文章
Miss Chen
2018年04月25日
Description: This is a herbaceous perennial plant with the leaves and flowers emerging directly from the rhizomes, and forming a basal rosette. A typical mature plant may be 6" across and 4" high, with the flowers slightly higher than the leaves. The leaves are individually up to 3" long and 3" across (excluding the long petioles), and vary in color from pale green to dark green, depending on growing conditions. They are oval-ovate to orbicular-cordate, and crenate or serrate along the margins. The foliage is glabrous to slightly pubescent. The flowers are about ¾" across, and consist of 5 rounded petals. There are 2 upper petals, 2 lateral petals with white hairs (or beards) near the throat of the flower, and a lower petal that functions as aClose-up of Flower landing pad for visiting insects. The flowers of this form of Viola sororia are white to mostly white, except for violet lines radiating from the throat of the flower (particularly the lower petal). There is no noticeable floral scent. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring and lasts about 1-1½ months. During the summer, cleistogamous flowers without petals produce seeds, which are flung outward by mechanical ejection from the three-parted seed capsules. The root system consists of thick, horizontally branched rhizomes; there is a tendency to form vegetative colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun or light shade, and moist to mesic conditions, although full sun is tolerated if there is sufficient moisture. The soil should be a rich silty loam or clay loam with above average amounts of organic matter. This plant is easy to grow, and it will spread under favorable conditions.
Habitat & Range: The native White Wood Violet is occasional to locally common in Illinois; because it is (or was) considered a mere color form of Viola sororia, a Distribution Map is currently unavailable. Natural habitats include open woodlands, woodland borders, savannas, and wooded slopes along rivers or lakes. In more developed areas, it is sometimes found in city parks, lawns, and along hedges or buildings. It is often found in close proximity to Viola sororia sororia (Common Blue Violet).
Faunal Associations: The flowers have few visitors (hence the need for cleistogamous flowers), but sometimes they attract bees and other insects. The species Andrena viola (Violet Andrenid Bee) is an oligolectic visitor of Viola spp. (Violets). The caterpillars of many Fritillary butterflies feed on the foliage of violets, including Speyeria diane (Diana), Euptoieta claudia (Variegated Fritillary), Speyeria aphrodite (Aphrodite Fritillary), Boloria bellona (Meadow Fritillary), and Boloria selene myrina (Silver-Border Fritillary). Some seeds have soft appendages that attract ants, which help to distribute them. Various upland gamebirds and small mammals occasionally eat the seeds, including the Wild Turkey, Bobwhite, Mourning Dove, and White-Footed Mouse. Wild Turkeys also eat the leaves and fleshy roots of violets. Although it is not a preferred food source, mammalian herbivores occasionally eat the foliage, including the White-Tailed Deer, Cottontail Rabbit, and livestock.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken of plants growing along the edge of a yard in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The White Wood Violet is the white form, f. albiflora, of Viola sororia. The typical form of this species, Viola sororia sororia (Common Blue Violet), which is more common, has medium to dark violet flowers. Generally, the White Wood Violet doesn't appear to spread as aggressively as the typical form of this species; it is equally attractive and its light-colored flowers are more conspicuous in shady areas. Some authorities (e.g., Mohlenbrock) combine the White Wood Violet with Viola sororia priceana (Confederate Violet) and regard the two of them together as a distinct species, Viola priceana. However, I disagree with this taxonomic revision and prefer to regard them as distinct color forms of Viola sororia at the present time. This corresponds to the taxonomic classification of the American Violet Society.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun or light shade, and moist to mesic conditions, although full sun is tolerated if there is sufficient moisture. The soil should be a rich silty loam or clay loam with above average amounts of organic matter. This plant is easy to grow, and it will spread under favorable conditions.
Habitat & Range: The native White Wood Violet is occasional to locally common in Illinois; because it is (or was) considered a mere color form of Viola sororia, a Distribution Map is currently unavailable. Natural habitats include open woodlands, woodland borders, savannas, and wooded slopes along rivers or lakes. In more developed areas, it is sometimes found in city parks, lawns, and along hedges or buildings. It is often found in close proximity to Viola sororia sororia (Common Blue Violet).
Faunal Associations: The flowers have few visitors (hence the need for cleistogamous flowers), but sometimes they attract bees and other insects. The species Andrena viola (Violet Andrenid Bee) is an oligolectic visitor of Viola spp. (Violets). The caterpillars of many Fritillary butterflies feed on the foliage of violets, including Speyeria diane (Diana), Euptoieta claudia (Variegated Fritillary), Speyeria aphrodite (Aphrodite Fritillary), Boloria bellona (Meadow Fritillary), and Boloria selene myrina (Silver-Border Fritillary). Some seeds have soft appendages that attract ants, which help to distribute them. Various upland gamebirds and small mammals occasionally eat the seeds, including the Wild Turkey, Bobwhite, Mourning Dove, and White-Footed Mouse. Wild Turkeys also eat the leaves and fleshy roots of violets. Although it is not a preferred food source, mammalian herbivores occasionally eat the foliage, including the White-Tailed Deer, Cottontail Rabbit, and livestock.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken of plants growing along the edge of a yard in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The White Wood Violet is the white form, f. albiflora, of Viola sororia. The typical form of this species, Viola sororia sororia (Common Blue Violet), which is more common, has medium to dark violet flowers. Generally, the White Wood Violet doesn't appear to spread as aggressively as the typical form of this species; it is equally attractive and its light-colored flowers are more conspicuous in shady areas. Some authorities (e.g., Mohlenbrock) combine the White Wood Violet with Viola sororia priceana (Confederate Violet) and regard the two of them together as a distinct species, Viola priceana. However, I disagree with this taxonomic revision and prefer to regard them as distinct color forms of Viola sororia at the present time. This corresponds to the taxonomic classification of the American Violet Society.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月25日
Description: This perennial herbaceous plant consists of a low rosette of basal leaves up to 5" across, from which one or more flowering stalks develop. The blades of the basal leaves are up to 3½" and 2" across, although they are typically about one-half of this size during the blooming period. These leaf blades are ovate, oval, or cordate-oval in shape, while their margins are crenate. The upper surface of these leaf blades is medium green and glabrous to sparsely pubescent, while the lower surface is pale green and either glabrous, pubescent along the central vein, or pubescent generally. The petioles are less than one-third of the length of the leaf blades; they are light green to reddish green and glabrous to pubescent (hairs are especially likely to occur toward the bases of the petioles). The ascending pedicels of the flowers are 3-5" long, light green to reddish green, terete, and glabrous (less often pubescent). Toward the middle of each pedicel, there is a pair of tiny leafy bracts that are lanceolate in shape. The apices of the pedicels curve downward, where the flowers occur.
Each flower is about ½" across, consisting of 5 white spreading petals, 5 light green sepals, and the inconspicuous reproductive organs. The lowest petal of each flower has several purple veins and it is beardless (lacking a patch of hairs) at its base. Toward the back of the flower, this petal tapers into a short stout nectar-spur. The two lower lateral petals have either reduced purple veins or they are veinless; their bases are either beardless or slightly bearded. The upper lateral petals lack purple veins and they are always beardless. The sepals are lanceolate and glabrous; the basal lobes of the sepals are short and rounded. The blooming period of these flowers occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks. In addition to the showy flowers that have been described, there are also inconspicuous cleistogamous flowers that are self-fertile; they are produced shortly afterwards. The fertilized showy flowers and cleistogamous flowers are replaced by green seed capsules that become up to ½" long at maturity; they are ovoid-oblongoid in shape and glabrous. At maturity, these capsules divide into 3 parts, flinging their seeds in the process. The small seeds are 1.0–1.5 mm. long and globoid to ovoid in shape. The root system consists of a slender crown with fibrous roots and stolon-like rhizomes; clonal offsets are produced from the rhizomes, causing small colonies of plants to develop.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist conditions, and sandy soil.
Range & Habitat: Primrose-leaved Violet occurs in only 3 counties of NE Illinois, where it is rare and native (see Distribution Map). It is state-listed as 'endangered.' Outside of Illinois, this violet occurs primarily in sandy areas along the Atlantic coastal plain and Gulf of Mexico region. There is also a variety of this violet that occurs in the Pacific northwest. Habitats include moist sand prairies, sandy shrub prairies, moist sandy savannas, openings in moist sandy woodlands, and sandy paths through wooded areas. Primrose-leaved Violet is found in high quality natural areas, especially where there have been wildfires that reduced overhead woody vegetation. It also adapts to grassy paths in these areas if they are not mowed too often or too low.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Primrose-leaved Violet probably attract the same, or similar, insect pollinators as other violets with white flowers. Such insects include honeybees, bumblebees, long-horned bees (Synhalonia spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.), an oligolectic Andrenid bee (Andrena violae), the Giant Bee Fly (Bombylius major), small- to medium-sized butterflies, and skippers (Robertson, 1929). Bees are the most important pollinators. Sometimes ants enter the flowers of violets to feed on nectar, but they are not effective pollinators. Other insects feed on the foliage and other parts of violets. These insect feeders include the caterpillars of several Fritillary butterflies (Boloria spp., Speyeria spp.), larvae of the Violet Sawfly (Ametastega pallipes), the Violet Aphid (Neotoxoptera violae), larvae of the Violet Fruit Midge (Dasineura semenivora) and Violet Gall Midge (Prodiplosis violicola), and a thrips (Odontothrips pictipennis); see Bouseman & Sternburg (2001), Smith (2006), Hottes & Frison (1931), Felt (1917), Aldrich & Osten-Sacken (1905), and Stannard (1968). The seeds of violets are eaten to some extent by such birds as the Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Bobwhite Quail, Mourning Dove, and Slate-colored Junco; the White-footed Mouse and Woodland Vole also eat the seeds. The Cottontail Rabbit and White-tailed Deer feed on the foliage of violets to a minor extent, as does the Eastern Chipmunk and Wood Turtle (Clemmys insculpta); see Martin et al. (1951/1961), Augustine (1997), Wrazen & Svendsen (1978), and Ernst et al. (1994).
Photographic Location: Grassy paths through moist sandy savannas and moist sandy woodlands at the Iroquois County Conservation Area in Illinois.
Comments: This is one of the smaller violets with dainty flowers and foliage. It remains inconspicuous, except when it blooms. Primrose-leaved Violet (Viola primulifolia) is probably a naturally occurring hybrid of two other native violets, Lance-leaved Violet (Viola lanceolata) and Small White Violet (Viola macloskeyi pallens). As a result, some authorities refer to Primrose-leaved Violet as a hybrid, or Viola × primulifolia. This violet can be distinguished from other violets (Viola spp.) by its white flowers and the shape of its leaves. These leaves are more broad than those of Lance-leaved Violet, but they are less orbicular in shape than those of Small White Violet. The Sand Violet (Viola fimbriatula) has leaves that are similar in shape to those of Primrose-leaved Violet, but the foliage of Sand Violet is usually more pubescent and its flowers are blue-violet. Across its range, the Primrose-leaved Violet is somewhat variable in the pubescence of its foliage. In the northern parts of its range (including Illinois), the foliage of this violet is mostly glabrous, but in the southern parts of its range (e.g., in SE United States), its foliage is more pubescent.
Each flower is about ½" across, consisting of 5 white spreading petals, 5 light green sepals, and the inconspicuous reproductive organs. The lowest petal of each flower has several purple veins and it is beardless (lacking a patch of hairs) at its base. Toward the back of the flower, this petal tapers into a short stout nectar-spur. The two lower lateral petals have either reduced purple veins or they are veinless; their bases are either beardless or slightly bearded. The upper lateral petals lack purple veins and they are always beardless. The sepals are lanceolate and glabrous; the basal lobes of the sepals are short and rounded. The blooming period of these flowers occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks. In addition to the showy flowers that have been described, there are also inconspicuous cleistogamous flowers that are self-fertile; they are produced shortly afterwards. The fertilized showy flowers and cleistogamous flowers are replaced by green seed capsules that become up to ½" long at maturity; they are ovoid-oblongoid in shape and glabrous. At maturity, these capsules divide into 3 parts, flinging their seeds in the process. The small seeds are 1.0–1.5 mm. long and globoid to ovoid in shape. The root system consists of a slender crown with fibrous roots and stolon-like rhizomes; clonal offsets are produced from the rhizomes, causing small colonies of plants to develop.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist conditions, and sandy soil.
Range & Habitat: Primrose-leaved Violet occurs in only 3 counties of NE Illinois, where it is rare and native (see Distribution Map). It is state-listed as 'endangered.' Outside of Illinois, this violet occurs primarily in sandy areas along the Atlantic coastal plain and Gulf of Mexico region. There is also a variety of this violet that occurs in the Pacific northwest. Habitats include moist sand prairies, sandy shrub prairies, moist sandy savannas, openings in moist sandy woodlands, and sandy paths through wooded areas. Primrose-leaved Violet is found in high quality natural areas, especially where there have been wildfires that reduced overhead woody vegetation. It also adapts to grassy paths in these areas if they are not mowed too often or too low.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Primrose-leaved Violet probably attract the same, or similar, insect pollinators as other violets with white flowers. Such insects include honeybees, bumblebees, long-horned bees (Synhalonia spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.), an oligolectic Andrenid bee (Andrena violae), the Giant Bee Fly (Bombylius major), small- to medium-sized butterflies, and skippers (Robertson, 1929). Bees are the most important pollinators. Sometimes ants enter the flowers of violets to feed on nectar, but they are not effective pollinators. Other insects feed on the foliage and other parts of violets. These insect feeders include the caterpillars of several Fritillary butterflies (Boloria spp., Speyeria spp.), larvae of the Violet Sawfly (Ametastega pallipes), the Violet Aphid (Neotoxoptera violae), larvae of the Violet Fruit Midge (Dasineura semenivora) and Violet Gall Midge (Prodiplosis violicola), and a thrips (Odontothrips pictipennis); see Bouseman & Sternburg (2001), Smith (2006), Hottes & Frison (1931), Felt (1917), Aldrich & Osten-Sacken (1905), and Stannard (1968). The seeds of violets are eaten to some extent by such birds as the Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Bobwhite Quail, Mourning Dove, and Slate-colored Junco; the White-footed Mouse and Woodland Vole also eat the seeds. The Cottontail Rabbit and White-tailed Deer feed on the foliage of violets to a minor extent, as does the Eastern Chipmunk and Wood Turtle (Clemmys insculpta); see Martin et al. (1951/1961), Augustine (1997), Wrazen & Svendsen (1978), and Ernst et al. (1994).
Photographic Location: Grassy paths through moist sandy savannas and moist sandy woodlands at the Iroquois County Conservation Area in Illinois.
Comments: This is one of the smaller violets with dainty flowers and foliage. It remains inconspicuous, except when it blooms. Primrose-leaved Violet (Viola primulifolia) is probably a naturally occurring hybrid of two other native violets, Lance-leaved Violet (Viola lanceolata) and Small White Violet (Viola macloskeyi pallens). As a result, some authorities refer to Primrose-leaved Violet as a hybrid, or Viola × primulifolia. This violet can be distinguished from other violets (Viola spp.) by its white flowers and the shape of its leaves. These leaves are more broad than those of Lance-leaved Violet, but they are less orbicular in shape than those of Small White Violet. The Sand Violet (Viola fimbriatula) has leaves that are similar in shape to those of Primrose-leaved Violet, but the foliage of Sand Violet is usually more pubescent and its flowers are blue-violet. Across its range, the Primrose-leaved Violet is somewhat variable in the pubescence of its foliage. In the northern parts of its range (including Illinois), the foliage of this violet is mostly glabrous, but in the southern parts of its range (e.g., in SE United States), its foliage is more pubescent.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月25日
Description: This perennial plant consists of a rosette of basal leaves about 5" across. The blade of each basal leaf is about 2" long and ¾" across; it is oval to ovate-oblong, crenate and ciliate along the margins, and more or less hairy, especially along the lower surface. The bottom of each leaf blade has tiny basal lobes that are rounded or bluntly pointed, while the tip of the leaf blade is rather blunt and obtuse. The leaf blade may fold upward along its central vein. The stout petiole of each leaf is green to reddish brown and hairy; it is as long as the leaf blade or a little shorter. From the center of the rosette, there develops one or stalks of flowers up to 6" long. These stalks develop directly from the rootstock; they are reddish purple and either glabrous or hairy. Each of these stalks is naked, except for a pair of tiny leaf-like bracts near the middle. At the apex of each stalk, there is a single flower about ¾" across. It consists of 5 green sepals and 5 blue-violet petals consisting of 2 upper lateral petals, 2 lower lateral petals, and a bottom petal. The sepals are lanceolate and glabrous or hairy. The lower lateral petals have conspicuous white hairs near the throat of the flower. The bottom petal is white at the base and it has dark blue-violet lines that function as nectar guides for visiting insects.
The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring and lasts about a month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Flowers that are successfully cross-pollinated will develop ovoid-oblongoid capsules that contain many seeds. Later, self-fertile cleistogamous flowers will develop from erect or ascending stalks; they lack petals and are inconspicuous. The cleistogamous flowers also produce seed capsules. These capsules divide into 3 parts at maturity, flinging the seeds. The seeds are small, globoid, and brown. The root system consists of stout scaly rhizomes with fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist to slightly dry conditions, and sandy soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Sand Violet is occasional in sandy areas of central and northern Illinois, otherwise it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include sandy woodlands, thinly wooded slopes, sandy savannas, sand prairies, semi-shaded areas along sandy paths, and abandoned sandy fields. Usually, this species is found in mesic to slightly dry areas of these habitats. It benefits from occasional wildfires, as this reduces the competition from taller vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of violets (Viola spp.) are pollinated by bees, especially mason (Osmia spp.) and Andrenid bees. Butterflies and skippers may suck nectar from the flowers, but they are less effective at cross-pollination. The foliage of violets is eaten by the caterpillars of Fritillary butterflies and several species of moths (see Butterfly & Moth Table). The seeds are eaten to a limited extent by upland gamebirds, including the Mourning Dove, Ruffed Grouse, Bobwhite, and Wild Turkey. The Wild Turkey also digs up and eats the rhizomes. The White-Footed Mouse also eats the seeds of violets, while the White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbit browse on the foliage only very sparingly. Because the seeds have oily elaisomes (food appendages), they are distributed to some extent by ants and possibly other insects.
Photographic Location: Along a path through a sandy savanna that had been subjected to a recent wildfire in Kankakee County, Illinois.
Comments: The Sand Violet (Viola fimbriatula) is closely related to Viola sagitatta (Arrow-leaved Violet), and it is classified as a variety of the latter species, Viola sagitatta ovata, by some authorities. The Sand Violet is usually hairier and its basal leaves are more broad with blunt tips. The Arrow-leaved Violet has basal leaves that are more lanceolate with spreading basal lobes (i.e., they are hastate in shape). The Arrow-leaved Violet occurs throughout Illinois in both sandy and non-sandy habitats. Another species, Viola primulifolia (Primrose-leaved Violet), has basal leaves that are similar in shape to those of the Sand Violet, but its flowers are white. Sometimes this latter species is regarded as a hybrid.
The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring and lasts about a month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Flowers that are successfully cross-pollinated will develop ovoid-oblongoid capsules that contain many seeds. Later, self-fertile cleistogamous flowers will develop from erect or ascending stalks; they lack petals and are inconspicuous. The cleistogamous flowers also produce seed capsules. These capsules divide into 3 parts at maturity, flinging the seeds. The seeds are small, globoid, and brown. The root system consists of stout scaly rhizomes with fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist to slightly dry conditions, and sandy soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Sand Violet is occasional in sandy areas of central and northern Illinois, otherwise it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include sandy woodlands, thinly wooded slopes, sandy savannas, sand prairies, semi-shaded areas along sandy paths, and abandoned sandy fields. Usually, this species is found in mesic to slightly dry areas of these habitats. It benefits from occasional wildfires, as this reduces the competition from taller vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of violets (Viola spp.) are pollinated by bees, especially mason (Osmia spp.) and Andrenid bees. Butterflies and skippers may suck nectar from the flowers, but they are less effective at cross-pollination. The foliage of violets is eaten by the caterpillars of Fritillary butterflies and several species of moths (see Butterfly & Moth Table). The seeds are eaten to a limited extent by upland gamebirds, including the Mourning Dove, Ruffed Grouse, Bobwhite, and Wild Turkey. The Wild Turkey also digs up and eats the rhizomes. The White-Footed Mouse also eats the seeds of violets, while the White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbit browse on the foliage only very sparingly. Because the seeds have oily elaisomes (food appendages), they are distributed to some extent by ants and possibly other insects.
Photographic Location: Along a path through a sandy savanna that had been subjected to a recent wildfire in Kankakee County, Illinois.
Comments: The Sand Violet (Viola fimbriatula) is closely related to Viola sagitatta (Arrow-leaved Violet), and it is classified as a variety of the latter species, Viola sagitatta ovata, by some authorities. The Sand Violet is usually hairier and its basal leaves are more broad with blunt tips. The Arrow-leaved Violet has basal leaves that are more lanceolate with spreading basal lobes (i.e., they are hastate in shape). The Arrow-leaved Violet occurs throughout Illinois in both sandy and non-sandy habitats. Another species, Viola primulifolia (Primrose-leaved Violet), has basal leaves that are similar in shape to those of the Sand Violet, but its flowers are white. Sometimes this latter species is regarded as a hybrid.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月24日
Description: This perennial plant is about 3-7' tall and usually unbranched, except near the inflorescence. The central stem is light green or purplish green, terete, and nearly glabrous to pubescent. The alternate leaves are densely to moderately distributed along the stem, spreading widely in all directions. These leaves are up to 9" long and 2½" across; they are narrowly ovate, lanceolate-oblong, or elliptic in shape, and their margins are serrated. The upper surface of each leaf is dark green and glabrous (or nearly so); the lower surface is a lighter shade of green and glabrous, sparsely pubescent, or somewhat hairy. The base of each leaf has a short petiole, or it is sessile.
The central stem terminates in a flat-headed panicle of flowerheads spanning 6-16" across. The base of each flowerhead consists of a short cylinder of appressed floral bracts (phyllaries) in several series spanning about 5 mm. across; the floral bracts are dark green, purplish green, or brown, broadly ovate in shape, and often finely pubescent or ciliate along their margins. The apex of each flowerhead consists of 10-30 disk florets and no ray florets. The magenta corolla of each disk floret is tubular with 5 recurved narrow lobes, while the exerted style is bifurcated and strongly recurved. The branches of the panicle and peduncles of the flowerheads are usually finely short-pubescent. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall and lasts about 1–1½ months. There is no noticeable floral scent. Each disk floret is replaced by a small achene that is gray or brown and bullet-shaped; the apex of each achene has a small tuft of both short and long hair hairs (or bristles) that are pale purple to tawny. These achenes are distributed by the wind. The root system consists of short thick rhizomes with fibrous roots below. Small clumps of plants are produced from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist to mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, clay-loam, silt-loam, or sandy loam. Plants growing in sunny areas require more moisture than those growing in the shade.
Range & Habitat: The native Tall Ironweed is common in southern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is occasional to absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open woodlands, woodland borders, thickets, areas along woodland paths, swamps, riverbottom prairies, seeps and springs, pastures, and abandoned fields. In woodlands, this plant requires occasional disturbance to prevent excessive shade from neighboring trees. Tall Ironweed is found in wooded areas to a greater extent than other Vernonia spp. (Ironweed species) in Illinois, but it also occurs in moist open areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts bee flies, butterflies, skippers, and various bees (primarily long-tongued bees). Some bees also collect pollen for their larvae. The caterpillars of various moths feed on Vernonia spp. (Ironweed species), particularly the pith of their stems and their roots. These species include Carmenta bassiformis (Eupatorium Borer Moth), Papaipema cerussata (Ironweed Borer Moth), Papaipema limpida (another Ironweed Borer Moth), Perigea xanthioides (Red Groundling), Polygrammodes flavidalis (Pyralid Moth sp.), and Polygrammodes langdonalis (Pyralid Moth sp.). Another insect, Aphis vernoniae (Ironweed Aphid), sucks juices from the upper stems and leaf undersides. Other insects feeders include the larvae of Asphondylia vernoniae (Ironweed Bud Midge) and Youngomyia podophyllae (Ironweed Blossum Midge), which form galls on the buds and flowerheads respectively. Both Oecanthus quadripunctatus (Four-Spotted Tree Cricket) and Conocephalus brevipennis (Short-winged Meadow Katydid) have been observed feeding on the flowerheads of Tall Ironweed (Gangwere, 1961). Because of the bitter foliage, mammalian herbivores shun Ironweed species as a food source. As a result, these plants can become more abundant in pastures over time.
Photographic Location: The edge of a small woodland in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Across its range, Tall Ironweed is a rather variable species. Different populations of plants can vary in the number of disk florets per flowerhead, the width of the leaves, and the hairiness of the stems and leaf undersides. Tall Ironweed also hybridizes with other Vernonia spp. (Ironweeds), especially Vernonia missurica (Missouri Ironweed). The latter hybrid is referred to as Vernonia × illinoensis (Illinois Ironweed). Illinois Ironweed typically has flowerheads with 30-35 disk florets and is more hairy than Tall Ironweed. Missouri Ironweed has flowerheads with 35-50 disk florets and it is more hairy than Tall Ironweed; both stems and leaf undersides of Missouri Ironweed are often white-woolly from the abundance of these hairs. Another species, Vernonia fasciculata (Smooth Ironweed), has about the same number of disk florets in its flowerheads as Tall Ironweed (less than 30), but it is usually smaller in size and its stems are hairless. Unlike Tall Ironweed, Smooth Ironweed often has dark dots on the underside of its hairless leaves. A scientific synonym of Tall Ironweed is Vernonia altissima.
The central stem terminates in a flat-headed panicle of flowerheads spanning 6-16" across. The base of each flowerhead consists of a short cylinder of appressed floral bracts (phyllaries) in several series spanning about 5 mm. across; the floral bracts are dark green, purplish green, or brown, broadly ovate in shape, and often finely pubescent or ciliate along their margins. The apex of each flowerhead consists of 10-30 disk florets and no ray florets. The magenta corolla of each disk floret is tubular with 5 recurved narrow lobes, while the exerted style is bifurcated and strongly recurved. The branches of the panicle and peduncles of the flowerheads are usually finely short-pubescent. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall and lasts about 1–1½ months. There is no noticeable floral scent. Each disk floret is replaced by a small achene that is gray or brown and bullet-shaped; the apex of each achene has a small tuft of both short and long hair hairs (or bristles) that are pale purple to tawny. These achenes are distributed by the wind. The root system consists of short thick rhizomes with fibrous roots below. Small clumps of plants are produced from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist to mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, clay-loam, silt-loam, or sandy loam. Plants growing in sunny areas require more moisture than those growing in the shade.
Range & Habitat: The native Tall Ironweed is common in southern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is occasional to absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open woodlands, woodland borders, thickets, areas along woodland paths, swamps, riverbottom prairies, seeps and springs, pastures, and abandoned fields. In woodlands, this plant requires occasional disturbance to prevent excessive shade from neighboring trees. Tall Ironweed is found in wooded areas to a greater extent than other Vernonia spp. (Ironweed species) in Illinois, but it also occurs in moist open areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts bee flies, butterflies, skippers, and various bees (primarily long-tongued bees). Some bees also collect pollen for their larvae. The caterpillars of various moths feed on Vernonia spp. (Ironweed species), particularly the pith of their stems and their roots. These species include Carmenta bassiformis (Eupatorium Borer Moth), Papaipema cerussata (Ironweed Borer Moth), Papaipema limpida (another Ironweed Borer Moth), Perigea xanthioides (Red Groundling), Polygrammodes flavidalis (Pyralid Moth sp.), and Polygrammodes langdonalis (Pyralid Moth sp.). Another insect, Aphis vernoniae (Ironweed Aphid), sucks juices from the upper stems and leaf undersides. Other insects feeders include the larvae of Asphondylia vernoniae (Ironweed Bud Midge) and Youngomyia podophyllae (Ironweed Blossum Midge), which form galls on the buds and flowerheads respectively. Both Oecanthus quadripunctatus (Four-Spotted Tree Cricket) and Conocephalus brevipennis (Short-winged Meadow Katydid) have been observed feeding on the flowerheads of Tall Ironweed (Gangwere, 1961). Because of the bitter foliage, mammalian herbivores shun Ironweed species as a food source. As a result, these plants can become more abundant in pastures over time.
Photographic Location: The edge of a small woodland in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Across its range, Tall Ironweed is a rather variable species. Different populations of plants can vary in the number of disk florets per flowerhead, the width of the leaves, and the hairiness of the stems and leaf undersides. Tall Ironweed also hybridizes with other Vernonia spp. (Ironweeds), especially Vernonia missurica (Missouri Ironweed). The latter hybrid is referred to as Vernonia × illinoensis (Illinois Ironweed). Illinois Ironweed typically has flowerheads with 30-35 disk florets and is more hairy than Tall Ironweed. Missouri Ironweed has flowerheads with 35-50 disk florets and it is more hairy than Tall Ironweed; both stems and leaf undersides of Missouri Ironweed are often white-woolly from the abundance of these hairs. Another species, Vernonia fasciculata (Smooth Ironweed), has about the same number of disk florets in its flowerheads as Tall Ironweed (less than 30), but it is usually smaller in size and its stems are hairless. Unlike Tall Ironweed, Smooth Ironweed often has dark dots on the underside of its hairless leaves. A scientific synonym of Tall Ironweed is Vernonia altissima.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月24日
Description: This perennial plant is 3-8' tall and unbranched. The central stem is erect and unbranched, except near the apex where the inflorescence occurs. It is usually winged, with long white hairs between the ridges. On rare occasions, the central stem lacks wings. The alternate leaves are up to 10" long and 2½" across; they taper gradually to petiole-like bases. The leaves are elliptic or lanceolate in shape; their margins are smooth, slightly serrated, or sparsely dentate. The upper surface of the leaves is medium green or olive-green and its texture is rough. The lower surface of the leaves is light green with white hairs along the major veins.
The upper stem terminates in a dome-shaped panicle of flowerheads. These flowerheads have a daisy-like structure and a ragged appearance. Each flowerhead is about 1-2" across, consisting of numerous disk florets that are surrounded by 2-10 yellow ray florets. The corollas of the disk florets are greenish yellow and tubular in shape; they are conspicuous because of their size, projecting outward from the center of each flowerhead like a pincushion with thick needles. The petaloid rays are yellow and oblong in shape; they usually extend downward and outward. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall, lasting about 1-1½ months. Sometimes the flowerheads have a mild fragrance. The achenes are oval-shaped, flattened, and winged; each one has two short slender awns at its apex. They are distributed to some extent by the wind. The root system produces long rhizomes, often causing the formation of vegetative colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade and moist to mesic conditions. Wingstem typically grows in fertile soil that is high in organic matter. The lower leaves may fall off the plant during hot dry weather. Foliar disease, such as powdery mildew, occasionally damage the leaves, particularly when a plant is under stress.
Range & Habitat: The native Wingstem occurs occasionally in most counties of Illinois; it is a little less common in the southern and NW areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist prairies, moist meadows near rivers and woodlands, woodland openings, woodland borders, floodplain forests, areas adjacent to woodland paths, thickets, savannas, partially shaded seeps, partially shaded areas along rivers, pastures, abandoned fields, and roadside ditches. This plant usually doesn't wander far from woodland areas or bodies of water. The deciduous woodlands where this plant occurs often contain such moisture-loving trees as American Sycamore, American Elm, Hackberry, and Silver Maple. Wingstem competes well against other plants in both high quality and disturbed habitats.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are visited primarily by long-tongued bees, especially bumblebees. Some short-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers also visit the flowers; the long tubes of the disk florets make the nectar inaccessible to many insects with shorter tongues, such as flies and wasps. Several kinds of insects feed destructively on Wingstem and other Verbesina spp. Caterpillars of the butterfly Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) feed on the foliage, while caterpillars of Basilodes pepita (Gold Moth) feed on the flowers and developing seeds The caterpillars of two Gracillariid moths, Cremastobombycia ignota and Cremastobombycia ambrosiaeella, are leaf-miners. Other insects that feed on Wingstem include the leaf beetle Brachypnoea clypealis, larvae of the gall flies Cecidomyia verbesinae and Neolasioptera verbesinae, the aphid Uroleucon rurale, and Acrosternum hilaris (Green Stink Bug). Because of the bitterness of its leaves, Wingstem isn't consumed by deer, rabbits, and other herbivores to the same extent as many other plants. Animals may distribute the awned seeds to some extent.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Judge Webber Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Sometimes this plant is called 'Yellow Ironweed' because of its fancied resemblance to Ironweed (Vernonia spp.). Both kinds of plants bloom at about the same time of year, share a similar height, have similar leaves, and like moist conditions. Their composite flowers, however, are dramatically different from each other in appearance. Also, Wingstem usually has a winged central stem, while Ironweed doesn't. The other species in this genus that can be found in Illinois, Verbesina helianthoides (Yellow Crownbeard), is usually found in moist to mesic prairies. This latter species is a shorter, hairier plant that blooms earlier in the summer; the ray florets of its compound flowers droop less, or they are held horizontally. In the past, Wingstem was assigned to the Actinomeris genus.
The upper stem terminates in a dome-shaped panicle of flowerheads. These flowerheads have a daisy-like structure and a ragged appearance. Each flowerhead is about 1-2" across, consisting of numerous disk florets that are surrounded by 2-10 yellow ray florets. The corollas of the disk florets are greenish yellow and tubular in shape; they are conspicuous because of their size, projecting outward from the center of each flowerhead like a pincushion with thick needles. The petaloid rays are yellow and oblong in shape; they usually extend downward and outward. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall, lasting about 1-1½ months. Sometimes the flowerheads have a mild fragrance. The achenes are oval-shaped, flattened, and winged; each one has two short slender awns at its apex. They are distributed to some extent by the wind. The root system produces long rhizomes, often causing the formation of vegetative colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade and moist to mesic conditions. Wingstem typically grows in fertile soil that is high in organic matter. The lower leaves may fall off the plant during hot dry weather. Foliar disease, such as powdery mildew, occasionally damage the leaves, particularly when a plant is under stress.
Range & Habitat: The native Wingstem occurs occasionally in most counties of Illinois; it is a little less common in the southern and NW areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist prairies, moist meadows near rivers and woodlands, woodland openings, woodland borders, floodplain forests, areas adjacent to woodland paths, thickets, savannas, partially shaded seeps, partially shaded areas along rivers, pastures, abandoned fields, and roadside ditches. This plant usually doesn't wander far from woodland areas or bodies of water. The deciduous woodlands where this plant occurs often contain such moisture-loving trees as American Sycamore, American Elm, Hackberry, and Silver Maple. Wingstem competes well against other plants in both high quality and disturbed habitats.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are visited primarily by long-tongued bees, especially bumblebees. Some short-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers also visit the flowers; the long tubes of the disk florets make the nectar inaccessible to many insects with shorter tongues, such as flies and wasps. Several kinds of insects feed destructively on Wingstem and other Verbesina spp. Caterpillars of the butterfly Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) feed on the foliage, while caterpillars of Basilodes pepita (Gold Moth) feed on the flowers and developing seeds The caterpillars of two Gracillariid moths, Cremastobombycia ignota and Cremastobombycia ambrosiaeella, are leaf-miners. Other insects that feed on Wingstem include the leaf beetle Brachypnoea clypealis, larvae of the gall flies Cecidomyia verbesinae and Neolasioptera verbesinae, the aphid Uroleucon rurale, and Acrosternum hilaris (Green Stink Bug). Because of the bitterness of its leaves, Wingstem isn't consumed by deer, rabbits, and other herbivores to the same extent as many other plants. Animals may distribute the awned seeds to some extent.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Judge Webber Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Sometimes this plant is called 'Yellow Ironweed' because of its fancied resemblance to Ironweed (Vernonia spp.). Both kinds of plants bloom at about the same time of year, share a similar height, have similar leaves, and like moist conditions. Their composite flowers, however, are dramatically different from each other in appearance. Also, Wingstem usually has a winged central stem, while Ironweed doesn't. The other species in this genus that can be found in Illinois, Verbesina helianthoides (Yellow Crownbeard), is usually found in moist to mesic prairies. This latter species is a shorter, hairier plant that blooms earlier in the summer; the ray florets of its compound flowers droop less, or they are held horizontally. In the past, Wingstem was assigned to the Actinomeris genus.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月23日
Description: This perennial plant is 3-7' tall and usually unbranched, although short stems may develop from the leaf axils. The central stem is light green and stout; it has several flat ridges that are separated by narrow channels. The central stem is sparsely covered with stiff white hairs of variable length; these hairs can penetrate the skin and sting. Along the central stem are pairs of opposite leaves that droop downward slightly. The leaf blades are up to 8" long and 2½" across; they are medium to dark green, lanceolate, and coarsely serrated. The base of each leaf blade is rounded or slightly cordate. The upper surface of each leaf blade is heavily veined and glabrous, while the lower surface has sparse stiff hairs that can also sting. The slender petioles of the leaves are up to 1" long. At the base of each petiole, there is a pair of stipules up to ½" long.
Panicles of flowers develop from the axils of the middle to upper leaves. These panicles are much branched and droop downward; their pubescent branches are heavily covered with flowers. Slender Nettle is monoecious to slightly dioecious; some plants have male flowers entirely or predominantly, while other plants have female flowers entirely or predominately. The male flowers are 1/8" (3 mm.) across with 4 green sepals and 4 white stamens. The female flowers are 1/8" across with 4 green sepals; the 2 inner sepals that enclose the ovary are larger in size than the 2 outer sepals. The sepals of both male and female flowers are pubescent; neither kind of flower has petals. The blooming period occurs during the summer and can last 1-2 months for a colony of plants. Pollination of the flowers is by wind. The brown seeds are 1.0–1.5 mm. long and irregular in shape. They can remain viable in the ground for 10 years. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Clonal colonies are often produced from the long rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to mesic conditions, and a fertile loamy soil. Most growth occurs during late spring and mid-summer. This plant can spread aggressively in favorable situations. The leaves are often attacked by insects.
Range & Habitat: The native Slender Nettle is occasional to locally common in central and northern Illinois, while in the southern section of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include disturbed open woodlands, floodplain woodlands, woodland borders, thickets, meadows in wooded areas, partially shaded seeps, fence rows, and moist waste areas. Areas with a history of disturbance are preferred.
Faunal Associations: Caterpillars of the butterflies Vanessa atalanta (Red Admiral), Nymphalis milberti (Milbert's Tortoiseshell), Polygonia comma (Comma), and Polygonia interrogationis (Question Mark) feed on the foliage of Urtica spp. (nettles). Other insects that feed on nettles include leaf-mining larvae of the beetle Sumitrosis inaequalis, stem-boring larvae of the lizard beetle Acropteroxys gracilis, leaf-mining larvae of the midge Agromyza subnigripes, larvae of Dasineura urnicola (Nettle Urn Gall Midge), larvae of the moth Glyphipterix quadragintapunctata, and the leafhopper Empoasca vergena. The presence of stinging hairs in nettles provides some protection from the browsing of mammalian herbivores. Because Slender Nettle is relatively tall and often forms clonal colonies, it provides cover and protection for various insects, mammals, and birds.
Photographic Location: The edge of a woodland in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Slender Nettle is less heavily armed with stinging hairs than Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle) and Laportea canadensis (Wood Nettle). Sometimes Slender Nettle is regarded as a variety of Stinging Nettle, in which case it is referred to as Urtica dioica gracilis. Stinging Nettle is adventive from Eurasia and has rarely naturalized in Illinois. It is shorter in stature and has wider leaves than Slender Nettle. The native Wood Nettle is similar in appearance to Stinging Nettle, except that it has alternate leaves. Unfortunately, these 3 species are often confused with each other. While many people dislike Urtica spp. (Nettles) and similar species because of their stinging hairs, they are important food plants to several species of butterflies. The young leaves of Nettles are edible if they are boiled in water and transformed into a creamy soup; they are supposed to be an excellent source of several vitamins and minerals.
Panicles of flowers develop from the axils of the middle to upper leaves. These panicles are much branched and droop downward; their pubescent branches are heavily covered with flowers. Slender Nettle is monoecious to slightly dioecious; some plants have male flowers entirely or predominantly, while other plants have female flowers entirely or predominately. The male flowers are 1/8" (3 mm.) across with 4 green sepals and 4 white stamens. The female flowers are 1/8" across with 4 green sepals; the 2 inner sepals that enclose the ovary are larger in size than the 2 outer sepals. The sepals of both male and female flowers are pubescent; neither kind of flower has petals. The blooming period occurs during the summer and can last 1-2 months for a colony of plants. Pollination of the flowers is by wind. The brown seeds are 1.0–1.5 mm. long and irregular in shape. They can remain viable in the ground for 10 years. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Clonal colonies are often produced from the long rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to mesic conditions, and a fertile loamy soil. Most growth occurs during late spring and mid-summer. This plant can spread aggressively in favorable situations. The leaves are often attacked by insects.
Range & Habitat: The native Slender Nettle is occasional to locally common in central and northern Illinois, while in the southern section of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include disturbed open woodlands, floodplain woodlands, woodland borders, thickets, meadows in wooded areas, partially shaded seeps, fence rows, and moist waste areas. Areas with a history of disturbance are preferred.
Faunal Associations: Caterpillars of the butterflies Vanessa atalanta (Red Admiral), Nymphalis milberti (Milbert's Tortoiseshell), Polygonia comma (Comma), and Polygonia interrogationis (Question Mark) feed on the foliage of Urtica spp. (nettles). Other insects that feed on nettles include leaf-mining larvae of the beetle Sumitrosis inaequalis, stem-boring larvae of the lizard beetle Acropteroxys gracilis, leaf-mining larvae of the midge Agromyza subnigripes, larvae of Dasineura urnicola (Nettle Urn Gall Midge), larvae of the moth Glyphipterix quadragintapunctata, and the leafhopper Empoasca vergena. The presence of stinging hairs in nettles provides some protection from the browsing of mammalian herbivores. Because Slender Nettle is relatively tall and often forms clonal colonies, it provides cover and protection for various insects, mammals, and birds.
Photographic Location: The edge of a woodland in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Slender Nettle is less heavily armed with stinging hairs than Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle) and Laportea canadensis (Wood Nettle). Sometimes Slender Nettle is regarded as a variety of Stinging Nettle, in which case it is referred to as Urtica dioica gracilis. Stinging Nettle is adventive from Eurasia and has rarely naturalized in Illinois. It is shorter in stature and has wider leaves than Slender Nettle. The native Wood Nettle is similar in appearance to Stinging Nettle, except that it has alternate leaves. Unfortunately, these 3 species are often confused with each other. While many people dislike Urtica spp. (Nettles) and similar species because of their stinging hairs, they are important food plants to several species of butterflies. The young leaves of Nettles are edible if they are boiled in water and transformed into a creamy soup; they are supposed to be an excellent source of several vitamins and minerals.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月23日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is up to 2½' tall and unbranched, except for 1 or 2 small side stems near the inflorescence. The central stem is round and glabrous, although scattered long hairs may occur where the leaves wrap around the stems, or a little below. The leaves are dark green or olive green, up to 12" long and 1" across, with parallel venation and smooth margins. They are linear to broadly linear, but wider at the base and narrowing to a pointed tip. They often bend downward toward the middle.
At the apex of the central stem or side stems, is a small cluster of violet flowers. They often droop from their slender hairy pedicels. These are subtended by two leaf-like bracts that are up to 6" long and slightly more than ½" across. Each flower is about 1" across and has 3 rounded violet petals. Toward the center, there are 6 yellow stamens and spidery violet hairs. Each flower opens up during the morning and closes during the early afternoon on sunny days, but may remain open longer on cloudy days or when it remains in the shade. There is no floral scent. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, and lasts about 1½ months. During this time, the flowers bloom sporadically, rather than all at once. The seed capsules split open into 3 parts, each releasing 3-6 oval to oblong, brown seeds. The seeds normally fall only a short distance from the mother plant. The root system is fleshy and fibrous, producing occasional offshoots nearby.
Central Stem & Leaves
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun and moist to mesic conditions. It also tolerates light shade, and full sun if the soil is sufficiently moist. Growth is best in fertile loamy soil, but some sand or gravel is acceptable. During droughts, the tips or outer lengths of the leaves may turn yellow or brown. This plant is easy to grow and rarely troubled by foliar disease.
Range & Habitat: The native Virginia Spiderwort is fairly common in central and southern Illinois, while it is uncommon or absent in northern and extreme western Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, sand prairies, savannas, thickets, openings and edges of woodlands, sandstone cliffs, and powerline clearances through woodland areas. This plant usually doesn't stray far from areas with trees and shrubby vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Bumblebees are the most important pollinators of the flowers. Other bee visitors include honeybees, Little Carpenter bees, and Halictine bees. Syrphid flies also visit the flowers, but they feed on stray pollen and are not effective pollinators. A leaf beetle (Lema collaris) feeds on the foliage. Various herbivores eat the leaves and stems of this plant occasionally, including deer, livestock, rabbits, and the wood tortoise.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Virginia Spiderwort can be readily distinguished from Ohio Spiderwort by the hairiness of its slender pedicels. However, hybrid plants with Virginia Spiderwort as one of the parents can escape from cultivation; they may or may not have hairy pedicels. Virginia Spiderwort also has larger bracts subtending the flowers than Ohio Spiderwort, and it tends to be shorter with stouter leaves that don't have bluish tints. White flowers can be produced by plants in the wild, but this is very rare. Other color variations are available through market hybrids. The leaves and stems are supposed to be edible – fresh or cooked.
At the apex of the central stem or side stems, is a small cluster of violet flowers. They often droop from their slender hairy pedicels. These are subtended by two leaf-like bracts that are up to 6" long and slightly more than ½" across. Each flower is about 1" across and has 3 rounded violet petals. Toward the center, there are 6 yellow stamens and spidery violet hairs. Each flower opens up during the morning and closes during the early afternoon on sunny days, but may remain open longer on cloudy days or when it remains in the shade. There is no floral scent. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, and lasts about 1½ months. During this time, the flowers bloom sporadically, rather than all at once. The seed capsules split open into 3 parts, each releasing 3-6 oval to oblong, brown seeds. The seeds normally fall only a short distance from the mother plant. The root system is fleshy and fibrous, producing occasional offshoots nearby.
Central Stem & Leaves
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun and moist to mesic conditions. It also tolerates light shade, and full sun if the soil is sufficiently moist. Growth is best in fertile loamy soil, but some sand or gravel is acceptable. During droughts, the tips or outer lengths of the leaves may turn yellow or brown. This plant is easy to grow and rarely troubled by foliar disease.
Range & Habitat: The native Virginia Spiderwort is fairly common in central and southern Illinois, while it is uncommon or absent in northern and extreme western Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, sand prairies, savannas, thickets, openings and edges of woodlands, sandstone cliffs, and powerline clearances through woodland areas. This plant usually doesn't stray far from areas with trees and shrubby vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Bumblebees are the most important pollinators of the flowers. Other bee visitors include honeybees, Little Carpenter bees, and Halictine bees. Syrphid flies also visit the flowers, but they feed on stray pollen and are not effective pollinators. A leaf beetle (Lema collaris) feeds on the foliage. Various herbivores eat the leaves and stems of this plant occasionally, including deer, livestock, rabbits, and the wood tortoise.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Virginia Spiderwort can be readily distinguished from Ohio Spiderwort by the hairiness of its slender pedicels. However, hybrid plants with Virginia Spiderwort as one of the parents can escape from cultivation; they may or may not have hairy pedicels. Virginia Spiderwort also has larger bracts subtending the flowers than Ohio Spiderwort, and it tends to be shorter with stouter leaves that don't have bluish tints. White flowers can be produced by plants in the wild, but this is very rare. Other color variations are available through market hybrids. The leaves and stems are supposed to be edible – fresh or cooked.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月23日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant produces a few basal leaves that are 1-4" long and a little less across; they are usually oval-cordate in shape and their margins are crenate-serrate. Less often, the basal leaves are trifoliate. The petioles of the basal leaves are slender and about 1-4" long. During the spring, a flowering plant develops that branches occasionally; it is about 1-3' tall. The stems of this plant are light green, terete, and glabrous, while its alternate leaves are trifoliate (rarely are they ternately trifoliate). The leaflets of these compound leaves are 1-2" long and about one-half as much across; they are lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate in shape and their margins are serrate-crenate. A few leaflets may be sharply divided into 1-2 lobes, but this is atypical. Both the basal leaves and leaflets of the alternate leaves have upper and lower surfaces that are green and glabrous. The petioles of the alternate leaves are less than 1" long; they are enveloped in sheaths. The petiolules (basal stalklets) of the terminal leaflets are ¼-1" long, while the petiolules of the lateral leaflets are less than ¼" long.
The upper stems terminate in compound umbels of flowers that span 1-3" across. Each compound umbel has 6-12 rays (floral stalks) that terminate in small umbellets of flowers; the rays are light green to pale purplish green, grooved along their upper sides, and glabrous. Each umbellet has 5-12 rays about 4 mm. long that terminate in individual flowers. Each flower is about 2-3 mm. across, consisting of 5 maroon (reddish purple) petals, a short green or purplish green calyx with 5 teeth, 5 stamens, and a 2-celled ovary with a pair of styles. The tips of the petals are strongly incurved toward the center of each flower. Underneath the compound umbel and each umbellet, there are 0-3 floral bracts. If these floralDistribution Map bracts are present, that are linear-lanceolate in shape, small in size, and early-deciduous. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by small fruits about 4 mm. in length that are broadly ellipsoid-oblongoid in shape and strongly winged. Each fruit consists of a pair of carpels that each enclose a single seed. The carpels can be blown about by the wind to a limited extent. The root system consists of a taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and practically any kind of soil, including those that contain clay-loam and rocky material.
Range & Habitat: The native Purple Meadow Parsnip occurs primarily in the southern half of Illinois, where it is uncommon, while in the northern half of the state it is rare or absent. It should be noted that the available distribution map does not distinguish between the two varieties of this species, Thaspium trifoliatum trifoliatum (Purple Meadow Parsnip) and Thaspium trifoliatum flavum (Yellow Meadow Parsnip). The latter variety is the more common of the two and its range extends further north. Habitats for both varieties consist of rocky upland woodlands, rocky bluffs, upland oak savannas, woodland borders and openings, prairies, streambanks, and roadsides.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the maroon flowers attract primarily flies and beetles. Robertson (1929) observed a dance fly (Empis loripedis) sucking nectar from the flowers, while the author (or content partner) of this website observed an unidentified beetle feeding on the pollen. The caterpillars of two butterflies, Papilio polyxenes asterias (Black Swallowtail) and Papilio joanae (Ozark Swallowtail), feed on the foliage of Thaspium trifoliatum (Meadow Parsnip). Although the latter butterfly has not been observed in Illinois thus far, it has been found in neighboring Missouri. An aphid, Aphis thaspii, sucks juices from the umbels of the flowers.
Photographic Location: Along a roadside in southern Illinois.
Comments: Because of its striking maroon flowers, Purple Meadow Parsnip can be easily distinguished from other similar species in the Carrot family. This does not apply to the other variety of this species, Yellow Meadow Parsnip (Thaspium trifoliatum flavum), which has yellow flowers. In general, Meadow Parsnip (Thaspium trifoliatum) is very similar to Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders) and Zizia aptera (Heart-Leaved Alexanders). However, the latter two species have fruits that are ribbed, rather than strongly winged, and the central flowers of their umbellets are sessile (or nearly so). Unlike Meadow Parsnip and Heart-Leaved Alexanders, the common Golden Alexanders has compound basal leaves and its alternate leaves are often ternately trifoliate. It also prefers habitats that are more moist.
The upper stems terminate in compound umbels of flowers that span 1-3" across. Each compound umbel has 6-12 rays (floral stalks) that terminate in small umbellets of flowers; the rays are light green to pale purplish green, grooved along their upper sides, and glabrous. Each umbellet has 5-12 rays about 4 mm. long that terminate in individual flowers. Each flower is about 2-3 mm. across, consisting of 5 maroon (reddish purple) petals, a short green or purplish green calyx with 5 teeth, 5 stamens, and a 2-celled ovary with a pair of styles. The tips of the petals are strongly incurved toward the center of each flower. Underneath the compound umbel and each umbellet, there are 0-3 floral bracts. If these floralDistribution Map bracts are present, that are linear-lanceolate in shape, small in size, and early-deciduous. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by small fruits about 4 mm. in length that are broadly ellipsoid-oblongoid in shape and strongly winged. Each fruit consists of a pair of carpels that each enclose a single seed. The carpels can be blown about by the wind to a limited extent. The root system consists of a taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and practically any kind of soil, including those that contain clay-loam and rocky material.
Range & Habitat: The native Purple Meadow Parsnip occurs primarily in the southern half of Illinois, where it is uncommon, while in the northern half of the state it is rare or absent. It should be noted that the available distribution map does not distinguish between the two varieties of this species, Thaspium trifoliatum trifoliatum (Purple Meadow Parsnip) and Thaspium trifoliatum flavum (Yellow Meadow Parsnip). The latter variety is the more common of the two and its range extends further north. Habitats for both varieties consist of rocky upland woodlands, rocky bluffs, upland oak savannas, woodland borders and openings, prairies, streambanks, and roadsides.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the maroon flowers attract primarily flies and beetles. Robertson (1929) observed a dance fly (Empis loripedis) sucking nectar from the flowers, while the author (or content partner) of this website observed an unidentified beetle feeding on the pollen. The caterpillars of two butterflies, Papilio polyxenes asterias (Black Swallowtail) and Papilio joanae (Ozark Swallowtail), feed on the foliage of Thaspium trifoliatum (Meadow Parsnip). Although the latter butterfly has not been observed in Illinois thus far, it has been found in neighboring Missouri. An aphid, Aphis thaspii, sucks juices from the umbels of the flowers.
Photographic Location: Along a roadside in southern Illinois.
Comments: Because of its striking maroon flowers, Purple Meadow Parsnip can be easily distinguished from other similar species in the Carrot family. This does not apply to the other variety of this species, Yellow Meadow Parsnip (Thaspium trifoliatum flavum), which has yellow flowers. In general, Meadow Parsnip (Thaspium trifoliatum) is very similar to Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders) and Zizia aptera (Heart-Leaved Alexanders). However, the latter two species have fruits that are ribbed, rather than strongly winged, and the central flowers of their umbellets are sessile (or nearly so). Unlike Meadow Parsnip and Heart-Leaved Alexanders, the common Golden Alexanders has compound basal leaves and its alternate leaves are often ternately trifoliate. It also prefers habitats that are more moist.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年04月23日
Description: This is a perennial plant that is about 2-3' tall. It has a stout central stem with four prominent ridges, while much smaller side stems may appear above the leaf axils in the upper half of the plant. The opposite leaves are up to 5" long and 2½" across. They are broadly ovate or lanceolate, coarsely serrated, and have deep venation. The lower leaves have short stout petioles, while the upper leaves are sessile. At the end of each stem is a terminal spike of numerous small flowers from 1-5" long. The flowers are white or light lavender with some purple near the base of the lower lip. Each flower is about 1/3" (8 mm.) long, with a greatly reduced upper lip and a long lower lip with a complicated structure. This lower lip functions as a landing pad for insect visitors, above which are two pairs of lateral petal-like extensions. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer, and lasts about 1½ months. There is no noticeable scent to the flowers. Each flower produces four round, coarsely pitted seeds with scattered white hairs. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. This plant spreads readily to form sizeable colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and a fertile loamy soil. American Germander can tolerate poorly drained conditions, but not much drought. It is occasionally bothered by foliar disease, particularly powdery mildew, when the plant is under stress, but not to the same degree as Wild Bergamot and other susceptible members of the Mint family. This plant can spread aggressively under moist conditions, and is rather weedy.
Range & Habitat: This is a common native plant that occurs in every county of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist black soil prairies, edges of bottomland forests, thickets, moist meadows along rivers, edges of marshes, and around seeps. American Germander can also be found in more developed areas, such as abandoned fields, partially shaded vacant lots, poorly drained waste areas, and along ditches near roads and railroads.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees are the most important pollinators, including bumblebees, honeybees, Anthophorine bees, Cuckoo bees, Miner bees, and Leaf-Cutting bees. These bees collect pollen or suck nectar from the flowers. Other flower-visiting insects include Green Metallic bees, Bee flies, Thick-Headed flies, and various butterflies or skippers. Hummingbirds and Hummingbird moths are unusual visitors seeking nectar. Mammalian herbivores don't bother this plant because of the bitter leaves.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken in a partially shaded waste area near a road in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This native plant is easy to confuse with other members of the Mint family, including the Eurasian species. It can be distinguished from all of them by the complicated structure of the long lower lip versus the greatly reduced size of the upper lip in the flowers. Some plants have a slight pubescence on the calyx and bracts, which are identified as var. boreale, while others lacking this pubescence are identified as var. virginicum. The former variety is absent from the southwestern counties of Illinois, while the latter variety occurs in every county. The unpleasant-tasting leaves were assumed to have medicinal value during pioneer days.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and a fertile loamy soil. American Germander can tolerate poorly drained conditions, but not much drought. It is occasionally bothered by foliar disease, particularly powdery mildew, when the plant is under stress, but not to the same degree as Wild Bergamot and other susceptible members of the Mint family. This plant can spread aggressively under moist conditions, and is rather weedy.
Range & Habitat: This is a common native plant that occurs in every county of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist black soil prairies, edges of bottomland forests, thickets, moist meadows along rivers, edges of marshes, and around seeps. American Germander can also be found in more developed areas, such as abandoned fields, partially shaded vacant lots, poorly drained waste areas, and along ditches near roads and railroads.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees are the most important pollinators, including bumblebees, honeybees, Anthophorine bees, Cuckoo bees, Miner bees, and Leaf-Cutting bees. These bees collect pollen or suck nectar from the flowers. Other flower-visiting insects include Green Metallic bees, Bee flies, Thick-Headed flies, and various butterflies or skippers. Hummingbirds and Hummingbird moths are unusual visitors seeking nectar. Mammalian herbivores don't bother this plant because of the bitter leaves.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken in a partially shaded waste area near a road in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This native plant is easy to confuse with other members of the Mint family, including the Eurasian species. It can be distinguished from all of them by the complicated structure of the long lower lip versus the greatly reduced size of the upper lip in the flowers. Some plants have a slight pubescence on the calyx and bracts, which are identified as var. boreale, while others lacking this pubescence are identified as var. virginicum. The former variety is absent from the southwestern counties of Illinois, while the latter variety occurs in every county. The unpleasant-tasting leaves were assumed to have medicinal value during pioneer days.
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成长记
Ueca
2018年04月22日
One winter later, the shoots are looking big and healthy. So is mama plant!
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年04月22日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 1-3' tall, branching sparingly. The stems are round, hairless, and dull green to reddish brown. They may be slightly glaucous. The larger leaves are doubly compound, while the smaller upper leaves may be singly compound. They are arranged alternately along the stems. In each compound leaf, the leaflets form groups of three (trifoliate). A lower compound leaf may be 12" long and 6" across, while the upper compound leaves are much smaller. There is a sheath at the base of each compound leaf. A typical leaflet is about 1" long and ½" across. It is dull green with a smooth surface and edges, and oval, ovate, or oblanceolate in shape. The terminal leaflet has a conspicuous petiole, while the side leaflets are usually sessile, or nearly so. Some of the upper stems terminate in compound umbels of tiny yellow flowers. When fully mature, a compound umbel will span about 4-7" and consist of about 12-15 umbellets. The umbellets will be widely spaced, giving the compound umbel and airy appearance. Each umbellet will consist of about 12 flowers. Each flower is less than 1/8" (3 mm.) across and has 5 yellow petals. The blooming period occurs during late spring or early summer and lasts about one month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Each flower is eventually replaced by a 5-angled fruit. The root system consists of taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun and dry conditions. Poor soil is preferred, consisting of clay, rocky material, or some sand, as this reduces the competition from other plants. This plant adapts well to slopes, although it may not remain very erect. Disease doesn't appear to disfigure the foliage very often. Drought resistance is very good.
Range & Habitat: The native Yellow Pimpernel occurs occasionally in northern and central Illinois, but is uncommon or absent in southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include dry upland prairies, edges of hill prairies, upland savannas, rocky upland forests, bluffs, areas along woodland paths, eroded clay banks in semi-shaded areas, and thickets. This plant typically occurs at the edge of dry wooded areas, especially where slopes occur.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract small bees, wasps (including parasitic wasps), flies, and beetles. These insects seek nectar primarily, although some bees may collect pollen and some flies and beetles may feed on pollen. Some of the fly visitors include Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, Chloropid flies, March flies, and Blow flies, while bee visitors include Nomadine bees, Little Carpenter bees, Halictid bees, Carder bees, and Andrenid bees. The caterpillars of the butterflies Papilio polyxenes asterias (Black Swallowtail) and Papilio joanae (Ozark Swallowtail) feed on the foliage of this plant; the latter insect has not been observed in Illinois, although it has been found in Missouri and western Kentucky. Little information is available about this plant's relationships to birds and mammals as a possible food source.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken along a path in an upland woodland near Charleston, Illinois, and at the edge of a hill prairie in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: Among members of the Carrot family, Yellow Pimpernel has an unusual appearance because the leaflets lack any lobes or teeth. This makes the species easy to identify in the field. Also, the compound umbels are unusually open and airy in appearance. This member of the Carrot family is rarely seen in cultivation, but should be grown more often as the tiny flowers attract many beneficial insects.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun and dry conditions. Poor soil is preferred, consisting of clay, rocky material, or some sand, as this reduces the competition from other plants. This plant adapts well to slopes, although it may not remain very erect. Disease doesn't appear to disfigure the foliage very often. Drought resistance is very good.
Range & Habitat: The native Yellow Pimpernel occurs occasionally in northern and central Illinois, but is uncommon or absent in southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include dry upland prairies, edges of hill prairies, upland savannas, rocky upland forests, bluffs, areas along woodland paths, eroded clay banks in semi-shaded areas, and thickets. This plant typically occurs at the edge of dry wooded areas, especially where slopes occur.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract small bees, wasps (including parasitic wasps), flies, and beetles. These insects seek nectar primarily, although some bees may collect pollen and some flies and beetles may feed on pollen. Some of the fly visitors include Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, Chloropid flies, March flies, and Blow flies, while bee visitors include Nomadine bees, Little Carpenter bees, Halictid bees, Carder bees, and Andrenid bees. The caterpillars of the butterflies Papilio polyxenes asterias (Black Swallowtail) and Papilio joanae (Ozark Swallowtail) feed on the foliage of this plant; the latter insect has not been observed in Illinois, although it has been found in Missouri and western Kentucky. Little information is available about this plant's relationships to birds and mammals as a possible food source.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken along a path in an upland woodland near Charleston, Illinois, and at the edge of a hill prairie in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: Among members of the Carrot family, Yellow Pimpernel has an unusual appearance because the leaflets lack any lobes or teeth. This makes the species easy to identify in the field. Also, the compound umbels are unusually open and airy in appearance. This member of the Carrot family is rarely seen in cultivation, but should be grown more often as the tiny flowers attract many beneficial insects.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年04月22日
Description: This perennial herbaceous plant forms a semi-evergreen rosette of basal leaves up to 10" across. During the spring, this plant bolts, producing one or more erect to ascending stems with alternate leaves; these stems are 1½–3½' long. The stems are light green or yellowish green, terete, and somewhat brittle; they are usually glabrous below, while above they usually have hairs that are arranged in lines. The basal leaves and lower alternate leaves are up to 5" long and 2" across (excluding their petioles); they are cordate to ovate in shape and slightly to strongly toothed along their margins. The petioles of these leaves are winged and up to 5" long (usually shorter for the lower alternate leaves than basal leaves). As the alternate leaves ascend their stems, they become smaller in size, more narrow in shape (lanceolate-ovate to elliptic), and their winged petioles gradually become shorter.
Uppermost alternate leaves are often sessile or nearly so. The middle to uppermost alternate leaves have margins that are slightly toothed or toothless (entire). The teeth of all leaves, when they are present, are crenate to serrate. The upper leaf surface is dull medium green and sparsely covered with short stiff hairs, while the lower leaf surface is hairy primarily along the major veins. With age, some leaves may lose their hairs. The central stem and any upper secondary stems terminate in panicles of flowerheads about ½–1½' long and about one-half to one-third as much across. Together, these inflorescences often resemble a compound panicle of flowerheads. Individual flowerheads are about ½" (12 mm.) across, consisting of 8-12 pistillate ray florets that surround a dense head of 10-15 perfect disk florets. The petaloid rays are widely spreading, narrowly oblong in shape, and usually white (rarely lavender). The corollas of the disk florets are up to 5 mm. (nearly ¼") long and narrowly tubular with 5 uppers lobes; they are initially yellow, but later become pink or light purple.
The base of each flowerhead is surrounded by phyllaries (scale-like floral bracts) in several overlapping series. Individual phyllaries are greenish, linear-lanceolate in shape, and variable in size; they are appressed together or slightly spreading. The midsections of these phyllaries are dark green and linear in shape throughout; the tips of these phyllaries taper gradually into narrow stiff tips. The branches of each inflorescence and peduncles of the flowerheads are light green and sparsely hairy. Along the branches of each inflorescence, there are leafy bracts up to 1" long that are linear to narrowly elliptic in shape. The blooming period occurs from late summer to mid-autumn, lasting about 1 month for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the florets are replaced by achenes with small tufts of whitish hair; they are distributed by the wind. Individual achenes are about 2 mm. long, ellipsoid-oblongoid, slightly compressed, purplish brown or brown, and longitudinally ribbed. The root system is fibrous and short-rhizomatous; older plants often develop a small woody caudex. Sometimes, clonal offsets develop from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: This plant prefers full or partial sunlight and mesic to dry conditions. A variety of soil types are tolerated, including those that contain loam, clay-loam, sandy-loam, or rocky material. This plant is not difficult to cultivate, although it should be watered during hot dry spells of the summer.
Range & Habitat: White Arrowleaf Aster is occasional throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map). This map is derived from information in Jones (1989). Habitats include upland savannas, sandy savannas, woodland edges, small meadows in upland areas, rocky glades, thickets, abandoned fields, roadsides, and areas near railroads. This plant is found in both high quality and disturbed habitats. It probably benefits from occasional fires in wooded areas, or other kinds of disturbance that thin-out the tree canopy.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract a wide variety of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, bee flies (Bombyliidae), wasps, butterflies, and skippers. Aster species (Symphyotrichum spp.) require cross-pollination from these insects in order to produce fertile seeds. The caterpillars of a butterfly, Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescent), feed on the leaves of asters, especially smooth-leaved species. Many moth species feed on the foliage and other parts of asters (see Moth Table), as do many other insects (see Insect Table), including leaf beetles, lace bugs, plant bugs, stink bugs, aphids, leafhoppers, larvae of leaf-mining flies, and larvae of fruit flies. Some vertebrate animals use aster species as a source of food. For example, the Wild Turkey and Ruffed Grouse feed on the seeds and young foliage. Deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and many domesticated farm animals also feed on the foliage, particularly when it is young.
Photographic Location: An upland meadow at Moraine View State Park in McLean County, Illinois.
Comments: White Arrowleaf Aster has a history of taxonomic instability. It has been regarded as a variety of Symphyotrichum cordifolium (Heart-leaved Aster) and Symphyotrichum sagittifolium (Arrow-leaved Aster) in the past. It is also similar to Symphyotrichum drummondii (Drummond's Aster). Some taxonomists consider Symphyotrichum sagittifolium to be a synonym for Symphyotrichum urophyllum, however A.G. Jones (1989) ultimately separated them taxonomically. White Arrowleaf Aster can be considered distinct from the preceding aster species in this group by the following characteristics: 1) the petaloid rays of this aster are usually white, rather than lavender, 2) the alternate leaves of this aster tend to be more narrow in shape, 3) the phyllaries of this aster have midsections that are dark green and linear in shape throughout their length, rather than narrowly diamond-shaped and dark green toward their tips, and 4) the phyllaries of this aster tend to have tips that are more tapered and stiff. White Arrowleaf Aster is also less hairy than Drummond's Aster. A scientific synonym of White Arrowleaf Aster is Aster urophyllus.
Uppermost alternate leaves are often sessile or nearly so. The middle to uppermost alternate leaves have margins that are slightly toothed or toothless (entire). The teeth of all leaves, when they are present, are crenate to serrate. The upper leaf surface is dull medium green and sparsely covered with short stiff hairs, while the lower leaf surface is hairy primarily along the major veins. With age, some leaves may lose their hairs. The central stem and any upper secondary stems terminate in panicles of flowerheads about ½–1½' long and about one-half to one-third as much across. Together, these inflorescences often resemble a compound panicle of flowerheads. Individual flowerheads are about ½" (12 mm.) across, consisting of 8-12 pistillate ray florets that surround a dense head of 10-15 perfect disk florets. The petaloid rays are widely spreading, narrowly oblong in shape, and usually white (rarely lavender). The corollas of the disk florets are up to 5 mm. (nearly ¼") long and narrowly tubular with 5 uppers lobes; they are initially yellow, but later become pink or light purple.
The base of each flowerhead is surrounded by phyllaries (scale-like floral bracts) in several overlapping series. Individual phyllaries are greenish, linear-lanceolate in shape, and variable in size; they are appressed together or slightly spreading. The midsections of these phyllaries are dark green and linear in shape throughout; the tips of these phyllaries taper gradually into narrow stiff tips. The branches of each inflorescence and peduncles of the flowerheads are light green and sparsely hairy. Along the branches of each inflorescence, there are leafy bracts up to 1" long that are linear to narrowly elliptic in shape. The blooming period occurs from late summer to mid-autumn, lasting about 1 month for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the florets are replaced by achenes with small tufts of whitish hair; they are distributed by the wind. Individual achenes are about 2 mm. long, ellipsoid-oblongoid, slightly compressed, purplish brown or brown, and longitudinally ribbed. The root system is fibrous and short-rhizomatous; older plants often develop a small woody caudex. Sometimes, clonal offsets develop from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: This plant prefers full or partial sunlight and mesic to dry conditions. A variety of soil types are tolerated, including those that contain loam, clay-loam, sandy-loam, or rocky material. This plant is not difficult to cultivate, although it should be watered during hot dry spells of the summer.
Range & Habitat: White Arrowleaf Aster is occasional throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map). This map is derived from information in Jones (1989). Habitats include upland savannas, sandy savannas, woodland edges, small meadows in upland areas, rocky glades, thickets, abandoned fields, roadsides, and areas near railroads. This plant is found in both high quality and disturbed habitats. It probably benefits from occasional fires in wooded areas, or other kinds of disturbance that thin-out the tree canopy.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract a wide variety of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, bee flies (Bombyliidae), wasps, butterflies, and skippers. Aster species (Symphyotrichum spp.) require cross-pollination from these insects in order to produce fertile seeds. The caterpillars of a butterfly, Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescent), feed on the leaves of asters, especially smooth-leaved species. Many moth species feed on the foliage and other parts of asters (see Moth Table), as do many other insects (see Insect Table), including leaf beetles, lace bugs, plant bugs, stink bugs, aphids, leafhoppers, larvae of leaf-mining flies, and larvae of fruit flies. Some vertebrate animals use aster species as a source of food. For example, the Wild Turkey and Ruffed Grouse feed on the seeds and young foliage. Deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and many domesticated farm animals also feed on the foliage, particularly when it is young.
Photographic Location: An upland meadow at Moraine View State Park in McLean County, Illinois.
Comments: White Arrowleaf Aster has a history of taxonomic instability. It has been regarded as a variety of Symphyotrichum cordifolium (Heart-leaved Aster) and Symphyotrichum sagittifolium (Arrow-leaved Aster) in the past. It is also similar to Symphyotrichum drummondii (Drummond's Aster). Some taxonomists consider Symphyotrichum sagittifolium to be a synonym for Symphyotrichum urophyllum, however A.G. Jones (1989) ultimately separated them taxonomically. White Arrowleaf Aster can be considered distinct from the preceding aster species in this group by the following characteristics: 1) the petaloid rays of this aster are usually white, rather than lavender, 2) the alternate leaves of this aster tend to be more narrow in shape, 3) the phyllaries of this aster have midsections that are dark green and linear in shape throughout their length, rather than narrowly diamond-shaped and dark green toward their tips, and 4) the phyllaries of this aster tend to have tips that are more tapered and stiff. White Arrowleaf Aster is also less hairy than Drummond's Aster. A scientific synonym of White Arrowleaf Aster is Aster urophyllus.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年04月22日
Description: This is a perennial plant about 1-3' tall that branches occasionally, often leaning toward one side. The stems are light green or reddish brown, and they have lines of white hairs. The alternate leaves are up to 4½" long and ½" across, becoming much smaller as they ascend the stems. They are narrowly lanceolate, oblanceolate, or elliptic, becoming linear near the flowerheads. There are usually a few teeth toward the tips of the larger leaves, otherwise they have smooth margins. Some hairs may be present along the major veins on the undersides of the leaves. The upper leaf surface is medium green, while the lower leaf surface is light green. The upper stems and some of the side stems produce panicles of flowerheads up to 10" long and 6" across. Each flowerhead has numerous small disk florets that are surrounded by about 8-12 ray florets. The corollas of the disk florets are initially pale yellow, but they later become brown or reddish purple; they are short-tubular in shape and 5-lobed. The petaloid rays are white and linear-oblong in shape. A typical flowerhead is about 1/3" (8 mm.) across. Each flowerhead is subtended by small green bracts (phyllaries) that are appressed together, or they are only slightly spreading.
The blooming period occurs from late summer to the fall, lasting about 1-2 months. There is little or no floral scent. The small achenes are slightly pubescent and they have small tufts of white hair. Distribution of the achenes is by wind. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous; an older plant may develop a small caudex. Clonal offsets occasionally develop from the rhizomes. This plant occasionally forms colonies at favorable sites.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to partial sun and moist conditions. Full sun is tolerated if the site is not too dry. Growth is best in rich organic soil, or a moisture retaining clay-loam. During dry weather, the lower leaves often wither away, and stressed out plants are vulnerable to many kinds of foliar disease.
Range & Habitat: The native Calico Aster occurs in most counties of Illinois, where it is native and quite common (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist meadows near woodlands and rivers, floodplain forests and flatwoods, woodland borders, seeps and swamps, semi-shaded sloughs near fields, and moist depressions in waste areas. This plant is primarily a woodland species, but it often strays into moist sunny areas nearby. It prefers areas with a history of disturbance.
Faunal Associations: The florets of Calico Aster have shorter nectar tubes than many other species of asters, and they seem to attract a wide variety of insects, particularly in sunny areas. More common insect visitors include short-tongued bees, wasps, and flies, and less common visitors include long-tongued bees, small butterflies, skippers, beetles, and plant bugs. These insects seek nectar primarily, although the short-tongued bees may collect pollen, while some beetles and flies feed on the pollen. Caterpillars of the butterflies, Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) and Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescent), feed on the foliage of asters (Symphyotrichum spp.), as do the caterpillars of many kinds of moths (see Moth Table). The White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbit browse on the foliage occasionally.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This aster is more attractive in woodland areas, where it has a delicate appearance. It closely resembles Symphyotrichum pilosum (Frost Aster), Symphyotrichum ericoides (Heath Aster), and other species in the genus with small white flowerheads. The Calico Aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) is a somewhat lanky plant with smaller flowerheads (about 1/3" or 8 mm. across) and fewer ray florets per flowerhead (about 10) than many similar asters (Symphyotrichum spp.). In this regard, it is similar to the Heath Aster, but the latter species is a more compact plant with leaves that are shorter and more narrow than those of the Calico Aster. While the Heath Aster is often found in open prairies, the Calico Aster usually doesn't stray far from woodland and semi-shaded wetland areas. Its common name refers to the diverse colors of the disk florets as they mature. Another common name of this species is the Side-Flowering Aster, and another scientific name is Aster lateriflorus.
The blooming period occurs from late summer to the fall, lasting about 1-2 months. There is little or no floral scent. The small achenes are slightly pubescent and they have small tufts of white hair. Distribution of the achenes is by wind. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous; an older plant may develop a small caudex. Clonal offsets occasionally develop from the rhizomes. This plant occasionally forms colonies at favorable sites.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to partial sun and moist conditions. Full sun is tolerated if the site is not too dry. Growth is best in rich organic soil, or a moisture retaining clay-loam. During dry weather, the lower leaves often wither away, and stressed out plants are vulnerable to many kinds of foliar disease.
Range & Habitat: The native Calico Aster occurs in most counties of Illinois, where it is native and quite common (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist meadows near woodlands and rivers, floodplain forests and flatwoods, woodland borders, seeps and swamps, semi-shaded sloughs near fields, and moist depressions in waste areas. This plant is primarily a woodland species, but it often strays into moist sunny areas nearby. It prefers areas with a history of disturbance.
Faunal Associations: The florets of Calico Aster have shorter nectar tubes than many other species of asters, and they seem to attract a wide variety of insects, particularly in sunny areas. More common insect visitors include short-tongued bees, wasps, and flies, and less common visitors include long-tongued bees, small butterflies, skippers, beetles, and plant bugs. These insects seek nectar primarily, although the short-tongued bees may collect pollen, while some beetles and flies feed on the pollen. Caterpillars of the butterflies, Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) and Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescent), feed on the foliage of asters (Symphyotrichum spp.), as do the caterpillars of many kinds of moths (see Moth Table). The White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbit browse on the foliage occasionally.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This aster is more attractive in woodland areas, where it has a delicate appearance. It closely resembles Symphyotrichum pilosum (Frost Aster), Symphyotrichum ericoides (Heath Aster), and other species in the genus with small white flowerheads. The Calico Aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) is a somewhat lanky plant with smaller flowerheads (about 1/3" or 8 mm. across) and fewer ray florets per flowerhead (about 10) than many similar asters (Symphyotrichum spp.). In this regard, it is similar to the Heath Aster, but the latter species is a more compact plant with leaves that are shorter and more narrow than those of the Calico Aster. While the Heath Aster is often found in open prairies, the Calico Aster usually doesn't stray far from woodland and semi-shaded wetland areas. Its common name refers to the diverse colors of the disk florets as they mature. Another common name of this species is the Side-Flowering Aster, and another scientific name is Aster lateriflorus.
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