文章
Miss Chen
2018年06月14日
Description: This biennial or short-lived perennial plant is 3-6' tall, branching occasionally. The stout stems are terete, glabrous, and sometimes glaucous; they are pale green, pink, or reddish purple, often with prominent longitudinal veins. The lower portion of the central stem is hollow. The compound leaves are odd-pinnate or doubly odd-pinnate; they alternate along the stems. The lower compound leaves are up to 1½' long and ¾' across; the upper compound leaves are much smaller. Each division of a compound leaf typically has 3-7 leaflets. The bases of petioles are partially enclosed by their sheaths; otherwise they are similar to the stems in appearance, although more slender. The glabrous leaflets are 1½-4" long and ½-1¼" across; they are oblong-elliptic with wedge-shaped bottoms, tapered tips, and dentate margins. Sometimes the leaflets fold upward along the length of their central veins. Leaflet venation is pinnate. The lateral veins of leaflets extend to the notches between the teeth, rather than to their tips, along the leaflet margins.
The upper stems occasionally produce compound umbels of small white flowers. These compound umbels are up to 6" across and consist of 10-20 umbellets. Individual umbels are dome-shaped on top, rather than flat. Individual umbellets have about 12-15 flowers that are clustered together. Each flower is about 1/8" across, consisting of 5 white petals, an insignificant calyx, 5 white stamens, and a divided style. The tiny petals are constricted at their bases, and they have notched tips. The blooming period occurs during mid-summer, lasting about 1 month. The flowers have a slight fragrance that is sometimes detectable. Afterwards, each flower is replaced by a small angular fruit containing a pair of seeds. The root system consists of several fleshy roots at the base of the plant; they are ovoid or oblongoid in shape. These fleshy roots are exceptionally poisonous; the stems and foliage are somewhat less poisonous. This plant spreads by reseeding itself into neighboring areas.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun and wet to moist conditions. Some standing water is tolerated, if it is temporary. Either loamy or sandy soil is acceptable to this plant; it should contain some organic material to retain moisture. Foliar disease isn't a significant problem for healthy plants in an appropriate location.
Range & Habitat: The native Water Hemlock has been observed in nearly all counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map); it is occasional to locally common. Habitats include moist open woodlands, swamps, wet prairies, prairie swales, marshes, seeps, and roadside ditches. Water Hemlock prefers moister locations than the introduced Conium maculatum (Poison Hemlock), and so these two species rarely compete with each other for the same ecological niche. It is not uncommon to find Water Hemlock growing where Iris virginica shrevei (Blue Flag Iris) also occurs.
Faunal Associations: The exposed nectar of the flowers attract primarily insects with short mouthparts. These floral visitors include leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees, cuckoo bees (Sphecodes spp.), plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), masked bees (Hylaeus spp.), Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, Tiphiid wasps, spider wasps (Pompilidae), velvet ants (Mutillidae), cuckoo wasps (Chrysididae), Eucoilid wasps, Braconid wasps, soldier flies (Stratiomyidae), Syrphid flies, thick-headed flies (Conopidae), Tachinid flies, flesh flies (Sarcophagidae), Muscid flies, and miscellaneous beetles (Robertson, 1929). The larvae of a butterfly, Papilio polyxenes (Black Swallowtail), feed on the foliage of Water Hemlock, while the larvae of a moth, Epermenia cicutaella, feed on the flowers and immature fruits. Several aphids suck plant juices from this plant, including Cavariella aegopodii (Carrot-Willow Aphid), Cavariella pastinacae (Parsnip-Willow Aphid), and Hyadaphis foeniculi (Honeysuckle-Fennel Aphid). Other insect feeders include Apion pensylvanicum (a weevil), Orthops scutellatus (Carrot Plant Bug), Paroxyna atlantica (Atlantic Grasshopper), and Paroxyna clavuliger (Olive-Green Swamp Grasshopper); see Pepper (1965), Blackman & Eastop (2013), Majka et al. (2007), Wheeler et al. (1983), and Harms & Grodowitz (2009). The toxic foliage and roots are usually left undisturbed by mammalian herbivores, although cattle and other livestock sometimes eat this plant with dire results. The fleshy roots are especially toxic: just a small piece can be fatal.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken of plants in a wet prairie along an abandoned railroad in Champaign County, Illinois. There was 2 ft. of standing water around the base of the plants as the result of a recent heavy rainfall, although at other times the site is merely moist.
Comments: Water Hemlock is a reasonably attractive and eloquent plant, while the flowers provide nectar to many beneficial insects. It is fairly easy to distinguish Water Hemlock from other members of the Carrot family because of its double compound leaves and rather large leaflets that are rarely lobed. Many other members of the Carrot family have only simple compound leaves, or their leaflets are much smaller in size, or their leaflets are deeply lobed. On Water Hemlock, the lateral veins of the leaflets extend to the notches between the teeth, rather than to their tips, along the leaf margins. Apparently, no other member of the Carrot family in Illinois has this characteristic.
The upper stems occasionally produce compound umbels of small white flowers. These compound umbels are up to 6" across and consist of 10-20 umbellets. Individual umbels are dome-shaped on top, rather than flat. Individual umbellets have about 12-15 flowers that are clustered together. Each flower is about 1/8" across, consisting of 5 white petals, an insignificant calyx, 5 white stamens, and a divided style. The tiny petals are constricted at their bases, and they have notched tips. The blooming period occurs during mid-summer, lasting about 1 month. The flowers have a slight fragrance that is sometimes detectable. Afterwards, each flower is replaced by a small angular fruit containing a pair of seeds. The root system consists of several fleshy roots at the base of the plant; they are ovoid or oblongoid in shape. These fleshy roots are exceptionally poisonous; the stems and foliage are somewhat less poisonous. This plant spreads by reseeding itself into neighboring areas.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun and wet to moist conditions. Some standing water is tolerated, if it is temporary. Either loamy or sandy soil is acceptable to this plant; it should contain some organic material to retain moisture. Foliar disease isn't a significant problem for healthy plants in an appropriate location.
Range & Habitat: The native Water Hemlock has been observed in nearly all counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map); it is occasional to locally common. Habitats include moist open woodlands, swamps, wet prairies, prairie swales, marshes, seeps, and roadside ditches. Water Hemlock prefers moister locations than the introduced Conium maculatum (Poison Hemlock), and so these two species rarely compete with each other for the same ecological niche. It is not uncommon to find Water Hemlock growing where Iris virginica shrevei (Blue Flag Iris) also occurs.
Faunal Associations: The exposed nectar of the flowers attract primarily insects with short mouthparts. These floral visitors include leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees, cuckoo bees (Sphecodes spp.), plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), masked bees (Hylaeus spp.), Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, Tiphiid wasps, spider wasps (Pompilidae), velvet ants (Mutillidae), cuckoo wasps (Chrysididae), Eucoilid wasps, Braconid wasps, soldier flies (Stratiomyidae), Syrphid flies, thick-headed flies (Conopidae), Tachinid flies, flesh flies (Sarcophagidae), Muscid flies, and miscellaneous beetles (Robertson, 1929). The larvae of a butterfly, Papilio polyxenes (Black Swallowtail), feed on the foliage of Water Hemlock, while the larvae of a moth, Epermenia cicutaella, feed on the flowers and immature fruits. Several aphids suck plant juices from this plant, including Cavariella aegopodii (Carrot-Willow Aphid), Cavariella pastinacae (Parsnip-Willow Aphid), and Hyadaphis foeniculi (Honeysuckle-Fennel Aphid). Other insect feeders include Apion pensylvanicum (a weevil), Orthops scutellatus (Carrot Plant Bug), Paroxyna atlantica (Atlantic Grasshopper), and Paroxyna clavuliger (Olive-Green Swamp Grasshopper); see Pepper (1965), Blackman & Eastop (2013), Majka et al. (2007), Wheeler et al. (1983), and Harms & Grodowitz (2009). The toxic foliage and roots are usually left undisturbed by mammalian herbivores, although cattle and other livestock sometimes eat this plant with dire results. The fleshy roots are especially toxic: just a small piece can be fatal.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken of plants in a wet prairie along an abandoned railroad in Champaign County, Illinois. There was 2 ft. of standing water around the base of the plants as the result of a recent heavy rainfall, although at other times the site is merely moist.
Comments: Water Hemlock is a reasonably attractive and eloquent plant, while the flowers provide nectar to many beneficial insects. It is fairly easy to distinguish Water Hemlock from other members of the Carrot family because of its double compound leaves and rather large leaflets that are rarely lobed. Many other members of the Carrot family have only simple compound leaves, or their leaflets are much smaller in size, or their leaflets are deeply lobed. On Water Hemlock, the lateral veins of the leaflets extend to the notches between the teeth, rather than to their tips, along the leaf margins. Apparently, no other member of the Carrot family in Illinois has this characteristic.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年06月14日
Description: This perennial plant is 1½–3½' tall, branching occasionally. The stems are light green or light reddish green, glabrous, and glaucous. The compound leaves are up to 1' long and 8" across (excluding their petioles), becoming smaller as they ascend the stems; they are alternate, green, and glabrous. The lower leaves are double-pinnate, while the upper leaves are often simple-pinnate. The petioles of the lower leaves are long, while those of the upper leaves are much shorter or absent. The leaflets are up to 3" long and 1/3" (8 mm.) across; they are linear to lanceolate-linear, dentate, and sometimes cleft into narrow lobes. The axils of the upper leaves often have sessile clusters of ovoid bulblets. The upper stems terminate in compound umbels of small white flowers.
Each compound umbel spans about 2-4" across and it consists of about 8 umbellets. Each umbellet has about 16 flowers. There are neither bracts nor bractlets at the base of the compound umbel and its umbellets, although a small sessile leaf may occur near the base of the compound umbel. Each flower spans about 1/8" (3 mm.) across or a little less, consisting of 5 white petals, 5 stamens, 2 styles, and an ovary. The blooming period occurs during late summer to early autumn and it lasts about one month. There is no noticeable floral scent. A pair of seeds are contained in each fruit (schizocarp). These fruits are about 1/8" (3 mm.) long; they are somewhat flattened, ovoid-oblongoid in shape, and slightly notched at their apices. The root system consists of a cluster of elongated fleshy roots. The foliage, seeds, and fleshy roots are toxic (especially the latter). This plant reproduces by seeds and aerial bulblets.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to full sun, wet conditions, and a mucky or mossy soil. This plant requires soil that is saturated with moisture throughout the year.
Range & Habitat: The native Bulblet-Bearing Water Hemlock is an uncommon plant that occurs primarily in the northern half of Illinois, especially in the NE area of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include both sandy and non-sandy marshes, swamps, and borders of lakes and ponds. This species is normally found in high quality wetlands.
Faunal Associations: Like other members of the Carrot family, the nectar of the flowers is accessible to insects with short mouthparts, therefore they will attract such visitors as flies, wasps, beetles, and small bees. Some of these insects may collect or feed on the pollen as well. The caterpillars of a butterfly, Papilio polyxenes asterias (Black Swallowtail), feed on the foliage. Other insects that feed on water hemlock species (Cicuta spp.) include stem-boring larvae of a weevil (Apion pensylvanicum), flower- and fruit-eating larvae of an Epermeniid moth (Epermenia cicutaella), flower- and fruit-eating nymphs and adults of Orthops scutellatus (Carrot Plant Bug), Cavariella aegopodii (Carrot-Willow Aphid) and other Cavariella spp., and Hyadaphis foeniculi (Honeysuckle-Fennel Aphid); see Majka et al. (2007), Covell (1984/2005), Wheeler et al. (1983), Blackman & Eastop (2013), and Pepper (1965). The poisonous seeds are not eaten by birds, while the poisonous foliage and roots are usually avoided by mammalian herbivores. Consumption of the fleshy roots and other parts of this plant by either mammalian herbivores or humans can cause convulsions and death.
Photographic Location: A sandy marsh at the Heron Boardwalk in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: Bulblet-Bearing Water Hemlock is highly unusual because it bears clusters of bulblets in the upper leaf axils. With the exception of Ranunculus ficaria (Lesser Celandine), I can think of no other plant in Illinois that has this characteristic. Some Allium spp. (Onions) produce bulblets instead of flowers in their umbels, but their bulblets are not produced from the axils of leaves. Another species that occurs within the state, Cicuta maculata (Water Hemlock) is more common. Water Hemlock is a larger plant than Bulblet-Bearing Water Hemlock and it has broader leaflets (more than 1/3" or 8 mm. across). Water Hemlock blooms during mid-summer before Bulblet-Bearing Water Hemlock begins to bloom. Another white-flowered member of the Carrot family, Sium suave (Water Parsnip), often blooms at the same time as Bulblet-Bearing Water Hemlock and it occurs in the same wetland habitats. Water Parsnip has about 3 lanceolate bracts at the base of its compound umbels and its leaves are always simple-pinnate. Another similar species that blooms late, Oxypolis rigidior (Cowbane), also has leaves that are simple-pinnate. In contrast, the lower leaves of Bulblet-Bearing Water Hemlock are double-pinnate.
Each compound umbel spans about 2-4" across and it consists of about 8 umbellets. Each umbellet has about 16 flowers. There are neither bracts nor bractlets at the base of the compound umbel and its umbellets, although a small sessile leaf may occur near the base of the compound umbel. Each flower spans about 1/8" (3 mm.) across or a little less, consisting of 5 white petals, 5 stamens, 2 styles, and an ovary. The blooming period occurs during late summer to early autumn and it lasts about one month. There is no noticeable floral scent. A pair of seeds are contained in each fruit (schizocarp). These fruits are about 1/8" (3 mm.) long; they are somewhat flattened, ovoid-oblongoid in shape, and slightly notched at their apices. The root system consists of a cluster of elongated fleshy roots. The foliage, seeds, and fleshy roots are toxic (especially the latter). This plant reproduces by seeds and aerial bulblets.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to full sun, wet conditions, and a mucky or mossy soil. This plant requires soil that is saturated with moisture throughout the year.
Range & Habitat: The native Bulblet-Bearing Water Hemlock is an uncommon plant that occurs primarily in the northern half of Illinois, especially in the NE area of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include both sandy and non-sandy marshes, swamps, and borders of lakes and ponds. This species is normally found in high quality wetlands.
Faunal Associations: Like other members of the Carrot family, the nectar of the flowers is accessible to insects with short mouthparts, therefore they will attract such visitors as flies, wasps, beetles, and small bees. Some of these insects may collect or feed on the pollen as well. The caterpillars of a butterfly, Papilio polyxenes asterias (Black Swallowtail), feed on the foliage. Other insects that feed on water hemlock species (Cicuta spp.) include stem-boring larvae of a weevil (Apion pensylvanicum), flower- and fruit-eating larvae of an Epermeniid moth (Epermenia cicutaella), flower- and fruit-eating nymphs and adults of Orthops scutellatus (Carrot Plant Bug), Cavariella aegopodii (Carrot-Willow Aphid) and other Cavariella spp., and Hyadaphis foeniculi (Honeysuckle-Fennel Aphid); see Majka et al. (2007), Covell (1984/2005), Wheeler et al. (1983), Blackman & Eastop (2013), and Pepper (1965). The poisonous seeds are not eaten by birds, while the poisonous foliage and roots are usually avoided by mammalian herbivores. Consumption of the fleshy roots and other parts of this plant by either mammalian herbivores or humans can cause convulsions and death.
Photographic Location: A sandy marsh at the Heron Boardwalk in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: Bulblet-Bearing Water Hemlock is highly unusual because it bears clusters of bulblets in the upper leaf axils. With the exception of Ranunculus ficaria (Lesser Celandine), I can think of no other plant in Illinois that has this characteristic. Some Allium spp. (Onions) produce bulblets instead of flowers in their umbels, but their bulblets are not produced from the axils of leaves. Another species that occurs within the state, Cicuta maculata (Water Hemlock) is more common. Water Hemlock is a larger plant than Bulblet-Bearing Water Hemlock and it has broader leaflets (more than 1/3" or 8 mm. across). Water Hemlock blooms during mid-summer before Bulblet-Bearing Water Hemlock begins to bloom. Another white-flowered member of the Carrot family, Sium suave (Water Parsnip), often blooms at the same time as Bulblet-Bearing Water Hemlock and it occurs in the same wetland habitats. Water Parsnip has about 3 lanceolate bracts at the base of its compound umbels and its leaves are always simple-pinnate. Another similar species that blooms late, Oxypolis rigidior (Cowbane), also has leaves that are simple-pinnate. In contrast, the lower leaves of Bulblet-Bearing Water Hemlock are double-pinnate.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年06月14日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 1-3' tall and usually unbranched; it will form side branches if the central stem is broken. The central stem is light green, glabrous, and terete (round in cross-section); there are pairs of opposite leaves along its length that have a tendency to droop. The leaf blades are up to 6" long and 2¼" across; they are lanceolate to broadly lanceolate, hairless, and serrated along their margins. The upper surface of each leaf blade is medium to dark green, while its lower surface is pale green. At the base of each leaf blade, there is a short petiole about ¼–½" in length.
The central stem terminates in a short spike of flowers. Each flower is 1–1½" in length; it has a corolla with a flattened tubular shape and a short calyx with 5 blunt teeth. The two-lipped corolla is pink to deep rosy pink; the upper lip has the shape of a broad hood, while the lower lip has 3 outer lobes. The central lobe of the lower lip is often elevated slightly above the 2 lateral lobes when the flower is fully open. Behind the lower lip of the corolla, there is a conspicuous patch of white or pale yellow hairs. The calyx is light green and glabrous; it has teeth that are broadly ovate or oval-ovate. Underneath the calyx of each flower, there are short appressed bracts that resemble the teeth of the calyx. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall and lasts about a month. There is no floral scent. Ovoid seed capsules develop after the corollas of the flowers turn brown and fall off. Each seed capsule is about ½" long; it is initially light green and glabrous, but later turns brown and splits open to release the seeds. The root system is rhizomatous and vegetative colonies of plants occasionally form.
Stems & Leaves
Cultivation: The preference is partial or dappled sunlight, consistently moist conditions, and a fertile loamy soil with abundant organic matter. The foliage is rarely disfigured by disease.
Range & Habitat: The native Pink Turtlehead is an uncommon wildflower that is found primarily in southern and western Illinois; elsewhere in the state, it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include wet to moist floodplain forests, swamps, soggy meadows and thickets, and partially shaded seeps and springs. This species usually occurs in high quality habitats. It is sometimes grown in flower gardens.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by bumblebees; sometimes the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird also visits the flowers of Chelone spp. (Turtleheads) for their nectar. The bitter foliage is usually avoided by White-Tailed Deer and other mammalian herbivores.
Comments: Pink Turtlehead is the only native Chelone sp. (Turtlehead) in Illinois with pink to deep rosy pink flowers. It is an attractive plant with turtlehead-shaped flowers. The other native Turtlehead within the state is Chelone glabra (White Turtlehead), which has white (or slightly pink) flowers and shorter petioles (less than ¼"). Sometimes Chelone lyonii (Lyon's Turtlehead) is grown in flower gardens, although it has not naturalized within the state. This species is native to the Appalachian mountains in the SE. Lyon's Turtlehead has flowers that are about the same color as those of Pink Turtlehead, but it has wider leaf blades and longer petioles (½–1½" long). Other common names that refer to Chelone obliqua include Rose Turtlehead, Purple Turtlehead, and Red Turtlehead. Plants that are offered for sale as 'Chelone obliqua' by mass-market nurseries may be hybrids of undetermined parentage, rather than the open-pollinated species.
The central stem terminates in a short spike of flowers. Each flower is 1–1½" in length; it has a corolla with a flattened tubular shape and a short calyx with 5 blunt teeth. The two-lipped corolla is pink to deep rosy pink; the upper lip has the shape of a broad hood, while the lower lip has 3 outer lobes. The central lobe of the lower lip is often elevated slightly above the 2 lateral lobes when the flower is fully open. Behind the lower lip of the corolla, there is a conspicuous patch of white or pale yellow hairs. The calyx is light green and glabrous; it has teeth that are broadly ovate or oval-ovate. Underneath the calyx of each flower, there are short appressed bracts that resemble the teeth of the calyx. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall and lasts about a month. There is no floral scent. Ovoid seed capsules develop after the corollas of the flowers turn brown and fall off. Each seed capsule is about ½" long; it is initially light green and glabrous, but later turns brown and splits open to release the seeds. The root system is rhizomatous and vegetative colonies of plants occasionally form.
Stems & Leaves
Cultivation: The preference is partial or dappled sunlight, consistently moist conditions, and a fertile loamy soil with abundant organic matter. The foliage is rarely disfigured by disease.
Range & Habitat: The native Pink Turtlehead is an uncommon wildflower that is found primarily in southern and western Illinois; elsewhere in the state, it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include wet to moist floodplain forests, swamps, soggy meadows and thickets, and partially shaded seeps and springs. This species usually occurs in high quality habitats. It is sometimes grown in flower gardens.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by bumblebees; sometimes the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird also visits the flowers of Chelone spp. (Turtleheads) for their nectar. The bitter foliage is usually avoided by White-Tailed Deer and other mammalian herbivores.
Comments: Pink Turtlehead is the only native Chelone sp. (Turtlehead) in Illinois with pink to deep rosy pink flowers. It is an attractive plant with turtlehead-shaped flowers. The other native Turtlehead within the state is Chelone glabra (White Turtlehead), which has white (or slightly pink) flowers and shorter petioles (less than ¼"). Sometimes Chelone lyonii (Lyon's Turtlehead) is grown in flower gardens, although it has not naturalized within the state. This species is native to the Appalachian mountains in the SE. Lyon's Turtlehead has flowers that are about the same color as those of Pink Turtlehead, but it has wider leaf blades and longer petioles (½–1½" long). Other common names that refer to Chelone obliqua include Rose Turtlehead, Purple Turtlehead, and Red Turtlehead. Plants that are offered for sale as 'Chelone obliqua' by mass-market nurseries may be hybrids of undetermined parentage, rather than the open-pollinated species.
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Miss Chen
2018年06月14日
Description: This perennial plant is about 2-3' tall and unbranched or sparingly branched. The central stem is glabrous and either terete or 4-angled. Each pair of opposite leaves rotates 90° from the position of the pair of leaves immediately below. For var. linifolia of White Turtlehead, these leaves are less than ¾" across and they are linear-lanceolate in shape. However, the typical variety of White Turtlehead has some leaves greater than ¾" and they are lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate in shape. The leaves are hairless and finely serrated along their margins. At their bases, the leaves are sessile, or they have petioles that are less than ¼" in length. The central stem terminates in a dense spike of white flowers about 3-6" in length, blooming from the bottom to the top.
Each flower is about 1¼" long, consisting of a 2-lipped white corolla, a green calyx with 5 oval teeth, a slender white style, and 5 hairy stamens. Four of these stamens have fertile anthers, while the remaining stamen is sterile and green. The tubular corolla is somewhat flattened at the mouth, where it is more wide than tall. The upper lip of the corolla functions as a protective hood, while the lower lip has 2-3 shallow lobes and functions as a landing pad for visiting insects. The lower interior of the corolla has abundant white hairs. At the base of the calyx, there are a few green bracts that resemble the sepals. The blooming period occurs from late summer to fall and lasts about 1month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Each flower is replaced by an ovoid seed capsule containing several seeds that are flattened and broadly winged; these seeds can be blown about by the wind and probably float on water. The root system consists of a taproot and rhizomes. Vegetative colonies may form as a result of these rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, wet to moist conditions, and a fertile soil containing some organic matter. Temporary flooding is tolerated. This plant can be maintained in gardens if it is watered during dry spells.
Range & Habitat: The native White Turtlehead occurs occasionally in central and northern Illinois, but it is rare in the southern part of the state (see Distribution Map). The typical variety of this species is more abundant than var. linifolia. Habitats include open woodlands in floodplain areas, thickets in floodplain areas, wet prairies, sedge meadows, seeps, springs, marshes, and fens. These habitats can be either sandy or non-sandy. White Turtlehead is an indicator plant of fens, where the ground water ranges from slightly acid to alkaline, but it occurs in other high quality wetland habitats as well.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated by nectar-seeking bumblebees; sometimes they also attract the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. In the northern half of Illinois, White Turtlehead is the preferred host for caterpillars of the butterfly Euphydryas phaeton phaeton (Baltimore). This butterfly is fairly uncommon. Other insects that feed on the foliage of White Turtle include leaf-mining larvae of the flea beetle Diabolia chelones, larvae of the sawfly Tenthredo grandis, and larvae of the sawfly Macrophya nigra. The seeds are eaten by larvae of the fly Phytomyza chelonei and larvae of the polyphagous moth Endothenia hebesana, while larvae of Papaipema nepheleptena (Turtlehead Borer Moth) bore through the stems (Clark et al. 2004, Smith 2006, Eastman, 1995). The foliage is bitter and usually avoided by White-Tailed Deer and other mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A prairie swale at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois. In some photographs, the plants with yellow flowerheads in the background are Bidens polylepis.
Comments: The interesting flowers of this species resemble the head of a turtle, hence the common name. Because of these unique flowers, Chelone spp. (turtleheads) are easy to distinguish from other groups of plants. Among the turtleheads occurring in the Midwest, White Turtlehead is unique in having white flowers (although they are sometimes tinted light pink or pale purple). It also has more narrow leaves than other turtleheads, which is especially pronounced in var. linifolia, as illustrated in the photograph of the leaves. The other turtlehead species that occurs in Illinois, Chelone obliqua (Pink Turtlehead), has pink flowers and broader leaves with longer petioles (these petioles exceed ¼" in length). This species is uncommon and usually occurs in damp wooded habitats.
Each flower is about 1¼" long, consisting of a 2-lipped white corolla, a green calyx with 5 oval teeth, a slender white style, and 5 hairy stamens. Four of these stamens have fertile anthers, while the remaining stamen is sterile and green. The tubular corolla is somewhat flattened at the mouth, where it is more wide than tall. The upper lip of the corolla functions as a protective hood, while the lower lip has 2-3 shallow lobes and functions as a landing pad for visiting insects. The lower interior of the corolla has abundant white hairs. At the base of the calyx, there are a few green bracts that resemble the sepals. The blooming period occurs from late summer to fall and lasts about 1month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Each flower is replaced by an ovoid seed capsule containing several seeds that are flattened and broadly winged; these seeds can be blown about by the wind and probably float on water. The root system consists of a taproot and rhizomes. Vegetative colonies may form as a result of these rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, wet to moist conditions, and a fertile soil containing some organic matter. Temporary flooding is tolerated. This plant can be maintained in gardens if it is watered during dry spells.
Range & Habitat: The native White Turtlehead occurs occasionally in central and northern Illinois, but it is rare in the southern part of the state (see Distribution Map). The typical variety of this species is more abundant than var. linifolia. Habitats include open woodlands in floodplain areas, thickets in floodplain areas, wet prairies, sedge meadows, seeps, springs, marshes, and fens. These habitats can be either sandy or non-sandy. White Turtlehead is an indicator plant of fens, where the ground water ranges from slightly acid to alkaline, but it occurs in other high quality wetland habitats as well.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated by nectar-seeking bumblebees; sometimes they also attract the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. In the northern half of Illinois, White Turtlehead is the preferred host for caterpillars of the butterfly Euphydryas phaeton phaeton (Baltimore). This butterfly is fairly uncommon. Other insects that feed on the foliage of White Turtle include leaf-mining larvae of the flea beetle Diabolia chelones, larvae of the sawfly Tenthredo grandis, and larvae of the sawfly Macrophya nigra. The seeds are eaten by larvae of the fly Phytomyza chelonei and larvae of the polyphagous moth Endothenia hebesana, while larvae of Papaipema nepheleptena (Turtlehead Borer Moth) bore through the stems (Clark et al. 2004, Smith 2006, Eastman, 1995). The foliage is bitter and usually avoided by White-Tailed Deer and other mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A prairie swale at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois. In some photographs, the plants with yellow flowerheads in the background are Bidens polylepis.
Comments: The interesting flowers of this species resemble the head of a turtle, hence the common name. Because of these unique flowers, Chelone spp. (turtleheads) are easy to distinguish from other groups of plants. Among the turtleheads occurring in the Midwest, White Turtlehead is unique in having white flowers (although they are sometimes tinted light pink or pale purple). It also has more narrow leaves than other turtleheads, which is especially pronounced in var. linifolia, as illustrated in the photograph of the leaves. The other turtlehead species that occurs in Illinois, Chelone obliqua (Pink Turtlehead), has pink flowers and broader leaves with longer petioles (these petioles exceed ¼" in length). This species is uncommon and usually occurs in damp wooded habitats.
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Miss Chen
2018年06月12日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant becomes 3-7' tall, forming either a solitary or a cluster of central stems that branch occasionally to abundantly. The central stems are light green, vertically veined, glabrous, and sometimes glaucous; they are terete (circular in circumference), except for the decurrent bases of the leaves. This latter characteristic causes them to appear heavily winged. Spreading to drooping alternate leaves occur along the entire length of these stems at regular intervals, becoming gradually smaller in size as they ascend. The leaves of the central stems are up to 7" long and 1½" across; they are oblong-lanceolate in shape, while their margins are entire (toothless) and often slightly wavy (vertically) or undulate (horizontally). These leaves taper gradually, forming narrow acute tips, while their bases strongly clasp the central stems. The basal margins of these leaves extend downward 1-3" along their stems, forming pairs of wings up to ¾" across. The upper leaf surface is medium to dark green and glabrous, while the lower leaf surface is a slightly lighter shade of green, glabrous, and sometimes glaucous. Leaf venation is pinnate; the central veins of these leaves are prominent, particularly toward their bases. Slender ascending lateral stems develop from the axils of the leaves, particularly along the middle to upper leaves of the central stems. The alternate leaves of these lateral stems are up to 3" long and ½" across; they are elliptic or linear-lanceolate in shape, entire along their margins, and either sessile or decurrent at their bases. When their bases are decurrent, the basal margins of these secondary leaves extend downward up to 1" along their stems, forming pairs of wings up to ¼" across.
The central stems terminate in large panicles of flowerheads (up to 2' long and 2' across) that are more or less dome-shaped. On robust plants, many lateral stems will also terminate in smaller panicles of flowerheads. The branches of these inflorescences are similar to the stems, except they are less winged from the decurrent bases of their leafy bracts. These bracts are up 3" long and ½" across and they are similar in appearance to the leaves of lateral stems, although they can become smaller in size. Each daisy-like flowerhead is ¾–1" across, consisting of 40-60 ray florets that surround a dense head of 180+ disk florets. The ray florets are pistillate (female), while the disk florets are perfect (male and female). The petaloid rays of these flowerheads are linear-oblong in shape and white (rarely lavender or light purple). The corollas of the disk florets are about 2 mm. long, yellow, tubular in shape, and 5-lobed along their upper rims. Around the base of each flowerhead, light green phyllaries (floral scales) are arranged in about 3 overlapping series. These phyllaries are linear-oblanceolate in shape, membranous along their margins, and appressed together. When the flowerhead blooms, these phyllaries form an involucre that is shaped like a shallow plate or flat disk. The peduncles (basal stalks) of these flowerheads are up to 3" long. The blooming period occurs during late summer into autumn, lasting about 1-2 months. Afterwards, the fertile florets are replaced by achenes about 1.5–2.5 mm. in length. These achenes are obovoid, somewhat flattened, and slightly winged along their margins; solitary pairs of awn-like scales occur at their apices. The achenes can be blown about by the wind or float on water. The root system is shallow and fibrous.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, wet to moist conditions, and fertile soil containing loam, clay-loam, or silty deposits. However, this plant can adapt to drier conditions in gardens if it is watered during dry spells. Growth and development from seed is usually rapid, as this plant can bloom during the first year. Some stakes or a wire cage may be necessary to keep it upright in a flower garden or rain garden.
Range & Habitat: The Decurrent False Aster is largely restricted to several counties in central and SW Illinois, where it is found along the floodplain of the Illinois River (see Distribution Map). This species has also been found at Lake County in NE Illinois, where it is adventive. Outside of Illinois, a few small colonies of plants have been found along the floodplain of the Mississippi River in eastern Missouri. Decurrent False Aster is a rare plant that is listed as 'threatened' in Illinois, and it is also listed as 'threatened' at the Federal level of the United States. Populations of this plant can vary considerably from year-to-year depending on the pattern of precipitation and flooding along the Illinois River and Mississippi River. Flood-control projects, wetland habitat destruction, and excessive sediment in the water during floods can undermine the long-term survival of this plant. Habitats include riverbottom prairies, shallow marshes, and mud flats along major rivers. This is a conservative species that is found in wetland habitats along rivers that are prone to occasional flooding. Such floods reduce competition from other herbaceous plants and woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about the floral-faunal relationships of Decurrent False Aster (Boltonia decurrens), although it is probably similar to the more common False Aster (Boltonia asteroides). Pollinators of the flowerheads probably consist of long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, skippers, and beetles. Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. One bee species, Perdita boltoniae, is a specialist pollinator (oligolege) of Boltonia spp., and another bee, Melissodes boltoniae, may be a weak oligolege of these plants (Robertson, 1929). The larvae of a beetle, Microrhopala xerene, mine the leaves of False Aster and other species in the Aster family (Clark et al, 2004). The relationship of Decurrent False Aster to vertebrate animals is probably similar to many wetland asters (Aster spp.).
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: This rare wildflower adapts to gardens readily and it should be cultivated more often. Decurrent False Aster (Boltonia decurrens) is similar in appearance to False Aster (Boltonia asteroides), except the latter species lacks decurrent wings along its stems. Decurrent False Aster also lacks the wandering rhizomes of the latter species, although it is capable of developing more than one shoot from its root system. Decurrent False Aster is sometimes classified as a variety of this latter species, or Boltonia asteroides decurrens. False asters (Boltonia spp.) differ from asters (Aster spp., Symphyotrichum spp., etc.) by lacking tufts of hair on the apices of their achenes. Instead, the achenes of false asters have awn-like scales in pairs. In addition, the bases of their flowerheads (involucres) are more flattened in appearance (shaped like a shallow dish or flat disk), while those of asters are more cup-like or turban-shaped (turbinate). The flowerheads of False Asters resemble those of fleabanes (Erigeron spp.), except the flowerheads of the latter bloom earlier in the year and their achenes have sessile tufts of bristly hairs.
The central stems terminate in large panicles of flowerheads (up to 2' long and 2' across) that are more or less dome-shaped. On robust plants, many lateral stems will also terminate in smaller panicles of flowerheads. The branches of these inflorescences are similar to the stems, except they are less winged from the decurrent bases of their leafy bracts. These bracts are up 3" long and ½" across and they are similar in appearance to the leaves of lateral stems, although they can become smaller in size. Each daisy-like flowerhead is ¾–1" across, consisting of 40-60 ray florets that surround a dense head of 180+ disk florets. The ray florets are pistillate (female), while the disk florets are perfect (male and female). The petaloid rays of these flowerheads are linear-oblong in shape and white (rarely lavender or light purple). The corollas of the disk florets are about 2 mm. long, yellow, tubular in shape, and 5-lobed along their upper rims. Around the base of each flowerhead, light green phyllaries (floral scales) are arranged in about 3 overlapping series. These phyllaries are linear-oblanceolate in shape, membranous along their margins, and appressed together. When the flowerhead blooms, these phyllaries form an involucre that is shaped like a shallow plate or flat disk. The peduncles (basal stalks) of these flowerheads are up to 3" long. The blooming period occurs during late summer into autumn, lasting about 1-2 months. Afterwards, the fertile florets are replaced by achenes about 1.5–2.5 mm. in length. These achenes are obovoid, somewhat flattened, and slightly winged along their margins; solitary pairs of awn-like scales occur at their apices. The achenes can be blown about by the wind or float on water. The root system is shallow and fibrous.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, wet to moist conditions, and fertile soil containing loam, clay-loam, or silty deposits. However, this plant can adapt to drier conditions in gardens if it is watered during dry spells. Growth and development from seed is usually rapid, as this plant can bloom during the first year. Some stakes or a wire cage may be necessary to keep it upright in a flower garden or rain garden.
Range & Habitat: The Decurrent False Aster is largely restricted to several counties in central and SW Illinois, where it is found along the floodplain of the Illinois River (see Distribution Map). This species has also been found at Lake County in NE Illinois, where it is adventive. Outside of Illinois, a few small colonies of plants have been found along the floodplain of the Mississippi River in eastern Missouri. Decurrent False Aster is a rare plant that is listed as 'threatened' in Illinois, and it is also listed as 'threatened' at the Federal level of the United States. Populations of this plant can vary considerably from year-to-year depending on the pattern of precipitation and flooding along the Illinois River and Mississippi River. Flood-control projects, wetland habitat destruction, and excessive sediment in the water during floods can undermine the long-term survival of this plant. Habitats include riverbottom prairies, shallow marshes, and mud flats along major rivers. This is a conservative species that is found in wetland habitats along rivers that are prone to occasional flooding. Such floods reduce competition from other herbaceous plants and woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about the floral-faunal relationships of Decurrent False Aster (Boltonia decurrens), although it is probably similar to the more common False Aster (Boltonia asteroides). Pollinators of the flowerheads probably consist of long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, skippers, and beetles. Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. One bee species, Perdita boltoniae, is a specialist pollinator (oligolege) of Boltonia spp., and another bee, Melissodes boltoniae, may be a weak oligolege of these plants (Robertson, 1929). The larvae of a beetle, Microrhopala xerene, mine the leaves of False Aster and other species in the Aster family (Clark et al, 2004). The relationship of Decurrent False Aster to vertebrate animals is probably similar to many wetland asters (Aster spp.).
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: This rare wildflower adapts to gardens readily and it should be cultivated more often. Decurrent False Aster (Boltonia decurrens) is similar in appearance to False Aster (Boltonia asteroides), except the latter species lacks decurrent wings along its stems. Decurrent False Aster also lacks the wandering rhizomes of the latter species, although it is capable of developing more than one shoot from its root system. Decurrent False Aster is sometimes classified as a variety of this latter species, or Boltonia asteroides decurrens. False asters (Boltonia spp.) differ from asters (Aster spp., Symphyotrichum spp., etc.) by lacking tufts of hair on the apices of their achenes. Instead, the achenes of false asters have awn-like scales in pairs. In addition, the bases of their flowerheads (involucres) are more flattened in appearance (shaped like a shallow dish or flat disk), while those of asters are more cup-like or turban-shaped (turbinate). The flowerheads of False Asters resemble those of fleabanes (Erigeron spp.), except the flowerheads of the latter bloom earlier in the year and their achenes have sessile tufts of bristly hairs.
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Miss Chen
2018年06月11日
Description: This perennial plant is about 3-5' tall, branching frequently in the upper half. The green stems are glabrous, terete, and slightly ribbed. The alternate leaves are up to 6" long and ¾" across, becoming smaller and more narrow as they ascend the stems. They are narrowly lanceolate to oblanceolate, smooth along their margins, and glabrous; the uppermost leaves are linear. Each leaf tapers gradually to a short petiole-like base. The upper stems terminate in showy panicles of flowerheads; these flowerheads are produced in abundance. Each daisy-like flowerhead is about ¾" across, consisting of about 60 ray florets that surround numerous disk florets. The petaloid rays of the flowerheads are bright white and linear in shape (less often, they are slightly pink or slightly purple), while the tiny tubular corollas of the disk florets are bright yellow. Flowerheads have bases that are shallow and spreading, rather than cylindrically shaped; these bases are covered with overlapping floral bracts (phyllaries) that are light green and narrowly lanceolate in shape. The branching stalks of the panicle are similar to the stems and largely naked, except for narrow leaf-like bracts up to 1" long.
The blooming period occurs from late summer into the fall and lasts about 1 month. The florets are replaced by oblongoid achenes that are somewhat flattened; they are slightly broader at their apices than their bottoms. The apex of each achene has minute scales and a pair of bristles, although the bristles are not always present. The achenes usually fall only a short distance from the mother plant, unless they are carried about by water. The root system sometimes produces stolons that form plantlets at their tips.
Cultivation: The preference is partial or full sun, wet to moist conditions, and a fertile loamy soil. This plant can tolerate standing water for short periods of time and doesn't seem to be bothered by foliar disease to the same extent as many Aster spp. (Asters).
Range & Habitat: The native False Aster occurs occasionally in most areas of Illinois; it is slightly more common in southern Illinois than other areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include openings in floodplain forests, soggy thickets, alluvial meadows, prairie swales, marshes, and ditches.
Faunal Associations: The flowerheads attract many kinds of insects because their nectar and pollen are readily accessible. These insect visitors include long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, skippers, moths, and beetles. A dagger bee, Perdita boltoniae, is an oligolege of Boltonia spp. Another bee that is somewhat oligolectic of these species is the long-horned bee, Melissodes boltoniae, which also visits the flowerheads of some Aster spp. False Aster is one of the host plants of a beetle, Microrhopala xerene, whose larvae mine the leaves. The ecological relationships of Boltonia spp. to vertebrate animals are probably similar to those of Aster spp. in wetland areas.
Photographic Location: A prairie swale at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: False Aster has attractive foliage and flowers. Different varieties of False Aster have been described; the one that is typically encountered in the state, var. recognita, has flowerheads about ¾" across. In Cook County, var. microcephala also occurs, which has flowerheads that are ½" across or less. While Boltonia spp. (false asters) closely resemble Aster spp. (asters) in appearance, they differ from each other in the following characteristic: The achenes of false asters have minutes scales and/or a pair of bristles at their apices, while the achenes of asters have tufts of hair. As a result, the achenes of asters are carried more readily by the wind into new areas. The other false asters in Illinois are uncommon and differ from Boltonia asteroides by their leaves: Boltonia diffusa interior has linear leaves throughout, while Boltonia decurrens has leaves that are decurrent against their stems (i.e., the base or basal margins of each leaf lies along the surface of the stem).
The blooming period occurs from late summer into the fall and lasts about 1 month. The florets are replaced by oblongoid achenes that are somewhat flattened; they are slightly broader at their apices than their bottoms. The apex of each achene has minute scales and a pair of bristles, although the bristles are not always present. The achenes usually fall only a short distance from the mother plant, unless they are carried about by water. The root system sometimes produces stolons that form plantlets at their tips.
Cultivation: The preference is partial or full sun, wet to moist conditions, and a fertile loamy soil. This plant can tolerate standing water for short periods of time and doesn't seem to be bothered by foliar disease to the same extent as many Aster spp. (Asters).
Range & Habitat: The native False Aster occurs occasionally in most areas of Illinois; it is slightly more common in southern Illinois than other areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include openings in floodplain forests, soggy thickets, alluvial meadows, prairie swales, marshes, and ditches.
Faunal Associations: The flowerheads attract many kinds of insects because their nectar and pollen are readily accessible. These insect visitors include long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, skippers, moths, and beetles. A dagger bee, Perdita boltoniae, is an oligolege of Boltonia spp. Another bee that is somewhat oligolectic of these species is the long-horned bee, Melissodes boltoniae, which also visits the flowerheads of some Aster spp. False Aster is one of the host plants of a beetle, Microrhopala xerene, whose larvae mine the leaves. The ecological relationships of Boltonia spp. to vertebrate animals are probably similar to those of Aster spp. in wetland areas.
Photographic Location: A prairie swale at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: False Aster has attractive foliage and flowers. Different varieties of False Aster have been described; the one that is typically encountered in the state, var. recognita, has flowerheads about ¾" across. In Cook County, var. microcephala also occurs, which has flowerheads that are ½" across or less. While Boltonia spp. (false asters) closely resemble Aster spp. (asters) in appearance, they differ from each other in the following characteristic: The achenes of false asters have minutes scales and/or a pair of bristles at their apices, while the achenes of asters have tufts of hair. As a result, the achenes of asters are carried more readily by the wind into new areas. The other false asters in Illinois are uncommon and differ from Boltonia asteroides by their leaves: Boltonia diffusa interior has linear leaves throughout, while Boltonia decurrens has leaves that are decurrent against their stems (i.e., the base or basal margins of each leaf lies along the surface of the stem).
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Miss Chen
2018年06月11日
Description: This annual plant is about 2–3½' tall, branching occasionally. The stems are light green, reddish green, or brown; they are often ribbed and slightly to moderately hairy. The opposite compound leaves are simple-pinnate, becoming smaller as they ascend the stems. These compound leaves are up to 10" long and 6" across; they consist of 3-5 leaflets and have petioles up to 2" long. The leaflets are up to 3" long and 1" across; they are lanceolate or narrowly ovate, coarsely toothed along the margins, and hairless. These leaflets have short petioles (petiolules) or they are sessile. In addition to the opposite compound leaves, some of the upper leaves may be alternate and simple.
The upper stems terminate in a single flowerhead on a long slender stalk (peduncle). This flowering stalk is more or less hairy and may have 1 or 2 simple leaves up to 1½" long. The flowerhead is about ¾–1" across and it is subtended by 11-20 leafy bracts. These bracts are oblanceolate to linear in shape and ciliate along their margins. The flowerhead contains several tiny florets that are tightly bunched together. Each yellow disk floret is tubular in shape with 5 tiny teeth along its upper rim. The ray florets are insignificant. The blooming period occurs from late summer to fall and lasts about 1-2 months. There is no noticeable floral scent. The florets are replaced by achenes up to ¼" long. These achenes are initially yellow-green in color, but they eventually become dark brown. Each achene is oblong and flattened; it is a little broader toward the top than the bottom. At the apex of each achene, there is a pair of slender barbed awns. The root system is strongly branched and rather shallow. This plant reproduces by its achenes only.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, wet to moist conditions, and a loamy or silty soil. Soil fertility and moisture availability can significantly influence the size of individual plants. Occasionally, the leaves are disfigured by various kinds of disease later in the year.
Range & Habitat: The native Tall Beggar's Ticks is an occasional plant that occurs in most areas of Illinois; it is uncommon or absent in the southwestern and north-central areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include openings in moist woodlands, woodland borders, areas adjacent to woodland paths, thickets and meadows in floodplain areas, marshes and seasonal wetlands, drainage ditches, and waste areas. Tall Beggar's Ticks is found in wooded areas to a greater extent than other Bidens spp., although it also occurs in sunny wetlands. Disturbed areas are strongly preferred; this species is rather weedy.
Faunal Associations: The flowers aren't very showy and attract few insect visitors. Occasionally, various bees and flies suck nectar from the disk florets. Pollen may be an occasional source of food for some of these insects. The caterpillars of the butterfly Nathalis iole (Dainty Sulfur) feed on the foliage of Bidens spp., as do the caterpillars of several moth species, including Cirrhophanus triangulifer (Goldenrod Stowaway), Epiblema otiosa (Bidens Borer Moth), Condica confederata (The Confederate), Palthis asopialis (Faint-Spotted Palthis), and Platysenta mobilis (Mobile Groundling). Various birds eat the seeds of Bidens spp. to a limited extent, including the Mallard, Ring-Necked Pheasant, Bobwhite Quail, Purple Finch, Common Redpoll, and Swamp Sparrow. The Cottontail Rabbit eats the foliage of Bidens spp. to a limited extent. The barbed achenes cling readily to the fur of mammals and the clothing of humans, which helps to distribute them into new areas.
Photographic Location: A roadside ditch along a wooded area near Judge Webber Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Tall Beggar's Ticks is often confused with Bidens frondosa (Common Beggar's Ticks) because of their similar appearance. Both species have non-showy flowerheads and they have compound leaves that are simple-pinnate. However, Tall Beggar's Ticks has 11-20 leafy bracts that surround each flowerhead, while Common Beggar's Ticks has only 7-10 leafy bracts per flowerhead. It is easy to see that the flowerhead in the upper photograph has more than 10 leafy bracts. Another species, Bidens discoidea, has even fewer leafy bracts than Common Beggar's Ticks. The barbed achenes of Tall Beggar's Ticks are very similar in appearance to those of Common Beggar's Ticks, although they are slightly larger in size. Other Bidens spp. in Illinois differ from the preceding species because they have showy flowerheads with conspicuous ray florets, and/or they have either simple leaves or compound leaves that are double-pinnate. Notwithstanding its common name, Tall Beggar's Ticks isn't substantially taller than Common Beggar's Ticks and many other Bidens spp.
The upper stems terminate in a single flowerhead on a long slender stalk (peduncle). This flowering stalk is more or less hairy and may have 1 or 2 simple leaves up to 1½" long. The flowerhead is about ¾–1" across and it is subtended by 11-20 leafy bracts. These bracts are oblanceolate to linear in shape and ciliate along their margins. The flowerhead contains several tiny florets that are tightly bunched together. Each yellow disk floret is tubular in shape with 5 tiny teeth along its upper rim. The ray florets are insignificant. The blooming period occurs from late summer to fall and lasts about 1-2 months. There is no noticeable floral scent. The florets are replaced by achenes up to ¼" long. These achenes are initially yellow-green in color, but they eventually become dark brown. Each achene is oblong and flattened; it is a little broader toward the top than the bottom. At the apex of each achene, there is a pair of slender barbed awns. The root system is strongly branched and rather shallow. This plant reproduces by its achenes only.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, wet to moist conditions, and a loamy or silty soil. Soil fertility and moisture availability can significantly influence the size of individual plants. Occasionally, the leaves are disfigured by various kinds of disease later in the year.
Range & Habitat: The native Tall Beggar's Ticks is an occasional plant that occurs in most areas of Illinois; it is uncommon or absent in the southwestern and north-central areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include openings in moist woodlands, woodland borders, areas adjacent to woodland paths, thickets and meadows in floodplain areas, marshes and seasonal wetlands, drainage ditches, and waste areas. Tall Beggar's Ticks is found in wooded areas to a greater extent than other Bidens spp., although it also occurs in sunny wetlands. Disturbed areas are strongly preferred; this species is rather weedy.
Faunal Associations: The flowers aren't very showy and attract few insect visitors. Occasionally, various bees and flies suck nectar from the disk florets. Pollen may be an occasional source of food for some of these insects. The caterpillars of the butterfly Nathalis iole (Dainty Sulfur) feed on the foliage of Bidens spp., as do the caterpillars of several moth species, including Cirrhophanus triangulifer (Goldenrod Stowaway), Epiblema otiosa (Bidens Borer Moth), Condica confederata (The Confederate), Palthis asopialis (Faint-Spotted Palthis), and Platysenta mobilis (Mobile Groundling). Various birds eat the seeds of Bidens spp. to a limited extent, including the Mallard, Ring-Necked Pheasant, Bobwhite Quail, Purple Finch, Common Redpoll, and Swamp Sparrow. The Cottontail Rabbit eats the foliage of Bidens spp. to a limited extent. The barbed achenes cling readily to the fur of mammals and the clothing of humans, which helps to distribute them into new areas.
Photographic Location: A roadside ditch along a wooded area near Judge Webber Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Tall Beggar's Ticks is often confused with Bidens frondosa (Common Beggar's Ticks) because of their similar appearance. Both species have non-showy flowerheads and they have compound leaves that are simple-pinnate. However, Tall Beggar's Ticks has 11-20 leafy bracts that surround each flowerhead, while Common Beggar's Ticks has only 7-10 leafy bracts per flowerhead. It is easy to see that the flowerhead in the upper photograph has more than 10 leafy bracts. Another species, Bidens discoidea, has even fewer leafy bracts than Common Beggar's Ticks. The barbed achenes of Tall Beggar's Ticks are very similar in appearance to those of Common Beggar's Ticks, although they are slightly larger in size. Other Bidens spp. in Illinois differ from the preceding species because they have showy flowerheads with conspicuous ray florets, and/or they have either simple leaves or compound leaves that are double-pinnate. Notwithstanding its common name, Tall Beggar's Ticks isn't substantially taller than Common Beggar's Ticks and many other Bidens spp.
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Miss Chen
2018年06月11日
Description: This annual or biennial plant is 1-4' tall, branching occasionally. The green or reddish stems are glabrous to slightly hairy. The opposite compound leaves are odd-pinnate, dividing into 3-7 slender segments. Compound leaves are up to 8" long and 4" across; they are much wider at their bases than toward their tips. The leaflets are slightly ciliate and coarsely dentate; sometimes they are divided into narrow pointed lobes. From terminal stems, or from the axils of upper leaves, there develops from 1 to 3 flowerheads on slender and slightly hairy stalks. An individual plant may have several flowerheads in bloom at the same time. Each daisy-like flowerhead is about 2" across, consisting of 8-10 ray florets that surround numerous disk florets. The tiny corollas of the disk florets are tubular in shape and golden yellow, while the petaloid rays are bright yellow and oblong-elliptic in shape. Each flowerhead is subtended by 12-18 green outer bracts (phyllaries) that are each about ¾" long, linear in shape, coarsely ciliate, and rather contorted. Less visible, there are also several inner bracts that are pale yellow and lanceolate in shape. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall, lasting about 1-2 months. The flowers are slightly fragrant, which becomes quite noticeable in a large colony of plants. The dark brown achenes are rather flat and rough-textured with central longitudinal ridges; they are about 1½–2 times as long as they are wide. These achenes lack significant awns at their apices. The root system consists of a shallow branching taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and wet to moist conditions. The soil should be rich in organic material. This plant is easy to grow, but tends to be aggressive at a disturbed site that is sunny and moist. It can form large colonies by reseeding itself. This species of Bidens appears to have some tolerance of hot dry weather.
Range & Habitat: Long-Bracted Tickseed Sunflower is occasional in the southern half of Illinois and NE Illinois, but it is rare or absent in the remaining northern counties (see Distribution Map). This plant is native. Habitats include moist prairies, prairie swales, low areas along ponds and streams, gravelly seeps, ditches along railroads and roadsides, muddy fields, and miscellaneous waste areas. It usually occurs in or around poorly drained areas that are prone to standing water, or near sources of more or less permanent water. Disturbed areas are favored because of reduced competition from deep-rooted perennial plants.
Faunal Associations: The flowerheads are popular with many kinds of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, skippers, and beetles. Typical bee visitors include bumblebees, cuckoo bees (Epeolus spp., Coelioxys spp.), long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), green metallic bees, plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), and Andrenid bees (Calliopsis spp., Heterosarus spp.). The caterpillars of the butterfly Nathalis iole (Dainty Sulfur) are known to favor the foliage of Bidens spp. as a food source. The caterpillars of several moths feed on the foliage, flowerheads, or the pith of stems, including Epiblema otiosana (Bidens Borer Moth), Condica mobilis (Mobile Groundling), Condica confederata (The Confederate), Cirrhophanus triangulifer (Goldenrod Stowaway), and Palthis asopialis (Faint-Spotted Palthis). Other insect feeders include leaf beetles (Calligrapha spp.), larvae of the fruit fly Icterica seriata, and several aphid species.
The seeds are eaten by small rodents and various birds, including the Ring-Necked Pheasant, Bobwhite, Swamp Sparrow, and Purple Finch. The foliage is eaten occasionally by the Cottontail Rabbit. Even though their awns are tiny or absent, the achenes of Bidens polylepis can cling to the the fur of animals or clothing of humans; this is largely because of their rough edges. Small rodents can carry the achenes to their dens for some distance from the mother plants.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a prairie swale in Meadowbrook Park, Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is one of the more pretty and drought-tolerant Bidens spp. that occasionally strays from wetlands to moist prairies. Long-Bracted Tickseed Sunflower can be distinguished from other Bidens spp. by its attractive flowers and slender pinnate foliage. It has a very similar appearance to Bidens aristosa (Tickseed Sunflower). However, the flowerheads of this latter species are individually subtended by 8-10 outer bracts (phyllaries); these bracts are shorter, less hairy, and less contorted than those of Bidens polylepis. The achenes of Bidens aristosa usually have pairs of conspicuous awns at their apices, otherwise they are very similar in appearance to those of Bidens polylepis. However, a rare variety of the Tickseed Sunflower, Bidens aristosa mutica, also has achenes that lack significant awns. Because of its distinct outer bracts and awnless achenes, Long-Bracted Tickseed Sunflower is usually classified as a distinct species (Mohlenbrock, 2002). Scientific synonyms of this species are Bidens aristosa retrorsa and Bidens involucrata.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and wet to moist conditions. The soil should be rich in organic material. This plant is easy to grow, but tends to be aggressive at a disturbed site that is sunny and moist. It can form large colonies by reseeding itself. This species of Bidens appears to have some tolerance of hot dry weather.
Range & Habitat: Long-Bracted Tickseed Sunflower is occasional in the southern half of Illinois and NE Illinois, but it is rare or absent in the remaining northern counties (see Distribution Map). This plant is native. Habitats include moist prairies, prairie swales, low areas along ponds and streams, gravelly seeps, ditches along railroads and roadsides, muddy fields, and miscellaneous waste areas. It usually occurs in or around poorly drained areas that are prone to standing water, or near sources of more or less permanent water. Disturbed areas are favored because of reduced competition from deep-rooted perennial plants.
Faunal Associations: The flowerheads are popular with many kinds of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, skippers, and beetles. Typical bee visitors include bumblebees, cuckoo bees (Epeolus spp., Coelioxys spp.), long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), green metallic bees, plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), and Andrenid bees (Calliopsis spp., Heterosarus spp.). The caterpillars of the butterfly Nathalis iole (Dainty Sulfur) are known to favor the foliage of Bidens spp. as a food source. The caterpillars of several moths feed on the foliage, flowerheads, or the pith of stems, including Epiblema otiosana (Bidens Borer Moth), Condica mobilis (Mobile Groundling), Condica confederata (The Confederate), Cirrhophanus triangulifer (Goldenrod Stowaway), and Palthis asopialis (Faint-Spotted Palthis). Other insect feeders include leaf beetles (Calligrapha spp.), larvae of the fruit fly Icterica seriata, and several aphid species.
The seeds are eaten by small rodents and various birds, including the Ring-Necked Pheasant, Bobwhite, Swamp Sparrow, and Purple Finch. The foliage is eaten occasionally by the Cottontail Rabbit. Even though their awns are tiny or absent, the achenes of Bidens polylepis can cling to the the fur of animals or clothing of humans; this is largely because of their rough edges. Small rodents can carry the achenes to their dens for some distance from the mother plants.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a prairie swale in Meadowbrook Park, Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is one of the more pretty and drought-tolerant Bidens spp. that occasionally strays from wetlands to moist prairies. Long-Bracted Tickseed Sunflower can be distinguished from other Bidens spp. by its attractive flowers and slender pinnate foliage. It has a very similar appearance to Bidens aristosa (Tickseed Sunflower). However, the flowerheads of this latter species are individually subtended by 8-10 outer bracts (phyllaries); these bracts are shorter, less hairy, and less contorted than those of Bidens polylepis. The achenes of Bidens aristosa usually have pairs of conspicuous awns at their apices, otherwise they are very similar in appearance to those of Bidens polylepis. However, a rare variety of the Tickseed Sunflower, Bidens aristosa mutica, also has achenes that lack significant awns. Because of its distinct outer bracts and awnless achenes, Long-Bracted Tickseed Sunflower is usually classified as a distinct species (Mohlenbrock, 2002). Scientific synonyms of this species are Bidens aristosa retrorsa and Bidens involucrata.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年06月11日
Description: This annual plant is 1-3' tall, branching occasionally in the upper half. The stems are glabrous or they have a few scattered white hairs; they are often purple in bright sunlight, otherwise light green or reddish green. The compound leaves are usually odd-pinnate, consisting of 3 or 5 leaflets. Often, there are simple leaves near the flowerheads. These leaves occur oppositely along the stems, although some of the upper leaves may be alternate. The compound leaves have long petioles. The leaflets are up to 3" long and 1" across. They are lanceolate, coarsely serrated, and usually hairless, although their lower surface may be slightly pubescent. The tips of the leaflets are rather long and pointed. Some of the upper stems terminate in individual flowerheads about ¾–1" across on long stalks; some stalks may have 1-2 additional flowerheads that are smaller in size. The flowerheads consist of numerous disk florets that have golden yellow corollas; petaloid rays are absent. The flowerhead bases are surrounded by 6-10 leaf-like outer bracts (phyllaries); they are usually 8 in number. These narrow bracts are green and slightly ciliate. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall, lasting about 1-2 months. There is no noticeable floral scent. The dark achenes are flattened, each one terminating in a pair of long and slender awns. These awns have tiny barbs that point downward. Because of their light weight, the achenes can be blown about by wind. The root system consists of a shallow taproot that branches frequently. During the autumn, the leaves often turn purple.
Cultivation: The preference is partial to full sun and moist conditions; light shade is also tolerated. The soil should be reasonably fertile, with sufficient organic material to retain moisture. Occasional flooding and poor drainage is tolerated, if not preferred. This plant is easy to grow, often becoming a weedy pest. Sometimes it is found in more mesic situations, but individual plants will be smaller in size and less robust.
Range & Habitat: The native Common Beggar-Ticks occurs in most counties of Illinois, and it is quite common; official records probably underestimate its distribution in some areas (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist areas of black soil prairies, moist meadows near woodlands or rivers, openings in floodplain woodlands and young flatwoods, thickets, marshes, swamps, seeps, borders of ponds or lakes, poorly drained areas along railroads and roadsides, both cultivated and abandoned fields, banks of drainage canals, and miscellaneous waste areas. This plant likes disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attract fewer insects than Bidens spp. with showier flowers. Occasionally, they are visited by bumblebees, Halictid bees, wasps, bee flies, Tachinid flies, small butterflies, and other insects. The caterpillars of several species of moths feed on the foliage, pith of the stems, or flowerheads, including Epiblema otiosana (Bidens Borer Moth), Platysenta mobilis (Mobile Groundling), Condica confederata (The Confederate), Cirrophanus triangulifer (Goldenrod Stowaway), and Palthis asopialis (Faint-Spotted Palthis). Other insects that feed on this plant include the leaf beetles Calligrapha bidenticola and Calligrapha californica, larvae of the leaf-miner flies Chromatomyia syngensiae and Phytobia allecta, and several aphid species. The seeds are eaten by small rodents and various birds, including the Ring-Necked Pheasant, Bobwhite, Swamp Sparrow, and Purple Finch. The Cottontail Rabbit occasionally eats the foliage. The awns of the seeds readily cling to the fur of animals and clothing of humans, thereby spreading this plant far and wide.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken near a drainage ditch at Judge Webber Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is one of the more common Bidens spp. The species in this genus can be divided into two groups: those with showy flowers and those with non-showy flowers. Common Beggar-Ticks is a member of the latter group. The non-showy Bidens spp. in Illinois can be distinguished from each other by considering two characteristics: 1) whether most of the leaves are simple or pinnately compound, and 2) the number of outer bracts surrounding the flowerheads. Common Beggar-Ticks has pinnately compound leaves and about 8 outer bracts surrounding its flowerheads. It is quite similar in appearance to Bidens vulgata (Tall Beggar-Ticks), except that this latter plant has about 13 outer bracts surrounding its flowerheads.
Cultivation: The preference is partial to full sun and moist conditions; light shade is also tolerated. The soil should be reasonably fertile, with sufficient organic material to retain moisture. Occasional flooding and poor drainage is tolerated, if not preferred. This plant is easy to grow, often becoming a weedy pest. Sometimes it is found in more mesic situations, but individual plants will be smaller in size and less robust.
Range & Habitat: The native Common Beggar-Ticks occurs in most counties of Illinois, and it is quite common; official records probably underestimate its distribution in some areas (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist areas of black soil prairies, moist meadows near woodlands or rivers, openings in floodplain woodlands and young flatwoods, thickets, marshes, swamps, seeps, borders of ponds or lakes, poorly drained areas along railroads and roadsides, both cultivated and abandoned fields, banks of drainage canals, and miscellaneous waste areas. This plant likes disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attract fewer insects than Bidens spp. with showier flowers. Occasionally, they are visited by bumblebees, Halictid bees, wasps, bee flies, Tachinid flies, small butterflies, and other insects. The caterpillars of several species of moths feed on the foliage, pith of the stems, or flowerheads, including Epiblema otiosana (Bidens Borer Moth), Platysenta mobilis (Mobile Groundling), Condica confederata (The Confederate), Cirrophanus triangulifer (Goldenrod Stowaway), and Palthis asopialis (Faint-Spotted Palthis). Other insects that feed on this plant include the leaf beetles Calligrapha bidenticola and Calligrapha californica, larvae of the leaf-miner flies Chromatomyia syngensiae and Phytobia allecta, and several aphid species. The seeds are eaten by small rodents and various birds, including the Ring-Necked Pheasant, Bobwhite, Swamp Sparrow, and Purple Finch. The Cottontail Rabbit occasionally eats the foliage. The awns of the seeds readily cling to the fur of animals and clothing of humans, thereby spreading this plant far and wide.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken near a drainage ditch at Judge Webber Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is one of the more common Bidens spp. The species in this genus can be divided into two groups: those with showy flowers and those with non-showy flowers. Common Beggar-Ticks is a member of the latter group. The non-showy Bidens spp. in Illinois can be distinguished from each other by considering two characteristics: 1) whether most of the leaves are simple or pinnately compound, and 2) the number of outer bracts surrounding the flowerheads. Common Beggar-Ticks has pinnately compound leaves and about 8 outer bracts surrounding its flowerheads. It is quite similar in appearance to Bidens vulgata (Tall Beggar-Ticks), except that this latter plant has about 13 outer bracts surrounding its flowerheads.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年06月10日
Description: This perennial wildflower is consists of a low rosette of basal leaves spanning about 6" across, from which one or more flowering stalks develop. The basal leaves are up to 3½" long and 3½" across; they are ovate-cordate, cordate, to nearly orbicular in shape and their margins are crenate-serrate. Leaf bases are indented, while leaf tips are rounded to bluntly pointed. The upper leaf surface is medium green and glabrous, while the lower surface is pale-medium green and glabrous (or nearly so). Leaf venation is mostly palmate. The petioles are up to 4" long, light green, and glabrous.
Solitary flowers are produced at the tips of pedicels up to 7" long. The erect to ascending pedicels are light green to light purplish green and glabrous. Each flower is about ¾" across, consisting of 5 medium to dark blue-violet petals (rarely white), 5 light green sepals, and the reproductive organs. The petals are elliptic-obovate in shape and about twice the length of the sepals. The 2 lateral petals have short white hairs with swollen tips near the throat of the flower. The lowermost petal has a patch of white with radiating purple veins in the front, while in the back it has a short stout nectar spur. The sepals are linear-lanceolate and glabrous; they usually have pointed auricles (eared basal lobes) up to 4 mm. long. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring for about 1 month. Afterwards, successfully fertilized flowers are replaced by seed capsules about ½" long that are light green and ovoid-oblongoid in shape. In addition to these flowers, cleistogamous (self-fertile) flowers are produced that lack showy petals. The cleistogamous flowers are produced on ascending pedicels during the summer. At maturity, the capsules of both types of flowers split open into 3 sections, to eject their seeds. Individual seeds are about 2.5 mm. in length, globoid in shape, and dark-colored. The root system consists of a crown with fibrous roots and rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, wet to moist conditions, and soil containing loam, silty loam, or sandy loam with organic matter.
Range & Habitat: The native Marsh Violet is occasional in NE Illinois, while the in the rest of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include marshes, bogs, swamps, seeps, and borders of rocky streams. This violet is found in both sandy and non-sandy wetlands in both shaded and unshaded areas.
Faunal Associations: The floral nectar of Marsh Violet attracts bumblebees, mason bees (Osmia spp.), Halictid bees, Andrenid bees, bee flies (Bombyliidae), butterflies, and skippers (Robertson, 1929). Some of the bees also collect pollen. An oligolectic bee, Andrena violae, visits the flowers of Marsh Violet and other Viola spp. (violets). The caterpillars of several Fritillary butterflies feed on the foliage of violets primarily in open areas: Boloria bellona (Meadow Fritillary), Boloria selene myrina (Silver-Bordered Fritillary), Euptoieta claudia (Variegated Fritillary), Speyeria aphrodite (Aphrodite Fritillary), Speyeria atlantis (Atlantis Fritillary), Speyeria cybele (Great Spangled Fritillary), and Speyeria idalia (Regal Fritillary). Other insect feeders include caterpillars of the moths Elaphria grata (Grateful Midget) and Eubaphe mendica (The Beggar), the leaf-mining larvae of Ametastegia pallipes (Violet Sawfly), the aphid Neotoxoptera violae, and the thrips Odontothrips pictipennis. The seeds and other parts of violets are occasionally eaten by such birds as the Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, and Mourning Dove, and they are also consumed by the White-Footed Mouse, Pine Mouse, and Eastern Chipmunk. Similarly, the foliage of these low-growing plants is a source of food for the Cottontail Rabbit and Wood Turtle (Clemmys insculpta).
Photographic Location: A sandy swamp at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: At first glance, the Marsh Violet can be easily confused with the Common Blue Violet (Viola pratincola) and other rosette-forming violets (Viola spp.) with blue-violet flowers. It can be distinguished from these other species, however, by the club-shaped hairs on its lateral petals (a 10x hand lens may be required to see this). The hairs of lateral petals on other violets are usually filiform (thread-like) and rarely possess conspicuous swollen tips. The only other violet in Illinois that has such hairs on its lateral petals is the rare Wayside Violet (Viola viarum). This latter species is easily distinguished from the Marsh Violet by its lobed leaves and its preference for dry habitats. Across its range, the Marsh Violet is rather variable in such characteristics as the shade of blue-violet on its petals, the shape of its leaves, the presence or absence of pointed auricles (eared basal lobes) on its sepals, and the extent to which the flowers are held above the foliage. Although different varieties of the Marsh Violet have been described in other parts of North America, none of these are currently recognized in Illinois. The scientific name, Viola obliqua, is considered a synonym of this species.
Solitary flowers are produced at the tips of pedicels up to 7" long. The erect to ascending pedicels are light green to light purplish green and glabrous. Each flower is about ¾" across, consisting of 5 medium to dark blue-violet petals (rarely white), 5 light green sepals, and the reproductive organs. The petals are elliptic-obovate in shape and about twice the length of the sepals. The 2 lateral petals have short white hairs with swollen tips near the throat of the flower. The lowermost petal has a patch of white with radiating purple veins in the front, while in the back it has a short stout nectar spur. The sepals are linear-lanceolate and glabrous; they usually have pointed auricles (eared basal lobes) up to 4 mm. long. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring for about 1 month. Afterwards, successfully fertilized flowers are replaced by seed capsules about ½" long that are light green and ovoid-oblongoid in shape. In addition to these flowers, cleistogamous (self-fertile) flowers are produced that lack showy petals. The cleistogamous flowers are produced on ascending pedicels during the summer. At maturity, the capsules of both types of flowers split open into 3 sections, to eject their seeds. Individual seeds are about 2.5 mm. in length, globoid in shape, and dark-colored. The root system consists of a crown with fibrous roots and rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, wet to moist conditions, and soil containing loam, silty loam, or sandy loam with organic matter.
Range & Habitat: The native Marsh Violet is occasional in NE Illinois, while the in the rest of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include marshes, bogs, swamps, seeps, and borders of rocky streams. This violet is found in both sandy and non-sandy wetlands in both shaded and unshaded areas.
Faunal Associations: The floral nectar of Marsh Violet attracts bumblebees, mason bees (Osmia spp.), Halictid bees, Andrenid bees, bee flies (Bombyliidae), butterflies, and skippers (Robertson, 1929). Some of the bees also collect pollen. An oligolectic bee, Andrena violae, visits the flowers of Marsh Violet and other Viola spp. (violets). The caterpillars of several Fritillary butterflies feed on the foliage of violets primarily in open areas: Boloria bellona (Meadow Fritillary), Boloria selene myrina (Silver-Bordered Fritillary), Euptoieta claudia (Variegated Fritillary), Speyeria aphrodite (Aphrodite Fritillary), Speyeria atlantis (Atlantis Fritillary), Speyeria cybele (Great Spangled Fritillary), and Speyeria idalia (Regal Fritillary). Other insect feeders include caterpillars of the moths Elaphria grata (Grateful Midget) and Eubaphe mendica (The Beggar), the leaf-mining larvae of Ametastegia pallipes (Violet Sawfly), the aphid Neotoxoptera violae, and the thrips Odontothrips pictipennis. The seeds and other parts of violets are occasionally eaten by such birds as the Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, and Mourning Dove, and they are also consumed by the White-Footed Mouse, Pine Mouse, and Eastern Chipmunk. Similarly, the foliage of these low-growing plants is a source of food for the Cottontail Rabbit and Wood Turtle (Clemmys insculpta).
Photographic Location: A sandy swamp at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: At first glance, the Marsh Violet can be easily confused with the Common Blue Violet (Viola pratincola) and other rosette-forming violets (Viola spp.) with blue-violet flowers. It can be distinguished from these other species, however, by the club-shaped hairs on its lateral petals (a 10x hand lens may be required to see this). The hairs of lateral petals on other violets are usually filiform (thread-like) and rarely possess conspicuous swollen tips. The only other violet in Illinois that has such hairs on its lateral petals is the rare Wayside Violet (Viola viarum). This latter species is easily distinguished from the Marsh Violet by its lobed leaves and its preference for dry habitats. Across its range, the Marsh Violet is rather variable in such characteristics as the shade of blue-violet on its petals, the shape of its leaves, the presence or absence of pointed auricles (eared basal lobes) on its sepals, and the extent to which the flowers are held above the foliage. Although different varieties of the Marsh Violet have been described in other parts of North America, none of these are currently recognized in Illinois. The scientific name, Viola obliqua, is considered a synonym of this species.
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