文章
Miss Chen
2018年05月25日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 1-1½' tall, consisting of both basal leaves and a flowering stem with a pair of opposite leaves. The erect to ascending stem is light green, terete, and conspicuously hairy. Both types of leaves are up to 6" long and 4" across (excluding the petioles); they are bipinnatifid, consisting of 1-3 pairs of primary lateral lobes and a primary terminal lobe. The primary lateral lobes are up to 2" long and 1" across, while the primary terminal lobe is up to 2" long and 2" across. Both types of lobes have shallow to moderately deep secondary lobes with rounded tips. For mature leaves, the upper leaf surface is yellowish green to dark green and glabrous, while the lower leaf surface is pale green and pubescent to hairy. Immature leaves may have short appressed hairs on their upper surfaces. The petioles of the leaves are up to 4" long and sparsely hairy. There is little difference in the appearance of the basal and opposite leaves, although the latter have shorter petioles. The foliage contains a yellow-orange sap.
The upper stem terminates in either an individual flower or an umbel of 2-4 flowers. Each flower is about 1¼-2¼" across, consisting of 4 yellow petals, 2 early-deciduous sepals, numerous stamens with golden yellow anthers, and a pistil with a single stout style and knobby stigma. The petals are orbicular-obovate in shape, while the sepals are light green and very hairy. The ovary of the pistil is ¼-½" in length, narrowly ovoid in shape, more or less yellow, and finely hairy. The pedicels are ¼-2" long, light green, hairy, and terete; they are ascending to erect while the flowers are in bloom. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring, lasting about 2-3 weeks. In the absence of insect pollination, the flowers can self-pollinate. Shortly afterward, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about ¾-1" long that nod from their pedicels; these capsules are 4-segmented and densely hairy. Numerous seeds are released after each capsule splits apart. They are dark brown and about 1.5 mm. in diameter; there is a white fringe of oil bodies (elaisomes) along one side of each seed. The root system consists of a woody caudex with coarse fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The Celandine Poppy should be grown in dappled sunlight underneath a tree, or along the foundation of a building in partial shade. It adapts best to rich loamy soil and moist to mesic conditions. Most vegetative growth and development occurs during the spring before the trees fully leaf out. This plant adapts to flower gardens readily.
Range & Habitat: The native Celandine Poppy is an uncommon plant that occurs primarily in southern Illinois; it has also been observed in Vermilion and Cook counties further to the north (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic deciduous woodlands, lower slopes of ravines, bases and lower slopes of bluffs, and rocky banks of streams. The Celandine Poppy is found in high quality woodlands; it is one of the woodland wildflowers that is threatened by the invasion of Alliaria petiolata (Garlic Mustard) and Microstegium vimineum (Japanese Stiltgrass).
Faunal Associations: Little is known about the floral-faunal relationships for this species. The flowers provide only pollen as a reward to floral visitors. MacRae (1991) has observed adults of some metallic wood-boring beetles (Acmaeodera spp.) visiting the flowers. It is also likely that the flowers are visited by various bees and flies. The seeds are distributed to new locations by ants, which are attracted to their oily appendages (elaisomes). Woodland mice eat the seeds. The toxic foliage is avoided by mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The Celandine Poppy has attractive flowers and foliage. It resembles another species of the Poppy family, Celandine (Chelidonium majus), but the latter has yellow flowers that are smaller in size (¾" across or less) and its seed capsules are hairless, narrowly cylindrical, and erect. Celandine is a somewhat weedy species that was introduced from Europe; it is a biennial that blooms during the summer. Other species of the Poppy family in Illinois have flowers that are white, pink, orange-red, or purplish red. Most of these species have been introduced from Eurasia, although one of them, Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is native to Illinois. Another common name of Stylophorum diphyllum is the Wood Poppy.
The upper stem terminates in either an individual flower or an umbel of 2-4 flowers. Each flower is about 1¼-2¼" across, consisting of 4 yellow petals, 2 early-deciduous sepals, numerous stamens with golden yellow anthers, and a pistil with a single stout style and knobby stigma. The petals are orbicular-obovate in shape, while the sepals are light green and very hairy. The ovary of the pistil is ¼-½" in length, narrowly ovoid in shape, more or less yellow, and finely hairy. The pedicels are ¼-2" long, light green, hairy, and terete; they are ascending to erect while the flowers are in bloom. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring, lasting about 2-3 weeks. In the absence of insect pollination, the flowers can self-pollinate. Shortly afterward, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about ¾-1" long that nod from their pedicels; these capsules are 4-segmented and densely hairy. Numerous seeds are released after each capsule splits apart. They are dark brown and about 1.5 mm. in diameter; there is a white fringe of oil bodies (elaisomes) along one side of each seed. The root system consists of a woody caudex with coarse fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The Celandine Poppy should be grown in dappled sunlight underneath a tree, or along the foundation of a building in partial shade. It adapts best to rich loamy soil and moist to mesic conditions. Most vegetative growth and development occurs during the spring before the trees fully leaf out. This plant adapts to flower gardens readily.
Range & Habitat: The native Celandine Poppy is an uncommon plant that occurs primarily in southern Illinois; it has also been observed in Vermilion and Cook counties further to the north (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic deciduous woodlands, lower slopes of ravines, bases and lower slopes of bluffs, and rocky banks of streams. The Celandine Poppy is found in high quality woodlands; it is one of the woodland wildflowers that is threatened by the invasion of Alliaria petiolata (Garlic Mustard) and Microstegium vimineum (Japanese Stiltgrass).
Faunal Associations: Little is known about the floral-faunal relationships for this species. The flowers provide only pollen as a reward to floral visitors. MacRae (1991) has observed adults of some metallic wood-boring beetles (Acmaeodera spp.) visiting the flowers. It is also likely that the flowers are visited by various bees and flies. The seeds are distributed to new locations by ants, which are attracted to their oily appendages (elaisomes). Woodland mice eat the seeds. The toxic foliage is avoided by mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The Celandine Poppy has attractive flowers and foliage. It resembles another species of the Poppy family, Celandine (Chelidonium majus), but the latter has yellow flowers that are smaller in size (¾" across or less) and its seed capsules are hairless, narrowly cylindrical, and erect. Celandine is a somewhat weedy species that was introduced from Europe; it is a biennial that blooms during the summer. Other species of the Poppy family in Illinois have flowers that are white, pink, orange-red, or purplish red. Most of these species have been introduced from Eurasia, although one of them, Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is native to Illinois. Another common name of Stylophorum diphyllum is the Wood Poppy.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年05月25日
Description: This perennial wildflower is about 1-2¼' tall, consisting of loose clumps of unbranched leafy stems that are more or less erect. The central stem of each plant is medium green, slender, terete, and glabrous; it has a pair of longitudinal wings (about 0.5 mm. in length). At intervals, pairs of opposite sessile leaves occur at intervals along each stem. These leaves are 2-4" long and 1-2½" across; they are ovate-cordate, ovate, or lanceolate in shape and their margins are smooth (entire). The upper leaf surface is dark green and glabrous, while the lower leaf surface is medium green and either glabrous or pubescent along the veins. Leaf venation is pinnate; the lateral veins are curved, rather than straight. Above the uppermost pair of leaves, there occurs a spike-like raceme of flowers on a peduncle about 2" long. This raceme is about 1-4" long and curves to one side; about 2-10 flowers occur along the upper side of the raceme, where they are ascending to erect. Each flower is about 1½" long, consisting of a scarlet tubular corolla with 5 upper yellow lobes, a short green calyx with 5 narrow teeth, 5 slightly exerted stamens, and a pistil with a strongly exerted style. The tubular corolla is more narrow toward the bottom than the top; its upper lobes are slightly recurved, widely spreading to ascending, triangular in shape, and about 8-12 mm. in length. The teeth of the calyx are 5-8 mm. long and narrowly linear-lanceolate in shape. The base of the calyx is tubular and very short. The short pedicels of the flowers are up to 2.0 mm. in length.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer (rarely later), lasting about 1 month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by 2-celled seed capsules that are 4-6 mm. tall and 6-10 mm. across at maturity. Each cell of the capsule contains a few seeds. Later in the summer, these capsules split open to discharge their seeds explosively. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Clonal offsets often develop from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist conditions, and a fertile loam with abundant organic matter. This plant can be propagated from stem cuttings (dipped in growth hormone) or by division of the root system. Seeds should be planted in the ground as soon as possible. Insect pests and disease organisms rarely bother the foliage. Indian Pink can be cultivated in areas that are north of its natural range (in Zones 4 or 5).
Range & Habitat: The native Indian Pink is occasional in southern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is absent (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the northern range-limit of this species. Habitats include bottomland woodlands, wooded areas along streams, and edges of swamps. This wildflower is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds cross-pollinate the flowers, from which they receive nectar. Aside from this, little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. The foliage and roots of Indian Pink are usually avoided by mammalian herbivores because of their toxicity from alkaloids and calcium oxalate crystals. However, White-tailed Deer may browse on the foliage sparingly in some areas.
Photographic Location: A bottomland woodland in southern Illinois.
Comments: Indian Pink has attractive flowers with striking colors. It is the only member of the Logania family (Loganiaceae) that is native to Illinois. Once the distinctive flowers are in bloom, it is very easy to identify this plant. In the past, the roots of Indian Pink were used as a vermifuge (to expel intestinal worms), however this practice has been largely discontinued because of the potentially dangerous side-effects. Other common names of this plant are Pinkroot and Worm-Grass.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer (rarely later), lasting about 1 month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by 2-celled seed capsules that are 4-6 mm. tall and 6-10 mm. across at maturity. Each cell of the capsule contains a few seeds. Later in the summer, these capsules split open to discharge their seeds explosively. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Clonal offsets often develop from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist conditions, and a fertile loam with abundant organic matter. This plant can be propagated from stem cuttings (dipped in growth hormone) or by division of the root system. Seeds should be planted in the ground as soon as possible. Insect pests and disease organisms rarely bother the foliage. Indian Pink can be cultivated in areas that are north of its natural range (in Zones 4 or 5).
Range & Habitat: The native Indian Pink is occasional in southern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is absent (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the northern range-limit of this species. Habitats include bottomland woodlands, wooded areas along streams, and edges of swamps. This wildflower is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds cross-pollinate the flowers, from which they receive nectar. Aside from this, little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. The foliage and roots of Indian Pink are usually avoided by mammalian herbivores because of their toxicity from alkaloids and calcium oxalate crystals. However, White-tailed Deer may browse on the foliage sparingly in some areas.
Photographic Location: A bottomland woodland in southern Illinois.
Comments: Indian Pink has attractive flowers with striking colors. It is the only member of the Logania family (Loganiaceae) that is native to Illinois. Once the distinctive flowers are in bloom, it is very easy to identify this plant. In the past, the roots of Indian Pink were used as a vermifuge (to expel intestinal worms), however this practice has been largely discontinued because of the potentially dangerous side-effects. Other common names of this plant are Pinkroot and Worm-Grass.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年05月24日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is about 1¼-3' tall and usually unbranched, except toward the apex where the flowers occur. The central stem is light green, terete, and glabrous to slightly hairy. The alternate leaves are up to 4" long and 1¾" across, becoming gradually smaller as they ascend the stems. They are lanceolate to ovate, serrated along their margins, and pinnately veined. The upper leaf surface is medium green and glabrous to sparsely short-pubescent, while the lower surface is light green and mostly glabrous, except for some hairs along the major veins. The bases of lower leaves taper into short winged petioles, while the bases of upper leaves are sessile. The tips of leaves are mostly acute (less often bluntly acute). The central stem terminates in a panicle of flowerheads up to 1' tall and 1' across. The major branches of this panicle are arching, widely spreading, and racemose (raceme-like in appearance). The flowerheads are borne on short lateral branchlets along the major branches, facing upward; they are nearly sessile. Both the branches and branchlets are light to medium green and pubescent. The panicle is rather open in structure and it often causes the entire plant to lean over because of the weight of the flowerheads.
Each flowerhead is about 3 mm. (1/8") across, consisting of several ray florets (3-8) that surround a similar number of disk florets. Both the petaloid rays and corollas of the florets are yellow; the petaloid rays are linear-oblong, while the corollas are short-tubular and minutely lobed above. Surrounding the base of each flowerhead, there are several overlapping series of phyllaries (scaly floral bracts); these phyllaries are light green to yellowish green, appressed together, and linear-lanceolate in shape. In addition to the flowerheads, small leafy bracts (up to 1" long) occur along the branches and branchlets of the panicle. On robust plants, smaller secondary panicles or racemes of flowerheads often develop from the axils of upper leaves. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall and lasts about 3-4 weeks. Afterwards, fertile florets are replaced by small achenes with tufts of hair at their apices. These achenes are oblongoid in shape and 2-3 mm. long; they are dispersed by the wind. The root system consists of a branching caudex with secondary fibrous roots; rhizomes are also produced, enabling this plant to form clonal colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to partial sun, moist to slightly dry conditions, and soil containing loam, sandy loam, glacial till, or some rocky material. This goldenrod readily adapts to cultivation and it should be planted in gardens more often.
Range & Habitat: The native Elm-Leaved Goldenrod is a common plant that has been observed in nearly all counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Among woodland goldenrods (Solidago spp.), it is the most common species in the state. Habitats include mesic to upland woodlands, woodland edges, thinly wooded bluffs, edges of limestone glades, partially shaded banks of rivers, and thickets. This goldenrod can spread to edges of lawns in semi-shaded areas from adjacent woodlands. It is found in both higher quality and degraded habitats. Wildfires and other kinds of disturbance are beneficial if they reduce excessive shade from overhead canopy trees and competing shrubs.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract various kinds of bees, wasps, and flies. These insects seek nectar; bees also collect pollen. Among the bees, are such floral visitors as miner bees (Melissodes spp.), Halictid bees, masked bees (Hylaeus spp.), plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), Andrenid bees, dagger bees (Panurginae), and leaf-Cutting bees (Megachile spp.). Many insects feed destructively on Elm-Leaved Goldenrod and other goldenrods (Solidago spp.); this includes Sumitrosis inaequalis and other leaf beetles, the Goldenrod Plant Bug (Lopidea media) and other plant bugs, the Green Stink Bug (Acrosternum hilaris) and other stink bugs, the Goldenrod Lace Bug (Corythucha marmorata), Acuticauda solidaginifoliae and other aphids, various leafhoppers and treehoppers, and caterpillars of the Goldenrod Flower Moth (Schinia nundina) and many other moths (see the Moth Table). Some vertebrate animals also feed on goldenrods. For example, the Ruffed Grouse, Cottontail Rabbit, and White-Tailed Deer browse on the foliage occasionally, while such granivorous songbirds as the Eastern Goldfinch, Slate-Colored Junco, and Tree Sparrow eat the seeds during the autumn and winter.
Photographic Location: At the edge of a wooded area in Crystal Lake Park, Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This woodland goldenrod has a terminal inflorescence that is rather lanky and spreading, while its lower leaves are lanceolate-ovate and coarsely serrated (superficially resembling the leaves of American Elm, but more narrow and thin-textured). Elm-Leaved Goldenrod is similar in appearance to Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), but the latter has lower leaves with 3 parallel veins (a central vein and two lateral veins). Canada Goldenrod also has more hairy leaves and stems, and the major branches of its panicles are usually less divergent than those of Elm-Leaved Goldenrod. Other goldenrods (Solidago spp.) can be distinguished by some combination of characteristics involving the appearance of their leaves, stems, or inflorescences. Because there are many goldenrod species in Illinois, they can be difficult to distinguish.
Each flowerhead is about 3 mm. (1/8") across, consisting of several ray florets (3-8) that surround a similar number of disk florets. Both the petaloid rays and corollas of the florets are yellow; the petaloid rays are linear-oblong, while the corollas are short-tubular and minutely lobed above. Surrounding the base of each flowerhead, there are several overlapping series of phyllaries (scaly floral bracts); these phyllaries are light green to yellowish green, appressed together, and linear-lanceolate in shape. In addition to the flowerheads, small leafy bracts (up to 1" long) occur along the branches and branchlets of the panicle. On robust plants, smaller secondary panicles or racemes of flowerheads often develop from the axils of upper leaves. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall and lasts about 3-4 weeks. Afterwards, fertile florets are replaced by small achenes with tufts of hair at their apices. These achenes are oblongoid in shape and 2-3 mm. long; they are dispersed by the wind. The root system consists of a branching caudex with secondary fibrous roots; rhizomes are also produced, enabling this plant to form clonal colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to partial sun, moist to slightly dry conditions, and soil containing loam, sandy loam, glacial till, or some rocky material. This goldenrod readily adapts to cultivation and it should be planted in gardens more often.
Range & Habitat: The native Elm-Leaved Goldenrod is a common plant that has been observed in nearly all counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Among woodland goldenrods (Solidago spp.), it is the most common species in the state. Habitats include mesic to upland woodlands, woodland edges, thinly wooded bluffs, edges of limestone glades, partially shaded banks of rivers, and thickets. This goldenrod can spread to edges of lawns in semi-shaded areas from adjacent woodlands. It is found in both higher quality and degraded habitats. Wildfires and other kinds of disturbance are beneficial if they reduce excessive shade from overhead canopy trees and competing shrubs.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract various kinds of bees, wasps, and flies. These insects seek nectar; bees also collect pollen. Among the bees, are such floral visitors as miner bees (Melissodes spp.), Halictid bees, masked bees (Hylaeus spp.), plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), Andrenid bees, dagger bees (Panurginae), and leaf-Cutting bees (Megachile spp.). Many insects feed destructively on Elm-Leaved Goldenrod and other goldenrods (Solidago spp.); this includes Sumitrosis inaequalis and other leaf beetles, the Goldenrod Plant Bug (Lopidea media) and other plant bugs, the Green Stink Bug (Acrosternum hilaris) and other stink bugs, the Goldenrod Lace Bug (Corythucha marmorata), Acuticauda solidaginifoliae and other aphids, various leafhoppers and treehoppers, and caterpillars of the Goldenrod Flower Moth (Schinia nundina) and many other moths (see the Moth Table). Some vertebrate animals also feed on goldenrods. For example, the Ruffed Grouse, Cottontail Rabbit, and White-Tailed Deer browse on the foliage occasionally, while such granivorous songbirds as the Eastern Goldfinch, Slate-Colored Junco, and Tree Sparrow eat the seeds during the autumn and winter.
Photographic Location: At the edge of a wooded area in Crystal Lake Park, Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This woodland goldenrod has a terminal inflorescence that is rather lanky and spreading, while its lower leaves are lanceolate-ovate and coarsely serrated (superficially resembling the leaves of American Elm, but more narrow and thin-textured). Elm-Leaved Goldenrod is similar in appearance to Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), but the latter has lower leaves with 3 parallel veins (a central vein and two lateral veins). Canada Goldenrod also has more hairy leaves and stems, and the major branches of its panicles are usually less divergent than those of Elm-Leaved Goldenrod. Other goldenrods (Solidago spp.) can be distinguished by some combination of characteristics involving the appearance of their leaves, stems, or inflorescences. Because there are many goldenrod species in Illinois, they can be difficult to distinguish.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年05月24日
Description: This perennial herbaceous plant is 2–3½' long and more or less erect. The central stem is light green, hairless, terete, and unbranched. Alternate leaves occur along the entire length of the central stem. However, toward the base of the stem, these leaves are reduced to membranous bracts without petioles. For fully developed leaves, their blades are 2½–5" long and 1½–3" across; they are ovate in shape and toothless along their margins. Sometimes the leaf margins bend downward and inward. The leaf bases are rounded to truncate, while their tips are acute. The upper leaf surface is medium green, hairless, and shiny, while the lower leaf surface is whitish green, finely pubescent, and dull. Leaf venation is parallel. The petioles are usually as long as the leaf blades to which they are attached, or even longer. These petioles are light green or light reddish green, narrowly concave above, convex below, and hairless; they are ascending. Sometimes pairs of slender twining tendrils are produced from the axils of the upper leaves; such tendrils are few in number. Solitary umbels of flowers about 1½–3" across are produced from the lower bracts and above the petiole-bases of the lower to middle leaves on long ascending peduncles (floral stalks). These peduncles are up to 6" long, light green or light reddish green, terete, and hairless.
Each umbel has 15-45 flowers on slender pedicels (floral stalklets). Because this plant is dioecious, some plants produce only male (staminate) flowers, while other plants produce only female (pistillate) flowers. Each male flower has 6 yellowish green or green spreading tepals and 6 stamens with whitish or yellowish anthers. Each female flower has 6 yellowish green or green spreading tepals and a green central ovary with 3 prominent stigmas. The tepals of both male and female flowers are elliptic, oblong-lanceolate, or oblong-oblanceolate in shape. Both male and female flowers are 6-8 mm. (1/4"–1/3") across. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. The flowers have a mild carrion-like odor. Afterwards, the female flowers are replaced by berries. At maturity, these berries are 6-8 mm. (1/4"–1/3") across, blue-violet, and globoid in shape. The interior of each berry is juicy and contains 1-5 seeds. The root stock is tuberous.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to mesic conditions, and loamy soil with ample amounts of organic matter. Growth and development are very rapid during the spring, but once the flowers and immature fruits are produced, there is little new growth.
Range & Habitat: Illinois Carrion Flower (Smilax illinoensis) is widely scattered throughout Illinois, where it is native and uncommon (see Distribution Map). Habitats include woodlands in river valleys, wooded areas along roads, and thickets. Southern Illinois lies along the southern range-limit for this species, which occurs primarily in the Upper Midwest in the Great Lakes region (eastern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and northern Illinois). Illinois Carrion Flower is found in both higher quality natural areas and more degraded habitats with a history of light to moderate disturbance. It probably benefits from occasional wildfires.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract many kinds of flies, including blow flies (Calliphora spp., Lucilia spp.), Muscid flies, and flesh flies (Helicobia spp., Sarcophaga spp.). Halictid bees and miscellaneous beetles also visit the flowers to a lesser extent. Various insects feeds on the foliage or suck plant juices from Smilax spp. (Greenbrier, Carrion Flower). These insect species include Neoprociphilus aceris (Woolly Maple Aphid), the larvae of gall flies (Cecidomyiidae), the larvae of several moths, and others (see the Insect Table for more information). White-tailed Deer like to browse on the foliage of Smilax spp., especially non-thorny Carrion Flower species. Mammals that eat the berries include the Virginia Opossum, Raccoon, Fox Squirrel, and American Black Bear. In addition, the berries are often eaten by such upland gamebirds and fructivorous songbirds as the Cedar Waxwing, Northern Cardinal, Gray Catbird, Veery, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Ruffed Grouse, and Wild Turkey. The Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkey also feed on the young leaves (see Bird Table).
Photographic Location: A wooded area near a river and a roadside in rural Champaign County, Illinois.
Comments: Illinois Carrion Flower (Smilax illinoensis) was not recognized as a distinct species until 1968. It has characteristics that are intermediate between the Common Carrion Flower (Smilax lasioneuron) and Upright Carrion Flower (Smilax ecirrhata). It is possible that Illinois Carrion Flower is a naturally occurring and well-established hybrid between these two species. Common Carrion Flower is a sprawling vine up to 8' long that produces abundant tendrils. It has petioles that are shorter than the leaf blades and its umbels tend to have more flowers or fruits than those of Illinois Carrion Flower. Upright Carrion Flower can be distinguished by its slightly wider leaves that have blunt tips and slightly cordate bases. The petioles of its leaves are shorter than the blades. This latter species never produces tendrils, it tends to be a little shorter in height, and its umbels tend to have fewer flowers (usually less than 20). In contrast, Illinois Carrion Flower has leaves with more tapered acute tips and rounded to truncate bases; its petioles are usually as long or longer than its leaves, and its umbels usually have 20 or more flowers.
Each umbel has 15-45 flowers on slender pedicels (floral stalklets). Because this plant is dioecious, some plants produce only male (staminate) flowers, while other plants produce only female (pistillate) flowers. Each male flower has 6 yellowish green or green spreading tepals and 6 stamens with whitish or yellowish anthers. Each female flower has 6 yellowish green or green spreading tepals and a green central ovary with 3 prominent stigmas. The tepals of both male and female flowers are elliptic, oblong-lanceolate, or oblong-oblanceolate in shape. Both male and female flowers are 6-8 mm. (1/4"–1/3") across. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. The flowers have a mild carrion-like odor. Afterwards, the female flowers are replaced by berries. At maturity, these berries are 6-8 mm. (1/4"–1/3") across, blue-violet, and globoid in shape. The interior of each berry is juicy and contains 1-5 seeds. The root stock is tuberous.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to mesic conditions, and loamy soil with ample amounts of organic matter. Growth and development are very rapid during the spring, but once the flowers and immature fruits are produced, there is little new growth.
Range & Habitat: Illinois Carrion Flower (Smilax illinoensis) is widely scattered throughout Illinois, where it is native and uncommon (see Distribution Map). Habitats include woodlands in river valleys, wooded areas along roads, and thickets. Southern Illinois lies along the southern range-limit for this species, which occurs primarily in the Upper Midwest in the Great Lakes region (eastern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and northern Illinois). Illinois Carrion Flower is found in both higher quality natural areas and more degraded habitats with a history of light to moderate disturbance. It probably benefits from occasional wildfires.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract many kinds of flies, including blow flies (Calliphora spp., Lucilia spp.), Muscid flies, and flesh flies (Helicobia spp., Sarcophaga spp.). Halictid bees and miscellaneous beetles also visit the flowers to a lesser extent. Various insects feeds on the foliage or suck plant juices from Smilax spp. (Greenbrier, Carrion Flower). These insect species include Neoprociphilus aceris (Woolly Maple Aphid), the larvae of gall flies (Cecidomyiidae), the larvae of several moths, and others (see the Insect Table for more information). White-tailed Deer like to browse on the foliage of Smilax spp., especially non-thorny Carrion Flower species. Mammals that eat the berries include the Virginia Opossum, Raccoon, Fox Squirrel, and American Black Bear. In addition, the berries are often eaten by such upland gamebirds and fructivorous songbirds as the Cedar Waxwing, Northern Cardinal, Gray Catbird, Veery, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Ruffed Grouse, and Wild Turkey. The Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkey also feed on the young leaves (see Bird Table).
Photographic Location: A wooded area near a river and a roadside in rural Champaign County, Illinois.
Comments: Illinois Carrion Flower (Smilax illinoensis) was not recognized as a distinct species until 1968. It has characteristics that are intermediate between the Common Carrion Flower (Smilax lasioneuron) and Upright Carrion Flower (Smilax ecirrhata). It is possible that Illinois Carrion Flower is a naturally occurring and well-established hybrid between these two species. Common Carrion Flower is a sprawling vine up to 8' long that produces abundant tendrils. It has petioles that are shorter than the leaf blades and its umbels tend to have more flowers or fruits than those of Illinois Carrion Flower. Upright Carrion Flower can be distinguished by its slightly wider leaves that have blunt tips and slightly cordate bases. The petioles of its leaves are shorter than the blades. This latter species never produces tendrils, it tends to be a little shorter in height, and its umbels tend to have fewer flowers (usually less than 20). In contrast, Illinois Carrion Flower has leaves with more tapered acute tips and rounded to truncate bases; its petioles are usually as long or longer than its leaves, and its umbels usually have 20 or more flowers.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年05月24日
Description: This plant is an unbranched herbaceous perennial that becomes 1-3' tall at maturity. The central stem is light green, light gray, or purplish green; it is terete and glabrous. The lower leaves are reduced to scale-like bracts, while the middle to upper leaves are 3-5" long and 2½–4" across. The latter are either alternate, opposite, or arranged in whorls of 3 along the central stem, differing little in size; they are broadly ovate to ovate-orbicular in shape and smooth (entire) along their margins. The primary veins are parallel. The upper surface of these leaves is medium green and glabrous, while the lower surface is light green and sparsely hairy; hairs are more common along the lower sides of larger veins than elsewhere. The petioles are light green, light gray, or purplish green; they are 2–3½" long, glabrous, slightly concave above, and convex below. The petioles are always shorter than the corresponding leaves to which they are attached. Sometimes a few tendrils are produced near the upper leaves, although they are often absent. Umbels of 6-25 flowers are produced from ascending peduncles (floral stalks) up to 6" long; these umbels are about ¾–1½" across. The peduncles are light green, slender, and glabrous. These pedunculate umbels of flowers are produced from the bract-like lower leaves and sometimes from the larger middle leaves. These inflorescences usually do not occur every year. Because Upright Carrion Flower (Smilax ecirrhata) is dioecious, male (staminate) and female (pistillate) flowers are produced on separate plants. Male flowers are about ¼" across, consisting of 6 green tepals and 6 stamens with white anthers. Female flowers are about ¼" across, consisting 6 green tepals and a superior ovary with 3 recurved stigmas.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer, lasting about 2 weeks. The flowers have an unpleasant odor that resembles decaying carrion. Afterwards, fertile female flowers are replaced by berries that become mature during late summer or autumn. Mature berries are about 8 mm. (1/3") across, dark blue-violet to black, and globoid in shape; the fleshy interiors of these berries contain 1-6 seeds. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to mesic conditions, and a relatively loose soil containing loam and decaying organic matter. Plants that are grown in moderate to dense shade often fail to produce flowers and berries. Most growth and development occur during the spring and early summer.
Range & Habitat: The native Upright Carrion Flower is occasional in the northern half of Illinois, while in the southern half of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic deciduous woodlands, bottoms of wooded bluffs, shady ravines, banks of woodland streams, open woodlands, and thickets. Populations of this plant are threatened by the overpopulation of White-tailed Deer, invasion of non-native shrubs and Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), and habitat destruction from development. It is a fairly conservative species that is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The stinky flowers of Upright Carrion Flower are cross-pollinated by various kinds of flies, including Anthomyiid flies, Calliphorid flies, Muscid flies, and flesh flies (Sarcophagidae). They are also visited by Halictid bees (including green metallic bees) and miscellaneous beetles. Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards (the latter is found only on plants with male flowers); see Graenicher (1902) for more information. Various insects are known to feed destructively on the foliage and other parts of Smilax spp. (Greenbrier, Carrion Flower). Examples include the leaf beetle Pachyonychus paradoxus, larvae of Dasineura smilacifolia (Smilax Leaf Midge) and Camptoneuromyia rubifolia (Smilax Blister Midge), and larvae of such moths as Proleucoptera smilaciella, Phosphila miselioides (Spotted Phosphila), Phosphila turbulenta (Turbulent Phosphila), Phyprosopus callitrichoides (Curve-lined Owlet), Pseudogalleria inimicella (Inimical Borer Moth), and Papaipema unimoda (Meadow Rue Borer Moth); see Clark et al. (2004), Felt (1917), Needham et al. (1928), Wagner (2005), and Miller (1987). Another insect feeder, Neoprociphilus aceris (Woolly Maple Aphid), uses Smilax spp. as summer hosts, sucking juices from their stems and leaves (Blackman & Eastop, 2013). Upland gamebirds, songbirds, and other birds feed on the berries, spreading their seeds to new locations. These species include the Wood Duck, Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Cardinal, American Crow, Catbird, Brown Thrasher, American Robin, Fox Sparrow, and several thrushes (see the Bird Table for a more complete list of these species). The Black Bear, Opossum, Raccoon, Fox Squirrel, and Gray Squirrel also feed on the fruit, while White-tailed Deer browse on the leaves and stems (Martin et al., 1951/1961; Augustine, 1997).
Photographic Location: The Spitler Woods State Natural Area near Decatur, Illinois.
Comments: Among the various Smilax spp. that occur in Illinois, Upright Carrion Flower (Smilax ecirrhata) is one of the shortest and most erect. The only other species with this characteristic within the state, Illinois Carrion Flower (Smilax illinoensis), differs by having leaves that become smaller as they ascend upward, leaves that are more narrowly shaped and more rounded at their bases (rather than cordate), petioles that are as long or longer than the corresponding leaves to which they are attached, and umbels with more flowers. This latter species is less common than Upright Carrion Flower. Two other species, Common Carrion Flower (Smilax lasioneuron) and Smooth Carrion Flower (Smilax herbacea) are climbing vines up to 6-8' long that have abundant tendrils. Other Smilax spp. in Illinois are woody vines that are even longer; they are commonly referred to as Catbriers or Greenbriers. Another spelling of the scientific name for Upright Carrion Flower is Smilax ecirrata.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer, lasting about 2 weeks. The flowers have an unpleasant odor that resembles decaying carrion. Afterwards, fertile female flowers are replaced by berries that become mature during late summer or autumn. Mature berries are about 8 mm. (1/3") across, dark blue-violet to black, and globoid in shape; the fleshy interiors of these berries contain 1-6 seeds. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to mesic conditions, and a relatively loose soil containing loam and decaying organic matter. Plants that are grown in moderate to dense shade often fail to produce flowers and berries. Most growth and development occur during the spring and early summer.
Range & Habitat: The native Upright Carrion Flower is occasional in the northern half of Illinois, while in the southern half of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic deciduous woodlands, bottoms of wooded bluffs, shady ravines, banks of woodland streams, open woodlands, and thickets. Populations of this plant are threatened by the overpopulation of White-tailed Deer, invasion of non-native shrubs and Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), and habitat destruction from development. It is a fairly conservative species that is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The stinky flowers of Upright Carrion Flower are cross-pollinated by various kinds of flies, including Anthomyiid flies, Calliphorid flies, Muscid flies, and flesh flies (Sarcophagidae). They are also visited by Halictid bees (including green metallic bees) and miscellaneous beetles. Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards (the latter is found only on plants with male flowers); see Graenicher (1902) for more information. Various insects are known to feed destructively on the foliage and other parts of Smilax spp. (Greenbrier, Carrion Flower). Examples include the leaf beetle Pachyonychus paradoxus, larvae of Dasineura smilacifolia (Smilax Leaf Midge) and Camptoneuromyia rubifolia (Smilax Blister Midge), and larvae of such moths as Proleucoptera smilaciella, Phosphila miselioides (Spotted Phosphila), Phosphila turbulenta (Turbulent Phosphila), Phyprosopus callitrichoides (Curve-lined Owlet), Pseudogalleria inimicella (Inimical Borer Moth), and Papaipema unimoda (Meadow Rue Borer Moth); see Clark et al. (2004), Felt (1917), Needham et al. (1928), Wagner (2005), and Miller (1987). Another insect feeder, Neoprociphilus aceris (Woolly Maple Aphid), uses Smilax spp. as summer hosts, sucking juices from their stems and leaves (Blackman & Eastop, 2013). Upland gamebirds, songbirds, and other birds feed on the berries, spreading their seeds to new locations. These species include the Wood Duck, Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Cardinal, American Crow, Catbird, Brown Thrasher, American Robin, Fox Sparrow, and several thrushes (see the Bird Table for a more complete list of these species). The Black Bear, Opossum, Raccoon, Fox Squirrel, and Gray Squirrel also feed on the fruit, while White-tailed Deer browse on the leaves and stems (Martin et al., 1951/1961; Augustine, 1997).
Photographic Location: The Spitler Woods State Natural Area near Decatur, Illinois.
Comments: Among the various Smilax spp. that occur in Illinois, Upright Carrion Flower (Smilax ecirrhata) is one of the shortest and most erect. The only other species with this characteristic within the state, Illinois Carrion Flower (Smilax illinoensis), differs by having leaves that become smaller as they ascend upward, leaves that are more narrowly shaped and more rounded at their bases (rather than cordate), petioles that are as long or longer than the corresponding leaves to which they are attached, and umbels with more flowers. This latter species is less common than Upright Carrion Flower. Two other species, Common Carrion Flower (Smilax lasioneuron) and Smooth Carrion Flower (Smilax herbacea) are climbing vines up to 6-8' long that have abundant tendrils. Other Smilax spp. in Illinois are woody vines that are even longer; they are commonly referred to as Catbriers or Greenbriers. Another spelling of the scientific name for Upright Carrion Flower is Smilax ecirrata.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月23日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is unbranched and up to 2½' tall. The central stem is ascending, rather than stiffly erect. It is green to light green, slightly hairy, and sometimes zigzags between the alternate leaves. These leaves are up to 6" long and 3" across. They are broadly ovate, smooth along the margins, and usually glabrous on the upper surface. Their venation is parallel, while at the base they are mostly sessile against the stem. The central stem terminates in a rather flat panicle of 20-80 white flowers. This panicle is about 4" long and 2" across; its whitish green stalks are softly hairy. Each flower is about 1/6" across, consisting of 6 tepals, 6 stamens, and a central pistil with a short stout style. These floral parts are white, except for the anthers of the stamens, which are cream or pale yellow. The filaments of the stamens are narrowly triangular, while the tepals are oblong-linear.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 3 weeks. Each flower is replaced by a few-seeded berry. Individual berries are about ¼" across and globular; they become bright red, or red and purple-striped at maturity. The root system consists of stout rhizomes with secondary fibrous roots. This plant sometimes forms loose vegetative colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to partial sun, moist to slightly dry conditions, and a fertile loamy soil with abundant organic material (i.e., decaying leaves). Sandy and rocky soil are also tolerated.
Range & Habitat: False Solomon's Seal is a common plant that occurs in every county of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Habitats include mesic to dry deciduous woodlands, rocky wooded slopes, bluffs, and Black Oak foredunes near Lake Michigan.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated by small bees, flies, and beetles. The bees collect pollen from the flowers, while flies and beetles feed on pollen. The flowers appear to attract more than the usual number of beetles, including Seed Beetles, Long-Horned Beetles, Click Beetles, Blister Beetles, Tumbling Flower Beetles, Flower Scarab Beetles (Trichiotinus spp.), and Pedilid Beetles (Pedilus spp.). The berries are eaten occasionally by woodland birds, including the Ruffed Grouse and Veery; they are also eaten by the White-Footed Mouse. These animals spread the seeds into new areas. The foliage is browsed occasionally by the White-Tailed Deer.
Photographic Location: Along the slope of a wooded bluff in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: This interesting plant produces attractive flowers and berries. It has a similar appearance to Smilacina stellata (Starry False Solomon's Seal), but the latter species produces a raceme of flowers, rather than a branching panicle. The flowers of Starry False Solomon's Seal are somewhat larger in size and fewer in number (less than 20 per raceme), and its leaves are more narrow. Another species, Polygonatum commutatum (Solomon's Seal), has very similar foliage, but its leaves slightly clasp the central stem. The flowers of Solomon's Seal have a very different appearance; their corolla is tubular-shaped and greenish white. Furthermore, the flowers of Solomon's Seal hang from the central stem in small umbels of 1-5 flowers; these umbels develop from the base of each leaf. The scientific name of Smilacina racemosa is something of a misnomer as this species produces flowers in panicles, rather than racemes. Another common name for this species is Solomon's Plume, although it appears to be passing out of fashion.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 3 weeks. Each flower is replaced by a few-seeded berry. Individual berries are about ¼" across and globular; they become bright red, or red and purple-striped at maturity. The root system consists of stout rhizomes with secondary fibrous roots. This plant sometimes forms loose vegetative colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to partial sun, moist to slightly dry conditions, and a fertile loamy soil with abundant organic material (i.e., decaying leaves). Sandy and rocky soil are also tolerated.
Range & Habitat: False Solomon's Seal is a common plant that occurs in every county of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Habitats include mesic to dry deciduous woodlands, rocky wooded slopes, bluffs, and Black Oak foredunes near Lake Michigan.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated by small bees, flies, and beetles. The bees collect pollen from the flowers, while flies and beetles feed on pollen. The flowers appear to attract more than the usual number of beetles, including Seed Beetles, Long-Horned Beetles, Click Beetles, Blister Beetles, Tumbling Flower Beetles, Flower Scarab Beetles (Trichiotinus spp.), and Pedilid Beetles (Pedilus spp.). The berries are eaten occasionally by woodland birds, including the Ruffed Grouse and Veery; they are also eaten by the White-Footed Mouse. These animals spread the seeds into new areas. The foliage is browsed occasionally by the White-Tailed Deer.
Photographic Location: Along the slope of a wooded bluff in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: This interesting plant produces attractive flowers and berries. It has a similar appearance to Smilacina stellata (Starry False Solomon's Seal), but the latter species produces a raceme of flowers, rather than a branching panicle. The flowers of Starry False Solomon's Seal are somewhat larger in size and fewer in number (less than 20 per raceme), and its leaves are more narrow. Another species, Polygonatum commutatum (Solomon's Seal), has very similar foliage, but its leaves slightly clasp the central stem. The flowers of Solomon's Seal have a very different appearance; their corolla is tubular-shaped and greenish white. Furthermore, the flowers of Solomon's Seal hang from the central stem in small umbels of 1-5 flowers; these umbels develop from the base of each leaf. The scientific name of Smilacina racemosa is something of a misnomer as this species produces flowers in panicles, rather than racemes. Another common name for this species is Solomon's Plume, although it appears to be passing out of fashion.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月23日
Description: This herbaceous plant is ½–2' tall and more or less erect. It branches at the base, where a tuft of basal leaves occurs, and toward the apex of the stems, where the flowers occur. The stems are terete and quite pubescent. The basal leaves and lower cauline leaves are up to 6" long and 1" across. They are medium to dark green, oblanceolate, and smooth along their margins. Each of these leaves tapers gradually to a petiole-like base. The upper cauline leaves are lanceolate or oblong, sessile, and smaller in size, otherwise they are similar to the lower leaves. The cauline leaves occur in opposite pairs along the stems; there are usually 2-4 pairs of cauline leaves per stem (rarely more). Young leaves are often finely pubescent, but they become nearly hairless with age. Each of the upper stems terminates in a cyme of 3-10 flowers; both the branches and pedicels of each cyme are terete and quite pubescent. The flowers are loosely arranged in each cyme, which is often wider than it is tall.
Each flower is about ¾–1" long and 1–1½" across, consisting of 5 spreading red petals, a tubular green calyx, 10 stamens, and 3 styles. The petals are rather narrow and notched at their tips; at the base of each petal, there is a pair of small red teeth. The tubular calyx has several ridges along its length and several small teeth along its outer rim. The outer surface of this calyx is densely covered with a glandular pubescence that has a sticky texture. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer and lasts about 1½ months. Each flower is replaced by a seed capsule with 6 small teeth along its upper rim. It is broader toward the top than the bottom, and contains several seeds. Each seed is somewhat flattened and orbicular-reniform in shape; its surface is warty or pebbly. The root system consists of a taproot with secondary roots.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and a rather poor soil containing too much sand, clay, or rocky material. Fire Pink can be short-lived as a perennial, but it occasionally reseeds itself.
Range & Habitat: The native Fire Pink is an uncommon plant that occurs in scattered areas of NE, central, and southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Occasionally, small colonies of this species are discovered in new areas, although its population within the state isn't expanding. Habitats include openings in upland woodlands, rocky wooded slopes, thinly wooded bluffs, limestone and sandstone cliffs, and clay banks along trails in wooded areas. Fire Pink often occurs along slopes and barren areas where there is scant ground vegetation. Populations of this species will decline if the overhead canopy of trees becomes too dense; some disturbance from fire and other causes is probably beneficial.
Faunal Associations: Little information is available about floral-faunal relationships. The flowers are probably cross-pollinated by the Ruby-throated Hummingbird and various large butterflies, which seek nectar from the flowers. The sticky hairs on the surface of the calyx discourage ants from climbing up the flower to steal nectar.
Photographic Location: The upper slope of a wooded bluff in Vermilion County, Illinois, and a clay embankment along a trail in a wooded area of the same county.
Comments: Fire Pink produces spectacular red flowers. For some reason, it is not often seen in flower gardens, where introduced Pink species are typically grown. Another native species that occurs in Illinois, Silene regia (Royal Catchfly), has a somewhat similar appearance with striking red flowers, but it has 8 or more pairs of leaves along its stems and the tips of its petals are not notched. An introduced species with red flowers, Lychnis chalcedonica (Maltese Cross), is occasionally grown in flower gardens, from which it rarely escapes. Its flowers have petals that are even more deeply notched than those of Fire Pink. Maltese Cross produces its flowers in a dense globoid cluster at the apex of its central stem, and its ovate-lanceolate leaves are much broader at the base than those of Fire Pink.
Each flower is about ¾–1" long and 1–1½" across, consisting of 5 spreading red petals, a tubular green calyx, 10 stamens, and 3 styles. The petals are rather narrow and notched at their tips; at the base of each petal, there is a pair of small red teeth. The tubular calyx has several ridges along its length and several small teeth along its outer rim. The outer surface of this calyx is densely covered with a glandular pubescence that has a sticky texture. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer and lasts about 1½ months. Each flower is replaced by a seed capsule with 6 small teeth along its upper rim. It is broader toward the top than the bottom, and contains several seeds. Each seed is somewhat flattened and orbicular-reniform in shape; its surface is warty or pebbly. The root system consists of a taproot with secondary roots.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and a rather poor soil containing too much sand, clay, or rocky material. Fire Pink can be short-lived as a perennial, but it occasionally reseeds itself.
Range & Habitat: The native Fire Pink is an uncommon plant that occurs in scattered areas of NE, central, and southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Occasionally, small colonies of this species are discovered in new areas, although its population within the state isn't expanding. Habitats include openings in upland woodlands, rocky wooded slopes, thinly wooded bluffs, limestone and sandstone cliffs, and clay banks along trails in wooded areas. Fire Pink often occurs along slopes and barren areas where there is scant ground vegetation. Populations of this species will decline if the overhead canopy of trees becomes too dense; some disturbance from fire and other causes is probably beneficial.
Faunal Associations: Little information is available about floral-faunal relationships. The flowers are probably cross-pollinated by the Ruby-throated Hummingbird and various large butterflies, which seek nectar from the flowers. The sticky hairs on the surface of the calyx discourage ants from climbing up the flower to steal nectar.
Photographic Location: The upper slope of a wooded bluff in Vermilion County, Illinois, and a clay embankment along a trail in a wooded area of the same county.
Comments: Fire Pink produces spectacular red flowers. For some reason, it is not often seen in flower gardens, where introduced Pink species are typically grown. Another native species that occurs in Illinois, Silene regia (Royal Catchfly), has a somewhat similar appearance with striking red flowers, but it has 8 or more pairs of leaves along its stems and the tips of its petals are not notched. An introduced species with red flowers, Lychnis chalcedonica (Maltese Cross), is occasionally grown in flower gardens, from which it rarely escapes. Its flowers have petals that are even more deeply notched than those of Fire Pink. Maltese Cross produces its flowers in a dense globoid cluster at the apex of its central stem, and its ovate-lanceolate leaves are much broader at the base than those of Fire Pink.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月23日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 1–2½' tall and usually erect. It is unbranched or branched sparingly. The terete central stem and any lateral stems are mostly pale green to pale reddish green, hairless to densely pubescent, and somewhat swollen at the bases of leaves, where it is sometimes reddish purple. The lowermost and uppermost leaves are usually opposite, while the middle leaves occur in whorls of 4. They are up to 4" long and 1½" across, elliptic or lanceolate in shape, smooth along the margins, and sessile. The upper surface of each leaf is yellowish green, greyish green, or medium green, and hairless, while the lower leaf surface is more pale and hairless to finely pubescent. The central stem terminates in a panicle of flowers up to 8" long and about 3-4" across. On robust plants, 1-2 additional panicles may be produced from upper lateral stems. Pairs of small leafy bracts occur wherever a panicle branches. The erect central stalk, ascending branches, and clustered pedicels of the panicle are pale to medium green, terete, and hairless to finely pubescent. The flowers occur individually or in groups of 2-3 at the tips of long lateral branches on short pedicels. These pedicels are less than ¼" long.
Each flower is about ¾" across, consisting of 5 white fringed petals, a light green calyx that is bell-shaped (campanulate) with 5 broad teeth along its upper rim, a pistil with 3 slender white styles, and 10 stamens with slender white filaments. Each fringed petal has 8-12 linear lobes along its broad outer edge, while at the base it becomes quite narrow. The outer surface of each calyx is light green and hairless to finely pubescent; it often has faint longitudinal veins that are a darker shade of green. The blooming period occurs during mid- to late summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. The flowers remain open during the evening, night, and early morning. In the presence of bright sunlight, they have a tendency to close-up during the middle of the day. Each flower is replaced by an ovoid seed capsule with 6 teeth along its upper rim; each capsule contains several seeds. The flattened seeds are reniform or reniform-orbicular with a fine pebbly surface. The root system consists of a deep white taproot. An older plant may tiller from its base, sending up multiple stems from the same taproot. Starry Campion reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing loam, clay-loam, or a little rocky material. When exposed to full sunlight, the leaves become yellowish green and they are less attractive. Sometimes the stems lean sideways when this plant is grown in the fertile soil of flower gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native Starry Campion is widely distributed in Illinois, where it occurs occasionally in most counties (see Distribution Map). There are two varieties of Starry Campion that can be found throughout the state, Silene stellata stellata and Silene stellata scabrella. The typical variety of this species is hairless (or nearly so), while var. scabrella is quite pubescent, as indicated above. Habitats include upland rocky woodlands, wooded slopes, savannas, shaded banks of rivers, meadows near wooded areas, and cemetery prairies. This conservative species is usually found in higher quality natural areas. Fire and other kinds of disturbance are beneficial if they reduce dense shade from Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple) and invasive shrubs.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated primarily by moths and, to a lesser extent, by bumblebees. These insects suck nectar from the flowers. The caterpillars of a rare Noctuid moth, Hadena ectypa (Campion Coronet), feed primarily on the flowers and developing seed capsules of Starry Campion. This moth also sucks nectar from the flowers of this plant (Nelson, 2012). The caterpillars of a closely related moth, Hadena capsularis (Capsule Moth), feed on the flowers and developing seed capules of several species in the Pink family, including Silene spp. The caterpillars of this latter moth may also feed on Starry Campion. Another insect, Aphis sambuci (Elder Aphid), uses Silene spp. as summer hosts and feeds on the sap of their roots. Among vertebrate animals, White-tailed Deer occasionally chomp off the tops of Starry Campion (personal observation), even though its foliage, like other Silene spp., probably contains some saponins and alkaloids that are known to be at least mildly toxic.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden at the apartment complex of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois. The plants in the photographs are the pubescent variety of Starry Campion, or Silene stellata scabrella.
Comments: The flowers of Starry Campion are quite beautiful. It should be grown more often in flower gardens. This species is easy to identity because of its deeply fringed petals and whorled leaves. Other white-flowered Silene spp. (campions) lack deeply fringed petals and their leaves always occur in opposite pairs. While the flowers of Starry Campion are perfect (bisexual), the flowers of some campions are dioecious (individual plants have either all male flowers or all female flowers, but not both). An example of a dioecious species in this genus is the introduced Silene pratensis (Evening Campion).
Each flower is about ¾" across, consisting of 5 white fringed petals, a light green calyx that is bell-shaped (campanulate) with 5 broad teeth along its upper rim, a pistil with 3 slender white styles, and 10 stamens with slender white filaments. Each fringed petal has 8-12 linear lobes along its broad outer edge, while at the base it becomes quite narrow. The outer surface of each calyx is light green and hairless to finely pubescent; it often has faint longitudinal veins that are a darker shade of green. The blooming period occurs during mid- to late summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. The flowers remain open during the evening, night, and early morning. In the presence of bright sunlight, they have a tendency to close-up during the middle of the day. Each flower is replaced by an ovoid seed capsule with 6 teeth along its upper rim; each capsule contains several seeds. The flattened seeds are reniform or reniform-orbicular with a fine pebbly surface. The root system consists of a deep white taproot. An older plant may tiller from its base, sending up multiple stems from the same taproot. Starry Campion reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing loam, clay-loam, or a little rocky material. When exposed to full sunlight, the leaves become yellowish green and they are less attractive. Sometimes the stems lean sideways when this plant is grown in the fertile soil of flower gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native Starry Campion is widely distributed in Illinois, where it occurs occasionally in most counties (see Distribution Map). There are two varieties of Starry Campion that can be found throughout the state, Silene stellata stellata and Silene stellata scabrella. The typical variety of this species is hairless (or nearly so), while var. scabrella is quite pubescent, as indicated above. Habitats include upland rocky woodlands, wooded slopes, savannas, shaded banks of rivers, meadows near wooded areas, and cemetery prairies. This conservative species is usually found in higher quality natural areas. Fire and other kinds of disturbance are beneficial if they reduce dense shade from Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple) and invasive shrubs.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated primarily by moths and, to a lesser extent, by bumblebees. These insects suck nectar from the flowers. The caterpillars of a rare Noctuid moth, Hadena ectypa (Campion Coronet), feed primarily on the flowers and developing seed capsules of Starry Campion. This moth also sucks nectar from the flowers of this plant (Nelson, 2012). The caterpillars of a closely related moth, Hadena capsularis (Capsule Moth), feed on the flowers and developing seed capules of several species in the Pink family, including Silene spp. The caterpillars of this latter moth may also feed on Starry Campion. Another insect, Aphis sambuci (Elder Aphid), uses Silene spp. as summer hosts and feeds on the sap of their roots. Among vertebrate animals, White-tailed Deer occasionally chomp off the tops of Starry Campion (personal observation), even though its foliage, like other Silene spp., probably contains some saponins and alkaloids that are known to be at least mildly toxic.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden at the apartment complex of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois. The plants in the photographs are the pubescent variety of Starry Campion, or Silene stellata scabrella.
Comments: The flowers of Starry Campion are quite beautiful. It should be grown more often in flower gardens. This species is easy to identity because of its deeply fringed petals and whorled leaves. Other white-flowered Silene spp. (campions) lack deeply fringed petals and their leaves always occur in opposite pairs. While the flowers of Starry Campion are perfect (bisexual), the flowers of some campions are dioecious (individual plants have either all male flowers or all female flowers, but not both). An example of a dioecious species in this genus is the introduced Silene pratensis (Evening Campion).
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Miss Chen
2018年05月23日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is up to 8" tall and unbranched, except at the base. Both fertile and infertile shoots occur; they form low mats of vegetation across the ground, although fertile shoots with flowers are taller. The succulent stems are terete, light green or pink, and glabrous or finely short-pubescent. The lower leaves of fertile shoots and all leaves of infertile shoots are up to ¾" long and ½" across. These leaves are light green, obovate to nearly orbicular in shape, smooth along their margins, and glabrous; they are whorled in groups of 3 along the stems. The upper leaves of fertile shoots are up to ½" long and ¼" across. These latter leaves are light green, rhombic-elliptic in shape, smooth along their margins, and glabrous; they are either alternate or whorled in groups of 3 along the stems. Both types of leaves are fleshy. The stems of fertile shoots terminate in cymes of flowers. Each flat-topped cyme has about 3 (less often 4) widely spreading branches of flowers; these branches are white to light green, terete, and finely short-pubescent. There are usually 10-25 flowers per cyme; these flowers are sessile, or nearly so.
At the base of each flower, there is a leafy bract that resembles the upper leaves of fertile shoots, except it is smaller in size. Each flower is about ½" across or a little more, consisting of 4 narrow white petals, 4 light green sepals, 8 stamens, and 4 erect to ascending white pistils (or carpels) in the center. The anthers of the stamens have a silvery appearance while they are immature, but they later become red or purple. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer, lasting about 1 month for a colony of plants. The flowers are slightly fragrant. Afterwards, each flower is replaced by 4 divergent follicles containing the seeds. These follicles are narrowly lanceoloid in shape and 4-5 mm. (a little less than ¼") in length. About 6-12 tiny seeds (individually about 1.0 mm. long & 0.5 mm. across) are contained in each follicle. At maturity, each follicle splits open along one side, releasing the seeds; they are small enough to be carried aloft by the wind. The root system is fibrous. When the sprawling stems establish contact with moist ground, they can form the rootlets of clonal plants at their nodes. Thus, reproduction is by seed or clonal offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and a loamy or rocky soil with decaying leaf mould. The foliage is little-bothered by insects and disease. There should be some protection from prevailing winds and hot afternoon sun. This plant is somewhat resistant to drought because of its fleshy leaves and stems, which store water; this drought resistance is enhanced by its Crassula Acid Metabolism (CAM).
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Stonecrop occurs occasionally in widely scattered sites in southern, central, and NE Illinois; it is absent from the NW area of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include wooded ravines, partially shaded banks along rivers and streams, lightly shaded cliffs, and rocky wooded slopes. This plant is usually found on slopes where there is little ground vegetation. It is normally found in or near woodlands.
Faunal Associations: The flower nectar and pollen of stonecrops (Sedum spp.) attract various kinds of bees, including Andrena forbesii (Krombein et al., 1979). Less often, wasps and flies visit flowers of these plants. Insects that feed on the foliage of Wild Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum) include the Sedum Aphid (Aphis sedi) and the aphid Aphis acrita. The Eastern Chipmunk eats the roots of this plant (Wrazen & Svendsen, 1978).
Photographic Location: A partially shaded riverbank in Vermilion County, Illinois, and a rocky wooded slope at the Portland Arch Nature Preserve in west-central Indiana.
Comments: Both the flowers and the foliage are quite attractive; this native species should be grown in flower gardens more often. Wild Stonecrop is the only Sedum sp. that is native to central and northern Illinois; other Sedum spp. that have naturalized in this portion of the state have been introduced from abroad for horticultural purposes. In southern Illinois, there are 2 additional native Sedum spp. that are uncommon. Wild Stonecrop is fairly easy to distinguish from other Sedum spp., whether native or introduced, because it has nearly orbicular leaves in whorls of 3 and flowers with 4 white petals. Other Sedum spp. usually have more narrow leaves that are opposite or alternate, and their flowers often have 5 petals that are white, yellow, or pink. Another common name for Sedum ternatum is Three-leaved Stonecrop.
At the base of each flower, there is a leafy bract that resembles the upper leaves of fertile shoots, except it is smaller in size. Each flower is about ½" across or a little more, consisting of 4 narrow white petals, 4 light green sepals, 8 stamens, and 4 erect to ascending white pistils (or carpels) in the center. The anthers of the stamens have a silvery appearance while they are immature, but they later become red or purple. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer, lasting about 1 month for a colony of plants. The flowers are slightly fragrant. Afterwards, each flower is replaced by 4 divergent follicles containing the seeds. These follicles are narrowly lanceoloid in shape and 4-5 mm. (a little less than ¼") in length. About 6-12 tiny seeds (individually about 1.0 mm. long & 0.5 mm. across) are contained in each follicle. At maturity, each follicle splits open along one side, releasing the seeds; they are small enough to be carried aloft by the wind. The root system is fibrous. When the sprawling stems establish contact with moist ground, they can form the rootlets of clonal plants at their nodes. Thus, reproduction is by seed or clonal offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and a loamy or rocky soil with decaying leaf mould. The foliage is little-bothered by insects and disease. There should be some protection from prevailing winds and hot afternoon sun. This plant is somewhat resistant to drought because of its fleshy leaves and stems, which store water; this drought resistance is enhanced by its Crassula Acid Metabolism (CAM).
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Stonecrop occurs occasionally in widely scattered sites in southern, central, and NE Illinois; it is absent from the NW area of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include wooded ravines, partially shaded banks along rivers and streams, lightly shaded cliffs, and rocky wooded slopes. This plant is usually found on slopes where there is little ground vegetation. It is normally found in or near woodlands.
Faunal Associations: The flower nectar and pollen of stonecrops (Sedum spp.) attract various kinds of bees, including Andrena forbesii (Krombein et al., 1979). Less often, wasps and flies visit flowers of these plants. Insects that feed on the foliage of Wild Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum) include the Sedum Aphid (Aphis sedi) and the aphid Aphis acrita. The Eastern Chipmunk eats the roots of this plant (Wrazen & Svendsen, 1978).
Photographic Location: A partially shaded riverbank in Vermilion County, Illinois, and a rocky wooded slope at the Portland Arch Nature Preserve in west-central Indiana.
Comments: Both the flowers and the foliage are quite attractive; this native species should be grown in flower gardens more often. Wild Stonecrop is the only Sedum sp. that is native to central and northern Illinois; other Sedum spp. that have naturalized in this portion of the state have been introduced from abroad for horticultural purposes. In southern Illinois, there are 2 additional native Sedum spp. that are uncommon. Wild Stonecrop is fairly easy to distinguish from other Sedum spp., whether native or introduced, because it has nearly orbicular leaves in whorls of 3 and flowers with 4 white petals. Other Sedum spp. usually have more narrow leaves that are opposite or alternate, and their flowers often have 5 petals that are white, yellow, or pink. Another common name for Sedum ternatum is Three-leaved Stonecrop.
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成长记
Naisk
2018年05月23日
Both sides of the same plant, the darker side gets plenty of sunlight contrary to the greener side.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年05月22日
Description: This perennial plant is ¾–2½' tall and unbranched, except toward the apex where the flowers occur. The central stem is green to purple, 4-angled, and hairy to glandular-hairy. Often, the margins of the stem along its angles are shaded purple. The hairs of the stem are widely spreading. Pairs of opposite leaves occur along the entire length of the stem. These leaves are 1½–3" long and ¾–1¾" across; they are lanceolate-oblong to oval-ovate in shape, while their margins are crenate to crenate-serrate and ciliate. Generally, upper leaves are more narrow in shape than the leaves below. Leaf bases are truncate, rounded, or broadly wedge-shaped, while leaf tips are blunt. The upper leaf surface is medium to dark green and mostly glabrous, while the lower leaf surface is pale green and pubescent or hairy (especially along the major veins). The petioles are up to ¾" long with grooved upper surfaces; they are more or less hairy.
The central stem terminates in a spike-like raceme of flowers up to 4" long. In addition to this raceme, secondary racemes are sometimes produced from the axils of the upper leaves. The central stalk of each raceme is 4-angled, green to purplish green, and glandular-hairy; the hairs are widely spreading. Individual flowers along the raceme are ½-¾" long; their 2-lipped corollas are strongly ascending, but their mouths open laterally. Each flower consists of a pale to dark blue-violet corolla, a short green calyx, 4 inserted stamens, and a 4-lobed ovary with a single style. The corolla has a hood-like upper lip and a descending lower lip; the back and apex of the hood are more or less finely pubescent. The lower lip has irregular blotches of white (usually in pairs along the sides of a central blue-violet vein). In addition to these lips, there are also a pair of small lateral lobes. The lateral lobes are attached to the upper lip; they are often whitish and recurved. The calyx is glandular-hairy and shallowly divided into two lobes; there is a conspicuous protuberance on the back of the calyx.
The pedicels of the flowers are short (about 4 mm. in length), relatively stout, and pubescent. At the pedicel bases, there are pubescent leafy bracts up to 1¼" long and ½" across; they are lanceolate-oblong or elliptic-oblong in shape. The margins of these leafy bracts are ciliate and either toothless (entire) or sparingly crenate-serrate. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks. Afterwards, the corollas become detached and wither away, while the persistent calyces become swollen and enclose the developing nutlets. There are 1-4 nutlets per calyx (often only 1 or 2). The small nutlets are minutely tuberculate. The calyces eventually split open to eject the nutlets; this may be caused in part by raindrop logistics. The root system is fibrous and short-rhizomatous.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to partial sun, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and an acidic soil containing some organic material.
Range & Habitat: The native Hairy Skullcap is occasional in southern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is largely absent (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the northern range-limit of this species. However, a northern outlier population occurs in SE Michigan and NW Indiana. Habitats include rocky woodlands, bluffs, wooded slopes, rocky areas along streams, and well-drained bottoms of sandstone canyons. Hairy Skullcap is found in higher quality natural areas. In some areas of southern Illinois, it is currently threatened by the spread of an invasive species, Japanese Stilt Grass (Microstegium vimineum).
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract various bees. Butterflies and skippers may also visit the flowers, but they are less effective at cross-pollination. The leaves of Hairy Skullcap and other Scutellaria spp. (Skullcaps) are attacked by several skeletonizing leaf beetles (Phyllobrotica spp.) and the Shining Flea Beetle (Asphaera lustrans). In particular, Phyllobrotica circumdata has been observed on Hairy Skullcap. The larvae of two micro-moths also feed on the foliage of Scutellaria spp. (Skullcaps): Caloptilia scutellariella and Prochoreutis inflatella. Larvae of the former moth are blotch leaf-miners, while larvae of the latter moth skeletonize the leaves. The bitter foliage is not eaten by mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A wooded sandstone canyon in southern Illinois.
Comments: This is another native species of Scutellaria (Skullcap) that could be cultivated in shaded gardens. Both the foliage and flowers are reasonably attractive. The bitter foliage does not have a mint fragrance. It is possible to confuse Hairy Skullcap (Scutellaria elliptica) with some of the other woodland Scutellaria spp. in Illinois. It differs from Heart-Leaved Skullcap (Scutellaria ovata) by having less wide leaves that lack cordate bases (with the possible exception of the lowermost leaves). It also differs from Downy Skullcap (Scutellaria incana) by having spreading glandular hairs on its stems, flowering stalks, and calyces. The foliage and calyces of Downy Skullcap are more short-pubescent or canescent and they lack glandular hairs. Another woodland species, Showy Skullcap (Scutellaria serrata), has glabrous foliage and larger flowers (1" in length or more). Across its range, Hairy Skullcap varies somewhat in the extent of its hairiness: the typical variety is less hairy than var. hirsuta.
The central stem terminates in a spike-like raceme of flowers up to 4" long. In addition to this raceme, secondary racemes are sometimes produced from the axils of the upper leaves. The central stalk of each raceme is 4-angled, green to purplish green, and glandular-hairy; the hairs are widely spreading. Individual flowers along the raceme are ½-¾" long; their 2-lipped corollas are strongly ascending, but their mouths open laterally. Each flower consists of a pale to dark blue-violet corolla, a short green calyx, 4 inserted stamens, and a 4-lobed ovary with a single style. The corolla has a hood-like upper lip and a descending lower lip; the back and apex of the hood are more or less finely pubescent. The lower lip has irregular blotches of white (usually in pairs along the sides of a central blue-violet vein). In addition to these lips, there are also a pair of small lateral lobes. The lateral lobes are attached to the upper lip; they are often whitish and recurved. The calyx is glandular-hairy and shallowly divided into two lobes; there is a conspicuous protuberance on the back of the calyx.
The pedicels of the flowers are short (about 4 mm. in length), relatively stout, and pubescent. At the pedicel bases, there are pubescent leafy bracts up to 1¼" long and ½" across; they are lanceolate-oblong or elliptic-oblong in shape. The margins of these leafy bracts are ciliate and either toothless (entire) or sparingly crenate-serrate. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks. Afterwards, the corollas become detached and wither away, while the persistent calyces become swollen and enclose the developing nutlets. There are 1-4 nutlets per calyx (often only 1 or 2). The small nutlets are minutely tuberculate. The calyces eventually split open to eject the nutlets; this may be caused in part by raindrop logistics. The root system is fibrous and short-rhizomatous.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to partial sun, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and an acidic soil containing some organic material.
Range & Habitat: The native Hairy Skullcap is occasional in southern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is largely absent (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the northern range-limit of this species. However, a northern outlier population occurs in SE Michigan and NW Indiana. Habitats include rocky woodlands, bluffs, wooded slopes, rocky areas along streams, and well-drained bottoms of sandstone canyons. Hairy Skullcap is found in higher quality natural areas. In some areas of southern Illinois, it is currently threatened by the spread of an invasive species, Japanese Stilt Grass (Microstegium vimineum).
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract various bees. Butterflies and skippers may also visit the flowers, but they are less effective at cross-pollination. The leaves of Hairy Skullcap and other Scutellaria spp. (Skullcaps) are attacked by several skeletonizing leaf beetles (Phyllobrotica spp.) and the Shining Flea Beetle (Asphaera lustrans). In particular, Phyllobrotica circumdata has been observed on Hairy Skullcap. The larvae of two micro-moths also feed on the foliage of Scutellaria spp. (Skullcaps): Caloptilia scutellariella and Prochoreutis inflatella. Larvae of the former moth are blotch leaf-miners, while larvae of the latter moth skeletonize the leaves. The bitter foliage is not eaten by mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A wooded sandstone canyon in southern Illinois.
Comments: This is another native species of Scutellaria (Skullcap) that could be cultivated in shaded gardens. Both the foliage and flowers are reasonably attractive. The bitter foliage does not have a mint fragrance. It is possible to confuse Hairy Skullcap (Scutellaria elliptica) with some of the other woodland Scutellaria spp. in Illinois. It differs from Heart-Leaved Skullcap (Scutellaria ovata) by having less wide leaves that lack cordate bases (with the possible exception of the lowermost leaves). It also differs from Downy Skullcap (Scutellaria incana) by having spreading glandular hairs on its stems, flowering stalks, and calyces. The foliage and calyces of Downy Skullcap are more short-pubescent or canescent and they lack glandular hairs. Another woodland species, Showy Skullcap (Scutellaria serrata), has glabrous foliage and larger flowers (1" in length or more). Across its range, Hairy Skullcap varies somewhat in the extent of its hairiness: the typical variety is less hairy than var. hirsuta.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年05月22日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is about 3½-8' tall, branching occasionally. The stems are often 4-angled and furrowed; they are slightly hairy or glabrous. The opposite leaves are up to 7" long and 3½" across (excluding the petioles), becoming somewhat smaller as they ascend the stems. These leaves are medium to dark green, cordate-ovate to ovate in shape, serrated along their margins, thin-textured, and largely hairless, except for some short pubescence along the undersides of their veins. The slender petioles are up to 2½" long; they are light green to red and glabrous to slightly hairy. The upper stems terminate in elongated panicles of flowers up to 1' long. Each panicle is somewhat cylindrical in shape, consisting of an erect central stalk (rachis) with short lateral branches that are widely spreading to ascending. Both the central stalk and lateral branches are light green; the latter also have short glandular pubescence, and they are slender and wiry. There are individual bracts (green, linear in shape, and up to 1" in length) that become progressively smaller as the panicle branches.
Individual flowers are about 8 mm. (1/3") long and short-cylindrical in shape; each flower has a short-tubular green calyx with 5 blunt teeth and a corolla with 5 rounded lobes. The exterior of the corolla is dull green, while its interior is predominantly reddish brown. Each corolla has a pair of upper lobes that function as a hood, 2 short lateral lobes, and a lower lobe that curves downward. All of these lobes are reddish brown on the inside, except the lower lobe, which is greenish yellow. Appressed against the upper interior of this corolla, there is an infertile stamen that is reddish brown or purple. The 4 fertile stamens have yellow anthers; they are located toward the bottom of the corolla. The slender pedicels are a little longer than the flowers. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall, lasting about a month; only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. Each flower is replaced by a 2-celled capsule that contains numerous tiny seeds. The root system is rhizomatous and knotty-tuberous.
Cultivation: The preference is medium shade to partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and soil that is loose and loamy. The size of this plant can be highly variable, depending on its age, location, and environmental conditions.
Range & Habitat: Late Figwort (Scrophularia marilandica) is a fairly common plant that has been observed in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Habitats include mesic deciduous woodlands, sandy woodlands, savannas, edges of shaded hillside seeps, woodland borders, thickets, and fence rows that are overgrown with trees. This species tolerates minor to moderate levels of disturbance.
Faunal Associations: The small flowers contain abundant nectar, which attracts the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, honeybees, bumblebees, leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), a long-horned bee (Melissodes bimaculata), Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp., etc.), Vespid wasps (Polites spp., Vespula spp.), and various Eumenine wasps (Robertson, 1929). Halictid bees also collect pollen from the flowers. Insects that feed destructively on the leaves, plant juices, and other parts of Late Figwort and other figworts (Scrophularia spp.) include larvae of the gall fly Lestodiplosis scrophulariae, the stink bug Cosmopepla lintneriana, the aphid Myzus scrophulariae, the flea beetle Capraita thyamoides, and caterpillars of the moth Elaphria chalcedonia (Chalcedony Midget). Because the foliage is bitter and acrid, it is rarely browsed by mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois. A small colony of Late Figwort (Scrophularia marilandica) was growing in a mesic area of this deciduous woodlands.
Comments: The figworts (Scrophularia spp.) have weird little flowers that attract many wasps and bees. They are not grown in gardens very often because their flowers are not very showy (by human standards). The only other figwort that occurs in Illinois is Early Figwort (Scrophularia lanceolata). This species is less common than Late Figwort (Scrophularia marilandica); in Illinois, it is found only in the northern section of the state. Early Figwort blooms a little earlier than Late Figwort (hence their common names), although their respective blooming periods overlap to some extent. The flowers of Early Figwort have sterile stamens that are yellow, rather than reddish brown or purple (the sterile stamens of both species are located along the upper interior of their corollas).
Individual flowers are about 8 mm. (1/3") long and short-cylindrical in shape; each flower has a short-tubular green calyx with 5 blunt teeth and a corolla with 5 rounded lobes. The exterior of the corolla is dull green, while its interior is predominantly reddish brown. Each corolla has a pair of upper lobes that function as a hood, 2 short lateral lobes, and a lower lobe that curves downward. All of these lobes are reddish brown on the inside, except the lower lobe, which is greenish yellow. Appressed against the upper interior of this corolla, there is an infertile stamen that is reddish brown or purple. The 4 fertile stamens have yellow anthers; they are located toward the bottom of the corolla. The slender pedicels are a little longer than the flowers. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall, lasting about a month; only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. Each flower is replaced by a 2-celled capsule that contains numerous tiny seeds. The root system is rhizomatous and knotty-tuberous.
Cultivation: The preference is medium shade to partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and soil that is loose and loamy. The size of this plant can be highly variable, depending on its age, location, and environmental conditions.
Range & Habitat: Late Figwort (Scrophularia marilandica) is a fairly common plant that has been observed in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Habitats include mesic deciduous woodlands, sandy woodlands, savannas, edges of shaded hillside seeps, woodland borders, thickets, and fence rows that are overgrown with trees. This species tolerates minor to moderate levels of disturbance.
Faunal Associations: The small flowers contain abundant nectar, which attracts the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, honeybees, bumblebees, leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), a long-horned bee (Melissodes bimaculata), Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp., etc.), Vespid wasps (Polites spp., Vespula spp.), and various Eumenine wasps (Robertson, 1929). Halictid bees also collect pollen from the flowers. Insects that feed destructively on the leaves, plant juices, and other parts of Late Figwort and other figworts (Scrophularia spp.) include larvae of the gall fly Lestodiplosis scrophulariae, the stink bug Cosmopepla lintneriana, the aphid Myzus scrophulariae, the flea beetle Capraita thyamoides, and caterpillars of the moth Elaphria chalcedonia (Chalcedony Midget). Because the foliage is bitter and acrid, it is rarely browsed by mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois. A small colony of Late Figwort (Scrophularia marilandica) was growing in a mesic area of this deciduous woodlands.
Comments: The figworts (Scrophularia spp.) have weird little flowers that attract many wasps and bees. They are not grown in gardens very often because their flowers are not very showy (by human standards). The only other figwort that occurs in Illinois is Early Figwort (Scrophularia lanceolata). This species is less common than Late Figwort (Scrophularia marilandica); in Illinois, it is found only in the northern section of the state. Early Figwort blooms a little earlier than Late Figwort (hence their common names), although their respective blooming periods overlap to some extent. The flowers of Early Figwort have sterile stamens that are yellow, rather than reddish brown or purple (the sterile stamens of both species are located along the upper interior of their corollas).
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年05月22日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 1–2½' tall, branching occasionally. The stems are light green to pale red or purple, glabrous, and veined. The leaves are alternate, opposite, or basal. The basal and lower leaves are palmately divided into 5 leaflets; these compound leaves span up to 5" long and across, and their petioles are up to 6" long. The middle to upper leaves are trifoliate with 3 leaflets; they are smaller in size and usually sessile. The leaflets are up to 2½" long and 1" across; they are oblanceolate, elliptic, obovate, or ovate in shape. Each leaflet is shallowly cleft and coarsely serrated along the margins; the bottom of each leaflet is wedge-shaped and sessile. Both the leaves and their petioles (if any) are glabrous.
Each upper stem terminates in 1-5 umbels of flowers. Each umbel is globoid or semi-globoid and spans up to ½" across; it consists of 20-60 tiny flowers and their pedicels. The stalk (or ray) of each umbel is up to 1" long. Each umbel has 1-3 perfect flowers (male & female reproductive organs), while the remaining flowers are staminate (male only). Whether perfect or staminate, each flower has a short green calyx with 5 ovate teeth, 5 greenish yellow petals that are obcordate in shape, and 5 exerted stamens with conspicuous anthers. The anthers are initially yellow, but they later become brown. In addition, each perfect flower has a bristly globoid ovary and a pair of long recurved styles. These styles are longer than the bristles of the ovary. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer and lasts about 2-3 weeks. Each bur-like fruit contains a pair of seeds. The root system is fibrous. Colonies often develop in favorable habitats.
Cultivation: This plant is typically found in partial sun to medium shade, moist to slightly dry conditions, and fertile loamy soil. While the flowers are not very showy, it can be used as a ground cover in shaded areas.
Range & Habitat: Common Black Snakeroot is occasional to common in most areas of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Habitats include deciduous woodlands, areas along woodland paths, thickets, shaded seeps, and fence rows that are overgrown with woody vegetation. Sometimes this species invades shaded areas of gardens. Tolerance to degradation of woodland habitat is above average.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract small bees (Halictid & Andrenid) and various flies. White-Tailed Deer and other mammalian herbivores avoid consumption of the foliage because of its bitter taste. The small prickly fruits can cling to the fur of mammals, feathers of birds, and clothing of humans; this helps to distribute the seeds to new locations.
Photographic Location: A mesic area of Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Common Black Snakeroot can be distinguished from other Sanicula spp. (Black Snakeroots) by its greenish yellow flowers. Other Black Snakeroots have greenish white flowers. The recurved styles of Common Black Snakeroot are longer than the prickles of the ovary, while other Black Snakeroots have more erect styles that are shorter or the same length as the prickles of their ovaries. The common name (Black Snakeroot) probably refers to the pioneer belief that the bitter roots were useful in treating snake bites, although this is highly doubtful. Another scientific name of Common Black Snakeroot is Sanicula gregaria, which resulted in the common name, 'Clustered Black Snakeroot.'
Each upper stem terminates in 1-5 umbels of flowers. Each umbel is globoid or semi-globoid and spans up to ½" across; it consists of 20-60 tiny flowers and their pedicels. The stalk (or ray) of each umbel is up to 1" long. Each umbel has 1-3 perfect flowers (male & female reproductive organs), while the remaining flowers are staminate (male only). Whether perfect or staminate, each flower has a short green calyx with 5 ovate teeth, 5 greenish yellow petals that are obcordate in shape, and 5 exerted stamens with conspicuous anthers. The anthers are initially yellow, but they later become brown. In addition, each perfect flower has a bristly globoid ovary and a pair of long recurved styles. These styles are longer than the bristles of the ovary. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer and lasts about 2-3 weeks. Each bur-like fruit contains a pair of seeds. The root system is fibrous. Colonies often develop in favorable habitats.
Cultivation: This plant is typically found in partial sun to medium shade, moist to slightly dry conditions, and fertile loamy soil. While the flowers are not very showy, it can be used as a ground cover in shaded areas.
Range & Habitat: Common Black Snakeroot is occasional to common in most areas of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Habitats include deciduous woodlands, areas along woodland paths, thickets, shaded seeps, and fence rows that are overgrown with woody vegetation. Sometimes this species invades shaded areas of gardens. Tolerance to degradation of woodland habitat is above average.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract small bees (Halictid & Andrenid) and various flies. White-Tailed Deer and other mammalian herbivores avoid consumption of the foliage because of its bitter taste. The small prickly fruits can cling to the fur of mammals, feathers of birds, and clothing of humans; this helps to distribute the seeds to new locations.
Photographic Location: A mesic area of Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Common Black Snakeroot can be distinguished from other Sanicula spp. (Black Snakeroots) by its greenish yellow flowers. Other Black Snakeroots have greenish white flowers. The recurved styles of Common Black Snakeroot are longer than the prickles of the ovary, while other Black Snakeroots have more erect styles that are shorter or the same length as the prickles of their ovaries. The common name (Black Snakeroot) probably refers to the pioneer belief that the bitter roots were useful in treating snake bites, although this is highly doubtful. Another scientific name of Common Black Snakeroot is Sanicula gregaria, which resulted in the common name, 'Clustered Black Snakeroot.'
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