文章
Miss Chen
2018年05月27日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is about 1½–2' tall; it consists of a central stalk with 3 spreading terminal leaves. The stalk is light green and hairless. The leaves are up to 6½" long and across; they are broadly obovate or broadly rhombic-oval, smooth along the margins, and hairless. The base of each leaf is wedge-shaped, while the terminal end tapers to a blunt tip. The major veins of each leaf are parallel; there are also branching side veins. A mature plant produces a single flower on a nodding peduncle about 1–2½" long. This flower is about 2" across, consisting of 3 white spreading petals, 3 green sepals, 6 stamens (anthers & filaments), and a creamy central ovary. The pale yellow anthers are twice as long as their filaments. At the tip of the ovary, there are 3 recurved stigmas. Only rarely are the petals of the flowers brownish purple. The flower hangs from its peduncle a little above or a little below the leaves.
The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring. The seed capsule that replaces the flower is 6-angled; it splits open at maturity to release the seeds. The foliage withers away during the summer. The vertical central root is slightly swollen near the base of the plant; it branches into secondary fibrous roots. Small vegetative colonies are occasionally produced from spreading rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight during the spring, followed by light to medium shade. The soil should be evenly moist, fertile, and loamy, with a layer of decaying leaves on its surface to protect the plant from drying out. Trilliums are slow to develop from seed and take many years to reach maturity. Most growth and development occurs during the spring before the canopy trees fully leaf out.
Range & Habitat: The native White Trillium is occasional in the northern half of Illinois, and uncommon or absent in the southern half of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include rich deciduous woodlands, wooded slopes, large shady ravines, and rocky bluffs. This species is found in high quality woodlands where the original ground flora is still intact.
Faunal Associations: Few insects visit the flowers of Trillium spp. (trilliums), even though their flowers are rather showy; records for this particular species have not been found. The caterpillars of the moths Clepsis melaleucana (Black-Patched Clepsis) and Euplexia benesimilis (American Angle Shades) occasionally feed on the foliage of Trilliums. The seeds are distributed by ants because of their food appendages. White-Tailed Deer readily graze on the foliage of trilliums; they seem to prefer it.
Photographic Location: Deciduous woodlands at Shades State Park, Pine Hills State Nature Preserve, and the Potholes in west-central Indiana.
Comments: Other common names for this species are the Declined Trillium and Drooping Trillium. This is one of the white-flowered trilliums (Trillium spp.) in Illinois. It is much larger and blooms later than Trillium nivale (Snow Trillium), and its flowers are less erect and somewhat smaller than those of Trillium grandiflorum (Large-Flowered Trillium). This latter species has straight stigmas, while the stigmas of White Trillium are recurved and spreading. It is easy to confuse this species with Trillium cernuum (Nodding Trillium), which also has white nodding flowers. This latter species has somewhat smaller leaves and flowers, and the peduncles of its flowers are usually shorter (less than 1¼" long). This latter species has anthers that are about the same length as their filaments, while White Trillium has anthers that are about twice as long as their filaments.
The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring. The seed capsule that replaces the flower is 6-angled; it splits open at maturity to release the seeds. The foliage withers away during the summer. The vertical central root is slightly swollen near the base of the plant; it branches into secondary fibrous roots. Small vegetative colonies are occasionally produced from spreading rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight during the spring, followed by light to medium shade. The soil should be evenly moist, fertile, and loamy, with a layer of decaying leaves on its surface to protect the plant from drying out. Trilliums are slow to develop from seed and take many years to reach maturity. Most growth and development occurs during the spring before the canopy trees fully leaf out.
Range & Habitat: The native White Trillium is occasional in the northern half of Illinois, and uncommon or absent in the southern half of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include rich deciduous woodlands, wooded slopes, large shady ravines, and rocky bluffs. This species is found in high quality woodlands where the original ground flora is still intact.
Faunal Associations: Few insects visit the flowers of Trillium spp. (trilliums), even though their flowers are rather showy; records for this particular species have not been found. The caterpillars of the moths Clepsis melaleucana (Black-Patched Clepsis) and Euplexia benesimilis (American Angle Shades) occasionally feed on the foliage of Trilliums. The seeds are distributed by ants because of their food appendages. White-Tailed Deer readily graze on the foliage of trilliums; they seem to prefer it.
Photographic Location: Deciduous woodlands at Shades State Park, Pine Hills State Nature Preserve, and the Potholes in west-central Indiana.
Comments: Other common names for this species are the Declined Trillium and Drooping Trillium. This is one of the white-flowered trilliums (Trillium spp.) in Illinois. It is much larger and blooms later than Trillium nivale (Snow Trillium), and its flowers are less erect and somewhat smaller than those of Trillium grandiflorum (Large-Flowered Trillium). This latter species has straight stigmas, while the stigmas of White Trillium are recurved and spreading. It is easy to confuse this species with Trillium cernuum (Nodding Trillium), which also has white nodding flowers. This latter species has somewhat smaller leaves and flowers, and the peduncles of its flowers are usually shorter (less than 1¼" long). This latter species has anthers that are about the same length as their filaments, while White Trillium has anthers that are about twice as long as their filaments.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月27日
Description: This perennial wildflower is ¾-2' tall, consisting of a single central stem and 3 widely spreading leaves at its apex. This stem is light green to purplish green, terete, and glabrous. Individual leaves are 3-8" long and similarly across; they are oval-rhombic in shape, smooth along their margins, and sessile (or nearly so). The upper leaf surface is medium green and glabrous, while the lower surface is more pale; both surfaces are glabrous. Primary veins of the leaves are parallel, while secondary veins form an interlacing network. A flowering plant produces an erect to ascending peduncle about 1½-3" long, terminating in a single nodding flower that is held above the leaves. The peduncle is light green and glabrous. The flower is about 2" across, consisting of 3 maroon petals (reddish purple), 3 light green to greenish maroon sepals, 6 stamens, and a dark maroon ovary with 3 small recurved stigmata.
When the flower is open, both petals and sepals are widely spreading; they are about the same length and similar shape, although the sepals are more narrow. The petals and sepals are lanceolate to ovate in shape and glabrous. The relatively small stamens have anthers and filaments that are about the same length; the anthers have light gray to yellowish pollen. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring for about 2-3 weeks. The flowers often have an unpleasant scent. Afterwards, the ovary matures into a dark maroon fruit that is broadly ovoid, 6-angled, and about ½" long. This fruit contains several seeds. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Clonal colonies of plants are often produced from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight or light shade during the spring, followed by shade during the summer. The soil should be more or less moist and contain loam with decaying organic matter. Some protection from prevailing winds is also desirable. It takes a long time for this trillium to mature from seed (typically 5-10 years). The foliage dies down later in the summer.
Range & Habitat: The native Red Trillium is a rare wildflower in Illinois, where it is state-listed as 'endangered.' It is restricted to a few counties in the northern section of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats consist of rich deciduous woodlands that are more or less mesic and wooded slopes. In such woodlands, Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), American Basswood (Tilia americana), or oaks (Quercus spp.) are often dominant canopy trees. Further to the east, where it is more common, Red Trillium is associated with woodlands that are dominated by Sugar Maple and American Beech (Fagus grandifolia). This wildflower is sometimes cultivated in shaded gardens.
Faunal Associations: Because the petals of the flowers have the color of rotting flesh and often exude a similar odor, they probably attract flesh flies, carrion beetles, and similar insects. The polyphagous larvae of two moth species, Clepsis melaleucana (Black-Patched Clepsis) and Euplexia benesimilis (American Angle Shades), have been observed to feed on the leaves of Trillium spp. The foliage is also vulnerable to browsing by White-tailed Deer: This has caused the decline of trillium populations in some parts of Illinois. Food-appendages of the seeds are designed to attract ants and possibly other insects. As a result, the seeds of Trillium spp. can be carried several feet from the mother plant by these insects, thereby helping to spread these flowering plants into neighboring areas.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This wildflower lacks a dominant common name: It has been referred to as Red Trillium, Purple Trillium, Ill-Scented Trillium, Stinking Benjamin, Stinking Willie, and Birthwort. In addition to maroon (reddish purple), the flowers of this species can be white, pink, yellow, or green. Some of these variations may be the result of hybridization with other Trillium spp. In Illinois, only plants with maroon-colored flowers have been encountered in the wild. Red Trillium is fairly easy to identify because it is the only maroon-flowered trillium within the state that holds its flower above the leaves on a more or less erect peduncle (flowering stalk). Two other species in Illinois, Trillium recurvatum (Prairie Trillium) and Trillium sessile (Sessile Trillium), also have maroon-colored flowers, but they are sessile. The white-flowered form of Red Trillium can be distinguished from other white-flowered Trillium spp. by its dark maroon ovary.
When the flower is open, both petals and sepals are widely spreading; they are about the same length and similar shape, although the sepals are more narrow. The petals and sepals are lanceolate to ovate in shape and glabrous. The relatively small stamens have anthers and filaments that are about the same length; the anthers have light gray to yellowish pollen. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring for about 2-3 weeks. The flowers often have an unpleasant scent. Afterwards, the ovary matures into a dark maroon fruit that is broadly ovoid, 6-angled, and about ½" long. This fruit contains several seeds. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Clonal colonies of plants are often produced from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight or light shade during the spring, followed by shade during the summer. The soil should be more or less moist and contain loam with decaying organic matter. Some protection from prevailing winds is also desirable. It takes a long time for this trillium to mature from seed (typically 5-10 years). The foliage dies down later in the summer.
Range & Habitat: The native Red Trillium is a rare wildflower in Illinois, where it is state-listed as 'endangered.' It is restricted to a few counties in the northern section of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats consist of rich deciduous woodlands that are more or less mesic and wooded slopes. In such woodlands, Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), American Basswood (Tilia americana), or oaks (Quercus spp.) are often dominant canopy trees. Further to the east, where it is more common, Red Trillium is associated with woodlands that are dominated by Sugar Maple and American Beech (Fagus grandifolia). This wildflower is sometimes cultivated in shaded gardens.
Faunal Associations: Because the petals of the flowers have the color of rotting flesh and often exude a similar odor, they probably attract flesh flies, carrion beetles, and similar insects. The polyphagous larvae of two moth species, Clepsis melaleucana (Black-Patched Clepsis) and Euplexia benesimilis (American Angle Shades), have been observed to feed on the leaves of Trillium spp. The foliage is also vulnerable to browsing by White-tailed Deer: This has caused the decline of trillium populations in some parts of Illinois. Food-appendages of the seeds are designed to attract ants and possibly other insects. As a result, the seeds of Trillium spp. can be carried several feet from the mother plant by these insects, thereby helping to spread these flowering plants into neighboring areas.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This wildflower lacks a dominant common name: It has been referred to as Red Trillium, Purple Trillium, Ill-Scented Trillium, Stinking Benjamin, Stinking Willie, and Birthwort. In addition to maroon (reddish purple), the flowers of this species can be white, pink, yellow, or green. Some of these variations may be the result of hybridization with other Trillium spp. In Illinois, only plants with maroon-colored flowers have been encountered in the wild. Red Trillium is fairly easy to identify because it is the only maroon-flowered trillium within the state that holds its flower above the leaves on a more or less erect peduncle (flowering stalk). Two other species in Illinois, Trillium recurvatum (Prairie Trillium) and Trillium sessile (Sessile Trillium), also have maroon-colored flowers, but they are sessile. The white-flowered form of Red Trillium can be distinguished from other white-flowered Trillium spp. by its dark maroon ovary.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月27日
Description: This perennial wildflower develops an erect stem about 2-8" tall that has a whorl of 5-9 leaves at its apex. The stem is light green (sometimes tinted yellow or red), terete, glabrous, and relatively slender. The stems are either naked, or they have a few scale-like leaves that are inconspicuous. The larger whorled leaves at the apex are 1-4" long and ¼-1½" across; they are more or less medium green, lanceolate-elliptic to oblong-elliptic in shape, relatively smooth along their margins, and glabrous. These latter leaves taper gradually to acute tips, while their bases are narrowly wedge-shaped; they are either short-petioled or sessile. In each whorl, these leaves can vary significantly in size. Leaf venation is pinnate.
From the center of the whorled leaves, there develops 1-3 flowers on erect or ascending pedicels. The pedicels are ¾-2½" long, terete, light green (sometimes tinted yellow or red), glabrous, and slender. Each flower is about ½-¾" across, typically consisting of 7 white spreading petals, 7 light green sepals, 7 stamens with pale yellow anthers, and a light green ovary with a single white style. However, a flower can have as few as 5 petals, sepals, and stamens, or as many as 9. The petals are lanceolate-elliptic in shape, while the sepals are linear-lanceolate and glabrous. The petals are longer than the sepals. The blooming period is mid-spring to early summer (in Illinois & neighboring areas), lasting about 2-4 weeks. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules that are 5-celled; they are shorter than the sepals. These capsules eventually split open to release their seeds. The root system is rhizomatous and fibrous; the rhizomes are slender and long.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade or dappled sunlight, moist conditions, an acidic soil containing peat and/or sand, and cool summer temperatures.
Range & Habitat: The native Starflower is rare in Illinois and state-listed as 'threatened.' It is restricted to the northern section of the state (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the southern range-limit of this species. Habitats include tamarack bogs, birch bogs, hummocks in sandy swamps, edges of sandy woodlands along swamps, and ravines leading out of bluffs. This wildflower is found in high-quality natural areas where either coniferous or deciduous trees are present.
Faunal Associations: Records of floral-faunal relationships for Starflower (Trientalis borealis) are sparse. The flowers attract Halictid bees, Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), and Syrphid flies. All of these insects either collect or feed on pollen, as the flowers do not produce nectar. The Eastern Chipmunk sometimes eats the seeds/capsules of this wildflower. It is possible that other small rodents do this as well.
Photographic Location: A moist woodland along the edge of a sandy swamp in NW Indiana.
Comments: This delicate wildflower is unusual because it typically has 7-petaled flowers. The flowers of Starflower superficially resemble those of one of the showier chickweeds (e.g., Stellaria pubera), except their petals are usually more numerous and they are located above a conspicuous whorl of leaves. Two other species in the Trientalis genus have been described, but they don't occur in Illinois. One species from the Pacific northwest of North America, Trientalis latifolia, has pinkish flowers rather than white, while a European species, Trientalis europaea, has pedicels that are usually longer than the leaves. A more specific common name of Trientalis borealis is Northern Starflower.
From the center of the whorled leaves, there develops 1-3 flowers on erect or ascending pedicels. The pedicels are ¾-2½" long, terete, light green (sometimes tinted yellow or red), glabrous, and slender. Each flower is about ½-¾" across, typically consisting of 7 white spreading petals, 7 light green sepals, 7 stamens with pale yellow anthers, and a light green ovary with a single white style. However, a flower can have as few as 5 petals, sepals, and stamens, or as many as 9. The petals are lanceolate-elliptic in shape, while the sepals are linear-lanceolate and glabrous. The petals are longer than the sepals. The blooming period is mid-spring to early summer (in Illinois & neighboring areas), lasting about 2-4 weeks. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules that are 5-celled; they are shorter than the sepals. These capsules eventually split open to release their seeds. The root system is rhizomatous and fibrous; the rhizomes are slender and long.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade or dappled sunlight, moist conditions, an acidic soil containing peat and/or sand, and cool summer temperatures.
Range & Habitat: The native Starflower is rare in Illinois and state-listed as 'threatened.' It is restricted to the northern section of the state (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the southern range-limit of this species. Habitats include tamarack bogs, birch bogs, hummocks in sandy swamps, edges of sandy woodlands along swamps, and ravines leading out of bluffs. This wildflower is found in high-quality natural areas where either coniferous or deciduous trees are present.
Faunal Associations: Records of floral-faunal relationships for Starflower (Trientalis borealis) are sparse. The flowers attract Halictid bees, Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), and Syrphid flies. All of these insects either collect or feed on pollen, as the flowers do not produce nectar. The Eastern Chipmunk sometimes eats the seeds/capsules of this wildflower. It is possible that other small rodents do this as well.
Photographic Location: A moist woodland along the edge of a sandy swamp in NW Indiana.
Comments: This delicate wildflower is unusual because it typically has 7-petaled flowers. The flowers of Starflower superficially resemble those of one of the showier chickweeds (e.g., Stellaria pubera), except their petals are usually more numerous and they are located above a conspicuous whorl of leaves. Two other species in the Trientalis genus have been described, but they don't occur in Illinois. One species from the Pacific northwest of North America, Trientalis latifolia, has pinkish flowers rather than white, while a European species, Trientalis europaea, has pedicels that are usually longer than the leaves. A more specific common name of Trientalis borealis is Northern Starflower.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月26日
Description: This perennial wildflower is up to 2½' tall and across. Its central stem (and any side stems) is pale green to pale purplish green, terete, glabrous, and glaucous. The alternate compound leaves are double or triple odd-pinnate, spanning up to 1' long and across. Each branch of a compound leaf has 3 or 5 leaflets; like the central stem, the branches of the compound leaves are pale green to pale purplish green, glabrous, and glaucous. Individual leaflets are up to 1¾" long and across; they are reniform-orbicular to oval-orbicular in shape with 3-9 terminal lobes (usually 5 or more). These short lobes are well-rounded or bluntly pointed. The upper surface of each leaf is medium green and smooth, while the lower surface is pale green with a conspicuous network of raised veins; both sides are hairless. All of the leaflets have slender petioles.
The central stem terminates in a large floral panicle up to 1' tall and across; each branch of the panicle terminates in a corymb of about 5 flowers. Because Early Meadow Rue is dioecious, some plants produce all male (staminate) flowers, while other plants produce all female (pistillate) flowers. The male flowers droop downward from their branches to a greater extent than the female flowers. Each male flower is about ¼" across and ½" long; it consists of 4-5 sepals and 10 or more stamens. The sepals are broadly oblong, pale green, light-veined, and white-margined; the stamens have long yellow anthers and slender filaments. Each female flower is about the same size as the male flower; it consists of 4-5 sepals and up to 15 pistils. The sepals are similar to those of the male flowers, while the pistils are grey with flat-sided styles. Neither male nor female flowers have petals. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring. Cross-pollination is by wind and there is no floral fragrance. The male flowers soon wither away, while the fertile female flowers are replaced by ellipsoid achenes that are pointed at both ends and strongly ribbed. After flowering plants die down during the summer, low basal leaves develop during the fall. Their appearance is similar to the alternate compound leaves, as described above. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. This wildflower can reproduce by its rhizomes or achenes.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade, mesic conditions, and a loam or clay-loam soil. Most vegetative growth occurs during the spring and early summer.
Range & Habitat: The native Early Meadow Rue is occasional in eastern central and northern Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent elsewhere in the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include rich mesic woodlands, wooded clay slopes, shaded areas near cliffs, and rocky ravines. In Illinois, this species is typically found in Maple-Basswood woodlands. It blooms before the canopy trees have fully developed their leaves.
Faunal Associations: The caterpillars of the following Noctuid moths feed on Thalictrum spp. (Meadow Rue species) – Calyptra canadensis (Canadian Owlet), Papaipema unimoda (Borer Moth sp.), and Pseudeva purpurigera (Straight-Lined Looper Moth). White-Tailed Deer browse on the foliage of Early Meadow Rue sparingly.
Photographic Location: A mesic woodland in east-central Illinois. The photographed plant is staminate (male).
Comments: Early Meadow Rue is shorter in stature and blooms earlier than other Thalictrum spp. in Illinois. It also has greater fidelity to shady woodlands as a habitat. All of these species have elegant foliage and unusual wind-pollinated flowers. The male flowers of Early Meadow Rue are more showy than the female flowers; this is primarily because the anthers of the male flowers are yellow, while the styles of the female flowers are dull-colored. The leaflets of Early Meadow Rue have more terminal lobes (usually 5-9) than the leaflets of other Thalictrum spp. in the state (usually 3-5). Because of this distinctive characteristic, it is easy to identify.
The central stem terminates in a large floral panicle up to 1' tall and across; each branch of the panicle terminates in a corymb of about 5 flowers. Because Early Meadow Rue is dioecious, some plants produce all male (staminate) flowers, while other plants produce all female (pistillate) flowers. The male flowers droop downward from their branches to a greater extent than the female flowers. Each male flower is about ¼" across and ½" long; it consists of 4-5 sepals and 10 or more stamens. The sepals are broadly oblong, pale green, light-veined, and white-margined; the stamens have long yellow anthers and slender filaments. Each female flower is about the same size as the male flower; it consists of 4-5 sepals and up to 15 pistils. The sepals are similar to those of the male flowers, while the pistils are grey with flat-sided styles. Neither male nor female flowers have petals. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring. Cross-pollination is by wind and there is no floral fragrance. The male flowers soon wither away, while the fertile female flowers are replaced by ellipsoid achenes that are pointed at both ends and strongly ribbed. After flowering plants die down during the summer, low basal leaves develop during the fall. Their appearance is similar to the alternate compound leaves, as described above. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. This wildflower can reproduce by its rhizomes or achenes.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade, mesic conditions, and a loam or clay-loam soil. Most vegetative growth occurs during the spring and early summer.
Range & Habitat: The native Early Meadow Rue is occasional in eastern central and northern Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent elsewhere in the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include rich mesic woodlands, wooded clay slopes, shaded areas near cliffs, and rocky ravines. In Illinois, this species is typically found in Maple-Basswood woodlands. It blooms before the canopy trees have fully developed their leaves.
Faunal Associations: The caterpillars of the following Noctuid moths feed on Thalictrum spp. (Meadow Rue species) – Calyptra canadensis (Canadian Owlet), Papaipema unimoda (Borer Moth sp.), and Pseudeva purpurigera (Straight-Lined Looper Moth). White-Tailed Deer browse on the foliage of Early Meadow Rue sparingly.
Photographic Location: A mesic woodland in east-central Illinois. The photographed plant is staminate (male).
Comments: Early Meadow Rue is shorter in stature and blooms earlier than other Thalictrum spp. in Illinois. It also has greater fidelity to shady woodlands as a habitat. All of these species have elegant foliage and unusual wind-pollinated flowers. The male flowers of Early Meadow Rue are more showy than the female flowers; this is primarily because the anthers of the male flowers are yellow, while the styles of the female flowers are dull-colored. The leaflets of Early Meadow Rue have more terminal lobes (usually 5-9) than the leaflets of other Thalictrum spp. in the state (usually 3-5). Because of this distinctive characteristic, it is easy to identify.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月26日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 2–3½' tall, branching occasionally in the upper half. It is more or less erect, although the weight of the inflorescence often causes the entire plant to lean sideways. The slender stems are light green, terete, and either glabrous, sparsely pubescent, or hairy in lines. The alternate leaves are up to 6" long and 2" across, becoming gradually smaller as they ascend the stems. The petioles are very slender and about 1" long on the lower leaves, while the upper leaves are nearly sessile. The petioles are light green and often hairy. The lower to middle leaves are lanceolate-ovate with indented bases, while the upper leaves are lanceolate with rounded bases. All leaves taper gradually into slender acute tips, while their margins are smooth and often slightly ciliate. The upper leaf surface is medium green and glabrous (or nearly so), while the lower leaf surface is light green and either sparsely pubescent, hairy along the central vein, or glabrous. The lower leaf surface also has a reticulated network of fine secondary veins. The central stem (and any upper lateral stems) terminates in a panicle of flowerheads up to 1½' long and ¾' across.
Each flowerhead is about ¾–1" across, consisting of 10-20 ray florets that surround a similar number of disk florets. The petaloid rays of these flowerheads are lavender or pale blue-violet (rarely white), and they are individually linear-oblong in shape. The corollas of the disk florets are short-tubular with 5 minute lobes at their apices. Initially, these corollas are yellow, but they become reddish purple with age. On unusual specimens, these corollas are light pink to nearly white. At the base of each flowerhead, the overlapping phyllaries (scaly floral bracts) are linear-lanceolate and glabrous to finely pubescent. Depending on the stage of their maturity, the phyllaries have patches of dark green that are diamond-shaped near their tips, or they have central veins that are dark green. Otherwise, the phyllaries are light green. The blooming period occurs from late summer through the fall, lasting about 1–1½ months. Both the ray and disk florets can produce fertile achenes. These achenes are 2-3 mm. long and oblongoid in shape; they have small tufts of light brown hair at their apices. As a result, the achenes are distributed primarily by the wind. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous; older plants sometimes develop a small caudex. Clonal colonies of plants can develop from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and soil that contains loam or some rocky material with decaying organic matter. Calcareous ground with a higher than normal pH is tolerated. Like many other asters (Symphyotrichum spp.), the foliage can be attacked by many kinds of insects and disease organisms. The plants have a tendency to flop over while in bloom.
Range & Habitat: The native Short's Aster is a fairly common species that occurs in the majority of counties in Illinois. However, it is less common in some southern areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic to upland woodlands, rocky open woodlands and slopes, limestone bluffs, woodland borders, and areas along woodland paths. Short's Aster occurs in both oak-hickory woodlands and maple-basswood woodlands. This aster often occurs in areas where limestone is close to the surface of the ground; it is usually found in higher quality natural areas. Wildfires and other kinds of disturbance can be beneficial if they reduce excessive shade from overhead canopy trees, or they reduce competition from invasive shrubs.
Faunal Associations: The flowerheads of asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) attract many kinds of insects, especially long-tongued bees, small-tongued bees, butterflies, skippers, and flies. These insects obtain nectar or pollen from the flowerheads. Some bees are specialist pollinators of asters and sometimes goldenrods (Solidago spp.); these species include the plasterer bee Colletes simulans armata, and such Andrenid bees as Andrena asteris, Andrena asteroides, Andrena hirticincta, Andrena nubecula, Andrena simplex, and Andrena solidaginis. The caterpillars of two butterflies, Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) and Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescent), feed on the foliage of asters. In addition, the caterpillars of such moths as Cucullia asteroides (The Asteroid), Carmenta corni (Aster Borer Moth), and many others feed on various parts of asters (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include Exema canadensis and other leaf beetles, larvae of Calycomyza humeralis (Aster Leafminer Fly), larvae of several fruit flies, many aphids (especially Uroleucon spp.), Macrosteles fascifrons (Aster Leafhopper), the plant bug Plagiognathus cuneatus, and Corythucha marmorata (Goldenrod Lace Bug). Among birds, the Wild Turkey and Ruffed Grouse occasionally eat the seeds and foliage of these plants in woodland areas. Among mammals, both the White-tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbit undoubtedly feed on the rather smooth foliage of Short's Aster and similar asters.
Photographic Location: A woodland edge near Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is one of the more attractive woodland asters with flowers that are larger than average in size. Short's Aster (Symphyotrichum shortii) can be distinguished from other asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) by carefully considering the appearance of the foliage and flowerheads. The lower to middle leaves of Short's Aster are indented at the base with narrow petioles. Some asters, such as Symphyotrichum sagittifolium (Arrow-Leaved Aster), have winged petioles on their lower to middle leaves, while other asters have rounded or wedge-shaped bases on their lower to middle leaves. The margins of leaves in Short's Aster are devoid of teeth (or nearly so), while other woodland asters, such as Symphyotrichum cordifolium (Blue Wood Aster), have leaf margins with conspicuous teeth. Similarly, the upper leaf surface in Short's Aster is hairless (or nearly so), while the upper leaf surface of Symphyotrichum drummondii (Drummond's Aster) is pubescent. Finally, the flowerheads of Short's Aster are usually ¾" across or more, while the flowerheads of other woodland asters are usually less than ¾" across. A scientific synonym of this species is Aster shortii.
Each flowerhead is about ¾–1" across, consisting of 10-20 ray florets that surround a similar number of disk florets. The petaloid rays of these flowerheads are lavender or pale blue-violet (rarely white), and they are individually linear-oblong in shape. The corollas of the disk florets are short-tubular with 5 minute lobes at their apices. Initially, these corollas are yellow, but they become reddish purple with age. On unusual specimens, these corollas are light pink to nearly white. At the base of each flowerhead, the overlapping phyllaries (scaly floral bracts) are linear-lanceolate and glabrous to finely pubescent. Depending on the stage of their maturity, the phyllaries have patches of dark green that are diamond-shaped near their tips, or they have central veins that are dark green. Otherwise, the phyllaries are light green. The blooming period occurs from late summer through the fall, lasting about 1–1½ months. Both the ray and disk florets can produce fertile achenes. These achenes are 2-3 mm. long and oblongoid in shape; they have small tufts of light brown hair at their apices. As a result, the achenes are distributed primarily by the wind. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous; older plants sometimes develop a small caudex. Clonal colonies of plants can develop from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and soil that contains loam or some rocky material with decaying organic matter. Calcareous ground with a higher than normal pH is tolerated. Like many other asters (Symphyotrichum spp.), the foliage can be attacked by many kinds of insects and disease organisms. The plants have a tendency to flop over while in bloom.
Range & Habitat: The native Short's Aster is a fairly common species that occurs in the majority of counties in Illinois. However, it is less common in some southern areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic to upland woodlands, rocky open woodlands and slopes, limestone bluffs, woodland borders, and areas along woodland paths. Short's Aster occurs in both oak-hickory woodlands and maple-basswood woodlands. This aster often occurs in areas where limestone is close to the surface of the ground; it is usually found in higher quality natural areas. Wildfires and other kinds of disturbance can be beneficial if they reduce excessive shade from overhead canopy trees, or they reduce competition from invasive shrubs.
Faunal Associations: The flowerheads of asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) attract many kinds of insects, especially long-tongued bees, small-tongued bees, butterflies, skippers, and flies. These insects obtain nectar or pollen from the flowerheads. Some bees are specialist pollinators of asters and sometimes goldenrods (Solidago spp.); these species include the plasterer bee Colletes simulans armata, and such Andrenid bees as Andrena asteris, Andrena asteroides, Andrena hirticincta, Andrena nubecula, Andrena simplex, and Andrena solidaginis. The caterpillars of two butterflies, Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) and Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescent), feed on the foliage of asters. In addition, the caterpillars of such moths as Cucullia asteroides (The Asteroid), Carmenta corni (Aster Borer Moth), and many others feed on various parts of asters (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include Exema canadensis and other leaf beetles, larvae of Calycomyza humeralis (Aster Leafminer Fly), larvae of several fruit flies, many aphids (especially Uroleucon spp.), Macrosteles fascifrons (Aster Leafhopper), the plant bug Plagiognathus cuneatus, and Corythucha marmorata (Goldenrod Lace Bug). Among birds, the Wild Turkey and Ruffed Grouse occasionally eat the seeds and foliage of these plants in woodland areas. Among mammals, both the White-tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbit undoubtedly feed on the rather smooth foliage of Short's Aster and similar asters.
Photographic Location: A woodland edge near Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is one of the more attractive woodland asters with flowers that are larger than average in size. Short's Aster (Symphyotrichum shortii) can be distinguished from other asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) by carefully considering the appearance of the foliage and flowerheads. The lower to middle leaves of Short's Aster are indented at the base with narrow petioles. Some asters, such as Symphyotrichum sagittifolium (Arrow-Leaved Aster), have winged petioles on their lower to middle leaves, while other asters have rounded or wedge-shaped bases on their lower to middle leaves. The margins of leaves in Short's Aster are devoid of teeth (or nearly so), while other woodland asters, such as Symphyotrichum cordifolium (Blue Wood Aster), have leaf margins with conspicuous teeth. Similarly, the upper leaf surface in Short's Aster is hairless (or nearly so), while the upper leaf surface of Symphyotrichum drummondii (Drummond's Aster) is pubescent. Finally, the flowerheads of Short's Aster are usually ¾" across or more, while the flowerheads of other woodland asters are usually less than ¾" across. A scientific synonym of this species is Aster shortii.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月26日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 2-3½' tall, sending up one or more leafy stems during the late spring. Initially, these stems are erect to ascending, but later in the year they sometimes sprawl across the ground. These stems are unbranched below and occasionally branched above; they are light green to reddish brown, terete, glabrous below, and lined with short hairs above. The alternate leaves are up to 4" long and 2½" across, becoming smaller as they ascend the stems. The lower leaves are cordate to cordate-ovate in shape and coarsely serrated to crenate-serrate along their margins. The upper leaves are cordate-ovate to ovate in shape and crenate-serrate to slightly crenate-serrate along their margins. The petioles are up to one-half the length of the blades, becoming relatively shorter as they ascend the stems; these petioles are conspicuously winged along their margins and they are often ciliate or slightly pubescent. The upper surfaces of the leaves are glabrous to sparsely covered with short hairs, while their lower surfaces are usually glabrous, except for some fine hairs along the major veins. However, some young leaves may have sparse short-pubescence on their lower surfaces. The central stem and upper lateral stems (if any) terminate in panicles of flowerheads that are ¾-1¾' long and about one-half as much across. The lateral branches of these panicles are ascending; the peduncles of the flowerheads are short (up to ½" in length). The central stalk, lateral branches, and peduncles are light green to reddish brown, terete, and either glabrous, short-pubescent, or lined with short hairs.
Each flowerhead is about ½" across, consisting of about 8-15 ray florets that surround 8-12 disk florets. The petaloid rays of the flowerheads are lavender, light blue-violet, or white. The corollas of the disk florets are initially cream-colored or yellow, but they later become reddish purple. Around the base of each flowerhead, there are phyllaries (scale-like floral bracts) in several overlapping series; individual phyllaries are 2-5 mm. in length. Individual phyllaries are linear-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, appressed together or slightly spreading, and they have dark green patches near their tips that are diamond-shaped. Leafy bracts up to 1" long occur along the central stalks and lateral branches of panicles; they are linear-oblong or elliptic in shape and entire (smooth) along their margins. The blooming period occurs from late summer into the autumn and lasts about 1-3 months. Afterwards, the florets are replaced by achenes with small tufts of hair; they are distributed by the wind. The achenes are 2.0-2.5 mm. long, oblongoid-oblanceoloid in shape, and brown to purplish brown. The root system is fibrous and short-rhizomatous; an older plant may develop a small woody caudex. This wildflower spreads by reseeding itself and by forming clonal offsets from the rhizomes. A rosette of semi-evergreen basal leaves is created during the autumn that can persist until the spring. These basal leaves are ¾-3" long, cordate-ovate in shape, and crenate-serrated along their margins. Their upper surfaces are medium green and glabrous, while their lower surfaces are pale green and glabrous to finely hairy along the major veins. The petioles are about the same length as the corresponding basal leaves; they are narrow or slightly winged.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil that contains loam, clay-loam, or rocky-loam. The leaves may become yellowish green when they are exposed to bright sunlight; the lower leaves may become wilted and fall off their stems during hot dry weather. Sometimes powdery mildew attacks the leaves during the late summer or fall when moisture is abundant.
Range & Habitat: The native Arrow-Leaved Aster is common in most areas of Illinois, except some counties in the south-central area of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland woodlands, rocky woodlands, wooded slopes, thinly wooded bluffs, woodland edges, savannas, rocky glades, grassy thickets, small meadows in wooded areas, and edges of yards. This aster tolerates disturbance to some extent.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract many kinds of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, Syrphid flies, bee flies, wasps, and occasional butterflies or skippers. Caterpillars of the butterflies Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) and Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescent) feed on the foliage of asters (Symphyotrichum spp.), while the caterpillars of many moths feed on the foliage, flowerheads, developing seeds, stems, or roots (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include leaf beetles, lace bugs, plant bugs, stink bugs, aphids, leafhoppers, and the larvae of leaf-mining flies and fruit flies (see Insect Table for a list of these species). Among vertebrate animals, the Wild Turkey and Ruffed Grouse occasionally eat the seeds and young foliage of asters, while such mammalian herbivores as deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and livestock browse on the foliage.
Photographic Location: Border of a wooded area at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Arrow-Leaved Aster (Symphyotrichum sagittifolium) is one of several woodland asters with relatively small flowerheads that have cordate or cordate-ovate lower leaves. While the leaves can become rather coarse, the panicles of abundant flowerheads are often showy. This species has an appearance that is similar to Drummond's Aster (Symphyotrichum drummondii), Heart-Leaved Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium), and White Arrowleaf Aster (Symphyotrichum urophyllum), which occur in similar habitats. Drummond's Aster has stems and leaf undersides that are evenly pubescent, while the stems of Arrow-Leaved Aster are either glabrous or they are lined with hairs, and the undersides of its leaves are either glabrous or they have fine hairs along the major veins. Heart-Leaved Aster can be distinguished by the narrow petioles of its alternate leaves, while those of Arrow-Leaved Aster are conspicuously winged. Sometimes the latter is considered a variety of Heart-Leaved Aster, or Symphyotrichum cordifolium sagittifolium (Jones, 1989). Finally, Arrow-Leaved Aster and White Arrowleaf Aster are regarded as the same species by some authorities (e.g., efloras, USDA, and ITIS), while Mohlenbrock (2014) considers them to be distinct. An argument for the latter point-of-view can be made as, compared to Arrow-Leaved Aster, White Arrowleaf Aster has more narrow upper leaves (typically ovate to lanceolate), the margins of its leaves are less strongly toothed or they lack teeth, and its phyllaries have green central stripes, rather than diamond-shaped patches of dark green toward their tips. In addition, the petaloid rays of this latter aster are almost always white. All species in this complex of asters were assigned orginally to the Aster genus.
Each flowerhead is about ½" across, consisting of about 8-15 ray florets that surround 8-12 disk florets. The petaloid rays of the flowerheads are lavender, light blue-violet, or white. The corollas of the disk florets are initially cream-colored or yellow, but they later become reddish purple. Around the base of each flowerhead, there are phyllaries (scale-like floral bracts) in several overlapping series; individual phyllaries are 2-5 mm. in length. Individual phyllaries are linear-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, appressed together or slightly spreading, and they have dark green patches near their tips that are diamond-shaped. Leafy bracts up to 1" long occur along the central stalks and lateral branches of panicles; they are linear-oblong or elliptic in shape and entire (smooth) along their margins. The blooming period occurs from late summer into the autumn and lasts about 1-3 months. Afterwards, the florets are replaced by achenes with small tufts of hair; they are distributed by the wind. The achenes are 2.0-2.5 mm. long, oblongoid-oblanceoloid in shape, and brown to purplish brown. The root system is fibrous and short-rhizomatous; an older plant may develop a small woody caudex. This wildflower spreads by reseeding itself and by forming clonal offsets from the rhizomes. A rosette of semi-evergreen basal leaves is created during the autumn that can persist until the spring. These basal leaves are ¾-3" long, cordate-ovate in shape, and crenate-serrated along their margins. Their upper surfaces are medium green and glabrous, while their lower surfaces are pale green and glabrous to finely hairy along the major veins. The petioles are about the same length as the corresponding basal leaves; they are narrow or slightly winged.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil that contains loam, clay-loam, or rocky-loam. The leaves may become yellowish green when they are exposed to bright sunlight; the lower leaves may become wilted and fall off their stems during hot dry weather. Sometimes powdery mildew attacks the leaves during the late summer or fall when moisture is abundant.
Range & Habitat: The native Arrow-Leaved Aster is common in most areas of Illinois, except some counties in the south-central area of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland woodlands, rocky woodlands, wooded slopes, thinly wooded bluffs, woodland edges, savannas, rocky glades, grassy thickets, small meadows in wooded areas, and edges of yards. This aster tolerates disturbance to some extent.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract many kinds of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, Syrphid flies, bee flies, wasps, and occasional butterflies or skippers. Caterpillars of the butterflies Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) and Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescent) feed on the foliage of asters (Symphyotrichum spp.), while the caterpillars of many moths feed on the foliage, flowerheads, developing seeds, stems, or roots (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include leaf beetles, lace bugs, plant bugs, stink bugs, aphids, leafhoppers, and the larvae of leaf-mining flies and fruit flies (see Insect Table for a list of these species). Among vertebrate animals, the Wild Turkey and Ruffed Grouse occasionally eat the seeds and young foliage of asters, while such mammalian herbivores as deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and livestock browse on the foliage.
Photographic Location: Border of a wooded area at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Arrow-Leaved Aster (Symphyotrichum sagittifolium) is one of several woodland asters with relatively small flowerheads that have cordate or cordate-ovate lower leaves. While the leaves can become rather coarse, the panicles of abundant flowerheads are often showy. This species has an appearance that is similar to Drummond's Aster (Symphyotrichum drummondii), Heart-Leaved Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium), and White Arrowleaf Aster (Symphyotrichum urophyllum), which occur in similar habitats. Drummond's Aster has stems and leaf undersides that are evenly pubescent, while the stems of Arrow-Leaved Aster are either glabrous or they are lined with hairs, and the undersides of its leaves are either glabrous or they have fine hairs along the major veins. Heart-Leaved Aster can be distinguished by the narrow petioles of its alternate leaves, while those of Arrow-Leaved Aster are conspicuously winged. Sometimes the latter is considered a variety of Heart-Leaved Aster, or Symphyotrichum cordifolium sagittifolium (Jones, 1989). Finally, Arrow-Leaved Aster and White Arrowleaf Aster are regarded as the same species by some authorities (e.g., efloras, USDA, and ITIS), while Mohlenbrock (2014) considers them to be distinct. An argument for the latter point-of-view can be made as, compared to Arrow-Leaved Aster, White Arrowleaf Aster has more narrow upper leaves (typically ovate to lanceolate), the margins of its leaves are less strongly toothed or they lack teeth, and its phyllaries have green central stripes, rather than diamond-shaped patches of dark green toward their tips. In addition, the petaloid rays of this latter aster are almost always white. All species in this complex of asters were assigned orginally to the Aster genus.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年05月26日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 1½–3' tall. Each plant has a central stem that develops from the rootstock (less often, there are 2-3 such stems), which branches from below the middle. During the flowering period, short secondary stems develop from the axils of the leaves. These stems are terete, mostly light green, and pubescent; sometimes they have longitudinal ridges. The alternate leaves are up to 3½" long and 1" across; they are lanceolate, oblanceolate, or narrowly ovate with margins that are slightly toothed or smooth. The upper surface of each leaf is medium green and hairless, while the lower surface is light green and finely short-pubescent. Sometimes there are longer hairs along the central vein on the underside of each leaf. The leaves are sessile against their stems and their outer tips are somewhat blunt.
The upper stems terminate in elongated panicles of flowerheads. Each flowerhead spans about ½" across, consisting of 15-25 white ray florets and a similar number of disk florets. The disk florets are initially pale yellow, but they later become reddish purple; each disk floret is tubular in shape with 5 spreading lobes along its upper rim. Surrounding the base of each flowerhead, there is an overlapping series of small floral bracts (phyllaries). These floral bracts are linear in shape, evenly green from top to bottom, and appressed or slightly spreading. Each flowerhead has a short peduncle up to 1" long. In addition to the flowerheads, the branches of the panicle have numerous leafy bracts. These leafy bracts are similar in appearance to the leaves, except smaller in size. The blooming period occurs from late summer into the fall and lasts about 1-2 months. Each flowerhead is replaced by a dense cluster of small achenes. Each achene is bullet-shaped with a small tuft of white hairs at its apex. The achenes are distributed by the wind. The root system is fibrous and long-rhizomatous. Small colonies of plants are occasionally formed.
Cultivation: The preference is partial or dappled sunlight, moist to mesic conditions, and a fertile loamy soil. Other kinds of soil are also tolerated.
Range & Habitat: The native Ontario Aster is occasional to locally common throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open woodlands, woodland openings, woodland borders, partially shaded cliffs, areas along woodland paths, powerline clearances in wooded areas, low areas along woodland streams, savannas, moist meadows, and abandoned fields. This aster benefits from disturbance if it reduces excessive shade from canopy trees.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and/or pollen attract various insects, including bumblebees, little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees, Syrphid flies, and butterflies. A long-horned bee, Melissodes dentriventris, is an oligolectic floral visitor of this and other asters (Symphyotrichum spp.). These insects cross-pollinate the flowers. Other insects, including aphids, plant bugs, leaf beetles, etc., feed destructively on asters (see Insect Table); there are also a large number of moth caterpillars that feed on various parts of asters (see Moth Table). The Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkey feed on the leaves and seeds of these plants to a limited extent; White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbits also feed on the foliage to a limited extent.
Photographic Location: A powerline clearance at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This aster has a rather ordinary appearance and it is often omitted in many wildflower guides. Ontario Aster (Symphyotrichum ontarionis) resembles several other asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) with small white flowerheads and they often occur in the same or similar habitats. In general, Ontario Aster can be distinguished from these other species by the even pubescence of its stems and the even canescence (short fine pubescence) on the underside of its leaves. Other similar asters have stems with lines of hair and the undersides of their leaves are either hairy along the major veins or hairless. The flowerheads of Ontario Aster have 15-25 ray florets and its floral bracts are evenly green from top to bottom. Other similar asters have fewer ray florets (10-15) or their floral bracts have a diamond-shaped pattern near their tips that is dark green. Ontario Aster also has an abundance of leafy green bracts along the branches of its panicles, while the bracts of other asters are smaller in size and more scale-like in appearance. Sometimes Ontario Aster hybridizes with similar species of asters, which increases the difficulty of identification. A scientific synonym of this species is Aster ontarionis.
The upper stems terminate in elongated panicles of flowerheads. Each flowerhead spans about ½" across, consisting of 15-25 white ray florets and a similar number of disk florets. The disk florets are initially pale yellow, but they later become reddish purple; each disk floret is tubular in shape with 5 spreading lobes along its upper rim. Surrounding the base of each flowerhead, there is an overlapping series of small floral bracts (phyllaries). These floral bracts are linear in shape, evenly green from top to bottom, and appressed or slightly spreading. Each flowerhead has a short peduncle up to 1" long. In addition to the flowerheads, the branches of the panicle have numerous leafy bracts. These leafy bracts are similar in appearance to the leaves, except smaller in size. The blooming period occurs from late summer into the fall and lasts about 1-2 months. Each flowerhead is replaced by a dense cluster of small achenes. Each achene is bullet-shaped with a small tuft of white hairs at its apex. The achenes are distributed by the wind. The root system is fibrous and long-rhizomatous. Small colonies of plants are occasionally formed.
Cultivation: The preference is partial or dappled sunlight, moist to mesic conditions, and a fertile loamy soil. Other kinds of soil are also tolerated.
Range & Habitat: The native Ontario Aster is occasional to locally common throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open woodlands, woodland openings, woodland borders, partially shaded cliffs, areas along woodland paths, powerline clearances in wooded areas, low areas along woodland streams, savannas, moist meadows, and abandoned fields. This aster benefits from disturbance if it reduces excessive shade from canopy trees.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and/or pollen attract various insects, including bumblebees, little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees, Syrphid flies, and butterflies. A long-horned bee, Melissodes dentriventris, is an oligolectic floral visitor of this and other asters (Symphyotrichum spp.). These insects cross-pollinate the flowers. Other insects, including aphids, plant bugs, leaf beetles, etc., feed destructively on asters (see Insect Table); there are also a large number of moth caterpillars that feed on various parts of asters (see Moth Table). The Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkey feed on the leaves and seeds of these plants to a limited extent; White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbits also feed on the foliage to a limited extent.
Photographic Location: A powerline clearance at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This aster has a rather ordinary appearance and it is often omitted in many wildflower guides. Ontario Aster (Symphyotrichum ontarionis) resembles several other asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) with small white flowerheads and they often occur in the same or similar habitats. In general, Ontario Aster can be distinguished from these other species by the even pubescence of its stems and the even canescence (short fine pubescence) on the underside of its leaves. Other similar asters have stems with lines of hair and the undersides of their leaves are either hairy along the major veins or hairless. The flowerheads of Ontario Aster have 15-25 ray florets and its floral bracts are evenly green from top to bottom. Other similar asters have fewer ray florets (10-15) or their floral bracts have a diamond-shaped pattern near their tips that is dark green. Ontario Aster also has an abundance of leafy green bracts along the branches of its panicles, while the bracts of other asters are smaller in size and more scale-like in appearance. Sometimes Ontario Aster hybridizes with similar species of asters, which increases the difficulty of identification. A scientific synonym of this species is Aster ontarionis.
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