spp.), paper wasps (Polistes spp.), Eumenine wasps (Euodynerus spp., Stenodynerus spp.), Syrphid flies, bee flies (Exoprosopa spp.), thick-headed flies (Conopidae), Tachinid flies, small- to medium-sized butterflies, and skippers (Robertson, 1929). Because of the frequent bee and wasp visitors to the flowers, parasitoid wedge-shaped beetles (Macrosiagon spp.) are often common on the flowers. These beetles lay their eggs on the flowers, and the hatched larvae attach themselves to their hosts and hitch-hike a ride back to the brood chamber, where they feed on the larvae and their food stores. Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum) is one of the host plants of a a stink bug, Neottiglossa cavifrons (Hart, 1919; Rider, 2009). Among vertebrate animals, Hairy Mountain Mint and other mountain mints have little value as sources of food. The seeds are too small to be of much interest to birds, while mammalian herbivores display little interest in the foliage, probably because of the chemicals that are associated with its strong mint fragrance.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Some authorities refer to this plant as Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum. The appearance of Hairy Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum pilosum) is similar to other mountain mints (Pycnanthemum spp.), but its leaves and stems are more hairy. Compared to two prairie species, Common Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) and Slender Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuiflorum), Hairy Mountain Mint has wider leaves. Other mountain mints that occur in Illinois are restricted to the southern section of the state, where they are found primarily in hilly woodlands. The fresh leaves of Hairy Mountain Mint can be boiled in water to make an excellent mint-flavored tea (personal observation).
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Miss Chen
2018年02月08日
Description: This herbaceous perennial wildflower is 2-5' tall with an erect central stem that is unbranched. This stem is light green, terete, stout, and covered with short stiff hairs; it often becomes brown with age. The alternate leaves are up to 4½" and 2" across, becoming gradually smaller as they ascend the stem. They are lanceolate to broadly lanceolate, elliptic, orClose-up of Flowerhead oblanceolate in shape, medium green, and covered with short stiff hairs on their undersides. The margins of the lower leaves are dentate, while the margins of the upper leaves are more smooth. Most of the leaves are sessile, although some of the lower leaves may clasp the stem slightly; some of these leaves may wither before the blooming period. The foliage contains a bitter white latex. The central stem terminates in a spike-like raceme (or something similar to this) about ½–2' long. Along the central stalk of this raceme, are small clusters of flowerheads; small clusters of flowerheads also develop from the axils of the upper leaves. Each flowerhead is about ½–1" across, consisting of 10-18 ray florets and no disk florets. Each of these ray florets is white or cream-colored, linear-oblong in shape, and truncate at its tip with 5 small teeth. The base of each flowerhead is about ½" long and cylindrical in shape; it is covered with 8-10 phyllaries (floral bracts) that are light green, conspicuously hairy, and linear-oblong in shape. At the bottom of the flowerhead's base, there are several secondary phyllaries that are much smaller in size and insignificant. The reproductive organs of the ray florets consist of divided styles with strongly recurved tips and elongated stamens. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall and lasts about 2-3 weeks. Each fertile floret is replaced by an oblongoid achene with a small tuft of hairs. These hairs are straw-colored or light brown. Distribution of the achenes is provided by the wind. The root system consists of a stout taproot that is broadest toward the middle. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and mesic to dry conditions. Different kinds of soil are tolerated, including those that are loamy, rocky, or sandy. It is difficult to establish this plant from seed as it is slow-growing and the young seedlings are vulnerable to "damping off" and other problems.
Range & Habitat: Rough White Lettuce exists in widely scattered populations throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Populations of this species have declined and it has become rather uncommon, largely because of the destruction of prairie habitat throughout the state. Habitats include black soil prairies, sand prairies, savannas, rocky upland woodlands, limestone glades, and prairie remnants along railroads. At one time, Rough White Lettuce was considered a weed in pastures, but this is no longer the case. Today, this conservative species is typically found in high quality prairies. Because of the difficulty in propagating this species, it is not often used in prairie restorations.
Faunal Associations: There is a paucity of records about floral-faunal relationships for this species. Bumblebees visit the flowerheads for nectar. Cattle and other mammalian herbivores usually leave this plant alone because of its rough hairy foliage and bitter latex (see Ada Georgia, A Manual of Weeds, 1913).
Photographic Location: The photograph of the flowerhead was taken by Pat Chapel (Copyright © 2006) at the Prospect Cemetery Prairie in Ford County, Illinois, while the photograph of the stem and leaves was taken by the webmaster at Loda Cemetery Prairie in Iroquois County of the same state.
Comments: This is a true prairie plant that blooms during the fall. It is somewhat similar in appearance to Prenanthes racemosa (Glaucous White Lettuce), which prefers moist habitats. This latter species has a central stem that is glabrous and glaucous throughout, while the central stem of Rough White Lettuce has stiff short hairs. The color of the flowerheads is also somewhat different: the flowerheads of Glaucous White Lettuce often have a pale purple tint, while those of Rough White Lettuce are cream-colored or white. Other Prenanthes spp. in Illinois are normally found in woodlands, rather than prairies. In contrast to Rough White Lettuce, these woodland species have nodding flowerheads, widely spreading inflorescences, and leaves that are often deeply lobed.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and mesic to dry conditions. Different kinds of soil are tolerated, including those that are loamy, rocky, or sandy. It is difficult to establish this plant from seed as it is slow-growing and the young seedlings are vulnerable to "damping off" and other problems.
Range & Habitat: Rough White Lettuce exists in widely scattered populations throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Populations of this species have declined and it has become rather uncommon, largely because of the destruction of prairie habitat throughout the state. Habitats include black soil prairies, sand prairies, savannas, rocky upland woodlands, limestone glades, and prairie remnants along railroads. At one time, Rough White Lettuce was considered a weed in pastures, but this is no longer the case. Today, this conservative species is typically found in high quality prairies. Because of the difficulty in propagating this species, it is not often used in prairie restorations.
Faunal Associations: There is a paucity of records about floral-faunal relationships for this species. Bumblebees visit the flowerheads for nectar. Cattle and other mammalian herbivores usually leave this plant alone because of its rough hairy foliage and bitter latex (see Ada Georgia, A Manual of Weeds, 1913).
Photographic Location: The photograph of the flowerhead was taken by Pat Chapel (Copyright © 2006) at the Prospect Cemetery Prairie in Ford County, Illinois, while the photograph of the stem and leaves was taken by the webmaster at Loda Cemetery Prairie in Iroquois County of the same state.
Comments: This is a true prairie plant that blooms during the fall. It is somewhat similar in appearance to Prenanthes racemosa (Glaucous White Lettuce), which prefers moist habitats. This latter species has a central stem that is glabrous and glaucous throughout, while the central stem of Rough White Lettuce has stiff short hairs. The color of the flowerheads is also somewhat different: the flowerheads of Glaucous White Lettuce often have a pale purple tint, while those of Rough White Lettuce are cream-colored or white. Other Prenanthes spp. in Illinois are normally found in woodlands, rather than prairies. In contrast to Rough White Lettuce, these woodland species have nodding flowerheads, widely spreading inflorescences, and leaves that are often deeply lobed.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月07日
Description: This plant is a biennial or short-lived perennial that persists as a low rosette of basal leaves for 2-4 years. The blades of these basal leaves are up to 6" long and 5" across; they are bipinnate-pinnatifid or pinnate-pinnatifid in structure and triangular in outline. Individual leaflets (or subleaflets) are moderately to deeply divided into pinnate lobes; these lobes usually have a few coarse teeth along their margins. The surface of basal blades is medium green and glabrous (or nearly so). The petioles of the basal leaves are up to 4" long and they are covered with short fine pubescence to a greater or lesser extent. In addition, the leaflets of the basal leaves have conspicuous petiolules (basal stalklets). The petiolules of the terminal leaflets are longer than those of the lateral leaflets.
Eventually, this plant bolts to produce a single flowering stalk with a few alternate leaves. This stalk is light green to pale brownish red, terete (round in cross-section), somewhat stout, and 1½-3' tall. It is unbranched, except toward the apex, where the umbels of flowers occur, and usually it is covered with short fine pubescence to a greater or less extent. The alternate leaves are up to 3" long and 3" across, pinnate-pinnatifid in structure, triangular in outline, and sessile; they become smaller in size as they ascend the stem. Similar to the basal leaves, the leaflets of alternate leaves are moderately to deeply divided into pinnate lobes; these lobes usually have a few coarse teeth along their margins. The surface of alternate leaves is medium green and glabrous (or nearly so). The central stalk terminates in a few compound umbels of flowers that span 1½-3" across. In addition, lateral compound umbels of flowers often develop from the axils of upper leaves on peduncles 2" long or more. Depending on their stage of development, the tops of these umbels areDistribution Map dome-shaped to nearly flat. A typical umbel will have about 10-15 congested umbellets, and each umbellet will have 10-15 flowers. The rays (stalklets) of both the umbels and umbellets are light green, angular, and more or less covered with short fine pubescence. Both umbels and umbellets lack significant floral bracts. When such bracts are present, they are small in size, linear in shape, and soon wither away. Each flower has 5 yellow petals with incurved tips, a light green or yellowish green calyx with 5 minute ovate teeth, 5 stamens, and a pistil. Individual flowers are about 1/8" (3 mm.) across. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer for about 1 month. Each flower is replaced by a dry fruit (schizocarp) that becomes 6-9 mm. long at maturity. Immature fruits are green, but they later become yellow, and finally brown. Each fruit consists of a pair of seeds that develop winged margins at maturity. These seeds are distributed to some extent by the wind. The root system consists of a deep taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing loam, rocky material, or sand. The seeds can be difficult to germinate, requiring a winter dormancy of about 120 days, and each plant is rather slow to develop after germination has occurred.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Parsley occurs in scattered areas of northern, southern, and west-central Illinois, where it is fairly uncommon. Populations of this plant within the state appear to be declining. Illinois lies along the NE range limit of this plant. Habitats include upland prairies, hill prairies, limestone glades, chert glades, thinly wooded bluffs, and savannas. Prairie Parsley is an indicator plant of original prairie. It is rarely found in disturbed areas. This conservative species may require occasional wildfires to remove excess brush and debris, and to facilitate germination of the seeds.
Faunal Associations: The tiny flowers attract primarily small bees, miscellaneous flies, and occasional wasps (Robertson, 1929). Prairie Parsley is one of the species in the Carrot family that the oligolectic bee, Andrena ziziae, visits for pollen and nectar. The caterpillars of a butterfly, Papilio polyxenes asterius (Black Swallowtail), feed on the foliage of this plant. Cattle and other mammalian herbivores browse readily on the non-toxic foliage.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Most people might regard Prairie Parsley as another weed, but it is a conservative native plant with high fidelity to prairies. This plant is perhaps at its most attractive when its fruits have reached the showy yellow stage. The native Prairie Parsley in Illinois should not be confused with either Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) or Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea). Like Prairie Parsley, Wild Parsnip and Golden Alexanders have compound umbels of small yellow flowers, but they differ by having simple-pinnate leaves with leaflets that are less lobed. Another species, Flat-Leaved Parsley (Petroselinum crispum neapolitanum), has compound leaves and compound umbels of flowers that are very similar to those of Prairie Parsley, but Flat-Leaved Parsley differs by having mature seeds that lack winged margins.
Eventually, this plant bolts to produce a single flowering stalk with a few alternate leaves. This stalk is light green to pale brownish red, terete (round in cross-section), somewhat stout, and 1½-3' tall. It is unbranched, except toward the apex, where the umbels of flowers occur, and usually it is covered with short fine pubescence to a greater or less extent. The alternate leaves are up to 3" long and 3" across, pinnate-pinnatifid in structure, triangular in outline, and sessile; they become smaller in size as they ascend the stem. Similar to the basal leaves, the leaflets of alternate leaves are moderately to deeply divided into pinnate lobes; these lobes usually have a few coarse teeth along their margins. The surface of alternate leaves is medium green and glabrous (or nearly so). The central stalk terminates in a few compound umbels of flowers that span 1½-3" across. In addition, lateral compound umbels of flowers often develop from the axils of upper leaves on peduncles 2" long or more. Depending on their stage of development, the tops of these umbels areDistribution Map dome-shaped to nearly flat. A typical umbel will have about 10-15 congested umbellets, and each umbellet will have 10-15 flowers. The rays (stalklets) of both the umbels and umbellets are light green, angular, and more or less covered with short fine pubescence. Both umbels and umbellets lack significant floral bracts. When such bracts are present, they are small in size, linear in shape, and soon wither away. Each flower has 5 yellow petals with incurved tips, a light green or yellowish green calyx with 5 minute ovate teeth, 5 stamens, and a pistil. Individual flowers are about 1/8" (3 mm.) across. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer for about 1 month. Each flower is replaced by a dry fruit (schizocarp) that becomes 6-9 mm. long at maturity. Immature fruits are green, but they later become yellow, and finally brown. Each fruit consists of a pair of seeds that develop winged margins at maturity. These seeds are distributed to some extent by the wind. The root system consists of a deep taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing loam, rocky material, or sand. The seeds can be difficult to germinate, requiring a winter dormancy of about 120 days, and each plant is rather slow to develop after germination has occurred.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Parsley occurs in scattered areas of northern, southern, and west-central Illinois, where it is fairly uncommon. Populations of this plant within the state appear to be declining. Illinois lies along the NE range limit of this plant. Habitats include upland prairies, hill prairies, limestone glades, chert glades, thinly wooded bluffs, and savannas. Prairie Parsley is an indicator plant of original prairie. It is rarely found in disturbed areas. This conservative species may require occasional wildfires to remove excess brush and debris, and to facilitate germination of the seeds.
Faunal Associations: The tiny flowers attract primarily small bees, miscellaneous flies, and occasional wasps (Robertson, 1929). Prairie Parsley is one of the species in the Carrot family that the oligolectic bee, Andrena ziziae, visits for pollen and nectar. The caterpillars of a butterfly, Papilio polyxenes asterius (Black Swallowtail), feed on the foliage of this plant. Cattle and other mammalian herbivores browse readily on the non-toxic foliage.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Most people might regard Prairie Parsley as another weed, but it is a conservative native plant with high fidelity to prairies. This plant is perhaps at its most attractive when its fruits have reached the showy yellow stage. The native Prairie Parsley in Illinois should not be confused with either Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) or Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea). Like Prairie Parsley, Wild Parsnip and Golden Alexanders have compound umbels of small yellow flowers, but they differ by having simple-pinnate leaves with leaflets that are less lobed. Another species, Flat-Leaved Parsley (Petroselinum crispum neapolitanum), has compound leaves and compound umbels of flowers that are very similar to those of Prairie Parsley, but Flat-Leaved Parsley differs by having mature seeds that lack winged margins.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月07日
Description: This annual plant is usually unbranched and 4-12" tall. The central stem is sharply angular and hairless. The alternate or opposite leaves are sessile against the stem, ranging up to 1½" in length and 1/6" (4 mm.) across. They have a prominent mid-vein, smooth margins, and are linear or oblong-linear in shape.
The central stem terminates in a spike-like raceme of flowers. This raceme is about 1" long and ½" across. The flowers are variable in color, ranging from purplish pink, white, or green. An individual flower consists of two large sepals (i.e., the wings), three small sepals that are barely perceptible, and three small petals that form a narrow tube. One of these petals has a small crest at its tip. The wings are about 1/3" (8 mm.) long and ovate – they are the most prominent part of the flower and determine its color. The tiny tube of the petals has a similar color, but is short-lived, typically occurring near the apex of the inflorescence amid the wings. The stalk beneath the raceme has an irregular surface and spike-like remnants of the bracts where the older flowers occurred. The blooming period is from mid-summer to early fall, and lasts about 1-2 months for a colony of plants. Each flower is replaced by a capsule containing two seeds that are hairy. The root system consists of a slender taproot that has a wintergreen fragrance. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun and moist to dry conditions. Poor soil is preferred, as this reduces competition from other plant species. This plant often grows in soil that sandy or rocky, but will thrive in loamy soil as well if it receives adequate sunlight.
Range & Distribution: The native Field Milkwort occurs occasionally in most counties of Illinois. It is the most common Polygala spp. (Milkwort species) in the state. Habitats include moist to dry prairies, sand prairies, typical savannas and sandy savannas, woodland edges, glades, and abandoned fields.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts small to medium-sized long-tongued bees, short-tongue bees, and bee flies. Among the bees, are such visitors as Dagger bees, Miner bees, and Cuckoo bees. Little information is available about the food value of the Milkworts to birds and animals.
Photographic Location: A moist sand prairie at Hooper Branch Savanna Nature Preserve in Iroquois County, Illinois. The location was flooded earlier in the year, which is why the leaves have a muddy appearance.
Comments: As a group, the Milkworts have not received as much attention as they deserve. Some species, such as this one, have fairly attractive flowers. They are usually found in locations with acid sandy soil, but some species prefer dry sites with rocky material or loess. The Polygala spp. can be distinguished from each other by taking into consideration the following: 1) whether the leaves are alternate or whorled, 2) the shape, size, and color of the wings on the flowers, 3) the density of flowers on the spike or spike-like raceme, and 4) the conspicuousness of the tubular petals. The slender leaves of Field Milkwort are usually alternate, rather than whorled. This species has fairly large wings (about 1/3" or 8 mm.) that are ovate in shape. They are often purplish pink, but may turn white near the base. The density of flowers on the spike-like raceme is high, while the tubular petals are inconspicuous. Field Milkwort has a wide distribution in the Eastern United States, and different varieties have been described.
The central stem terminates in a spike-like raceme of flowers. This raceme is about 1" long and ½" across. The flowers are variable in color, ranging from purplish pink, white, or green. An individual flower consists of two large sepals (i.e., the wings), three small sepals that are barely perceptible, and three small petals that form a narrow tube. One of these petals has a small crest at its tip. The wings are about 1/3" (8 mm.) long and ovate – they are the most prominent part of the flower and determine its color. The tiny tube of the petals has a similar color, but is short-lived, typically occurring near the apex of the inflorescence amid the wings. The stalk beneath the raceme has an irregular surface and spike-like remnants of the bracts where the older flowers occurred. The blooming period is from mid-summer to early fall, and lasts about 1-2 months for a colony of plants. Each flower is replaced by a capsule containing two seeds that are hairy. The root system consists of a slender taproot that has a wintergreen fragrance. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun and moist to dry conditions. Poor soil is preferred, as this reduces competition from other plant species. This plant often grows in soil that sandy or rocky, but will thrive in loamy soil as well if it receives adequate sunlight.
Range & Distribution: The native Field Milkwort occurs occasionally in most counties of Illinois. It is the most common Polygala spp. (Milkwort species) in the state. Habitats include moist to dry prairies, sand prairies, typical savannas and sandy savannas, woodland edges, glades, and abandoned fields.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts small to medium-sized long-tongued bees, short-tongue bees, and bee flies. Among the bees, are such visitors as Dagger bees, Miner bees, and Cuckoo bees. Little information is available about the food value of the Milkworts to birds and animals.
Photographic Location: A moist sand prairie at Hooper Branch Savanna Nature Preserve in Iroquois County, Illinois. The location was flooded earlier in the year, which is why the leaves have a muddy appearance.
Comments: As a group, the Milkworts have not received as much attention as they deserve. Some species, such as this one, have fairly attractive flowers. They are usually found in locations with acid sandy soil, but some species prefer dry sites with rocky material or loess. The Polygala spp. can be distinguished from each other by taking into consideration the following: 1) whether the leaves are alternate or whorled, 2) the shape, size, and color of the wings on the flowers, 3) the density of flowers on the spike or spike-like raceme, and 4) the conspicuousness of the tubular petals. The slender leaves of Field Milkwort are usually alternate, rather than whorled. This species has fairly large wings (about 1/3" or 8 mm.) that are ovate in shape. They are often purplish pink, but may turn white near the base. The density of flowers on the spike-like raceme is high, while the tubular petals are inconspicuous. Field Milkwort has a wide distribution in the Eastern United States, and different varieties have been described.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月07日
Description: This annual plant is 4-12" tall and usually unbranched. The central stem is angular and hairless. The leaves occur in whorls of 4 and are sessile against the stem. They are up to 1½" long and 1/3" (8 mm.) across, linear or linear-oblong in shape, with smooth margins. The central stem terminates in a dense spike of flowers up to 2-3" long and 1" across. These flowers are variable in color, ranging from purplish pink or pink to greenish white. Each flower is about 1/3" (8 mm.) across, consisting of 2 large sepals (called 'wings'), 3 tiny sepals, and 3 petals that form a narrow tube with a crest at its apex. The wings are the most conspicuous part of the flower and determine its color. They are broadly triangular (or deltoid) in shape, and lie to the right and left of the tubular petals. These wings persist on the spike long after the petals have fallen off, and have the appearance of sharp-pointed bracts. The narrow tubular petals are observable near the apex of the spike. They are usually some shade of pink, but quickly fade to brownish yellow, before falling off the spike. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall, and lasts about 1-2 months. When fertilization occurs, each flower is replaced by a 2-seeded capsule. The seeds are hairy. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and moist sandy soil. The pH should be somewhat acid. This plant can withstand occasional flooding if it is temporary.
Range & Habitat: Cross-Leaved Milkwort occurs primarily in NE Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is an uncommon plant and native to Illinois. Habitats include moist sand prairies, shrub prairies, sandy Black Oak savannas, and edges of sandy marshes. It also occurs along paths in these areas, preferring the reduced competition from taller plants.
Faunal Associations: Probably small to medium-sized long-tongued and short-tongued bees visit the flowers for nectar. Little information is available about this plant's value as a food source to birds or mammals.
Photographic Location: Along a path in the Hooper Branch Savanna Nature Preserve in Iroquois County, Illinois, where Cross-Leaved Milkwort occurred in a moist sand prairie that was somewhat shrubby and sunny moist areas of Black Oak Savanna. This area was prone to occasional flooding from heavy rains.
Comments: The thick spike of flowers of this odd little plant is very conspicuous and easy to spot. Cross-Leaved Milkwort is relatively easy to identify because of the bract-like wings that spread horizontally (left and right) from the center of each flower. In other species of Milkwort, these wings are held upright and resemble petals. The whorled leaves are another distinctive feature, as many species of Milkwort have alternate leaves. Another common name for this plant is 'Drumheads,' which refers to the shape of the stout spike of flowers. Different varieties of Cross-Leaved Milkwort have been described, but only Polygala cruciata aquilonia is known to occur in Illinois.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and moist sandy soil. The pH should be somewhat acid. This plant can withstand occasional flooding if it is temporary.
Range & Habitat: Cross-Leaved Milkwort occurs primarily in NE Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is an uncommon plant and native to Illinois. Habitats include moist sand prairies, shrub prairies, sandy Black Oak savannas, and edges of sandy marshes. It also occurs along paths in these areas, preferring the reduced competition from taller plants.
Faunal Associations: Probably small to medium-sized long-tongued and short-tongued bees visit the flowers for nectar. Little information is available about this plant's value as a food source to birds or mammals.
Photographic Location: Along a path in the Hooper Branch Savanna Nature Preserve in Iroquois County, Illinois, where Cross-Leaved Milkwort occurred in a moist sand prairie that was somewhat shrubby and sunny moist areas of Black Oak Savanna. This area was prone to occasional flooding from heavy rains.
Comments: The thick spike of flowers of this odd little plant is very conspicuous and easy to spot. Cross-Leaved Milkwort is relatively easy to identify because of the bract-like wings that spread horizontally (left and right) from the center of each flower. In other species of Milkwort, these wings are held upright and resemble petals. The whorled leaves are another distinctive feature, as many species of Milkwort have alternate leaves. Another common name for this plant is 'Drumheads,' which refers to the shape of the stout spike of flowers. Different varieties of Cross-Leaved Milkwort have been described, but only Polygala cruciata aquilonia is known to occur in Illinois.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月06日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is up to 4' tall and unbranched, except near the inflorescence. The central stem is strongly four-angled and hairless. The opposite leaves are up to 5" long and 1½" across. They are sessile, hairless, lanceolate or oblanceolate, and have sharply-pointed widely-spaced teeth along the margins. The inflorescence consists of tall spikes of flowers at the ends of the upper stems. A spike is up to 10" long and consists of 4 rows of densely packed horizontal flowers or their buds. The tubular flowers are white, lavender, or purplish pink, and they often have dots, fine stripes, or swirls of a slightly darker color. Each flower is about 1" long, has 2 lips, while 4 purple anthers are visible near the upper lip. This upper lip is a broad hood, while the lower lip is divided into 3 lobes – the larger central one functioning as a landing pad for insects, which is accompanied by 2 smaller side lobes. The flowers have no scent.
The blooming period occurs during late summer to early fall, and lasts about 1½ months. Each flower produces 4 sharply angled, dull brown seeds. The root system consists of a central taproot and rhizomes. The latter promote the spread of this plant vegetatively.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and moist to average conditions. Growth is best in rich loamy soil, but it can contain some gravel or clay. During droughts, the lower leaves may turn yellow and fall off the stem. Otherwise, the foliage has fewer problems than most mints. This plant is easy to grow if the site is not too dry. At moist sites, it sometimes spreads aggressively.
Range & Habitat: The native Obedient Plant occurs occasionally in scattered counties throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is less common in the western and southern portions of the state. Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, thickets, openings in woodland areas and along woodland borders, moist meadows along rivers and borders of lakes, seeps, limestone glades, and open moist areas near railroads.
Faunal Associations: Bumblebees are the most important pollinators of the flowers. Occasionally, other long-tongued bees and the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird may visit the flowers. These visitors seek nectar from the flowers. Like other members of the Mint family, the Obedient Plant is probably not a favored source of food for mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a prairie of Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois, and at the Loda Cemetery Prairie in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: This plant is often grown in flower gardens, and some populations may represent escaped plants from cultivation. Usually, the horticultural forms are more rosy pink or purple in appearance than native wild populations, which are usually white with light pink or purple tints. Because the individual flowers stay in place when moved, one common name is 'Obedient Plant,' as used here. Another name is 'False Dragonhead' on account of the fancied resemblance to a European plant by that name. While this is a pretty plant, its ecological value to birds, mammals, and insects is fairly low.
The blooming period occurs during late summer to early fall, and lasts about 1½ months. Each flower produces 4 sharply angled, dull brown seeds. The root system consists of a central taproot and rhizomes. The latter promote the spread of this plant vegetatively.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and moist to average conditions. Growth is best in rich loamy soil, but it can contain some gravel or clay. During droughts, the lower leaves may turn yellow and fall off the stem. Otherwise, the foliage has fewer problems than most mints. This plant is easy to grow if the site is not too dry. At moist sites, it sometimes spreads aggressively.
Range & Habitat: The native Obedient Plant occurs occasionally in scattered counties throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is less common in the western and southern portions of the state. Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, thickets, openings in woodland areas and along woodland borders, moist meadows along rivers and borders of lakes, seeps, limestone glades, and open moist areas near railroads.
Faunal Associations: Bumblebees are the most important pollinators of the flowers. Occasionally, other long-tongued bees and the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird may visit the flowers. These visitors seek nectar from the flowers. Like other members of the Mint family, the Obedient Plant is probably not a favored source of food for mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a prairie of Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois, and at the Loda Cemetery Prairie in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: This plant is often grown in flower gardens, and some populations may represent escaped plants from cultivation. Usually, the horticultural forms are more rosy pink or purple in appearance than native wild populations, which are usually white with light pink or purple tints. Because the individual flowers stay in place when moved, one common name is 'Obedient Plant,' as used here. Another name is 'False Dragonhead' on account of the fancied resemblance to a European plant by that name. While this is a pretty plant, its ecological value to birds, mammals, and insects is fairly low.
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文章
权问薇
2018年02月05日
豆瓣绿的花期与花态
它的花期是2月至4月与9月至12月，两个阶段。但其花朵并不像其它植物那样明显，只是从叶子中间长出一根火柴棍粗细的、白色的小花序。花朵非常的小，若用放大镜看的话，才可以看到花序上的小花朵，非常的密集，但是花蕊、花瓣、花芯都很具有。
豆瓣绿开花后怎么处理
此植物主要是观其叶子，而且它的花并没有什么太出彩的地方，所以其花也没有观赏性，在开花时还会消耗植物过多的养分，导致其叶子因养分不足而降低观赏度，在其开花后我们就要将其花序剪除，来保证叶子的正常生长。
所以在养殖此植物时，临近花期时，就要经常观察，若有花序长出，就要及时剪除。
需要剪除花朵的其它植物
其实许多常见的植物开花后都要将其剪除，来保证植物叶子的健康与观赏度。有些观叶植物的花更是留不得，因其花谢后，植物也将死亡，例如多肉植物。许多常见的多肉植物只要一天花，植物就会随着花谢而死亡，对于爱肉的友友们来说，开花是一件非常可怕的事。好在豆瓣绿开花只会影响其叶子的生长，不会造成植物死亡。
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Miss Chen
2018年02月05日
Description: This perennial plant is 1½–2½' tall, branching frequently. The stems are usually round and covered with white hairs. The alternate leaves are whitish or yellowish green, and up to 4" long and 3" across. They are cordate or broadly lanceolate, with a well-rounded base. The leaf margins are horizontally wavy and irregular, and often undulate vertically as well. Both the leaves and their petioles are covered with fine white hairs, and have a rather soft texture. These hairs are sometimes glandular. A single drooping flower appears at the juncture of two divergent stems. It is up to ¾" across, and consists of a spreading tubular corolla that is pale yellow and divided into 5 very shallow lobes. There are 5 brownish purple splotches near the base of the corolla and 5 prominent dull yellow anthers. The pedicels of the flowers exceed 1/5" when fully developed, while the calyx has triangular teeth; they are both covered with fine white hairs. Later, the flowers are replaced by heart-shaped husks that are up to ¾" long, each containing a single fruit. The husk of the fruit is initially green, but later turns brown, and is indented at the base. The spherical fruit is about ½" across and becomes yellow when mature. It contains numerous light brown seeds that are elliptical and granular. On a typical mature plant during the summer, there are several buds, flowers, and husked fruit in all stages of development. The blooming period occurs during the summer and lasts about 2 months. The root system consists of deep fleshy rhizomes, which spread the plant vegetatively.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and slightly moist to dry conditions. The soil can contain substantial portions of loam, sand, or gravel. This plant often thrives in sterile soil, or disturbed areas with rich soil, because this reduces competition from taller, more aggressive plants. It is fairly drought tolerant.
Range & Habitat: Clammy Ground Cherry occurs throughout most of Illinois, except some of the south-central and north-central counties (see Distribution Map). This plant is native to Illinois. It can be found occasionally in mesic to dry black soil prairies, especially in disturbed areas. This plant also occurs in openings of rocky or sandy upland forests, sand prairies, abandoned fields and pastures, areas along roadsides and railroads, and various waste areas.
Faunal Associations: Short-tongued bees collect pollen or suck nectar at the flowers. This includes the Plasterer bees Colletes latitarsis and Colletes willistoni, and some Halictine and Panurgine bees. The caterpillars of the moth Heliothis subflexus (Subflexus Straw) eat the fruit of this plant, while other insects feed on or suck juices from the foliage, including Paratrioza cockerellii (Potato Psyllid), Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Potato Aphid), and Lema trilineata (Leaf Beetle sp.). Mammalian herbivores usually don't eat this plant because the poisonous leaves and unripe fruit contain significant amounts of solanum. There has been cases of cattle being poisoned by this species and other ground cherries. Various upland gamebirds and small mammals eat the mature fruit and help to distribute the seeds, including the Bobwhite Quail, Ring-Necked Pheasant, Wild Turkey, Eastern Striped Skunk, and White-Footed Mouse
Photographic Location: The above photographs were taken at the edge of a prairie remnant near a cultivated field in Champaign County, Illinois. This prairie remnant occurred along a railroad.
Comments: This plant has a very different appearance from Physalis subglabrata (Smooth Ground Cherry). The most striking features of Clammy Ground Cherry are the abundance of fine white hairs on the foliage and the irregular shape of the rather large leaves. Different varieties of this species have been described. It is probably one of the two most common ground cherries in Illinois, preferring areas that are sunny and on the dry side. The mature yellow fruit is edible to humans.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and slightly moist to dry conditions. The soil can contain substantial portions of loam, sand, or gravel. This plant often thrives in sterile soil, or disturbed areas with rich soil, because this reduces competition from taller, more aggressive plants. It is fairly drought tolerant.
Range & Habitat: Clammy Ground Cherry occurs throughout most of Illinois, except some of the south-central and north-central counties (see Distribution Map). This plant is native to Illinois. It can be found occasionally in mesic to dry black soil prairies, especially in disturbed areas. This plant also occurs in openings of rocky or sandy upland forests, sand prairies, abandoned fields and pastures, areas along roadsides and railroads, and various waste areas.
Faunal Associations: Short-tongued bees collect pollen or suck nectar at the flowers. This includes the Plasterer bees Colletes latitarsis and Colletes willistoni, and some Halictine and Panurgine bees. The caterpillars of the moth Heliothis subflexus (Subflexus Straw) eat the fruit of this plant, while other insects feed on or suck juices from the foliage, including Paratrioza cockerellii (Potato Psyllid), Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Potato Aphid), and Lema trilineata (Leaf Beetle sp.). Mammalian herbivores usually don't eat this plant because the poisonous leaves and unripe fruit contain significant amounts of solanum. There has been cases of cattle being poisoned by this species and other ground cherries. Various upland gamebirds and small mammals eat the mature fruit and help to distribute the seeds, including the Bobwhite Quail, Ring-Necked Pheasant, Wild Turkey, Eastern Striped Skunk, and White-Footed Mouse
Photographic Location: The above photographs were taken at the edge of a prairie remnant near a cultivated field in Champaign County, Illinois. This prairie remnant occurred along a railroad.
Comments: This plant has a very different appearance from Physalis subglabrata (Smooth Ground Cherry). The most striking features of Clammy Ground Cherry are the abundance of fine white hairs on the foliage and the irregular shape of the rather large leaves. Different varieties of this species have been described. It is probably one of the two most common ground cherries in Illinois, preferring areas that are sunny and on the dry side. The mature yellow fruit is edible to humans.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月04日
Description: This annual plant is 1-4' tall, branching occasionally. It is more or less erect, often bending toward the light in partially shaded locations. The stems are light green to red, terete, relatively stout, and glabrous; they have a tendency to zigzag between the alternate leaves. The leaves are up to 7" long and 2½" across; they are medium to dark green, glabrous on both the upper and lower sides (for this variety), narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate in shape, and smooth to minutely ciliate along their margins. On rare occasions, the leaves are marked with chevrons that are faintly darkened, otherwise they are unmarked. The petioles are up to 1" long, usually light green, glabrous, and plano-convex (flattened above and convex below). At the bases of petioles, there are ring-like ochrea (membranous sheaths) that surround the stems. These ochrea are ¼–¾" long, light green to light brown (depending on their age), longitudinally veined, and translucent; their upper rims are truncate to asymmetric and devoid of bristles. The upper stems terminate in 1-2 spike-like racemes of flowers that are about ¾-2½" long and cylindrical in appearance; these racemes are usually straight and they are erect to ascending.
Small flowers and flower buds are densely crowded along the entire length of each raceme, surrounding its rachis (central stalk) in all directions. Along this rachis, are ochreolae (small membranous sheaths) that are spaced at short intervals from each other; several flowers are associated with each ochreola. Each flower is 3-4.5 mm. long (1/8" or slightly longer), consisting of 5 tepals, several stamens, and a pistil. The tepals are white, light pink, or rosy pink; they are joined together along the lower one-half of their length, while their tips are ovate and erect. The anthers are white or pink. The peduncles of the racemes are ¾–3½" long, light green to reddish green, terete, glandular-pubescent, and either unbranched or dichotomously forked. Peduncles that are forked produce 2 racemes of flowers. The blooming period occurs during the summer or early autumn, lasting about 1 month for a colony of plants. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by achenes (one achene per flower). These achenes are 2-3.5 mm. long and almost as much across; they are dark brown to black, flattened-orbicular in shape, smooth, and shiny. The root system consists of a taproot with smaller and more shallow lateral roots. Colonies of plants are often formed at favorable locations.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and rich loamy soil. Standing water is tolerated if it is temporary. This robust plant is rather weedy and easy to grow – it has more tolerance to drought than many other smartweeds. The leaves are rarely blemished by disease, although they are sometimes attacked by insects.
Range & Habitat: The native Pennsylvania Smartweed occurs in every county of Illinois, where it is common (see Distribution Map). Habitats include wet prairies, prairie swales, swamps, low areas near ponds or rivers, edges of marshes, degraded seasonal wetlands, abandoned fields, low areas along railroads, roadside ditches, vacant lots, fence rows, and waste areas. This annual plant thrives on the reduced competition resulting from disturbance.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Pennsylvania Smartweed attract many kinds of insects, including honeybees, bumblebees, cuckoo bees (Epeolus spp., Triepeolus spp.), digger bees (Melissodes spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees, Andrenid bees, Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, spider wasps (Anoplius spp.), Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, flesh flies (Ravinia spp.), and miscellaneous butterflies and moths (Robertson, 1929). Most of these insects feed on the nectar and they help to cross-pollinate the flowers. Other insects feed on the leaves, roots, plant juices, and other parts of Pennsylvania Smartweed and other smartweeds (Persicaria spp.). These species include the Red-headed Flea Beetle (Systena frontalis) and other leaf beetles, larvae and adults of various weevils, the Polygonum Aphid (Capitophorus hippophaes) and other aphids, larvae of the Dock Sawfly (Ametastegia glabrata) and other sawflies (Ametastegia spp.), larvae of the Bent-line Carpet (Orthonama centrostrigaria) and other moths, and larvae of the Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus) and other butterflies. See the Insect Table for a listing of these and other species.
Among vertebrate animals, the seeds of Pennsylvania Smartweed and other smartweeds are an important source of food to many bird species, including waterfowl, upland game birds, and granivorous songbirds (see the Bird Table). The seeds are also eaten by small rodents, including the White-footed Mouse and wild House Mouse (Whitaker, 1966). According to Ernst et al. (1994), several turtles feed on smartweeds (probably the foliage to a minor extent); this includes such turtles as the Snapping Turtle (Chelydrina serpentina), Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta), Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina), and Slider (Trachemys scripta). Mammalian herbivores usually avoid the foliage of Pennsylvania Smartweed and most other smartweeds because their leaves are somewhat bitter and peppery.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a vacant lot near Urbana, Illinois, and a seasonal wetland at Judge Webber Park of the same city.
Comments: This native plant, along with other members of the genus, is often undervalued because it is considered too common, and the flowers are not thought to be sufficient large and pretty. In fact, Pennsylvania Smartweed is rather attractive when the flowers are bright pink, and its ecological value to birds, moths, butterflies, and other insects, regardless of the color of the flowers, is quite high. Different varieties of this smartweed have been described by some authors (e.g., Mohlenbrock, 2002); Persicaria pensylvanica laevigata is the most common variety in Illinois, which is distinguished from the others by the glabrous lower surface of its leaves. Distinguishing Pennsylvania Smartweed from other smartweed species (Persicaria spp.) can be difficult, in part because of its variability across different populations of plants. This variability includes such features as the color of flowers (white, light pink, rosy pink), the hairiness of the foliage, and the width of the leaves. Pennsylvania Smartweed has the following features that are sometimes helpful in making a correct identification as to species: 1) the ochrea on its stems lack bristles along their upper rims, 2) the peduncles of its inflorescences are usually glandular pubescent, 3) its spike-like racemes are usually straight and more or less erect, rather than curved and nodding, 4) it usually forms taller plants than most smartweed species and its leaves are more long and wide, and 5) its flattened seeds are usually larger in size. Other common names for this smartweed are 'Pinkweed' and 'Big-seeded Smartweed.' Another scientific name of this plant is Polygonum pensylvanicum laevigatum.
Small flowers and flower buds are densely crowded along the entire length of each raceme, surrounding its rachis (central stalk) in all directions. Along this rachis, are ochreolae (small membranous sheaths) that are spaced at short intervals from each other; several flowers are associated with each ochreola. Each flower is 3-4.5 mm. long (1/8" or slightly longer), consisting of 5 tepals, several stamens, and a pistil. The tepals are white, light pink, or rosy pink; they are joined together along the lower one-half of their length, while their tips are ovate and erect. The anthers are white or pink. The peduncles of the racemes are ¾–3½" long, light green to reddish green, terete, glandular-pubescent, and either unbranched or dichotomously forked. Peduncles that are forked produce 2 racemes of flowers. The blooming period occurs during the summer or early autumn, lasting about 1 month for a colony of plants. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by achenes (one achene per flower). These achenes are 2-3.5 mm. long and almost as much across; they are dark brown to black, flattened-orbicular in shape, smooth, and shiny. The root system consists of a taproot with smaller and more shallow lateral roots. Colonies of plants are often formed at favorable locations.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and rich loamy soil. Standing water is tolerated if it is temporary. This robust plant is rather weedy and easy to grow – it has more tolerance to drought than many other smartweeds. The leaves are rarely blemished by disease, although they are sometimes attacked by insects.
Range & Habitat: The native Pennsylvania Smartweed occurs in every county of Illinois, where it is common (see Distribution Map). Habitats include wet prairies, prairie swales, swamps, low areas near ponds or rivers, edges of marshes, degraded seasonal wetlands, abandoned fields, low areas along railroads, roadside ditches, vacant lots, fence rows, and waste areas. This annual plant thrives on the reduced competition resulting from disturbance.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Pennsylvania Smartweed attract many kinds of insects, including honeybees, bumblebees, cuckoo bees (Epeolus spp., Triepeolus spp.), digger bees (Melissodes spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees, Andrenid bees, Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, spider wasps (Anoplius spp.), Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, flesh flies (Ravinia spp.), and miscellaneous butterflies and moths (Robertson, 1929). Most of these insects feed on the nectar and they help to cross-pollinate the flowers. Other insects feed on the leaves, roots, plant juices, and other parts of Pennsylvania Smartweed and other smartweeds (Persicaria spp.). These species include the Red-headed Flea Beetle (Systena frontalis) and other leaf beetles, larvae and adults of various weevils, the Polygonum Aphid (Capitophorus hippophaes) and other aphids, larvae of the Dock Sawfly (Ametastegia glabrata) and other sawflies (Ametastegia spp.), larvae of the Bent-line Carpet (Orthonama centrostrigaria) and other moths, and larvae of the Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus) and other butterflies. See the Insect Table for a listing of these and other species.
Among vertebrate animals, the seeds of Pennsylvania Smartweed and other smartweeds are an important source of food to many bird species, including waterfowl, upland game birds, and granivorous songbirds (see the Bird Table). The seeds are also eaten by small rodents, including the White-footed Mouse and wild House Mouse (Whitaker, 1966). According to Ernst et al. (1994), several turtles feed on smartweeds (probably the foliage to a minor extent); this includes such turtles as the Snapping Turtle (Chelydrina serpentina), Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta), Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina), and Slider (Trachemys scripta). Mammalian herbivores usually avoid the foliage of Pennsylvania Smartweed and most other smartweeds because their leaves are somewhat bitter and peppery.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a vacant lot near Urbana, Illinois, and a seasonal wetland at Judge Webber Park of the same city.
Comments: This native plant, along with other members of the genus, is often undervalued because it is considered too common, and the flowers are not thought to be sufficient large and pretty. In fact, Pennsylvania Smartweed is rather attractive when the flowers are bright pink, and its ecological value to birds, moths, butterflies, and other insects, regardless of the color of the flowers, is quite high. Different varieties of this smartweed have been described by some authors (e.g., Mohlenbrock, 2002); Persicaria pensylvanica laevigata is the most common variety in Illinois, which is distinguished from the others by the glabrous lower surface of its leaves. Distinguishing Pennsylvania Smartweed from other smartweed species (Persicaria spp.) can be difficult, in part because of its variability across different populations of plants. This variability includes such features as the color of flowers (white, light pink, rosy pink), the hairiness of the foliage, and the width of the leaves. Pennsylvania Smartweed has the following features that are sometimes helpful in making a correct identification as to species: 1) the ochrea on its stems lack bristles along their upper rims, 2) the peduncles of its inflorescences are usually glandular pubescent, 3) its spike-like racemes are usually straight and more or less erect, rather than curved and nodding, 4) it usually forms taller plants than most smartweed species and its leaves are more long and wide, and 5) its flattened seeds are usually larger in size. Other common names for this smartweed are 'Pinkweed' and 'Big-seeded Smartweed.' Another scientific name of this plant is Polygonum pensylvanicum laevigatum.
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