文章
Miss Chen
2018年08月02日
The name golden moss fern is deceptive as this plant is neither a moss nor a fern, but it does share characteristics of both. Like ferns and moss, this plant is non-flowering and produces spores as a primary means of reproduction. It grows just 6 inches tall with a spreading growth pattern that resembles a moss. Golden moss fern grows well as a ground cover in shady damp areas. It is also known by its scientific name, Selaginella kraussiana 'aurea,' or the common name gold clubmoss.
Step 1
Plant golden moss fern in peat or humus-rich soil. A shady spot that naturally stays slightly damp most of the year is ideal. Avoid planting it in areas that experience periods of standing water or perpetually muddy conditions.
Step 2
Dig a planting hole the same depth and 3 to 4 inches wider than the root mass. Slide the golden moss fern out of the nursery container and place it upright in the hole. Backfill the hole and smooth the soil under the golden moss fern.
Step 3
Space multiple plants 6 to 12 inches apart. Individual golden moss fern plants reach a diameter of up to 2 feet when mature, but you may plant them closer together to get a ground cover started and then divide the plant later if they get too crowded.
Step 4
Fertilize the plants twice a month. Use an all-purpose balanced fertilizer but dilute it to one-quarter the strength recommended on the package. Select a water-soluble or a slow-release formula. Discontinue fertilizing in the fall and resume in the spring.
Step 5
Water the soil around golden moss ferns when it starts to feel dry on top. Soak the area around each plant down to 1 to 2 inches deep.
Step 6
Divide golden moss fern in the spring. Dig up the entire root ball and pull it into sections of about 4 to 6 inches across. Replant the divisions in the garden or pot them for use as indoor plants. Replant the main root mass in the original spot.
Step 1
Plant golden moss fern in peat or humus-rich soil. A shady spot that naturally stays slightly damp most of the year is ideal. Avoid planting it in areas that experience periods of standing water or perpetually muddy conditions.
Step 2
Dig a planting hole the same depth and 3 to 4 inches wider than the root mass. Slide the golden moss fern out of the nursery container and place it upright in the hole. Backfill the hole and smooth the soil under the golden moss fern.
Step 3
Space multiple plants 6 to 12 inches apart. Individual golden moss fern plants reach a diameter of up to 2 feet when mature, but you may plant them closer together to get a ground cover started and then divide the plant later if they get too crowded.
Step 4
Fertilize the plants twice a month. Use an all-purpose balanced fertilizer but dilute it to one-quarter the strength recommended on the package. Select a water-soluble or a slow-release formula. Discontinue fertilizing in the fall and resume in the spring.
Step 5
Water the soil around golden moss ferns when it starts to feel dry on top. Soak the area around each plant down to 1 to 2 inches deep.
Step 6
Divide golden moss fern in the spring. Dig up the entire root ball and pull it into sections of about 4 to 6 inches across. Replant the divisions in the garden or pot them for use as indoor plants. Replant the main root mass in the original spot.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年08月02日
Lamb's ear, known scientifically as Stachys byzantina, is a fuzzy plant with grayish-green leaves. It produces flowers in the spring and summer ranging in color from white to pink. In the early spring and late fall, lamb's ear creates a silvery coating on the ground that some find unappealing. Lamb's ear has a tendency to be invasive and often develops brown leaves near its base. You can remove unwanted or brown growth by pruning your lamb's ear plant in less than 10 minutes.
Step 1
Rinse your scissors or garden clippers to remove dirt and debris with warm water. Wipe the blades dry before sanitizing them with rubbing alcohol. Even though lamb's ear is a hardy plant, you should take these precautions to lessen the chance of infection from pruning.
Step 2
Cut dead or browning leaves from the entirety of the lamb's ear plant, allowing only healthy foliage to remain. Make the cuts about 1/4 inch away from the body of the plant, ensuring you do not damage any other leaves in the process. The cut should be as small and clean as possible to lessen the time your lamb's ear must devote to healing. Discard the pruned leaves.
Step 3
Remove areas of the lamb's ear you find unappealing or sections of the plant that have spread beyond their boundaries. It will continue to grow back, requiring regular pruning, but this lessens the overwhelming effect lamb's ear can have on your garden. Cut the unwanted growth as close to the ground or main plant as possible for maximum impact.
Step 1
Rinse your scissors or garden clippers to remove dirt and debris with warm water. Wipe the blades dry before sanitizing them with rubbing alcohol. Even though lamb's ear is a hardy plant, you should take these precautions to lessen the chance of infection from pruning.
Step 2
Cut dead or browning leaves from the entirety of the lamb's ear plant, allowing only healthy foliage to remain. Make the cuts about 1/4 inch away from the body of the plant, ensuring you do not damage any other leaves in the process. The cut should be as small and clean as possible to lessen the time your lamb's ear must devote to healing. Discard the pruned leaves.
Step 3
Remove areas of the lamb's ear you find unappealing or sections of the plant that have spread beyond their boundaries. It will continue to grow back, requiring regular pruning, but this lessens the overwhelming effect lamb's ear can have on your garden. Cut the unwanted growth as close to the ground or main plant as possible for maximum impact.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年08月01日
Description: This plant is a summer annual about 2-5' tall (in more tropical climates, it is a perennial). More or less erect, Mexican Tea branches occasionally to frequently; Small side branches frequently develop from the axils of the leaves. The stems are terete to slightly angular, hairless, conspicuously veined, and variably colored – often some combination of olive green, dull red, and cream. The alternate leaves are up to 4" long and 1½" across; they are ovate to narrowly ovate, medium green to yellow-green or red-green, and hairless. The bases of these leaves are always wedge-shaped and never rounded. The leaf undersides are never white-mealy. The leaf margins are highly variable, even on the same plant – smooth, undulate, bluntly dentate, or somewhat pinnatifid. The upper leaves are smaller in size than the moderate to lower leaves, and their leaf margins are more smooth. Both the stems and leaves have minute glands that secrete an aromatic oil; they exude a somewhat musky medicinal scent.
The upper stems and smaller side stems terminate in spikes of sessile flowers (up to 1' long) that are interspersed with small leafy bracts. The small greenish flowers are arranged in dense clusters along these spikes. Each flower is a little less than ¼" across, consisting of 5 green sepals, a rather flat pistil with tiny styles, and 5 stamens with large white anthers. The small sepals are ovate in shape and curved inward; they are neither hairy nor white-mealy. The anthers are the most conspicuous part of the flower. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer into the fall and lasts 2-3 months. The bisexual flowers are wind-pollinated, although they can also self-pollinate themselves. Each flower is replaced by a single tiny seed (achene); a thinDistribution Map membrane surrounding the seed is rather loose and easily removed. The seeds are round, flattened, black, and shiny; they are small enough to be blown about by the wind. The root system consists of a taproot.
Cultivation: Mexican Tea prefers full to partial sun and moist to slightly dry conditions. Growth is more robust in fertile loamy soil with abundant nitrogen, but it will adapt to other kinds of soil.
Range & Habitat: The non-native Mexican Tea is occasional in the southern half of Illinois, becoming uncommon or absent in the northern half of the state. It was introduced from tropical America as a medicinal herb. Habitats include fields, roadsides, vacant lots, and waste areas. Mexican Tea is still cultivated in gardens, from where it occasionally escapes and manages to reseed itself. Disturbed habitats of a relatively open character are strongly preferred.
Faunal Associations: Information that is specific to Mexican Tea is lacking (except for grazing mammals), therefore faunal-floral relationships for Chenopodium spp. in general will be presented. I suspect that some insects are deterred by the toxicity of the floral oil, and don't feed on this species to same extent as other Chenopodium spp. The caterpillars of two skippers, Pholisora catullus (Common Sootywing) and Staphylus hayhurstii (Hayhurst's Scallopwing), feed on the leaves of Chenopodium spp. Other insect feeders include moth caterpillars, flea beetles, leaf beetles, plant bugs, and aphids (see the Insect Table for a listing of these species). The tiny seeds are eaten by many small songbirds, particularly sparrows (see the Bird Table); some upland gamebirds (e.g., Bobwhite, Hungarian Partridge, & Ring-Necked Pheasant) also eat the seeds or seedheads. Small rodents eat the seeds, including the Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel, White-Footed Mouse, and Prairie Deer Mouse. Because the foliage is toxic and probably distasteful, it is not eaten by grazing mammals; even goats refuse to eat this plant (see Georgia, 1913).
Photographic Location: A garden in downtown Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: Because of its anthelmintic properties, Mexican Tea has been used to remove intestinal worms. This is one of the reasons it is cultivated as a medicinal herb. This plant can be distinguished from other Chenopodium spp. by the shape of its leaves, the absence of white-mealiness on its leaf undersides and sepals, and the strong aroma of its foliage. Its lower to middle leaves have wedge-shaped bottoms, while the leaf bottoms of similar Chenopodium spp. are usually well-rounded. Sometimes the margins of these leaves are more wavy or pinnatifid than those of other species. This combination of factors makes Mexican Tea one of the easier Chenopodium spp. to identify. A variety of Mexican Tea that is without leafy bracts in its floral spikes has been referred to as Chenopodium ambrosioides anthelminticum. It is less common than the typical variety.
The upper stems and smaller side stems terminate in spikes of sessile flowers (up to 1' long) that are interspersed with small leafy bracts. The small greenish flowers are arranged in dense clusters along these spikes. Each flower is a little less than ¼" across, consisting of 5 green sepals, a rather flat pistil with tiny styles, and 5 stamens with large white anthers. The small sepals are ovate in shape and curved inward; they are neither hairy nor white-mealy. The anthers are the most conspicuous part of the flower. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer into the fall and lasts 2-3 months. The bisexual flowers are wind-pollinated, although they can also self-pollinate themselves. Each flower is replaced by a single tiny seed (achene); a thinDistribution Map membrane surrounding the seed is rather loose and easily removed. The seeds are round, flattened, black, and shiny; they are small enough to be blown about by the wind. The root system consists of a taproot.
Cultivation: Mexican Tea prefers full to partial sun and moist to slightly dry conditions. Growth is more robust in fertile loamy soil with abundant nitrogen, but it will adapt to other kinds of soil.
Range & Habitat: The non-native Mexican Tea is occasional in the southern half of Illinois, becoming uncommon or absent in the northern half of the state. It was introduced from tropical America as a medicinal herb. Habitats include fields, roadsides, vacant lots, and waste areas. Mexican Tea is still cultivated in gardens, from where it occasionally escapes and manages to reseed itself. Disturbed habitats of a relatively open character are strongly preferred.
Faunal Associations: Information that is specific to Mexican Tea is lacking (except for grazing mammals), therefore faunal-floral relationships for Chenopodium spp. in general will be presented. I suspect that some insects are deterred by the toxicity of the floral oil, and don't feed on this species to same extent as other Chenopodium spp. The caterpillars of two skippers, Pholisora catullus (Common Sootywing) and Staphylus hayhurstii (Hayhurst's Scallopwing), feed on the leaves of Chenopodium spp. Other insect feeders include moth caterpillars, flea beetles, leaf beetles, plant bugs, and aphids (see the Insect Table for a listing of these species). The tiny seeds are eaten by many small songbirds, particularly sparrows (see the Bird Table); some upland gamebirds (e.g., Bobwhite, Hungarian Partridge, & Ring-Necked Pheasant) also eat the seeds or seedheads. Small rodents eat the seeds, including the Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel, White-Footed Mouse, and Prairie Deer Mouse. Because the foliage is toxic and probably distasteful, it is not eaten by grazing mammals; even goats refuse to eat this plant (see Georgia, 1913).
Photographic Location: A garden in downtown Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: Because of its anthelmintic properties, Mexican Tea has been used to remove intestinal worms. This is one of the reasons it is cultivated as a medicinal herb. This plant can be distinguished from other Chenopodium spp. by the shape of its leaves, the absence of white-mealiness on its leaf undersides and sepals, and the strong aroma of its foliage. Its lower to middle leaves have wedge-shaped bottoms, while the leaf bottoms of similar Chenopodium spp. are usually well-rounded. Sometimes the margins of these leaves are more wavy or pinnatifid than those of other species. This combination of factors makes Mexican Tea one of the easier Chenopodium spp. to identify. A variety of Mexican Tea that is without leafy bracts in its floral spikes has been referred to as Chenopodium ambrosioides anthelminticum. It is less common than the typical variety.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年08月01日
Description: This biennial plant consists of a rosette of basal leaves during the first year. During the second year, this plant becomes about 2' tall; it has branching stems that have a tendency to sprawl. The foliage contains a yellow-orange sap with irritating properties. The rather stout stems are angular, glaucous, and covered with scattered hairs. The alternate compound leaves are up to 6" long and 3" across; they are pinnate-pinnatifid or bipinnatifid and hairless to mostly hairless. Each compound leaf typically has 5 leaflets or lobes that are ovate or obovate in overall shape. These leaflets or lobes are pinnatifid with secondary lobes; they are green and hairless above, and pale green and hairless below with conspicuous veins. Their margins may be coarsely crenate or dentate as well. The secondary lobes have blunt tips. The rachis (if present) and petiole of each compound leaf may have a few scattered hairs. The flowering stalks develop oppositely from the compound leaves. Each stalk is several inches long and it has an umbel of 3-8 flowers at its apex. Each flower is ½–¾" across, consisting of 4 yellow petals, 2 sepals that fall early, a pistil with a stout style, and many yellow stamens. The pedicel of each flower is about ½–1" long.
The blooming period occurs during the summer and lasts about 1-2 months. Each flower is replaced by an ascending seedpod that becomes ¾–2" long. Each seedpod is cylindrical and tapers gradually toward the apex; its outer surface is smooth, glaucous, and hairless. As the seedpod matures, it becomes somewhat constricted at intervals (torulose). The seeds are ovoid, flattened, and shiny; they have small white appendages (elaisomes). This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, mesic conditions, and a fertile loamy soil.
Range & Habitat: Greater Celandine has naturalized in a few scattered counties in Illinois, where it is uncommon and usually doesn't persist (see Distribution Map). This species was introduced from Europe into North America as an herbal plant and it is still cultivated in gardens. Other habitats include woodlands, roadsides, and waste areas.
Faunal Associations: As a member of the Poppy family (Papaveraceae), the flowers produce pollen only; likely flower visitors include bees and Syrphid flies. Ants are attracted to the seeds because of their elaisomes (food appendages); they carry the seeds off to their nests and help to distribute them. Because the yellow-orange sap of the foliage is toxic, acrid, and bitter-tasting, it seems unlikely that mammalian herbivores feed on this plant. With the possible exception of insects, the value of this plant to wildlife is low.
Photographic Location: An herbal garden at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: In the past, the sap of Greater Celandine was used to remove warts and it had other medicinal applications. However, such practices are not recommended because the sap is toxic and extremely irritating to the skin and eyes. Greater Celandine has smaller flowers than other members of the Poppy family in Illinois and its seedpods are more narrow and cylindrical as well. Because its flowers have four petals and its seedpods resemble siliques, this species could be confused with a member of the Mustard family. However, the flowers of Greater Celandine are larger in size than most members of the Mustard family and it has a distinctive yellow-orange sap. Lesser Celandine refers to another European species, Ranunculus ficaria (syn. Ficaria verna), which is a member of the Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). This latter species has yellow flowers with 8-12 petals and its leaves are orbicular-cordate with crenate margins. Therefore, it is easily distinguished from Greater Celandine.
The blooming period occurs during the summer and lasts about 1-2 months. Each flower is replaced by an ascending seedpod that becomes ¾–2" long. Each seedpod is cylindrical and tapers gradually toward the apex; its outer surface is smooth, glaucous, and hairless. As the seedpod matures, it becomes somewhat constricted at intervals (torulose). The seeds are ovoid, flattened, and shiny; they have small white appendages (elaisomes). This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, mesic conditions, and a fertile loamy soil.
Range & Habitat: Greater Celandine has naturalized in a few scattered counties in Illinois, where it is uncommon and usually doesn't persist (see Distribution Map). This species was introduced from Europe into North America as an herbal plant and it is still cultivated in gardens. Other habitats include woodlands, roadsides, and waste areas.
Faunal Associations: As a member of the Poppy family (Papaveraceae), the flowers produce pollen only; likely flower visitors include bees and Syrphid flies. Ants are attracted to the seeds because of their elaisomes (food appendages); they carry the seeds off to their nests and help to distribute them. Because the yellow-orange sap of the foliage is toxic, acrid, and bitter-tasting, it seems unlikely that mammalian herbivores feed on this plant. With the possible exception of insects, the value of this plant to wildlife is low.
Photographic Location: An herbal garden at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: In the past, the sap of Greater Celandine was used to remove warts and it had other medicinal applications. However, such practices are not recommended because the sap is toxic and extremely irritating to the skin and eyes. Greater Celandine has smaller flowers than other members of the Poppy family in Illinois and its seedpods are more narrow and cylindrical as well. Because its flowers have four petals and its seedpods resemble siliques, this species could be confused with a member of the Mustard family. However, the flowers of Greater Celandine are larger in size than most members of the Mustard family and it has a distinctive yellow-orange sap. Lesser Celandine refers to another European species, Ranunculus ficaria (syn. Ficaria verna), which is a member of the Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). This latter species has yellow flowers with 8-12 petals and its leaves are orbicular-cordate with crenate margins. Therefore, it is easily distinguished from Greater Celandine.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年08月01日
Description: This plant is a summer annual forming a mat of branching leafy stems up to 2' across. The stems are light green, pale red, or nearly white; they are terete, hairy, and slightly succulent. The stems are slightly swollen where the stipules of the leaves occur. Pairs of opposite leaves occur at intervals along the stems. Individual leaf blades are 3-11 mm. long and 2-6 mm. across; they are broadly oblong or ovate-oblong in shape and finely toothed along the upper margins. Leaf venation is palmate, although only the central veins are conspicuous. The upper blade surface is dull medium green and hairless to slightly hairy, while the lower surface is pale green to white and hairy. The tips of leaf blades are well-rounded, while their bases are rounded to slightly cordate and often asymmetric. Sometimes the margins of the leaf blades are tinted red. The short petioles are light green to nearly white and usually hairy.
Small clusters of 1-4 inflorescences develop from the axils of each pair of leaves. Each inflorescence is about 2 mm. across, consisting of a cup-like cyathium on a short stalk that contains a single pistillate flower on a short stalk and 4 staminate flowers. Each cyathium is light green and glabrous to slightly hairy; there are 4 red nectar glands with whitish petaloid appendages along the upper rim of each cyathium. The pistillate flower consists of a 3-lobed ovary with a divided style at its apex; the ovary is light green (while immature), ovoid-globoid in shape, and its lobes have spreading hairs. The stalk of the pistillate flower curves sideways or downward initially, but it later becomes erect at maturity. A staminate flower within the inflorescence consists of a single stamen. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer into fall for about 2 months. At maturity, the ovaries develop into 3-celled seed capsules; each cell of a capsule contains a single seed. The seeds are distributed, in part, by mechanical ejection. Individual seeds are about 1.0 mm. in length, oblongoid-rectangular in shape, and transversely ridged. The root system consists of a slender taproot that branches. The foliage of this plant contains a milky latex.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun, dry-mesic to dry conditions, and barren soil containing sand, gravel, or clay. However, Green Creeping Spurge also adapts to soil containing fertile loam if disturbance removes taller ground vegetation. Because of its C4-metabolism and slightly succulent nature, this plant can withstand hot dry conditions.
Range & Habitat: Green Creeping Spurge is a rare plant in Illinois, where it has been accidentally introduced. It has been observed in NE Illinois and more recently in Champaign County (see Distribution Map). These records may underestimate its distribution within the state, however. Green Creeping Spurge is native to tropical America. Habitats include lawns, gardens, areas along railroads and roadsides, areas near parking lots, cracks of urban sidewalks, and barren waste places. Open sunny areas with a history of disturbance are preferred.
Faunal Associations: The nectaries of the flowers attract Syrphid flies, Halictid bees, and various ants (Lasius, Formica, & Forelius spp.). Some bees may also collect pollen. Two aphids suck juices from Chamaesyce spp. (Low Spurges): Macrosiphum euphorbiae and Macrosiphum gei. Other insect feeders include the plant bug, Semium hirtum, and the flea beetle, Glyptina leptosoma. The latter insect feeds on the roots. Because of the toxic white latex and its low stature, mammalian herbivores have little use for Green Creeping Spurge and other Chamaesyce spp. However, the following birds eat the seeds of these plants: Greater Prairie Chicken, Bobwhite, Mourning Dove, Horned Lark, and Chipping Sparrow (Martin et al., 1951/1961). Because of an oily food appendage on each seed (referred to as a 'caruncle'), ants probably play a role in distributing the seeds to new areas.
Photographic Location: Along a parking lot and a railroad in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Green Creeping Spurge is a relatively recent invader of Illinois. Because of its low habit and similarity to other Chamaesyce spp. (Low Spurges), this invasion has gone largely unnoticed. At a cursory glance, Green Creeping Spurge resembles a common native species, Prostrate Spurge (Chamaesyce maculata, formerly Chamaesyce supina), and the two species can be found together in the same habitats, particularly in some urban areas. The latter species differs from Green Creeping Spurge as follows: 1) its leaves are about 3 times as long as they are across, rather than 2 times as long as they are across, 2) its leaves often have a patch of dark red in their centers, 3) the lobes of its ovaries/capsules have appressed hairs, rather than spreading hairs, and 4) its mature seed capsules are often found below the leaves on curved stalks, rather than above the leaves on erect stalks. Scientific synonyms of Green Creeping Spurge include Euphorbia prostrata and Euphorbia chamaesyce. Another common name of this species is Prostrate Sandmat.
Small clusters of 1-4 inflorescences develop from the axils of each pair of leaves. Each inflorescence is about 2 mm. across, consisting of a cup-like cyathium on a short stalk that contains a single pistillate flower on a short stalk and 4 staminate flowers. Each cyathium is light green and glabrous to slightly hairy; there are 4 red nectar glands with whitish petaloid appendages along the upper rim of each cyathium. The pistillate flower consists of a 3-lobed ovary with a divided style at its apex; the ovary is light green (while immature), ovoid-globoid in shape, and its lobes have spreading hairs. The stalk of the pistillate flower curves sideways or downward initially, but it later becomes erect at maturity. A staminate flower within the inflorescence consists of a single stamen. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer into fall for about 2 months. At maturity, the ovaries develop into 3-celled seed capsules; each cell of a capsule contains a single seed. The seeds are distributed, in part, by mechanical ejection. Individual seeds are about 1.0 mm. in length, oblongoid-rectangular in shape, and transversely ridged. The root system consists of a slender taproot that branches. The foliage of this plant contains a milky latex.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun, dry-mesic to dry conditions, and barren soil containing sand, gravel, or clay. However, Green Creeping Spurge also adapts to soil containing fertile loam if disturbance removes taller ground vegetation. Because of its C4-metabolism and slightly succulent nature, this plant can withstand hot dry conditions.
Range & Habitat: Green Creeping Spurge is a rare plant in Illinois, where it has been accidentally introduced. It has been observed in NE Illinois and more recently in Champaign County (see Distribution Map). These records may underestimate its distribution within the state, however. Green Creeping Spurge is native to tropical America. Habitats include lawns, gardens, areas along railroads and roadsides, areas near parking lots, cracks of urban sidewalks, and barren waste places. Open sunny areas with a history of disturbance are preferred.
Faunal Associations: The nectaries of the flowers attract Syrphid flies, Halictid bees, and various ants (Lasius, Formica, & Forelius spp.). Some bees may also collect pollen. Two aphids suck juices from Chamaesyce spp. (Low Spurges): Macrosiphum euphorbiae and Macrosiphum gei. Other insect feeders include the plant bug, Semium hirtum, and the flea beetle, Glyptina leptosoma. The latter insect feeds on the roots. Because of the toxic white latex and its low stature, mammalian herbivores have little use for Green Creeping Spurge and other Chamaesyce spp. However, the following birds eat the seeds of these plants: Greater Prairie Chicken, Bobwhite, Mourning Dove, Horned Lark, and Chipping Sparrow (Martin et al., 1951/1961). Because of an oily food appendage on each seed (referred to as a 'caruncle'), ants probably play a role in distributing the seeds to new areas.
Photographic Location: Along a parking lot and a railroad in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Green Creeping Spurge is a relatively recent invader of Illinois. Because of its low habit and similarity to other Chamaesyce spp. (Low Spurges), this invasion has gone largely unnoticed. At a cursory glance, Green Creeping Spurge resembles a common native species, Prostrate Spurge (Chamaesyce maculata, formerly Chamaesyce supina), and the two species can be found together in the same habitats, particularly in some urban areas. The latter species differs from Green Creeping Spurge as follows: 1) its leaves are about 3 times as long as they are across, rather than 2 times as long as they are across, 2) its leaves often have a patch of dark red in their centers, 3) the lobes of its ovaries/capsules have appressed hairs, rather than spreading hairs, and 4) its mature seed capsules are often found below the leaves on curved stalks, rather than above the leaves on erect stalks. Scientific synonyms of Green Creeping Spurge include Euphorbia prostrata and Euphorbia chamaesyce. Another common name of this species is Prostrate Sandmat.
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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.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年08月01日
Description: This perennial herbaceous plant consists of a tuft of decumbent leafy stems about 4-12" tall and similarly across. The stems are light green, terete, and more or less covered with short white-woolly hairs; they branch occasionally. Alternate leaves occur along these stems that are ½–2" long and ½–1" across; most of these leaves are located close to the ground where the lower stems sprawl. The leaves are deeply bipinnatifid or tripinnatifid and rather irregular in their branching patterns; their ultimate leaf segments are linear-filiform and short. The leaves are light-medium green and sparsely to moderately covered with very short white-woolly hairs. Solitary flowerheads about ½–1" across are produced from long peduncles up to 6" long. The peduncles are light green, terete, and more or less covered with short white-woolly hairs. Underneath the flowerheads, however, the peduncles become more swollen, slightly furrowed, and more densely covered with white-woolly hairs. Each flowerhead consists of 10-20 ray florets surrounding numerous disk florets; the disk florets are arranged together in a hemispheric head that has a solid interior. The ray florets are pistillate and fertile, while the disk florets are perfect and fertile. The petaloid rays of the flowerheads are white, broadly oblong-elliptic in shape, and widely spreading; their tips have 1-2 small notches.
The corollas of the disk florets are 2-3 mm. long, narrowly tubular in shape, and yellow; they have 5 spreading lobes at their apices. Between the corollas of the disk florets, there are chaffy scales; these scales are white-membranous along their margins and oblong in shape with rounded erose (somewhat frayed) tips. Around the base of each flowerhead, there are phyllaries (floral bracts) in several overlapping and appressed series that together form a shallow saucer-like shape. The phyllaries are lanceolate-oblong with blunt tips, light green with white-membranous margins, and more or less covered with short white-woolly hairs. The blooming period occurs during the summer and early autumn for 1½–3 months. Afterwards, fertile florets are replaced by small achenes about 1–1.5 mm. long. These achenes are oblongoid in shape, pale-colored, and slightly flattened or 3-angled; each achene has 3 filiform ribs on one side. The root system is fibrous, rhizomatous, and relatively shallow. This plant can spread by reseeding itself or by forming clonal offsets from the short rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and soil consisting of either loam or sandy loam. This plant is easy to cultivate and it occasionally spreads into adjacent areas.
Range & Habitat: Roman Chamomile has rarely naturalized in Illinois and thus far wild populations have been reported from only a few counties (see Distribution Map). Roman Chamomile is native to western Europe and it was introduced into North America as an ornamental and herbal plant for gardens. In North America, naturalized populations of this plant are found primarily in urban areas, including such habitats as areas near gardens, lawns, grassy roadsides, vacant lots, and construction sites. In Europe, it has been found in such habitats as grassy roadsides, sandy lawns in commons areas, and sandy pastures. Roman Chamomile is still cultivated in flower and herbal gardens, from where it occasionally escapes, but rarely persists. Areas with a history of disturbance are preferred.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads probably attract small bees and various flies; wasps and beetles may visit the flowerheads to a lesser extent. Two aphids, Macrosiphoniella tanacetaria and Macrosiphoniella tapuskae, are known to feed on Roman Chamomile (Blackman & Eastop, 2013). A polyphagous leafhopper, Empoasca erigeron, also feeds on this plant (Dmitriev & Dietrich, 2010). At the present time, information about this plant's relationships with granivorous birds and herbivorous mammals is unavailable.
Photographic Location: An ornamental garden at the Urbana Public Library of Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: There are several species of plants in the Aster family that have daisy-like flowerheads with white petaloid rays. Many of these species have been introduced into North America from Eurasia as garden plants, including Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). Roman Chamomile can be distinguished from most of these species by its highly fragrant foliage and crushed flowerheads, which have an apple-pineapple scent. One other species in this group that has naturalized in Illinois, German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomile), also has foliage and crushed flowerheads with a similar fruity scent. German Chamomile can be readily distinguished by its glabrous foliage, more erect habit, the hollow interior of its flowerheads, and the lack of chaffy scales between the disk florets. This latter plant is also an annual, rather than a perennial. Both of these species have been used as ingredients in Chamomile tea, and the chemical constituents of their flowerheads are said to have relaxing and soothing properties. An alternative scientific name for Roman Chamomile is Anthemis nobilis, and it has other common names, including Low Chamomile, English Chamomile, and Garden Chamomile.
The corollas of the disk florets are 2-3 mm. long, narrowly tubular in shape, and yellow; they have 5 spreading lobes at their apices. Between the corollas of the disk florets, there are chaffy scales; these scales are white-membranous along their margins and oblong in shape with rounded erose (somewhat frayed) tips. Around the base of each flowerhead, there are phyllaries (floral bracts) in several overlapping and appressed series that together form a shallow saucer-like shape. The phyllaries are lanceolate-oblong with blunt tips, light green with white-membranous margins, and more or less covered with short white-woolly hairs. The blooming period occurs during the summer and early autumn for 1½–3 months. Afterwards, fertile florets are replaced by small achenes about 1–1.5 mm. long. These achenes are oblongoid in shape, pale-colored, and slightly flattened or 3-angled; each achene has 3 filiform ribs on one side. The root system is fibrous, rhizomatous, and relatively shallow. This plant can spread by reseeding itself or by forming clonal offsets from the short rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and soil consisting of either loam or sandy loam. This plant is easy to cultivate and it occasionally spreads into adjacent areas.
Range & Habitat: Roman Chamomile has rarely naturalized in Illinois and thus far wild populations have been reported from only a few counties (see Distribution Map). Roman Chamomile is native to western Europe and it was introduced into North America as an ornamental and herbal plant for gardens. In North America, naturalized populations of this plant are found primarily in urban areas, including such habitats as areas near gardens, lawns, grassy roadsides, vacant lots, and construction sites. In Europe, it has been found in such habitats as grassy roadsides, sandy lawns in commons areas, and sandy pastures. Roman Chamomile is still cultivated in flower and herbal gardens, from where it occasionally escapes, but rarely persists. Areas with a history of disturbance are preferred.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads probably attract small bees and various flies; wasps and beetles may visit the flowerheads to a lesser extent. Two aphids, Macrosiphoniella tanacetaria and Macrosiphoniella tapuskae, are known to feed on Roman Chamomile (Blackman & Eastop, 2013). A polyphagous leafhopper, Empoasca erigeron, also feeds on this plant (Dmitriev & Dietrich, 2010). At the present time, information about this plant's relationships with granivorous birds and herbivorous mammals is unavailable.
Photographic Location: An ornamental garden at the Urbana Public Library of Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: There are several species of plants in the Aster family that have daisy-like flowerheads with white petaloid rays. Many of these species have been introduced into North America from Eurasia as garden plants, including Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). Roman Chamomile can be distinguished from most of these species by its highly fragrant foliage and crushed flowerheads, which have an apple-pineapple scent. One other species in this group that has naturalized in Illinois, German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomile), also has foliage and crushed flowerheads with a similar fruity scent. German Chamomile can be readily distinguished by its glabrous foliage, more erect habit, the hollow interior of its flowerheads, and the lack of chaffy scales between the disk florets. This latter plant is also an annual, rather than a perennial. Both of these species have been used as ingredients in Chamomile tea, and the chemical constituents of their flowerheads are said to have relaxing and soothing properties. An alternative scientific name for Roman Chamomile is Anthemis nobilis, and it has other common names, including Low Chamomile, English Chamomile, and Garden Chamomile.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年07月31日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 1-4' tall and usually unbranched, except sometimes at the base. The central stem is light green, short-pubescent, and 4-angled with shallow vertical grooves. At intervals, there occurs pairs of opposite leaves that become slightly shorter and more narrow as they ascend the stem. Each pair of leaves rotates about 90° from the pair of leaves either immediately above or below. The leaf blades are 1-3" long, 1/3-1¼" (8-31 mm.) across, and flat; they are ovate to oblong-lanceolate in shape and their margins are dentate to sparsely crenate. The upper surface of each leaf blade is medium green and sparsely short-pubescent, while the lower surface is slightly more pale and pubescent (at least along the central veins). On each leaf blade, there are usually 2 lateral veins that run parallel to the central central and a few secondary veins that branch from the central vein along its length. The petioles of the leaves are ¼-¾" long. The lowest leaves, which are wider, are often withered by the time that flowering occurs.
The flowers occur in dense axillary clusters along the upper half of each stem; these floral clusters are whorled and sessile. Individual flowers are about ¼" (6 mm.) long and 1/8" (3 mm.) across, consisting of a 2-lipped tubular corolla with 4 lobes, a calyx with 5 teeth that have spine-like tips, 4 stamens, and a pistil with an ovary that is divided into 4 parts. The corolla is white to pink and softly short-hairy along the exterior of the upper lobe, which functions as a protective hood. There is also a rounded lower lobe and two smaller lateral lobes. A patch of red occurs within the throat of the corolla. The calyx is light green, sparsely canescent along its exterior, and 5-veined. The corolla of the flower is about the same length as the calyx (including the tips of its teeth) or a little longer. The blooming period occurs fromDistribution Map early summer to early fall for about 2-3 months. Usually, only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time across several floral clusters. Each flower is replaced by a cluster of 4 small nutlets during the fall. Individual nutlets are oblongoid and 3-sided. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Clonal colonies of plants are often formed from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and loamy, rocky, or sandy soil that is calcareous. Depending on fertility of the soil, moisture levels, and time of year, individual plants can vary considerably in their height.
Range & Habitat: False Motherwort is uncommon to occasional in both central and NE Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent. This plant is not native to Illinois; it was accidentally introduced into North America from Eurasia. Habitats include dolomite prairies, sandy savannas near Lake Michigan, riverbanks, roadsides, and pastures. This plant is usually found in disturbed areas, although it sometimes occurs in higher quality habitats.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this plant in North America, although they are probably similar to those for Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), which is closely related to False Motherwort and more common. The flowers are likely pollinated by various bees, including bumblebees, little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), and Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.), which seek nectar or collect pollen from the flowers. Syrphid flies may also visit the flowers to feed on pollen, but they are less effective at cross-pollination. The Currant Aphid (Cryptomyzus ribis) uses Leonurus spp. (Motherworts) as summer hosts. Because of the bitter foliage, it is unlikely that mammalian herbivores browse on False Motherwort to any significant extent.
Photographic Location: A sandy oak savanna near Lake Michigan at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: Across different populations, the leaf blades of False Motherwort can vary significantly in their width and in the abundance or size of the teeth along their margins. This plant is sometimes referred to as Leonurus marrubiastrum, but it differs from Leonurus spp. (Motherworts) by the lack of cleft lobes on its leaves. Like Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), False Motherwort can be distinguished from many other members of the Mint family by the spiny teeth of its calyces, the shape of its leaves, and other characteristics. Other common names of this plant are Lion's Tail and Horehound Motherwort.
The flowers occur in dense axillary clusters along the upper half of each stem; these floral clusters are whorled and sessile. Individual flowers are about ¼" (6 mm.) long and 1/8" (3 mm.) across, consisting of a 2-lipped tubular corolla with 4 lobes, a calyx with 5 teeth that have spine-like tips, 4 stamens, and a pistil with an ovary that is divided into 4 parts. The corolla is white to pink and softly short-hairy along the exterior of the upper lobe, which functions as a protective hood. There is also a rounded lower lobe and two smaller lateral lobes. A patch of red occurs within the throat of the corolla. The calyx is light green, sparsely canescent along its exterior, and 5-veined. The corolla of the flower is about the same length as the calyx (including the tips of its teeth) or a little longer. The blooming period occurs fromDistribution Map early summer to early fall for about 2-3 months. Usually, only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time across several floral clusters. Each flower is replaced by a cluster of 4 small nutlets during the fall. Individual nutlets are oblongoid and 3-sided. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Clonal colonies of plants are often formed from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and loamy, rocky, or sandy soil that is calcareous. Depending on fertility of the soil, moisture levels, and time of year, individual plants can vary considerably in their height.
Range & Habitat: False Motherwort is uncommon to occasional in both central and NE Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent. This plant is not native to Illinois; it was accidentally introduced into North America from Eurasia. Habitats include dolomite prairies, sandy savannas near Lake Michigan, riverbanks, roadsides, and pastures. This plant is usually found in disturbed areas, although it sometimes occurs in higher quality habitats.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this plant in North America, although they are probably similar to those for Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), which is closely related to False Motherwort and more common. The flowers are likely pollinated by various bees, including bumblebees, little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), and Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.), which seek nectar or collect pollen from the flowers. Syrphid flies may also visit the flowers to feed on pollen, but they are less effective at cross-pollination. The Currant Aphid (Cryptomyzus ribis) uses Leonurus spp. (Motherworts) as summer hosts. Because of the bitter foliage, it is unlikely that mammalian herbivores browse on False Motherwort to any significant extent.
Photographic Location: A sandy oak savanna near Lake Michigan at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: Across different populations, the leaf blades of False Motherwort can vary significantly in their width and in the abundance or size of the teeth along their margins. This plant is sometimes referred to as Leonurus marrubiastrum, but it differs from Leonurus spp. (Motherworts) by the lack of cleft lobes on its leaves. Like Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), False Motherwort can be distinguished from many other members of the Mint family by the spiny teeth of its calyces, the shape of its leaves, and other characteristics. Other common names of this plant are Lion's Tail and Horehound Motherwort.
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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.
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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31日
Description: This little plant is a winter or spring annual about 2-6" tall. A mature plant becomes tufted at the base, sending up multiple stems. These stems are green and pubescent. The opposite leaves are up to ¾" long and about half as much across. These leaves are broadly oblong or ovate-oblong, green, and pubescent; they have conspicuous central veins, smooth margins, and sessile bases.
The upper stems terminate in small cymes or individual flowers; sometimes the lower cymes branch into secondary cymes of flowers. The peduncles and pedicels of these cymes are light green and pubescent. At the base of each peduncle, there is a pair of green leaf-like bracts. These bracts are broadly lanceolate-oblong or lanceolate-ovate, pubescent, and smooth along the margins; some of the upper bracts have thin translucent margins toward their tips (i.e., they are slightly scarious). These translucent margins are more apparent in mature or dried-out plants than young specimens. The flowers at the tips of the pedicels are up to ¼" across when they are fully open. Each flower has 5 white petals, 5 green sepals, 5 white styles, and 5 stamens with pale yellow anthers. Each petal has several pale lines at its base, while its tip is notched. The sepals are lanceolate and hairy; their margins are translucent. The blooming period occurs during the spring and lasts about 1 month; this is one of the earliest wildflowers to bloom during the spring. The flowers open up during spring days that are sunny and warm. Some plants begin to bloom when they are only 1" tall. Each flower is replaced by a cylindrical capsule containing manyDistribution Map small seeds. Each seed capsule is straight to slightly curved; there are 10 small teeth along its upper rim. The seeds are brown, somewhat flattened, and minutely warty or pebbly. The root system consists mostly of thin fibrous roots. This plant spreads by reseeding itself and it often forms small colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, moist to slightly dry conditions, and sterile soil with little ground vegetation. In Illinois, this little plant completes its growth cycle during the spring.
Range & Habitat: Small Mouse-Eared Chickweed is occasional in central and NE Illinois, while in other areas of the state it is uncommon or absent. This plant was accidentally introduced into the United States from Europe. Habitats consist of fields, disturbed grassy meadows, areas along roads, barren ground in lawns, and waste areas. Areas with a history of disturbance and environmental degradation are strongly preferred. This little plant tolerates road salt and other run-off chemicals better than most kinds of turf-grass; it also tolerates hardpan clay and gravel better than turf-grass.
Faunal Associations: Like other Chickweeds (Cerastium spp., Stellaria spp.), the flowers of this species attract small bees and Syrphid flies. While the foliage of Small Mouse-Eared Chickweed is potentially edible to rabbits, it is rarely eaten because of its diminutive size and early spring growth. Small granivorous songbirds (e.g., sparrows) may use the seeds as a minor source of food.
Photographic Location: A barren area along a roadside in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: There are several Cerastium spp. (Mouse-Eared Chickweeds) in Illinois and they are difficult to distinguish from each other. I believe that the species in the photograph above is Cerastium pumilum (Small Mouse-Eared Chickweed) for the following reasons: 1) It is a short-lived annual that completes its life-cycle during the spring, 2) Each of its flowers has 5 stamens and 5 styles, 3) Its flowers always have 5 petals, and 4) Its floral bracts usually lack translucent margins, except for some of the upper bracts on mature plants. Other Mouse-Eared Chickweeds are perennials (e.g., Cerastium fontanum), or they have flowers with 10 stamens (e.g., Cerastium brachypetalum, Cerastium glomeratum), or they produce flowers with 4 petals (e.g., Cerastium diffusum), or all of their bracts have conspicuous translucent margins (e.g., Cerastium semidecandrum).
The upper stems terminate in small cymes or individual flowers; sometimes the lower cymes branch into secondary cymes of flowers. The peduncles and pedicels of these cymes are light green and pubescent. At the base of each peduncle, there is a pair of green leaf-like bracts. These bracts are broadly lanceolate-oblong or lanceolate-ovate, pubescent, and smooth along the margins; some of the upper bracts have thin translucent margins toward their tips (i.e., they are slightly scarious). These translucent margins are more apparent in mature or dried-out plants than young specimens. The flowers at the tips of the pedicels are up to ¼" across when they are fully open. Each flower has 5 white petals, 5 green sepals, 5 white styles, and 5 stamens with pale yellow anthers. Each petal has several pale lines at its base, while its tip is notched. The sepals are lanceolate and hairy; their margins are translucent. The blooming period occurs during the spring and lasts about 1 month; this is one of the earliest wildflowers to bloom during the spring. The flowers open up during spring days that are sunny and warm. Some plants begin to bloom when they are only 1" tall. Each flower is replaced by a cylindrical capsule containing manyDistribution Map small seeds. Each seed capsule is straight to slightly curved; there are 10 small teeth along its upper rim. The seeds are brown, somewhat flattened, and minutely warty or pebbly. The root system consists mostly of thin fibrous roots. This plant spreads by reseeding itself and it often forms small colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, moist to slightly dry conditions, and sterile soil with little ground vegetation. In Illinois, this little plant completes its growth cycle during the spring.
Range & Habitat: Small Mouse-Eared Chickweed is occasional in central and NE Illinois, while in other areas of the state it is uncommon or absent. This plant was accidentally introduced into the United States from Europe. Habitats consist of fields, disturbed grassy meadows, areas along roads, barren ground in lawns, and waste areas. Areas with a history of disturbance and environmental degradation are strongly preferred. This little plant tolerates road salt and other run-off chemicals better than most kinds of turf-grass; it also tolerates hardpan clay and gravel better than turf-grass.
Faunal Associations: Like other Chickweeds (Cerastium spp., Stellaria spp.), the flowers of this species attract small bees and Syrphid flies. While the foliage of Small Mouse-Eared Chickweed is potentially edible to rabbits, it is rarely eaten because of its diminutive size and early spring growth. Small granivorous songbirds (e.g., sparrows) may use the seeds as a minor source of food.
Photographic Location: A barren area along a roadside in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: There are several Cerastium spp. (Mouse-Eared Chickweeds) in Illinois and they are difficult to distinguish from each other. I believe that the species in the photograph above is Cerastium pumilum (Small Mouse-Eared Chickweed) for the following reasons: 1) It is a short-lived annual that completes its life-cycle during the spring, 2) Each of its flowers has 5 stamens and 5 styles, 3) Its flowers always have 5 petals, and 4) Its floral bracts usually lack translucent margins, except for some of the upper bracts on mature plants. Other Mouse-Eared Chickweeds are perennials (e.g., Cerastium fontanum), or they have flowers with 10 stamens (e.g., Cerastium brachypetalum, Cerastium glomeratum), or they produce flowers with 4 petals (e.g., Cerastium diffusum), or all of their bracts have conspicuous translucent margins (e.g., Cerastium semidecandrum).
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年07月31日
Description: This plant is a winter or spring annual that becomes 4-16" tall, usually forming a tuft of leafy stems that are ascending to sprawling. These stems are branched at the base near the crown of the plant, otherwise they are unbranched. Individual stems are light green, terete, and glandular-hairy. Pairs of opposite leaves occur along these stems (typically at intervals of 1-2½"). These leaves are ¾-2" long, 5-9 mm. across, and elliptic, oblong-lanceolate, or oblong-oblanceolate in shape. The leaf margins are smooth (entire) and slightly ciliate. The leaf surfaces are medium green and either sparsely short-pubescent or hairless. Each leaf has a prominent central vein.
The upper stems terminate in either cymes or compound cymes of flowers (usually the latter); these cymes are dichotomously branched and variable in size. Each terminal branch of the inflorescence typically has 3 flowers with divergent slender pedicels up to 1¼" long. While the flower buds are nodding, the flowers are more erect. Similar to the stems, the branches and pedicels of each inflorescence are light green, terete, and glandular-pubescent. At the base of each pair of branches in an inflorescence, there is a pair of leafy bracts up to ¾" and 5 mm. across. These bracts are lanceolate in shape and they lack membranous margins. The flowers are up to ¼" across while they are in bloom. Each flower has 5 white petals with notched tips, 5 green sepals, an ovary with 5 styles, and 10 stamens (usually). The sepals are lanceolate in shape with membranous margins and short-pubescent; they are about 3-5 mm. long. The petals are the same length or a little longer than the sepals. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 1 month. Usually, only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. Sometimes cleistogamous flowers that fail to open are produced.Distribution Map Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by cylindrical seed capsules that become 8-12 mm. long at maturity. Like the flowerbuds, they tend to nod downward. Mature seed capsules are membranous, light tan, longitudinally veined, and often slightly curved; they are more than twice as long as the sepals. Each seed capsule has an open rim at its apex with 10 tiny teeth. Each seed capsule contains several tiny seeds about 0.5 mm. in length. The seeds are obovoid, somewhat flattened, brownish, and minutely tuberculate (warty). The root system system consists of a shallow spreading taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade and moist conditions. Nodding Chickweed is not particular about soil. Most growth and development occurs during the spring when the weather is cool and moist, after which the foliage dies down.
Range & Habitat: The native Nodding Chickweed is occasional to locally common in most areas of Illinois. Habitats include floodplain woodlands, streambanks in wooded areas, ravines and ledges along streams, gravel bars along rivers, weedy meadows, nursery plots, and moist waste areas. Nodding Chickweed occurs in both natural areas and human-mediated environments. In natural areas, it tends to occur in places where there is some disturbance by the action of water (e.g., soil erosion or deposits of gravel).
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by honeybees, Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.), small butterflies, Syrphid flies, and other flies (Robertson, 1929). Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. The caterpillars and cutworms of various moths are known to feed on chickweeds (Stellaria spp., Cerastium spp.). These moth species include Haematopis grataria (Chickweed Geometer), Lobocleta ossularia (Drab Brown Wave), Agrotis venerabilis (Venerable Dart), Hyles lineata (White-Lined Sphinx), Feltia jaculifera (Dingy Cutworm), Xestia badinodis (Spot-Sided Cutworm), and Xanthorhoe ferrugata (Red Twin-Spot). Vertebrate animals also feed on these plants to some extent. Various sparrows and other granivorous songbirds eat the seeds, while deer, rabbits, and domesticated farm animals (cattle, horses, sheep, & pigs) occasionally browse on the foliage.
Photographic Location: A gravel bar along a river in a wooded area of Pine Hills State Nature Preserve in west-central Indiana.
Comments: Notwithstanding its weedy appearance and habits, this is one of the native chickweeds in Illinois. It is a rather floppy plant with small white flowers. Nodding Chickweed can be distinguished from other chickweeds (Stellaria spp., Cerastium spp.) by the shape of its leaves, diffuse inflorescence, and structure of its flowers. In particular, the pedicels of its flowers are rather long (1" in length or more) and divergent, while its flowerbuds and seed capsules nod downward. Among the Mouse-Eared Chickweeds (Cerastium spp.), Nodding Chickweed has rather long and narrow leaves. Some authorities consider the more western Cerastium brachypodum to be a variety of Nodding Chickweed, or Cerastium nutans obtectum. This latter species (or variety) tends to have more hairy leaves and its pedicels are shorter (less than 1" in length).
The upper stems terminate in either cymes or compound cymes of flowers (usually the latter); these cymes are dichotomously branched and variable in size. Each terminal branch of the inflorescence typically has 3 flowers with divergent slender pedicels up to 1¼" long. While the flower buds are nodding, the flowers are more erect. Similar to the stems, the branches and pedicels of each inflorescence are light green, terete, and glandular-pubescent. At the base of each pair of branches in an inflorescence, there is a pair of leafy bracts up to ¾" and 5 mm. across. These bracts are lanceolate in shape and they lack membranous margins. The flowers are up to ¼" across while they are in bloom. Each flower has 5 white petals with notched tips, 5 green sepals, an ovary with 5 styles, and 10 stamens (usually). The sepals are lanceolate in shape with membranous margins and short-pubescent; they are about 3-5 mm. long. The petals are the same length or a little longer than the sepals. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 1 month. Usually, only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. Sometimes cleistogamous flowers that fail to open are produced.Distribution Map Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by cylindrical seed capsules that become 8-12 mm. long at maturity. Like the flowerbuds, they tend to nod downward. Mature seed capsules are membranous, light tan, longitudinally veined, and often slightly curved; they are more than twice as long as the sepals. Each seed capsule has an open rim at its apex with 10 tiny teeth. Each seed capsule contains several tiny seeds about 0.5 mm. in length. The seeds are obovoid, somewhat flattened, brownish, and minutely tuberculate (warty). The root system system consists of a shallow spreading taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade and moist conditions. Nodding Chickweed is not particular about soil. Most growth and development occurs during the spring when the weather is cool and moist, after which the foliage dies down.
Range & Habitat: The native Nodding Chickweed is occasional to locally common in most areas of Illinois. Habitats include floodplain woodlands, streambanks in wooded areas, ravines and ledges along streams, gravel bars along rivers, weedy meadows, nursery plots, and moist waste areas. Nodding Chickweed occurs in both natural areas and human-mediated environments. In natural areas, it tends to occur in places where there is some disturbance by the action of water (e.g., soil erosion or deposits of gravel).
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by honeybees, Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.), small butterflies, Syrphid flies, and other flies (Robertson, 1929). Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. The caterpillars and cutworms of various moths are known to feed on chickweeds (Stellaria spp., Cerastium spp.). These moth species include Haematopis grataria (Chickweed Geometer), Lobocleta ossularia (Drab Brown Wave), Agrotis venerabilis (Venerable Dart), Hyles lineata (White-Lined Sphinx), Feltia jaculifera (Dingy Cutworm), Xestia badinodis (Spot-Sided Cutworm), and Xanthorhoe ferrugata (Red Twin-Spot). Vertebrate animals also feed on these plants to some extent. Various sparrows and other granivorous songbirds eat the seeds, while deer, rabbits, and domesticated farm animals (cattle, horses, sheep, & pigs) occasionally browse on the foliage.
Photographic Location: A gravel bar along a river in a wooded area of Pine Hills State Nature Preserve in west-central Indiana.
Comments: Notwithstanding its weedy appearance and habits, this is one of the native chickweeds in Illinois. It is a rather floppy plant with small white flowers. Nodding Chickweed can be distinguished from other chickweeds (Stellaria spp., Cerastium spp.) by the shape of its leaves, diffuse inflorescence, and structure of its flowers. In particular, the pedicels of its flowers are rather long (1" in length or more) and divergent, while its flowerbuds and seed capsules nod downward. Among the Mouse-Eared Chickweeds (Cerastium spp.), Nodding Chickweed has rather long and narrow leaves. Some authorities consider the more western Cerastium brachypodum to be a variety of Nodding Chickweed, or Cerastium nutans obtectum. This latter species (or variety) tends to have more hairy leaves and its pedicels are shorter (less than 1" in length).
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年07月31日
Description: This plant is a winter or spring annual that becomes 4-10" tall. It has a small tuft of erect to ascending leafy stems; these stems are light green to dark purple, terete, and hairy. Along each stem, there are pairs of sessile opposite leaves at intervals. Individual leaves are up to ¾" long and about half as much across; they are medium green, bluntly ovate, broadly oblong, or obovate with smooth margins. Both the lower and upper surfaces of each leaf are covered with hairs. The hairs on the stems and leaves may have a sticky texture from minute glandular secretions.
Each stem terminates in a dense cluster of flowers; in addition, individual or small clusters of flowers may develop from the axils of the upper leaves. Each small flower is about ¼" across, consisting of 5 white petals, 5 green sepals, 10 stamens, and a pistil with 5 styles. The tips of the petals are notched. The lanceolate sepals have long forward-pointing hairs and membranous margins. The hairy pedicel of each flower is no longer than 5 mm. (1/5") in length, even when it has transformed into a seed capsule. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer and lasts about 3-4 weeks. Each flower transforms into a cylindrical seed capsule that is up to twice the length of the persistent sepals. This seed capsule is membranous along the sides and open at the apex, where there are 10 tiny teeth. At the bottom of this capsule, there are several tiny seeds. Each seed is obovoid or heart-shaped, somewhat flattened, and minutely pebbly on the outer surface. The root system is shallow and fibrous. This plant spreads by reseeding itself; it often forms colonies in favorable habitats.
Cultivation: This little weed prefers partial to full sun and moist to slightly dry conditions. It is often found in soil containing loam, clay-loam, or other material. This species can invade lawns to some extent.
Range & Habitat: Glomerate Mouse-Eared Chickweed is occasional throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is not native. Habitats include openings in rocky woodlands, grassy meadows, lawns, pastures, fallow fields, roadsides, and waste ground. Areas with a history of disturbance are preferred. This species is native to Eurasia.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract small bees (Halictid & others) and flies (Syrphid & others). The caterpillars of the moths Agrostis venerabilis (Venerable Dart), Haematopis grataria (Chickweed Geometer), and Lobocleta ossularia (Drab Brown Wave) feed on chickweeds. Among vertebrate animals, the Mourning Dove and various sparrows occasionally eat the seeds, while the foliage is eaten by the Cottontail Rabbit and Woodchuck.
Photographic Location: A lawn at a state park in west-central Indiana.
Comments: The distinctive characteristic of this chickweed is its dense cluster(s) of flowers. In particular, the pedicels of the flowers are the same length or shorter than the sepals (5 mm. or less). Several other species of chickweeds are similar in appearance, but at least some of their pedicels exceed 5 mm. in length (particularly when their flowers have transformed into seed capsules). The sepals of Glomerate Mouse-Eared Chickweed are somewhat unusual because they are covered with long forward-pointing hairs that may extend beyond their margins; other species of chickweed have sepals with shorter hairs. In general, the various species in the Cerastium genus are called "Mouse-Eared Chickweeds" because of the shape and hairiness of their leaves; these species usually have 10 stamens and 5 styles per flower. A scientific synonym of Glomerate Mouse-Eared Chickweed is Cerastium viscosum. Because of this defunct scientific name, this species is sometimes called "Clammy Mouse-Eared Chickweed."
Each stem terminates in a dense cluster of flowers; in addition, individual or small clusters of flowers may develop from the axils of the upper leaves. Each small flower is about ¼" across, consisting of 5 white petals, 5 green sepals, 10 stamens, and a pistil with 5 styles. The tips of the petals are notched. The lanceolate sepals have long forward-pointing hairs and membranous margins. The hairy pedicel of each flower is no longer than 5 mm. (1/5") in length, even when it has transformed into a seed capsule. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer and lasts about 3-4 weeks. Each flower transforms into a cylindrical seed capsule that is up to twice the length of the persistent sepals. This seed capsule is membranous along the sides and open at the apex, where there are 10 tiny teeth. At the bottom of this capsule, there are several tiny seeds. Each seed is obovoid or heart-shaped, somewhat flattened, and minutely pebbly on the outer surface. The root system is shallow and fibrous. This plant spreads by reseeding itself; it often forms colonies in favorable habitats.
Cultivation: This little weed prefers partial to full sun and moist to slightly dry conditions. It is often found in soil containing loam, clay-loam, or other material. This species can invade lawns to some extent.
Range & Habitat: Glomerate Mouse-Eared Chickweed is occasional throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is not native. Habitats include openings in rocky woodlands, grassy meadows, lawns, pastures, fallow fields, roadsides, and waste ground. Areas with a history of disturbance are preferred. This species is native to Eurasia.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract small bees (Halictid & others) and flies (Syrphid & others). The caterpillars of the moths Agrostis venerabilis (Venerable Dart), Haematopis grataria (Chickweed Geometer), and Lobocleta ossularia (Drab Brown Wave) feed on chickweeds. Among vertebrate animals, the Mourning Dove and various sparrows occasionally eat the seeds, while the foliage is eaten by the Cottontail Rabbit and Woodchuck.
Photographic Location: A lawn at a state park in west-central Indiana.
Comments: The distinctive characteristic of this chickweed is its dense cluster(s) of flowers. In particular, the pedicels of the flowers are the same length or shorter than the sepals (5 mm. or less). Several other species of chickweeds are similar in appearance, but at least some of their pedicels exceed 5 mm. in length (particularly when their flowers have transformed into seed capsules). The sepals of Glomerate Mouse-Eared Chickweed are somewhat unusual because they are covered with long forward-pointing hairs that may extend beyond their margins; other species of chickweed have sepals with shorter hairs. In general, the various species in the Cerastium genus are called "Mouse-Eared Chickweeds" because of the shape and hairiness of their leaves; these species usually have 10 stamens and 5 styles per flower. A scientific synonym of Glomerate Mouse-Eared Chickweed is Cerastium viscosum. Because of this defunct scientific name, this species is sometimes called "Clammy Mouse-Eared Chickweed."
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