文章
Miss Chen
2018年08月09日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 1-3' tall, branching frequently. The stems are light gray-green, terete, and sparsely to moderately covered with short fine hairs. The alternate leaves are 1½-3" long, ¾-1½" across, and lanceolate, oblanceolate, or ovate in outline; each leaf is pinnate-pinnatifid with 2-6 pairs of lateral leaflets and a terminal leaflet. The leaflets are oblong in shape and pinnatifid with pointed lobes. The upper surface of each leaf is light to medium gray-green, while the lower surface is light gray-green; both surfaces are sparsely to moderately covered with short fine hairs. The lower leaves have short flat petioles, while the upper leaves are sessile or nearly so. The upper stems terminate in individual flowerheads about 1½-2" across. Each flowerhead consists of 20-32 yellow ray florets that surround a large dome-like cluster of golden yellow disk florets. The ray florets are fertile and pistillate (female); the petaloid (petal-like) extension of each ray floret terminates in 2-3 blunt teeth. The tiny disk florets are fertile and perfect; the corolla of each disk floret is narrowly tubular with 5 spreading lobes.
Around the base of each flowerhead, there are numerous phyllaries (floral bracts) that are arranged together in a single series. Individual phyllaries are light green, linear in shape, and membranous along their upper margins; they are sparsely to moderately covered with short fine hairs. The peduncles (stalks) of the flowerheads are relatively long and unbranched; they are similar in appearance to the stems. The crushed foliage has an aromatic scent. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall, lasting about 2 months. The florets are replaced by narrowly oblongoid achenes about 2 mm. in length; these achenes are slightly four-angled and slightly flattened. At the apex of each achene, there is a short angular crown.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun and mesic to dry conditions. Different types of soil are tolerated, including those containing loam, clay-loam, and gravelly material.
Range & Habitat: The introduced Yellow Chamomile rarely escapes from cultivation in Illinois. So far, naturalized plants have been found in the NE section of the state (see Distribution Map). It was introduced from Europe into North America as an ornamental plant. Naturalized habitats include roadsides, abandoned fields, weedy meadows, and thinly wooded areas that are relatively open and sunny. Yellow Chamomile is often cultivated in flower gardens.
Faunal Associations: Because their nectar and pollen is relatively easy to reach, the flowerheads attract a wide variety of insects. In Europe, Müller (1873/1883) observed small bees (Colletes spp., Heriades spp., & Halictus spp.), Ichneumonid wasps, various flies (Syrphidae, Conopidae, & Muscidae), and beetles (Elateridae & Mordellidae) visiting the flowers. In North America, records of floral-fauna interactions for Yellow Chamomile are sparse. Caterpillars of the moth Orthonama obstipata (The Gem) have been observed to feed on composites (e.g., Anthemis spp.) that are similar to Yellow Chamomile (Covell, 1984/2005). According to Georgia (1913), grazing animals avoid consumption of Yellow Chamomile. The aromatic foliage is bitter-tasting and possibly toxic to such animals.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Several plants with daisy-like flowers have been introduced into North America from Europe. Most of these species have flowerheads with white petal-like rays, although Yellow Chamomile (Cota tinctoria) is one of the exceptions. In Illinois, it has been less likely to escape from cultivation than Leucanthemum vulgare (Ox-Eye Daisy), Anthemis cotula (Dog Fennel), and some other species in this group.
Around the base of each flowerhead, there are numerous phyllaries (floral bracts) that are arranged together in a single series. Individual phyllaries are light green, linear in shape, and membranous along their upper margins; they are sparsely to moderately covered with short fine hairs. The peduncles (stalks) of the flowerheads are relatively long and unbranched; they are similar in appearance to the stems. The crushed foliage has an aromatic scent. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall, lasting about 2 months. The florets are replaced by narrowly oblongoid achenes about 2 mm. in length; these achenes are slightly four-angled and slightly flattened. At the apex of each achene, there is a short angular crown.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun and mesic to dry conditions. Different types of soil are tolerated, including those containing loam, clay-loam, and gravelly material.
Range & Habitat: The introduced Yellow Chamomile rarely escapes from cultivation in Illinois. So far, naturalized plants have been found in the NE section of the state (see Distribution Map). It was introduced from Europe into North America as an ornamental plant. Naturalized habitats include roadsides, abandoned fields, weedy meadows, and thinly wooded areas that are relatively open and sunny. Yellow Chamomile is often cultivated in flower gardens.
Faunal Associations: Because their nectar and pollen is relatively easy to reach, the flowerheads attract a wide variety of insects. In Europe, Müller (1873/1883) observed small bees (Colletes spp., Heriades spp., & Halictus spp.), Ichneumonid wasps, various flies (Syrphidae, Conopidae, & Muscidae), and beetles (Elateridae & Mordellidae) visiting the flowers. In North America, records of floral-fauna interactions for Yellow Chamomile are sparse. Caterpillars of the moth Orthonama obstipata (The Gem) have been observed to feed on composites (e.g., Anthemis spp.) that are similar to Yellow Chamomile (Covell, 1984/2005). According to Georgia (1913), grazing animals avoid consumption of Yellow Chamomile. The aromatic foliage is bitter-tasting and possibly toxic to such animals.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Several plants with daisy-like flowers have been introduced into North America from Europe. Most of these species have flowerheads with white petal-like rays, although Yellow Chamomile (Cota tinctoria) is one of the exceptions. In Illinois, it has been less likely to escape from cultivation than Leucanthemum vulgare (Ox-Eye Daisy), Anthemis cotula (Dog Fennel), and some other species in this group.
1
0
文章
Miss Chen
2018年08月06日
Description: This perennial herbaceous plant consists of a pair of leaves that are nearly basal and a single raceme of flowers. The leaf blades are 5-10" long, 3-5" across, and more or less erect; they are oval-ovate in shape and smooth (entire) along their margins. Both the lower and upper leaf surfaces are medium to dark green, glabrous, and sometimes slightly glaucous. Leaf venation is parallel. The leaves taper into petioles about 1½–3" long that wrap around a short basal stalk that is partially underground. Between the leaves, there develops a raceme of flowers about 4-9" long. This raceme is shorter than the leaves and it tends to nod toward its apex; there are 6-16 flowers per raceme. The central stalk of the raceme is medium green, terete, somewhat slender, and glabrous. The nodding flowers usually occur along one side of the raceme from pedicels that are up to ½" long; these pedicels are light green, terete, and glabrous. At the bases of these pedicels, there are solitary floral bracts. These floral bracts are up to 8 mm. (1/3") long, light green to nearly white, and narrowly lanceolate to ovate in shape; they are shorter than the corresponding pedicels.
The white corollas of these flowers are about 8 mm. (1/3") long and similarly across; they are campanulate (bell-shaped) with 6 short lobes that curve outward. Within the corolla of each flower, there are 6 stamens with short filaments and a single style with a tripartite stigma. The ovary of each flower has 3 cells. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. The flowers are quite fragrant. When the flowers are successfully cross-pollinated from the pollen of genetically distinct plants, they develop red berries that are 6-8 mm. across and globoid in shape (one berry per fertile flower). The interior of each berry is juicy, containing 1-6 seeds. These seeds are 3-4 mm. long and light brown with darker scar tissue at their bases; they are more or less ovoid in shape, but also rather irregular and chunky. In North America, most flowering plants fail to produce berries. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Dense colonies of clonal plants are produced from the dense network of rhizomes; these colonies tend to exclude other species of plants.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight to medium shade, moist to mesic conditions, and a rich loamy soil with abundant organic material. Once it becomes established, this plant is long-lived, and it will spread slowly via its rhizomes. The leaves remain green throughout the summer until frost occurs during the autumn. Propagation of new plants is easiest by division of the rhizomes. If you want Lily-of-the-Valley to produce the attractive red berries, then you will need to plant genetically distinct plants in proximity to each other from two or more sources.
Range & Habitat: Lily-of-the-Valley has escaped from cultivation primarily in NE Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is uncommon in natural areas. This species was introduced into the United States from Europe as an ornamental plant; it is often grown in gardens because of the attractive foliage and flowers. In addition to the typical European variety that is described here (Convallaria majalis majalis), there is also a North American variety of Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis montana) that is native to the region of the Appalachian mountains. However, this North American variety is cultivated much less often than the European variety of Lily-of-the-Valley, and it has not naturalized in Illinois to anyone's knowledge. In Illinois, the European variety of Lily-of-the-Valley has naturalized in such habitats as tamarack bogs, rich deciduous woodlands, pioneer cemetery prairies, oak savannas near pioneer cemetery prairies, and abandoned homestead sites. At some of these habitats, Lily-of-the-Valley was deliberately introduced, where it has persisted for several decades, notwithstanding long neglect.
Faunal Associations: Bumblebees and honeybees collect pollen from the flowers of Lily-of-the-Valley; nectar may not be produced (Vandepitte, 2010; Müller 1873/1883). Among bumblebee species, Bombus vagans and Bombus pensylvanicus have been observed to visit the flowers (Mathews, 1912). Insects that feed on the foliage and other parts of this plant are limited in number. An insect that was accidentally introduced into North America from Europe, Lilioceris lilii (Lily Leaf Beetle), feeds on the leaves, while an aphid, Macrosiphum pechumani, sucks sap from this plant (Clark et al., 2004; Blackman & Eastop, 2013). The red berries probably attract birds and possibly some rodents, although because these berries are rarely produced in North America, it is unknown which species would consume them. According to Eriksson (1999), the seeds of these berries are eaten by voles and wood rats in Europe. Because all parts of Lily-of-the-Valley contain cardiac glycosides that are toxic, it is largely ignored by mammalian herbivores. Overall, the ecological value of this plant appears to be low.
Photographic Location: A wooded area at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois, and a flower garden in the same city.
Comments: In addition to its cultivation in gardens, Lily-of-the-Valley has economic significance in the perfume and pharmaceutical industries. For the latter, it has been used as a source of heart medication. There are two varieties of Lily-of-the-Valley: the typical European variety (Convallaria majalis majalis) and the North American variety (Convallaria majalis montana). This latter variety can be distinguished by its larger floral bracts (at least 10 mm. in length) and the fine green lines along the midribs of its tepals (the tepals have been joined together to form a bell-shaped corolla for each flower). As compared to the European variety, the North American variety also appears to be less aggressive in forming large dense colonies of clonal plants.
The white corollas of these flowers are about 8 mm. (1/3") long and similarly across; they are campanulate (bell-shaped) with 6 short lobes that curve outward. Within the corolla of each flower, there are 6 stamens with short filaments and a single style with a tripartite stigma. The ovary of each flower has 3 cells. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. The flowers are quite fragrant. When the flowers are successfully cross-pollinated from the pollen of genetically distinct plants, they develop red berries that are 6-8 mm. across and globoid in shape (one berry per fertile flower). The interior of each berry is juicy, containing 1-6 seeds. These seeds are 3-4 mm. long and light brown with darker scar tissue at their bases; they are more or less ovoid in shape, but also rather irregular and chunky. In North America, most flowering plants fail to produce berries. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Dense colonies of clonal plants are produced from the dense network of rhizomes; these colonies tend to exclude other species of plants.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight to medium shade, moist to mesic conditions, and a rich loamy soil with abundant organic material. Once it becomes established, this plant is long-lived, and it will spread slowly via its rhizomes. The leaves remain green throughout the summer until frost occurs during the autumn. Propagation of new plants is easiest by division of the rhizomes. If you want Lily-of-the-Valley to produce the attractive red berries, then you will need to plant genetically distinct plants in proximity to each other from two or more sources.
Range & Habitat: Lily-of-the-Valley has escaped from cultivation primarily in NE Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is uncommon in natural areas. This species was introduced into the United States from Europe as an ornamental plant; it is often grown in gardens because of the attractive foliage and flowers. In addition to the typical European variety that is described here (Convallaria majalis majalis), there is also a North American variety of Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis montana) that is native to the region of the Appalachian mountains. However, this North American variety is cultivated much less often than the European variety of Lily-of-the-Valley, and it has not naturalized in Illinois to anyone's knowledge. In Illinois, the European variety of Lily-of-the-Valley has naturalized in such habitats as tamarack bogs, rich deciduous woodlands, pioneer cemetery prairies, oak savannas near pioneer cemetery prairies, and abandoned homestead sites. At some of these habitats, Lily-of-the-Valley was deliberately introduced, where it has persisted for several decades, notwithstanding long neglect.
Faunal Associations: Bumblebees and honeybees collect pollen from the flowers of Lily-of-the-Valley; nectar may not be produced (Vandepitte, 2010; Müller 1873/1883). Among bumblebee species, Bombus vagans and Bombus pensylvanicus have been observed to visit the flowers (Mathews, 1912). Insects that feed on the foliage and other parts of this plant are limited in number. An insect that was accidentally introduced into North America from Europe, Lilioceris lilii (Lily Leaf Beetle), feeds on the leaves, while an aphid, Macrosiphum pechumani, sucks sap from this plant (Clark et al., 2004; Blackman & Eastop, 2013). The red berries probably attract birds and possibly some rodents, although because these berries are rarely produced in North America, it is unknown which species would consume them. According to Eriksson (1999), the seeds of these berries are eaten by voles and wood rats in Europe. Because all parts of Lily-of-the-Valley contain cardiac glycosides that are toxic, it is largely ignored by mammalian herbivores. Overall, the ecological value of this plant appears to be low.
Photographic Location: A wooded area at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois, and a flower garden in the same city.
Comments: In addition to its cultivation in gardens, Lily-of-the-Valley has economic significance in the perfume and pharmaceutical industries. For the latter, it has been used as a source of heart medication. There are two varieties of Lily-of-the-Valley: the typical European variety (Convallaria majalis majalis) and the North American variety (Convallaria majalis montana). This latter variety can be distinguished by its larger floral bracts (at least 10 mm. in length) and the fine green lines along the midribs of its tepals (the tepals have been joined together to form a bell-shaped corolla for each flower). As compared to the European variety, the North American variety also appears to be less aggressive in forming large dense colonies of clonal plants.
0
0
文章
Miss Chen
2018年08月06日
Raceme of FlowersDescription: This annual plant is about 2-3' tall. It often produces 2 or 3 forking stems that are themselves little branched. These stems are round and pubescent, although with age they often become glabrous. The alternate leaves are sessile, palmately divided, and up to 3" long and across. Their lobes repeatedly subdivide into smaller lobes that are narrowly linear, providing the leaves with a lacy appearance. They are slightly pubescent and often have a silky appearance. The stems terminate into spike-like racemes of blue-violet flowers. These racemes can be up to 1' in length. Each flower is about 2" across, consisting of 5 petal-like sepals, 4 petals, a single pistil, and some stamens with light blue anthers. The upper sepal forms a hood in front and an upward-curving spur in back about 1" long. The middle and lower sepals are well-rounded and spreading. The 2 upper petals form a protective inner hood of the reproductive organs; they are not fused together. The 2 lower petals form a V-shaped landing pad for visiting insects. The outer sepals are larger in size than the inner petals. At the base of each flower is a slender pedicel about 1" long. The blooming period occurs during the summer and lasts about 1-2 months. Each flower is replaced by a pubescent follicle containing numerous small black seeds. These seeds are small enough to be dispersed by gusts of wind. The root system is a slender branching taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself, and may form colonies at favorable sites, although it usually doesn't persist.
Cultivation: The preference is full sunlight, moist to mesic conditions, and a loamy fertile soil. This plant develops quickly, shooting up like a rocket, hence the common name. However, in poor soil and droughty conditions, growth will be stunted.
Range & Habitat: Rocket Larkspur is an occasional plant that has been reported from scattered counties in Illinois, except in the NW area of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats consist of areas along railroads and roadsides, banks of drainage ditches, abandoned fields, vacant lots, and flower gardens. There is a strong preference for disturbed areas; it does not appear to invade higher quality natural habitats to any significant extent, at least in Illinois. Rocket Larkspur originated from the Mediterranean area of Europe; it was introduced into the United States as an ornamental plant.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees pollinate the flowers, especially bumblebees. Butterflies may visit the flowers occasionally, but they are unlikely to be effective at pollination. The larvae of a fly, Phytomyza delphinivora, mine the leaves of Consolida spp. (larkspurs), and the caterpillars of a polyphagous moth, Megalographa biloba (Bilobed Looper Moth), also feed on the foliage (Cranshaw, 2004; Wagner, 2005). Because of the presence of an alkaloid, delphinine, both the foliage and small seeds are quite toxic. Therefore, they are of little value as a food source to birds and mammals. Like the closely related Delphinium spp. (delphiniums), the larkspurs occasionally poison livestock.
Photographic Location: The lower bank of a large drainage ditch in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Rocket Larkspur produces attractive flowers on long spike-like racemes, therefore it is not surprising that this species is grown in flower gardens, from which it occasionally escapes. Unlike the Delphiniums, which are perennial plants, the Consolida spp. (Larkspurs) are annual plants. While the flower of a Delphinium has 3 pistils, the flower of a Larkspur has only a single pistil. The only other Larkspur that escapes into the wild in Illinois is Consolida regalis (Forking Larkspur). This is another introduced plant from the Mediterranean area of Europe that is less commonly encountered than Rocket Larkspur. Its flowers are often a lighter shade of blue-violet than Rocket Larkspur, and the upper petals of its flowers are fused together. The follicles (seed capsules) of Forking Larkspur are glabrous, while the follicles of Rocket Larkspur are pubescent.
Cultivation: The preference is full sunlight, moist to mesic conditions, and a loamy fertile soil. This plant develops quickly, shooting up like a rocket, hence the common name. However, in poor soil and droughty conditions, growth will be stunted.
Range & Habitat: Rocket Larkspur is an occasional plant that has been reported from scattered counties in Illinois, except in the NW area of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats consist of areas along railroads and roadsides, banks of drainage ditches, abandoned fields, vacant lots, and flower gardens. There is a strong preference for disturbed areas; it does not appear to invade higher quality natural habitats to any significant extent, at least in Illinois. Rocket Larkspur originated from the Mediterranean area of Europe; it was introduced into the United States as an ornamental plant.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees pollinate the flowers, especially bumblebees. Butterflies may visit the flowers occasionally, but they are unlikely to be effective at pollination. The larvae of a fly, Phytomyza delphinivora, mine the leaves of Consolida spp. (larkspurs), and the caterpillars of a polyphagous moth, Megalographa biloba (Bilobed Looper Moth), also feed on the foliage (Cranshaw, 2004; Wagner, 2005). Because of the presence of an alkaloid, delphinine, both the foliage and small seeds are quite toxic. Therefore, they are of little value as a food source to birds and mammals. Like the closely related Delphinium spp. (delphiniums), the larkspurs occasionally poison livestock.
Photographic Location: The lower bank of a large drainage ditch in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Rocket Larkspur produces attractive flowers on long spike-like racemes, therefore it is not surprising that this species is grown in flower gardens, from which it occasionally escapes. Unlike the Delphiniums, which are perennial plants, the Consolida spp. (Larkspurs) are annual plants. While the flower of a Delphinium has 3 pistils, the flower of a Larkspur has only a single pistil. The only other Larkspur that escapes into the wild in Illinois is Consolida regalis (Forking Larkspur). This is another introduced plant from the Mediterranean area of Europe that is less commonly encountered than Rocket Larkspur. Its flowers are often a lighter shade of blue-violet than Rocket Larkspur, and the upper petals of its flowers are fused together. The follicles (seed capsules) of Forking Larkspur are glabrous, while the follicles of Rocket Larkspur are pubescent.
0
0
文章
Miss Chen
2018年08月06日
Description: This is a biennial plant. During the 1st year, it consists of a rosette of basal leaves spanning about ¾–1½' across. During the 2nd year, it produces a flowering stalk that becomes 3-7' tall, branching occasionally above. The stems are round, glabrous, light green, and purple-spotted; they often appear to be ribbed because of longitudinal veins. The alternate leaves are up to 18" long and 12" across, becoming smaller as they ascend the stems. They are double or triple pinnately compound, triangular-ovate in outline, and hairless. These leaves have a fern-like appearance and a somewhat filmy upper surface. The basal and lower leaves have long petioles, while the upper leaves have shorter petioles. The base of each petiole is partially covered by a sheath. The ultimate leaflets of the compound leaves are about 1/3" (8 mm.) long, lanceolate to ovate in shape, pinnately cleft or dentate, and hairless.
The upper stems terminate in compound umbels of small white flowers. These compound umbels span about 2-5" across and consist of about 8-16 umbellets. Each umbellet consists of about 12-25 flowers. Individual flowers span only 1/8" (3 mm.) across when they are fully open. Each flower has 5 white obcordate petals, 5 spreading white stamens, and a white nectar pad in the center. At the base of the compound umbel are several floral bracts that are ovate-lanceolate with elongated tips; there are also several bractlets at the base of each umbel. These bractlets are ovate-lanceolate like the bracts, but smaller in size. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer and lasts about 1-2 months. Each flower is replaced by a schizocarp that is broadly ovate and somewhat flattened; it has several longitudinal ribs that are wavy. The root system consists of a white taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself; it often forms colonies at favorable sites.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and a fertile loamy soil. Most vegetative growth occurs during the spring. After blooming and developing seeds, the foliage turns yellow and withers away later in the summer. In removing this plant from a given area, don't pull it out using your bare hands. It is better to wear washable gloves while hand-pulling a limited number of plants. For large areas of infestation, it is best to apply broadleaf herbicides or mow down the plants during the spring shortly before they develop flowers.
Range & Habitat: Poison Hemlock is a common plant that occurs in many areas of Illinois, except for scattered counties in north and south (see Distribution Map). This plant is undoubtedly more common than official records indicate and it is still spreading to new areas of the state. Poison Hemlock is native to Europe and the Middle East, and it was introduced into North America either accidentally or deliberately.
Habitats include edges of degraded wetlands and prairies, low-lying areas along small rivers, banks of drainage ditches, thickets, woodland borders, fence rows, low-lying areas along railroads and roads, pastures, and abandoned fields. This plant is usually found in disturbed areas, but it occasionally invades native habitats.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts a wide variety of flies, beetles, sawflies, and wasps, including Ichneumonid and other parasitoid wasps. Caterpillars of the butterfly, Papilio polyxenes asterius (Eastern Black Swallowtail), feed on the foliage, notwithstanding its extreme toxicity (personal observation). This toxicity is the result of the alkaloid coniine and other chemicals, which can be found in all parts of Poison Hemlock, including the seeds and roots. Another insect, Orthops scutellatus (Carrot Plant Bug), eats the seeds of this plant and other members of the Carrot family (Knight, 1941). Poison Hemlock is also a summer host plant of several aphids, including Dysaphis apiifolia (Hawthorn-Parsley Aphid), Hyadaphis foeniculi (Fennel Aphid), and Hyadaphis passerinii (Honeysuckle Aphid); see Blackman & Eastop (2013). Mammalian herbivores won't touch the foliage because of its bitter rank odor and extreme toxicity. Just a small portion of the ingested plant can be fatal to humans.
Comments: The ancient Athenians used the juices of this plant to execute their prisoners, including Socrates during 399 B.C. Death is caused by respiratory arrest and heart failure. Poison Hemlock is a tall and imposing plant that appears to be increasingly common. Many people walk past this species without even realizing what it is. Because there are many members of the Carrot family with small white flowers, it can be somewhat difficult to correctly identify this plant. Poison Hemlock has the following key features: 1) it is often tall-growing, 1) the foliage is at least double pinnate and fern-like in appearance, 2) the foliage has a bitter rank odor, especially when it is bruised, 3) the hairless stems have purple spots, 4) there are undivided bracts at the base of the compound umbel and undivided bractlets at the base of the umbellets, and 5) the small leaflets are pinnately cleft or dentate. Other members of the Carrot family lack one or more of these key features.
The upper stems terminate in compound umbels of small white flowers. These compound umbels span about 2-5" across and consist of about 8-16 umbellets. Each umbellet consists of about 12-25 flowers. Individual flowers span only 1/8" (3 mm.) across when they are fully open. Each flower has 5 white obcordate petals, 5 spreading white stamens, and a white nectar pad in the center. At the base of the compound umbel are several floral bracts that are ovate-lanceolate with elongated tips; there are also several bractlets at the base of each umbel. These bractlets are ovate-lanceolate like the bracts, but smaller in size. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer and lasts about 1-2 months. Each flower is replaced by a schizocarp that is broadly ovate and somewhat flattened; it has several longitudinal ribs that are wavy. The root system consists of a white taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself; it often forms colonies at favorable sites.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and a fertile loamy soil. Most vegetative growth occurs during the spring. After blooming and developing seeds, the foliage turns yellow and withers away later in the summer. In removing this plant from a given area, don't pull it out using your bare hands. It is better to wear washable gloves while hand-pulling a limited number of plants. For large areas of infestation, it is best to apply broadleaf herbicides or mow down the plants during the spring shortly before they develop flowers.
Range & Habitat: Poison Hemlock is a common plant that occurs in many areas of Illinois, except for scattered counties in north and south (see Distribution Map). This plant is undoubtedly more common than official records indicate and it is still spreading to new areas of the state. Poison Hemlock is native to Europe and the Middle East, and it was introduced into North America either accidentally or deliberately.
Habitats include edges of degraded wetlands and prairies, low-lying areas along small rivers, banks of drainage ditches, thickets, woodland borders, fence rows, low-lying areas along railroads and roads, pastures, and abandoned fields. This plant is usually found in disturbed areas, but it occasionally invades native habitats.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts a wide variety of flies, beetles, sawflies, and wasps, including Ichneumonid and other parasitoid wasps. Caterpillars of the butterfly, Papilio polyxenes asterius (Eastern Black Swallowtail), feed on the foliage, notwithstanding its extreme toxicity (personal observation). This toxicity is the result of the alkaloid coniine and other chemicals, which can be found in all parts of Poison Hemlock, including the seeds and roots. Another insect, Orthops scutellatus (Carrot Plant Bug), eats the seeds of this plant and other members of the Carrot family (Knight, 1941). Poison Hemlock is also a summer host plant of several aphids, including Dysaphis apiifolia (Hawthorn-Parsley Aphid), Hyadaphis foeniculi (Fennel Aphid), and Hyadaphis passerinii (Honeysuckle Aphid); see Blackman & Eastop (2013). Mammalian herbivores won't touch the foliage because of its bitter rank odor and extreme toxicity. Just a small portion of the ingested plant can be fatal to humans.
Comments: The ancient Athenians used the juices of this plant to execute their prisoners, including Socrates during 399 B.C. Death is caused by respiratory arrest and heart failure. Poison Hemlock is a tall and imposing plant that appears to be increasingly common. Many people walk past this species without even realizing what it is. Because there are many members of the Carrot family with small white flowers, it can be somewhat difficult to correctly identify this plant. Poison Hemlock has the following key features: 1) it is often tall-growing, 1) the foliage is at least double pinnate and fern-like in appearance, 2) the foliage has a bitter rank odor, especially when it is bruised, 3) the hairless stems have purple spots, 4) there are undivided bracts at the base of the compound umbel and undivided bractlets at the base of the umbellets, and 5) the small leaflets are pinnately cleft or dentate. Other members of the Carrot family lack one or more of these key features.
0
0
文章
Miss Chen
2018年08月06日
Description: This plant is a summer annual about 1-3' long. It can be erect or sprawl across the ground like a vine. The round stems are smooth and hairless. The hairless alternate leaves are up to 5" long and 2" across. They are ovate, lanceolate-ovate, or slightly cordate. Their margins are smooth and their veins run parallel to each other. The base of each leaf is sessile or clasping, and it has a membranous sheath that wraps around the stem. This sheath is about 1" long and has green longitudinal veins, otherwise it is white or greenish white. The upper edge of the sheath is usually hairless, although it has fine upright hairs for an uncommon variety of this species.
Occasionally, a single flower on a stalk about 1-2" long is produced from the leaf axils. This flower is about ½–1" across, consisting of 2 large blue petals, 1 small white petal, 3 sepals, 5-6 stamens, and a long white style. The sepals are usually pale white and translucent. The upper stamens have showy yellow anthers; they are sterile, but help to attract insects to the flower. The lower stamens are longer than the upper stamens and fertile, although their anthers are less showy. An upturned spathe that lies underneath the flower is green and about 1-2" long. The upper margins of this spathe are free all the way to the base. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall, and lasts about 1-2 months. Each flower blooms during the morning for a single day, hence the common name. There is no noticeable floral scent. Each flower is replaced by a seed capsule that has 2 cells, each cell containing 2 seeds. These seeds are dark brown or black and have a surface that is bumpy and rough (rugose). The root system is fibrous. This plant can root at the leaf nodes on moist ground, forming new plants vegetatively. At favorable sites, the Asiatic Dayflower forms colonies that can exclude other species of plants.
Cultivation: Partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and a fertile soil that is loamy or slightly sandy are preferred. This plant also tolerates full sun and light shade. Occasionally, it can spread aggressively and become a pest.
Range & Habitat: The Asiatic Dayflower is a common plant that occurs in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map). It appears to be spreading into all areas of the state. Habitats include edges of floodplain forests, thickets, edges of gardens and yards, areas along buildings, fence rows, vacant lots, and waste areas. This plant prefers disturbed areas, although it occasionally invades natural areas. As the common name implies, it was introduced into the United States from East Asia, probably for horticultural purposes.
Faunal Associations: Primarily bees pollinate the flowers. The foliage is eaten by Neolema sexpunctata (Six-Spotted Beetle). Occasionally, the seeds are eaten by upland gamebirds and songbirds, including the Mourning Dove, Bobwhite, and Redwing Blackbird. The foliage of Dayflowers is a preferred food source of the White-Tailed Deer.
Photographic Location: A small colony of Asiatic Dayflower was flourishing between the shrubbery of a commercial bank and a city sidewalk in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The flowers of this species have a "true blue" color that is found in few other plants. Usually, most "blue" flowers are closer to violet or purple. The Asiatic Dayflower has become the most common Commelina sp. (Dayflower) in Illinois for reasons that are not entirely clear. Like the native Commelina erecta (Erect Dayflower), its flowers have a small lower petal that is white, whereas the flowers of other Commelina spp. within the state have a lower petal that is blue or violet. The Erect Dayflower differs from the Asiatic Dayflower in a number of characteristics, including the following: 1) It has more narrow leaves than the latter; 2) The upper margins of each upturned spathe are united together about 1/3 the length of the spathe from the base, rather than running free from each other; 3) Each seed capsule has 3 cells containing 1 seed each, rather than 2 cells containing 2 seeds each; 4) It is a more erect plant than the latter; and 5) Its seeds are lighter-colored with a smooth surface, rather than dark and rugose.
Occasionally, a single flower on a stalk about 1-2" long is produced from the leaf axils. This flower is about ½–1" across, consisting of 2 large blue petals, 1 small white petal, 3 sepals, 5-6 stamens, and a long white style. The sepals are usually pale white and translucent. The upper stamens have showy yellow anthers; they are sterile, but help to attract insects to the flower. The lower stamens are longer than the upper stamens and fertile, although their anthers are less showy. An upturned spathe that lies underneath the flower is green and about 1-2" long. The upper margins of this spathe are free all the way to the base. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall, and lasts about 1-2 months. Each flower blooms during the morning for a single day, hence the common name. There is no noticeable floral scent. Each flower is replaced by a seed capsule that has 2 cells, each cell containing 2 seeds. These seeds are dark brown or black and have a surface that is bumpy and rough (rugose). The root system is fibrous. This plant can root at the leaf nodes on moist ground, forming new plants vegetatively. At favorable sites, the Asiatic Dayflower forms colonies that can exclude other species of plants.
Cultivation: Partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and a fertile soil that is loamy or slightly sandy are preferred. This plant also tolerates full sun and light shade. Occasionally, it can spread aggressively and become a pest.
Range & Habitat: The Asiatic Dayflower is a common plant that occurs in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map). It appears to be spreading into all areas of the state. Habitats include edges of floodplain forests, thickets, edges of gardens and yards, areas along buildings, fence rows, vacant lots, and waste areas. This plant prefers disturbed areas, although it occasionally invades natural areas. As the common name implies, it was introduced into the United States from East Asia, probably for horticultural purposes.
Faunal Associations: Primarily bees pollinate the flowers. The foliage is eaten by Neolema sexpunctata (Six-Spotted Beetle). Occasionally, the seeds are eaten by upland gamebirds and songbirds, including the Mourning Dove, Bobwhite, and Redwing Blackbird. The foliage of Dayflowers is a preferred food source of the White-Tailed Deer.
Photographic Location: A small colony of Asiatic Dayflower was flourishing between the shrubbery of a commercial bank and a city sidewalk in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The flowers of this species have a "true blue" color that is found in few other plants. Usually, most "blue" flowers are closer to violet or purple. The Asiatic Dayflower has become the most common Commelina sp. (Dayflower) in Illinois for reasons that are not entirely clear. Like the native Commelina erecta (Erect Dayflower), its flowers have a small lower petal that is white, whereas the flowers of other Commelina spp. within the state have a lower petal that is blue or violet. The Erect Dayflower differs from the Asiatic Dayflower in a number of characteristics, including the following: 1) It has more narrow leaves than the latter; 2) The upper margins of each upturned spathe are united together about 1/3 the length of the spathe from the base, rather than running free from each other; 3) Each seed capsule has 3 cells containing 1 seed each, rather than 2 cells containing 2 seeds each; 4) It is a more erect plant than the latter; and 5) Its seeds are lighter-colored with a smooth surface, rather than dark and rugose.
0
0
文章
Miss Chen
2018年08月03日
Description: This plant is a summer annual about 3-5' tall. It often branches toward the base of the plant, while the upper stems remain unbranched. These stems are light green and covered with long glandular hairs. The lower to middle leaves are palmately compound with 3-7 leaflets, while the upper leaves are simple. These leaves are alternate and become smaller in size as they ascend the stems. The compound leaves span up to 6-8" across; the lower compound leaves have long stout petioles, while the upper compound leaves have short stout petioles or they are sessile. These petioles are light green and covered with glandular hairs. At the base of each petiole, there is a pair of small spiny stipules. The leaflets of the compound leaves are narrowly ovate, oblanceolate, or lanceolate in shape, and their margins are smooth or serrated. Both sides of these leaflets are covered with short glandular hairs; their upper surfaces are medium to dark green. The simple leaves are broadly lanceolate to cordate-ovate, sessile to clasping along each upper stem, and smaller in size than the compound leaves; otherwise they have similar characteristics. The glandular hairs of the foliage provide the plant with a fetid scent.
The upper stems terminate in large racemes of flowers. These flowers are crowded together toward the apex of each raceme, while scattered seedpods develop below. Each flower spans about 1–1½" across (excluding the stamens), consisting of 4 white to pink petals, 4 light green sepals, 6 long-exerted stamens, and a pistil with a short style. The erect to ascending petals are oblanceolate with well-rounded margins, becoming linear (or clawed) near the base of the flower. The stamens have long slender filaments about 2-3" long. The sepals are linear-lanceolate and much smaller than the petals; they bend away from the base of the flower with age. Each flower has an ascending pedicel. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall and lasts 1½–3 months. Each flower is replaced by a cylindrical seedpod on a long narrow stipe. Both the seedpod and the stipe are glabrous. Each seedpod contains several seeds. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: Spider Flower adapts to full or partial sun, moist to slightly dry conditions, and different kinds of soil, including those containing loam, clay-loam, or gravel. It requires warm weather and a long growing season to fully develop from seed.
Range & Habitat: Spider Flower has naturalized in Illinois in widely scattered areas (see Distribution Map). Aside from its cultivation in gardens, this species is uncommon and rarely persists. It was introduced into North America from tropical South America as an ornamental plant. Habitats include vacant lots, edges of yards, gravelly shores along rivers, and miscellaneous waste areas. It is usually found in habitats with a history of disturbance.
Faunal Associations: In its native tropical habitat, the pollinators of the flowers are primarily bats (Machado et al., 2006), which seek nectar. Sphingid moths also visit the flowers, but they are regarded as nectar thieves. In Illinois and other temperate areas, the pollinators of the flowers are currently unknown. Various beetles appear to be attracted to the flowers, and flies or small bees probably seek nectar or pollen from them. However, the mouthparts and body size of these insects are too small to function as effective pollinators. Other insects that are attracted to Spider Flower and other Cleome spp. include Phyllotreta cruciferae (Crucifer Flea Beetle) and Phyllotreta striolata (Striped Flea Beetle), which chew small holes in the leaves. On rare occasions, the caterpillars of Pieris rapae (Cabbage Butterfly) have been observed to feed on the foliage. According to some observations in western United States, the Ring-Necked Pheasant and Mourning Dove eat the seeds of Cleome spp. to a limited extent. The fetid foliage is rejected by cattle when there is more palatable food available.
Photographic Location: A vacant lot in Urbana, Illinois, where a few plants were growing wild.
Comments: The showy flowers have an odd structure and appearance, although this is not unusual for Cleome spp. (Bee Plants, etc.) and the related Polanisia spp. (Clammyweed). Among the species in this group that naturalize in Illinois, Spider Flower has showier flowers than most and the filaments of its stamens are exceptionally long (2-3" in length). It is also larger in size than these other species (up to 5' tall). The closely related Cleome serrulata (Rocky Mountain Bee Plant) is occasionally adventive from the Western states. It has compound leaves with only 3 leaflets, while the compound leaves of Spider Flower usually have 5-7 leaflets. Species of Clammyweed are distinguished from Cleome spp. primarily by their seedpods, which lack stipes (a beak-like structure in front of the seedpod). An older scientific name for Spider Flower is Cleome spinosa, which refers to the spiny stipules.
The upper stems terminate in large racemes of flowers. These flowers are crowded together toward the apex of each raceme, while scattered seedpods develop below. Each flower spans about 1–1½" across (excluding the stamens), consisting of 4 white to pink petals, 4 light green sepals, 6 long-exerted stamens, and a pistil with a short style. The erect to ascending petals are oblanceolate with well-rounded margins, becoming linear (or clawed) near the base of the flower. The stamens have long slender filaments about 2-3" long. The sepals are linear-lanceolate and much smaller than the petals; they bend away from the base of the flower with age. Each flower has an ascending pedicel. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall and lasts 1½–3 months. Each flower is replaced by a cylindrical seedpod on a long narrow stipe. Both the seedpod and the stipe are glabrous. Each seedpod contains several seeds. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: Spider Flower adapts to full or partial sun, moist to slightly dry conditions, and different kinds of soil, including those containing loam, clay-loam, or gravel. It requires warm weather and a long growing season to fully develop from seed.
Range & Habitat: Spider Flower has naturalized in Illinois in widely scattered areas (see Distribution Map). Aside from its cultivation in gardens, this species is uncommon and rarely persists. It was introduced into North America from tropical South America as an ornamental plant. Habitats include vacant lots, edges of yards, gravelly shores along rivers, and miscellaneous waste areas. It is usually found in habitats with a history of disturbance.
Faunal Associations: In its native tropical habitat, the pollinators of the flowers are primarily bats (Machado et al., 2006), which seek nectar. Sphingid moths also visit the flowers, but they are regarded as nectar thieves. In Illinois and other temperate areas, the pollinators of the flowers are currently unknown. Various beetles appear to be attracted to the flowers, and flies or small bees probably seek nectar or pollen from them. However, the mouthparts and body size of these insects are too small to function as effective pollinators. Other insects that are attracted to Spider Flower and other Cleome spp. include Phyllotreta cruciferae (Crucifer Flea Beetle) and Phyllotreta striolata (Striped Flea Beetle), which chew small holes in the leaves. On rare occasions, the caterpillars of Pieris rapae (Cabbage Butterfly) have been observed to feed on the foliage. According to some observations in western United States, the Ring-Necked Pheasant and Mourning Dove eat the seeds of Cleome spp. to a limited extent. The fetid foliage is rejected by cattle when there is more palatable food available.
Photographic Location: A vacant lot in Urbana, Illinois, where a few plants were growing wild.
Comments: The showy flowers have an odd structure and appearance, although this is not unusual for Cleome spp. (Bee Plants, etc.) and the related Polanisia spp. (Clammyweed). Among the species in this group that naturalize in Illinois, Spider Flower has showier flowers than most and the filaments of its stamens are exceptionally long (2-3" in length). It is also larger in size than these other species (up to 5' tall). The closely related Cleome serrulata (Rocky Mountain Bee Plant) is occasionally adventive from the Western states. It has compound leaves with only 3 leaflets, while the compound leaves of Spider Flower usually have 5-7 leaflets. Species of Clammyweed are distinguished from Cleome spp. primarily by their seedpods, which lack stipes (a beak-like structure in front of the seedpod). An older scientific name for Spider Flower is Cleome spinosa, which refers to the spiny stipules.
0
0
文章
Miss Chen
2018年08月03日
Description: This plant is an obligatory biennial that forms a rosette of leaves during the first year, and bolts upward during the second year to produce flowers. It forms occasional side stems, but remains erect in stature, reaching 3-6' in height. The stout stems are light green, somewhat angular, and covered with dense white hairs. The alternate leaves are up to 7" long and 2" across. In outline, they are lanceolate in shape, but deeply pinnatifid. The widely spaced lobes narrow into points that are individually armed with a pale yellow spine. Some of the upper leaves near the flowerheads may be lanceolate or linear, but remain unlobed. Across the surface of the leaves, there are short white hairs and scattered small spines. The upper surface is dark green, while the lower surface is light green. At the base of each leaf, there are a pair of narrow wings that are dark green and decurrent against the stem. These wings are extensions of the leaves and arm the stems with spines up to ¼" long.
The upper stems terminate in flowerheads of purplish pink to purple flowers. Each flowerhead is 1½–2" across and contains numerous disk florets, but no ray florets. Each disk floret is long and tubular, but becomes divided into 5 long thread-like lobes. This provides the flowerhead with a showy hair-like appearance. At the base of each flowerhead, are numerous green bracts that taper into stiff points that curl outward and are quite prickly. Among these bracts are cobwebby hairs in the background. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer and lasts about 3-4 weeks, after which the florets wither away. They are replaced by achenes with large tufts of white hair. These achenes are long, slender, and slightly ribbed. TheyDistribution Map are dispersed by the wind. The root system consists of a stout taproot that runs deep into the ground. This plants spreads by reseeding itself and occasionally forms colonies.
Cultivation: This thistle usually grows in full sun under moist to dry conditions. It prefers a fertile soil that consists of loam, clay loam, or that is slightly stony. Occasionally the foliage is affected by mildew during the summer or fall. Individual plants can produce a great abundance of seed, which have a high germination and survival rate. Thus, this plant can be quite aggressive. Because the seeds remain viable for only 1-2 years, one control strategy consists of destroying individual plants before they reach the flowering stage. It is possible for a plant to reestablish itself if a portion of the taproot remains in the ground.
Range & Habitat: The Bull Thistle is a common plant that occurs in most counties of Illinois. This thistle is adventive from Eurasia, and it has existed in the United States since the 19th century, if not earlier. Habitats include pastures, abandoned fields, fence rows, areas along roadsides and railroads, cut-over woods, and miscellaneous waste areas. This species prefers disturbed areas and it is not common in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract many kinds of long-tongued bees, including bumblebees, leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), and cuckoo bees (Epeolus spp.). The flower nectar also attracts butterflies (especially swallowtails), skippers, and bee flies. Green metallic bees and other Halictid bees may collect pollen from the flowers, but they are non-pollinating. The caterpillars of the butterfly Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady) feed on the foliage. There are also many moth species with caterpillars that consume various parts of thistles (see Moth Table). The seeds are eaten by the American Goldfinch and the Clay-colored Sparrow. Goldfinches also use the tufts of hair as construction material for their little nests. Mammalian herbivores don't eat the Bull Thistle because it is heavily armed with spines. Even in overgrazed pastures where cattle and sheep have little to eat, the Bull Thistle is one of the few plants that is left alone.
Photographic Location: Along a fence row near the webmaster's apartment in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is a very spiny thistle that can become quite tall. It is easily distinguished from many of the native thistles by the prickly bracts at the base of the flowerheads. These large bracts curl outward and narrow into sharp points, while the bracts of native thistles are appressed together and resemble green fish scales (fine spines are usually present on the outer bracts for some native species). The leaf undersides of the Bull Thistle are light green or whitish green, while the leaf undersides for some native thistles, such as Cirsium discolor (Pasture Thistle) and Cirsium altissimum (Tall Thistle), are powdery white in appearance. Other native thistles, however, don't have this latter characteristic. The Bull Thistle also has spines on its stems (from the decurrent extensions of the leaves), while the stems of native thistles are spineless.
The upper stems terminate in flowerheads of purplish pink to purple flowers. Each flowerhead is 1½–2" across and contains numerous disk florets, but no ray florets. Each disk floret is long and tubular, but becomes divided into 5 long thread-like lobes. This provides the flowerhead with a showy hair-like appearance. At the base of each flowerhead, are numerous green bracts that taper into stiff points that curl outward and are quite prickly. Among these bracts are cobwebby hairs in the background. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer and lasts about 3-4 weeks, after which the florets wither away. They are replaced by achenes with large tufts of white hair. These achenes are long, slender, and slightly ribbed. TheyDistribution Map are dispersed by the wind. The root system consists of a stout taproot that runs deep into the ground. This plants spreads by reseeding itself and occasionally forms colonies.
Cultivation: This thistle usually grows in full sun under moist to dry conditions. It prefers a fertile soil that consists of loam, clay loam, or that is slightly stony. Occasionally the foliage is affected by mildew during the summer or fall. Individual plants can produce a great abundance of seed, which have a high germination and survival rate. Thus, this plant can be quite aggressive. Because the seeds remain viable for only 1-2 years, one control strategy consists of destroying individual plants before they reach the flowering stage. It is possible for a plant to reestablish itself if a portion of the taproot remains in the ground.
Range & Habitat: The Bull Thistle is a common plant that occurs in most counties of Illinois. This thistle is adventive from Eurasia, and it has existed in the United States since the 19th century, if not earlier. Habitats include pastures, abandoned fields, fence rows, areas along roadsides and railroads, cut-over woods, and miscellaneous waste areas. This species prefers disturbed areas and it is not common in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract many kinds of long-tongued bees, including bumblebees, leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), and cuckoo bees (Epeolus spp.). The flower nectar also attracts butterflies (especially swallowtails), skippers, and bee flies. Green metallic bees and other Halictid bees may collect pollen from the flowers, but they are non-pollinating. The caterpillars of the butterfly Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady) feed on the foliage. There are also many moth species with caterpillars that consume various parts of thistles (see Moth Table). The seeds are eaten by the American Goldfinch and the Clay-colored Sparrow. Goldfinches also use the tufts of hair as construction material for their little nests. Mammalian herbivores don't eat the Bull Thistle because it is heavily armed with spines. Even in overgrazed pastures where cattle and sheep have little to eat, the Bull Thistle is one of the few plants that is left alone.
Photographic Location: Along a fence row near the webmaster's apartment in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is a very spiny thistle that can become quite tall. It is easily distinguished from many of the native thistles by the prickly bracts at the base of the flowerheads. These large bracts curl outward and narrow into sharp points, while the bracts of native thistles are appressed together and resemble green fish scales (fine spines are usually present on the outer bracts for some native species). The leaf undersides of the Bull Thistle are light green or whitish green, while the leaf undersides for some native thistles, such as Cirsium discolor (Pasture Thistle) and Cirsium altissimum (Tall Thistle), are powdery white in appearance. Other native thistles, however, don't have this latter characteristic. The Bull Thistle also has spines on its stems (from the decurrent extensions of the leaves), while the stems of native thistles are spineless.
0
0
文章
Miss Chen
2018年08月03日
Description: This annual or biennial plant is usually 1½–3' high, branching occasionally. The stems are variously colored, ranging from green to reddish brown. The lower stems can be quite hairy, while the upper stems are nearly hairless. The alternate leaves are up to 8" long and 2" across, becoming smaller as they ascend the stems. They are lanceolate, elliptic, or oblanceolate in overall shape, and either pinnatifid or dentate; the upper leaves have margins that are more smooth (entire). Each leaf narrows gradually to a petiole-like base, where it is either sessile or clasps the stem. There are usually conspicuous hairs along the central vein of the lower leaf surface.
The upper stems terminate in long inflorescences that are either spike-like, or they are open branching panicles. Widely spaced along the flowering stalks, there are sessile or nearly sessile flowerheads and short triangular bracts. These flowerheads are about 1-1½" across and they have 10-20 ray florets. The petaloid rays of these florets are light blue, fading to white; there are 5 tiny teeth at the tip of each petaloid ray. Toward the center of each flowerhead, there are several light blue stamens with blue anthers. The flowerheads bloom during the morning, and close-up later in the day, unless the skies are cloudy. The blooming period can occur from early summer to early fall, depending on the weather and the timing of disturbances (such as occasional mowing). The achenes are oblongoid and 5-ribbed; there is a pair of small scales at the apex of each achene. The root system consists of a stout taproot. Common Chicory spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: Common Chicory appears to prefer full sun and a heavy soil that contains clay or gravel. This plant is typically found in locations that are mesic to dry, and it withstands drought rather well. Road salt and alkaline conditions are tolerated better than most plants. The foliage can appear rather battered-looking by the end of a hot dry summer.
Range & Habitat: The non-native Common Chicory has been reported in nearly all areas of Illinois, except a few counties in the NW and SE sections of the state (see Distribution Map). It is quite possible that Common Chicory occurs in those counties as well. This plant originated from Eurasia, and was present in Illinois by the late 19th century. It has been spreading steadily ever since and has become common, particularly in disturbed open areas. Typical habitats include pastures, abandoned fields, areas along roadsides and railroads, grassy areas that are not mowed regularly, undeveloped real estate lots, and other waste areas. Occasionally, Common Chicory colonizes disturbed areas of natural habitats (e.g., early stages of a prairie restoration), but it is not a serious invader of such natural areas in the long run.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract short-tongued bees and probably other insects. Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. The foliage of Common Chicory is eaten by Melanoplus bivittatus (Two-Striped Grasshopper), Melanoplus femurrubrum (Red-Legged Grasshopper), and probably other grasshoppers. The larvae of a lizard beetle, Acropteroxys gracilis, bore through the stems of this plant, while the caterpillars of the moth, Pyrrhia exprimens (Purple-Lined Sallow), feed on the the flowers, buds, and developing achenes. Because the foliage contains a bitter white latex, it is probably not preferred as a food source by mammalian herbivores, although cattle and sheep reportedly eat the basal leaves.
Photographic Location: Along a roadside in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The roots of Common Chicory have been roasted to create a coffee-substitute; they are also used as an ingredient in some herbal teas. The flowerheads are very beautiful, but short-lived. This species is easy to identify because of the appearance of these flowerheads – they are a lovely light blue, whereas similar plants in the Aster family usually have yellow flowerheads. However, some Lactuca spp. (Wild Lettuce) have light blue flowerheads that are smaller in size. These latter species produce achenes with tufts of hair, whereas the achenes of Common Chicory have only small scales.
The upper stems terminate in long inflorescences that are either spike-like, or they are open branching panicles. Widely spaced along the flowering stalks, there are sessile or nearly sessile flowerheads and short triangular bracts. These flowerheads are about 1-1½" across and they have 10-20 ray florets. The petaloid rays of these florets are light blue, fading to white; there are 5 tiny teeth at the tip of each petaloid ray. Toward the center of each flowerhead, there are several light blue stamens with blue anthers. The flowerheads bloom during the morning, and close-up later in the day, unless the skies are cloudy. The blooming period can occur from early summer to early fall, depending on the weather and the timing of disturbances (such as occasional mowing). The achenes are oblongoid and 5-ribbed; there is a pair of small scales at the apex of each achene. The root system consists of a stout taproot. Common Chicory spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: Common Chicory appears to prefer full sun and a heavy soil that contains clay or gravel. This plant is typically found in locations that are mesic to dry, and it withstands drought rather well. Road salt and alkaline conditions are tolerated better than most plants. The foliage can appear rather battered-looking by the end of a hot dry summer.
Range & Habitat: The non-native Common Chicory has been reported in nearly all areas of Illinois, except a few counties in the NW and SE sections of the state (see Distribution Map). It is quite possible that Common Chicory occurs in those counties as well. This plant originated from Eurasia, and was present in Illinois by the late 19th century. It has been spreading steadily ever since and has become common, particularly in disturbed open areas. Typical habitats include pastures, abandoned fields, areas along roadsides and railroads, grassy areas that are not mowed regularly, undeveloped real estate lots, and other waste areas. Occasionally, Common Chicory colonizes disturbed areas of natural habitats (e.g., early stages of a prairie restoration), but it is not a serious invader of such natural areas in the long run.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract short-tongued bees and probably other insects. Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. The foliage of Common Chicory is eaten by Melanoplus bivittatus (Two-Striped Grasshopper), Melanoplus femurrubrum (Red-Legged Grasshopper), and probably other grasshoppers. The larvae of a lizard beetle, Acropteroxys gracilis, bore through the stems of this plant, while the caterpillars of the moth, Pyrrhia exprimens (Purple-Lined Sallow), feed on the the flowers, buds, and developing achenes. Because the foliage contains a bitter white latex, it is probably not preferred as a food source by mammalian herbivores, although cattle and sheep reportedly eat the basal leaves.
Photographic Location: Along a roadside in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The roots of Common Chicory have been roasted to create a coffee-substitute; they are also used as an ingredient in some herbal teas. The flowerheads are very beautiful, but short-lived. This species is easy to identify because of the appearance of these flowerheads – they are a lovely light blue, whereas similar plants in the Aster family usually have yellow flowerheads. However, some Lactuca spp. (Wild Lettuce) have light blue flowerheads that are smaller in size. These latter species produce achenes with tufts of hair, whereas the achenes of Common Chicory have only small scales.
0
0
文章
Miss Chen
2018年08月02日
Purple sage (Salvia leucophylla) is an evergreen plant that typically grows 3 to 6 feet tall, though some individual specimens have been known to reach 12 feet tall and 12 feet wide. Purple sage shrubs have aromatic gray-green vegetation, an attractive, airy form and fragrant lavender-pink blooms. They thrive in full sun but need no water once established, which makes them ideal for drought-tolerant landscaping. Plants also tolerate freezing temperatures. This distant relative of culinary sage is best pruned minimally, to support general plant health and encourage optimal flowering in the landscape.
Step 1
Prune purple sage only with a purpose, because any unnecessary trimming will only diminish the amount of attractive, fragrant flowers.
Step 2
Make major pruning cuts only when purple sage is dormant, near the end of the winter when the coldest temperatures have passed.
Step 3
Assess the shrub and its condition thoroughly before making any additional pruning cuts. First cut off dead, diseased or otherwise damaged branches and stems.
Step 4
Stand back to study the plant's symmetry and general proportions, walking all the way around if necessary. Make your next cuts to enhance overall balance.
Step 5
Trim lightly to remove dead branches and stems -- or to make corrective cuts you may have missed earlier -- at any time during the year.
Step 6
Deadhead spent purple sage flowers for a neater look if desired, but this isn't absolutely necessary because dried flowers look fine too -- and leaving them gives seeds a chance to develop and disperse.
Step 1
Prune purple sage only with a purpose, because any unnecessary trimming will only diminish the amount of attractive, fragrant flowers.
Step 2
Make major pruning cuts only when purple sage is dormant, near the end of the winter when the coldest temperatures have passed.
Step 3
Assess the shrub and its condition thoroughly before making any additional pruning cuts. First cut off dead, diseased or otherwise damaged branches and stems.
Step 4
Stand back to study the plant's symmetry and general proportions, walking all the way around if necessary. Make your next cuts to enhance overall balance.
Step 5
Trim lightly to remove dead branches and stems -- or to make corrective cuts you may have missed earlier -- at any time during the year.
Step 6
Deadhead spent purple sage flowers for a neater look if desired, but this isn't absolutely necessary because dried flowers look fine too -- and leaving them gives seeds a chance to develop and disperse.
0
0
文章
Miss Chen
2018年08月01日
Description: This plant is a summer annual that becomes 3-18" tall; it is low and spreading, but not prostrate. The stems are pinkish red, round, and hairless, except for a few fine hairs on new growth. The opposite leaves are up to 2" long and ¾" across. They are oblong, with short petioles and margins that are smooth or irregularly serrate. The lower surface of each leaf is light green, while the upper surface may have a red blotch in the middle. A few fine hairs may occur near the base of eachStems, Leaves, & Flowers leaf. The inflorescence consists of a small cyathium on a straight pedicel. Usually, several cyathia develop near the ends of each major stem when a plant is mature. A cyathium is a small cup-like structure containing the pistillate flower and one or more staminate flowers, which have neither true petals nor sepals. It is initially green, but often turns red in bright sunlight. On this particular species, the cyathium has 4 tiny petal-like appendages that are bright white. Eventually, a round tripartite fruit develops from the cyathium on a short stalk; it often turns red in bright sunlight as well. This fruit is noticeably larger than the flowers. The blooming period is mid-summer to fall, lasting about 1-2 months. There is no noticeable floral scent. The root system consists of a slender central taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full sunlight, dry conditions, and poor soil. The soil can contain significant amounts of gravel, sand, or clay. Foliar disease rarely bothers the leaves, and drought resistance is excellent. This plant can reseed itself readily in sunny open areas.
Range & Habitat: The native Nodding Spurge is a common plant that occurs in nearly every county of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include dry upland areas of prairies, clay prairies, gravel prairies, thickets, openings in upland woodlands, fields and pastures (whether abandoned or still in use), areas along roadsides and railroads, poorly maintained lawns and gardens, and miscellaneous waste areas. This plant prefers disturbed open areas and it is somewhat weedy. This plant seems to be more common in rural than urban areas, possibly because of its intolerance to herbicides and frequent mowing of lawns.
Faunal Associations: The tiny flowers occasionally attract small bees, Syrphid flies, and wasps. These insects seek nectar primarily. The seeds are consumed by the Mourning Dove and Greater Prairie Chicken, and to a lesser extent by the Bobwhite and Horned Lark. The Wild Turkey has been known to eat the foliage, developing buds, and fruits, apparently without ill effects. Mammalian herbivores rarely eat this plant because of the poisonous white latex in the stems and foliage.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the Windsor Road Prairie in Champaign, Illinois. Some flowers are in bloom in one of the photographs as their stamens are clearly visible.
Comments: The Nodding Spurge can be readily distinguished from other Chamaesyce spp. by its more erect habit, larger leaves, and mostly hairless stems. Several scientific names have been applied to the Nodding Spurge in the past, including Chamaesyce maculata, Euphorbia maculata, and Euphorbia preslii. Sometimes the entire plant will turn reddish green in response to strong sunlight and dry conditions.
Cultivation: The preference is full sunlight, dry conditions, and poor soil. The soil can contain significant amounts of gravel, sand, or clay. Foliar disease rarely bothers the leaves, and drought resistance is excellent. This plant can reseed itself readily in sunny open areas.
Range & Habitat: The native Nodding Spurge is a common plant that occurs in nearly every county of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include dry upland areas of prairies, clay prairies, gravel prairies, thickets, openings in upland woodlands, fields and pastures (whether abandoned or still in use), areas along roadsides and railroads, poorly maintained lawns and gardens, and miscellaneous waste areas. This plant prefers disturbed open areas and it is somewhat weedy. This plant seems to be more common in rural than urban areas, possibly because of its intolerance to herbicides and frequent mowing of lawns.
Faunal Associations: The tiny flowers occasionally attract small bees, Syrphid flies, and wasps. These insects seek nectar primarily. The seeds are consumed by the Mourning Dove and Greater Prairie Chicken, and to a lesser extent by the Bobwhite and Horned Lark. The Wild Turkey has been known to eat the foliage, developing buds, and fruits, apparently without ill effects. Mammalian herbivores rarely eat this plant because of the poisonous white latex in the stems and foliage.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the Windsor Road Prairie in Champaign, Illinois. Some flowers are in bloom in one of the photographs as their stamens are clearly visible.
Comments: The Nodding Spurge can be readily distinguished from other Chamaesyce spp. by its more erect habit, larger leaves, and mostly hairless stems. Several scientific names have been applied to the Nodding Spurge in the past, including Chamaesyce maculata, Euphorbia maculata, and Euphorbia preslii. Sometimes the entire plant will turn reddish green in response to strong sunlight and dry conditions.
0
0
文章
Miss Chen
2018年07月31日
Description: This plant is a spring or summer annual that becomes 3-10" tall, branching occasionally. The narrow round stems are covered with white hairs. The lower leaves are opposite, while the middle to upper leaves are alternate. These leaves are up to 1" long and 1/6" (4 mm.) across. They are linear-oblong or linear-oblanceolate, with margins that are ciliate and smooth. From the axil of each middle or upper leaf, a single flower develops from a slender pedicel about 1" long. Sometimes a second flower develops from the leaf axil. Like the stems, these pedicels are covered with white hairs. The flowers are up to 1/4" in length. The corolla is tubular, with 5 spreading lobes in the front and a short spur in the back. The corolla has a small opening at the throat and is more or less two-lipped with 2 upper lobes and 3 lower lobes. It is variously colored, usually some shade of lavender, light purple, or white. Sometimes the corolla is bicolored, with the upper lobes lavender or light purple and the lower lobes white. There are usually a few hairs at the base of the lower lobes. The calyx is green or purplish green and quite hairy. It has 5 oblanceolate lobes that are almost as long as the corolla.
The blooming period occurs during the summer and it lasts about a month for a colony of plants. There is no noticeable floral scent. Each flower is replaced by an ovoid capsule that contains numerous brown seeds. These seeds are tiny enough to be dispersed by gusts of wind. The root system consists of a slender taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: This little plant prefers dry sunny conditions and a sterile soil that is sandy or gravelly. It also grows in partial sun and less dry conditions, in which case it will become somewhat taller and more leafy. In fertile soil, this plant is not competitive with taller vegetation. Alkaline soil is readily tolerated.
Range & Habitat: The non-native Dwarf Snapdragon has been reported from most counties in Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is occasional to locally common. Habitats include gravelly areas along railroads (including the ballast), sandy or gravelly areas along roads, gravelly borders along buildings, and sterile waste areas. Disturbed areas are preferred. Dwarf Snapdragon is especially common along railroads in part because the wind gusts produced by passing trains help to disperse the tiny seeds. This plant is adventive from the Mediterranean area of Europe. It is less common along railroad tracks than formerly because of the application of herbicides.
Faunal Association: Little information is available about floral-faunal relationships. The flowers are pollinated by small bees, although they are also capable of self-pollination. The seeds are too small to be of any interest to birds, and the insubstantial foliage is unlikely to provide much nourishment to mammalian herbivores. Humans assist in the dispersal of the seeds of this plant because of their passing trains and motor vehicles, as noted above.
Photographic Location: A border along a building that was filled with pebbles. This building was located along a railroad in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Sometimes this plant is called "Small Snapdragon" and "Lesser Toadflax." It resembles the Linaria spp. (Toadflaxes) somewhat, except the throat of its corolla is less obstructed by fuzzy hairs and a palate covers the lower lip. Dwarf Snapdragon is one of the members of a group of plants that colonize disturbed sterile soil; these species are ecologically significant because they help to stabilize and restore the fertility of the soil. An alternative spelling of the scientific name for this plant is Chaenorrhinum minus.
The blooming period occurs during the summer and it lasts about a month for a colony of plants. There is no noticeable floral scent. Each flower is replaced by an ovoid capsule that contains numerous brown seeds. These seeds are tiny enough to be dispersed by gusts of wind. The root system consists of a slender taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: This little plant prefers dry sunny conditions and a sterile soil that is sandy or gravelly. It also grows in partial sun and less dry conditions, in which case it will become somewhat taller and more leafy. In fertile soil, this plant is not competitive with taller vegetation. Alkaline soil is readily tolerated.
Range & Habitat: The non-native Dwarf Snapdragon has been reported from most counties in Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is occasional to locally common. Habitats include gravelly areas along railroads (including the ballast), sandy or gravelly areas along roads, gravelly borders along buildings, and sterile waste areas. Disturbed areas are preferred. Dwarf Snapdragon is especially common along railroads in part because the wind gusts produced by passing trains help to disperse the tiny seeds. This plant is adventive from the Mediterranean area of Europe. It is less common along railroad tracks than formerly because of the application of herbicides.
Faunal Association: Little information is available about floral-faunal relationships. The flowers are pollinated by small bees, although they are also capable of self-pollination. The seeds are too small to be of any interest to birds, and the insubstantial foliage is unlikely to provide much nourishment to mammalian herbivores. Humans assist in the dispersal of the seeds of this plant because of their passing trains and motor vehicles, as noted above.
Photographic Location: A border along a building that was filled with pebbles. This building was located along a railroad in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Sometimes this plant is called "Small Snapdragon" and "Lesser Toadflax." It resembles the Linaria spp. (Toadflaxes) somewhat, except the throat of its corolla is less obstructed by fuzzy hairs and a palate covers the lower lip. Dwarf Snapdragon is one of the members of a group of plants that colonize disturbed sterile soil; these species are ecologically significant because they help to stabilize and restore the fertility of the soil. An alternative spelling of the scientific name for this plant is Chaenorrhinum minus.
1
0
Pommy Mommy：My drawf SNAPDRAGONS planted from seed. I live in Ohio and I cannot believe how phenomenal they grew for me! I ended up getting four different varieties of colors each plant is two colors, pink and yellow, orange and yellow, red and orange, and red and yellow have all bloomed so far and I just found another flower pot with more growing as a border (a lot of times when I have sure seeds make a little border ring around the edge of the pot). I just planted my Hundred flower pot! YES, you read that correctly 100! and those are just what I have in pots, I don't count with planted in the ground.
文章
Miss Chen
2018年07月30日
Description: This plant is an annual about 3-8" tall that branches occasionally, and it is more or less erect. The stems, leaves, and calyx of the flowers are greyish green and hairless. The slender stems are irregularly angular. The opposite leaves are up to 1" long and ¾" across, becoming smaller as they ascend the stems. They are variably shaped, smooth along the margins, and sessile or slightly clasping the stems. The lower leaves are ovoid or ovate with blunt tips, while the upper leaves are often lanceolate or oblong. Their texture is slightly fleshy and succulent. There is no tuft of basal leaves at the base of the plant. The upper stems terminate in small cymes or flat-headed panicles of flowers; some cymes of flowers may be produced from the axils of the upper leaves as well. Each flower has a narrow tubular corolla that is about ½" long; at its apex, this corolla divides into 5 spreading lobes up to ¼" across. These petal-like lobes are narrow and pink. At the base of the flower, there is a tubular calyx with 5 lobes that are very narrow and long. These calyx lobes are appressed against the base of the tubular corolla and at least half its length (sometimes they are nearly as long as the corolla). At the narrow throat of the flower, there are several exserted stamens with yellow anthers. Each flower has a short pedicel at least 1/8" long. The blooming period occurs during the summer and early fall and lasts about 2-3 months. As older flowers begin to fade away, the area that is enclosed by the lobes of their calyxes begins to swell until ovoid seed capsules are formed. Each seed capsule is open at the top and has 5 recurved teeth along its upper rim. Each of these capsules contains several tiny seeds that can be blown about by the wind or float on water. The root system consists of shallow fibrous roots. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: Typical growing conditions are full sun and a moist soil that contains loam, clay-loam, or gravelly material. A limy soil and occasional flooding are tolerated.
Range & Habitat: Branching Centaury is an uncommon plant that is originally from Europe. It occurs primarily in a few counties in NE Illinois and does not appear to be spreading (see Distribution Map). The webmaster recently found a small colony of plants growing in Champaign County, Illinois. Habitats include moist depressions in grassy areas along roads and railroads. So far, this species is restricted to highly disturbed habitats.
Faunal Associations: Little information about floral-faunal relationships is available for this species. The structure of the flowers suggests that long-tongued bees, small butterflies, and skippers occasionally pollinate the flowers. One likely candidate is the butterfly Pieris rapae (Cabbage White), which is originally from Europe. The foliage of plants in the Gentian family is usually bitter and unattractive to most herbivores, although rabbits may nibble on the stems and leaves of Branching Centaury occasionally. The seeds are too small to be of much interest to birds.
Photographic Location: A moist grassy depression that was located a short distance away from a railroad in Urbana, Illinois. This area was mowed irregularly and prone to temporary flooding.
Comments: Branching Centaury is a small plant with delicate pink flowers. It has many characteristics in common with members of the Pink family (Caryophyllaceae), but it differs in having a calyx with long slender lobes that are at least half the length of the tubular corolla. According to official records, this is the only Centaurium sp. that has naturalized in Illinois. Some south-central and southwestern states have native Centaurium spp., but none of them have been observed in Illinois. These native species tend to have somewhat larger flowers and more narrow lower leaves. A closely related species from Europe, the biennial Centaurium erythraea (Forking Centaury), has been observed in Indiana and may occur somewhere in Illinois. The inflorescence of this latter species is less flat-headed and more vertical, while its flowers have shorter calyx lobes and slightly longer corolla lobes. The Centaurium spp. differ from the closely related Sabatia spp. (Rose Pinks) by having smaller flowers that are longer than they are across; they are always narrowly tubular at the base. The flowers of Rose Pinks have more open corollas with larger petal-like lobes, while the lobes of their calyxes are more spreading.
Cultivation: Typical growing conditions are full sun and a moist soil that contains loam, clay-loam, or gravelly material. A limy soil and occasional flooding are tolerated.
Range & Habitat: Branching Centaury is an uncommon plant that is originally from Europe. It occurs primarily in a few counties in NE Illinois and does not appear to be spreading (see Distribution Map). The webmaster recently found a small colony of plants growing in Champaign County, Illinois. Habitats include moist depressions in grassy areas along roads and railroads. So far, this species is restricted to highly disturbed habitats.
Faunal Associations: Little information about floral-faunal relationships is available for this species. The structure of the flowers suggests that long-tongued bees, small butterflies, and skippers occasionally pollinate the flowers. One likely candidate is the butterfly Pieris rapae (Cabbage White), which is originally from Europe. The foliage of plants in the Gentian family is usually bitter and unattractive to most herbivores, although rabbits may nibble on the stems and leaves of Branching Centaury occasionally. The seeds are too small to be of much interest to birds.
Photographic Location: A moist grassy depression that was located a short distance away from a railroad in Urbana, Illinois. This area was mowed irregularly and prone to temporary flooding.
Comments: Branching Centaury is a small plant with delicate pink flowers. It has many characteristics in common with members of the Pink family (Caryophyllaceae), but it differs in having a calyx with long slender lobes that are at least half the length of the tubular corolla. According to official records, this is the only Centaurium sp. that has naturalized in Illinois. Some south-central and southwestern states have native Centaurium spp., but none of them have been observed in Illinois. These native species tend to have somewhat larger flowers and more narrow lower leaves. A closely related species from Europe, the biennial Centaurium erythraea (Forking Centaury), has been observed in Indiana and may occur somewhere in Illinois. The inflorescence of this latter species is less flat-headed and more vertical, while its flowers have shorter calyx lobes and slightly longer corolla lobes. The Centaurium spp. differ from the closely related Sabatia spp. (Rose Pinks) by having smaller flowers that are longer than they are across; they are always narrowly tubular at the base. The flowers of Rose Pinks have more open corollas with larger petal-like lobes, while the lobes of their calyxes are more spreading.
0
0
