成长记
cclecombe
2018年02月12日
I’ve read yellowing on this plant means there’s too much light! I thought the space she’s in was pretty shaded but i guess not! Time to move!
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成长记
cclecombe
2018年02月12日
Another progressive update! I’ve not really been paying attention to my succulents over winter because they dont require watering but this plant has had a full transformation. I can’t wait to see its progress during spring and summer!
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成长记
cclecombe
2018年02月12日
This guy has been doing suprisingly well over winter! This is a plant I need to update more regularly because its growth is so impressive!
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成长记
cclecombe
2018年02月12日
I need to photograph this plant more frequently cus its movement and growth is crazy!
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月11日
Description: This wildflower is a winter annual about 4-12" tall. The stems are either unbranched, or they branch at the base of each plant; they are pale red, terete, glabrous, and glaucous. Alternate leaves are arranged somewhat densely around the stems; they are about ½-1" long, 2-3 mm. across, and ascending to widely spreading. Individual leaves are pale green, linear in shape, subterete (circular, but slightly flattened in cross-section), and glabrous. The leaf bases slightly clasp the stems; each leaf has a pair of minute auricles (ear-like lobes) at its base.
Each stem terminates in a cyme of flowers up to 6" across. Each cyme has 3-7 horizontal branches that are spaced widely apart; the flowers are densely arranged along the upper sides of these branches (typically 10-40 flowers per branch). The flowers are sessile or nearly sessile (on pedicels less than 1 mm. in length). Each flower spans about ½" across, consisting of 4 pink petals (rarely white), 4 pale green sepals, a cluster of 4 pistils, and 8 stamens. The petals and sepals are linear-lanceolate in shape; the petals are about twice the length of the sepals. The narrowly ovoid pistils are light pink (less often white) during the blooming period; each pistil has a single style. The anthers are initially dark red, but they turn black shortly afterwards. Among the flowers, there are bracts that resemble the leaves, except theyDistribution Map are about one-half the size of the latter. The blooming period occurs during late spring to early summer, lasting about 1 month. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by clusters of 4 spreading follicles; these follicles are about ¼" long, narrowly ovoid in shape, and prominently beaked. Immature follicles are pale green, but at maturity they turn brown. Eventually, each follicle splits open along one side to release numerous seeds. The root system is fibrous. This wildflower spreads by reseeding itself. At favorable sites, it often forms colonies of plants.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and thin rocky soil. Partial sun is tolerated, although there will be a greater tendency for individual plants to sprawl in the direction of greater light. Seeds typically germinate in the fall, allowing young plants to overwinter in a dormant state. Most growth and development occur during the spring. The leaves wither away during the hot weather of summer as individual plants die down. This plant has a crassula acid metabolism (CAM) that enables it to survive in xeric conditions. Like other sedums (Sedum spp.), Widow's Cross can be cultivated in sunny rock gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native Widow's Cross occurs in southern Illinois, where it is uncommon. Illinois lies along the northern range of this species. Habitats include rocky cliffs, exposed rocky ledges, and rocky glades, particularly in areas where there is exposed flat bedrock. The underlying bedrock in these habitats consists of sandstone, limestone, or chert. Widow's Cross is a highly specialized plant that is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. Generally, the flowers of sedums (Sedum spp.) are cross-pollinated by small bees (Andrena spp., etc.) and probably other insects. Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards to such visitors. In areas where Widow's Cross and other sedums are cultivated (especially nurseries and greenhouses), they may be attacked by Aphis sedi (Sedum Aphid). This aphid was introduced into North America from Eurasia.
Photographic Location: A rocky ledge in southern Illinois.
Comments: Other common names for Widow's Cross (Sedum pulchellum) are Limestone Stonecrop and Rock Stonecrop. Widow's Cross is normally an attractive little plant with pink flowers. It is one of only a few native Sedum spp. that are found in the rocky hills of southern Illinois and the surrounding area. Several species of cultivated sedums from Eurasia occasionally escape and naturalize in open disturbed habitats, but they usually don't persist (with the exception of Sedum acre). Widow's Cross can be distinguished from these other species by its pink 4-petaled flowers, widely spreading branches of its inflorescence, and small linear leaves that are nearly terete. Other sedums often have white or yellow flowers, flowers with 5 petals, inflorescences with ascending branches, or leaves that are more flattened and wide than those of Widow's Cross.
Each stem terminates in a cyme of flowers up to 6" across. Each cyme has 3-7 horizontal branches that are spaced widely apart; the flowers are densely arranged along the upper sides of these branches (typically 10-40 flowers per branch). The flowers are sessile or nearly sessile (on pedicels less than 1 mm. in length). Each flower spans about ½" across, consisting of 4 pink petals (rarely white), 4 pale green sepals, a cluster of 4 pistils, and 8 stamens. The petals and sepals are linear-lanceolate in shape; the petals are about twice the length of the sepals. The narrowly ovoid pistils are light pink (less often white) during the blooming period; each pistil has a single style. The anthers are initially dark red, but they turn black shortly afterwards. Among the flowers, there are bracts that resemble the leaves, except theyDistribution Map are about one-half the size of the latter. The blooming period occurs during late spring to early summer, lasting about 1 month. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by clusters of 4 spreading follicles; these follicles are about ¼" long, narrowly ovoid in shape, and prominently beaked. Immature follicles are pale green, but at maturity they turn brown. Eventually, each follicle splits open along one side to release numerous seeds. The root system is fibrous. This wildflower spreads by reseeding itself. At favorable sites, it often forms colonies of plants.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and thin rocky soil. Partial sun is tolerated, although there will be a greater tendency for individual plants to sprawl in the direction of greater light. Seeds typically germinate in the fall, allowing young plants to overwinter in a dormant state. Most growth and development occur during the spring. The leaves wither away during the hot weather of summer as individual plants die down. This plant has a crassula acid metabolism (CAM) that enables it to survive in xeric conditions. Like other sedums (Sedum spp.), Widow's Cross can be cultivated in sunny rock gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native Widow's Cross occurs in southern Illinois, where it is uncommon. Illinois lies along the northern range of this species. Habitats include rocky cliffs, exposed rocky ledges, and rocky glades, particularly in areas where there is exposed flat bedrock. The underlying bedrock in these habitats consists of sandstone, limestone, or chert. Widow's Cross is a highly specialized plant that is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. Generally, the flowers of sedums (Sedum spp.) are cross-pollinated by small bees (Andrena spp., etc.) and probably other insects. Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards to such visitors. In areas where Widow's Cross and other sedums are cultivated (especially nurseries and greenhouses), they may be attacked by Aphis sedi (Sedum Aphid). This aphid was introduced into North America from Eurasia.
Photographic Location: A rocky ledge in southern Illinois.
Comments: Other common names for Widow's Cross (Sedum pulchellum) are Limestone Stonecrop and Rock Stonecrop. Widow's Cross is normally an attractive little plant with pink flowers. It is one of only a few native Sedum spp. that are found in the rocky hills of southern Illinois and the surrounding area. Several species of cultivated sedums from Eurasia occasionally escape and naturalize in open disturbed habitats, but they usually don't persist (with the exception of Sedum acre). Widow's Cross can be distinguished from these other species by its pink 4-petaled flowers, widely spreading branches of its inflorescence, and small linear leaves that are nearly terete. Other sedums often have white or yellow flowers, flowers with 5 petals, inflorescences with ascending branches, or leaves that are more flattened and wide than those of Widow's Cross.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月11日
Description: This perennial plant is 2½-5' tall; it is unbranched, or with a few small stems near the inflorescence. The central stem is ridged and slightly pubescent. The opposite leaves are greyish green, narrowly lanceolate, with serrated or dentate margins toward their tips. They are about 3-5" long and ¾" wide, becoming linear and shorter near the inflorescence. The foliage exudes a sage scent and has a sage taste.
There is one or more whorled spikes of flowers toward the apex of the plant that are up to 1' long. The corolla of these flowers ranges in color from pale blue to deep dark blue, usually with a lighter-colored throat. The corolla is short and tubular, dividing into a small upper lobe and a large lower lobe that functions as a landing pad for visiting insects. The tubular calyx is dull green, longitudinally ridged, pubescent, and bluntly toothed. Each flower is about ¾" long from top to bottom. The blooming period occurs during the late summer and fall, and lasts about 1-2 months. There is no floral scent. Only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. The root system consists of a large central taproot, from which several stems may be produced.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and dry, well-drained conditions. Different kinds of soil are acceptable, including those that contain significant amounts of loam, clay, or gravel. A high pH is tolerated. The seed germinates readily, often producing flowering plants during the first year. This is a surprisingly easy plant to grow, with few problems from disease. If the soil is too moist and fertile, or sunlight is insufficient, plants may become spindly and flop over while blooming later in the year.
Habitat & Range: Wild Blue Sage is a rare plant in Illinois with state-listed 'threatened' status. It has been reported from only a few scattered counties, primarily in central and southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Some authorities assume that this plant is adventive from the west, while others regard it as native to the state. Habitats include dry, upland areas of black soil prairies, gravel prairies, limestone glades, roadsides, and miscellaneous waste areas. This plant would likely thrive in dolomite prairies and hill prairies, although it has not been observed in such areas.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees visit the flowers for nectar, especially bumblebees. Halictid bees occasionally collect pollen, but they are non-pollinating. Less often, butterflies and skippers may visit the flowers for nectar, including Epargyreus clarus (Silver-Spotted Skipper). The caterpillars of the moth Sphinx eremitus (Hermit Sphinx) may feed on the foliage. Mammalian herbivores usually avoid this plant as a food source – apparently they dislike the sage scent, or perhaps the scent is associated with indigestion from chemicals that disrupt bacterial populations in their digestive tracts.
Photographic Location: The photographs of the flowering plant and flower close-up were taken at Meadowbrook Park, Urbana, Illinois, while the photograph of the leaf was taken at the wildflower garden of the webmaster in the same city and state.
Comments: This is a wonderful plant with attractive blue flowers – a pleasant alternative to the preponderance of goldenrods and asters during the fall. It can be confused with no other plant within the state. Wild Blue Sage is more common in states that lie west of the Mississippi River, such as Nebraska and Missouri. In Illinois, only small remnant populations exist. A different variety occurs in some southeastern states, Salvia azurea azurea, which has less showy flowers. In the past, the scientific name for Salvia azurea grandiflora was Salvia pitcheri, and it is still referred to as Pitcher's Sage by some authorities.
There is one or more whorled spikes of flowers toward the apex of the plant that are up to 1' long. The corolla of these flowers ranges in color from pale blue to deep dark blue, usually with a lighter-colored throat. The corolla is short and tubular, dividing into a small upper lobe and a large lower lobe that functions as a landing pad for visiting insects. The tubular calyx is dull green, longitudinally ridged, pubescent, and bluntly toothed. Each flower is about ¾" long from top to bottom. The blooming period occurs during the late summer and fall, and lasts about 1-2 months. There is no floral scent. Only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. The root system consists of a large central taproot, from which several stems may be produced.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and dry, well-drained conditions. Different kinds of soil are acceptable, including those that contain significant amounts of loam, clay, or gravel. A high pH is tolerated. The seed germinates readily, often producing flowering plants during the first year. This is a surprisingly easy plant to grow, with few problems from disease. If the soil is too moist and fertile, or sunlight is insufficient, plants may become spindly and flop over while blooming later in the year.
Habitat & Range: Wild Blue Sage is a rare plant in Illinois with state-listed 'threatened' status. It has been reported from only a few scattered counties, primarily in central and southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Some authorities assume that this plant is adventive from the west, while others regard it as native to the state. Habitats include dry, upland areas of black soil prairies, gravel prairies, limestone glades, roadsides, and miscellaneous waste areas. This plant would likely thrive in dolomite prairies and hill prairies, although it has not been observed in such areas.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees visit the flowers for nectar, especially bumblebees. Halictid bees occasionally collect pollen, but they are non-pollinating. Less often, butterflies and skippers may visit the flowers for nectar, including Epargyreus clarus (Silver-Spotted Skipper). The caterpillars of the moth Sphinx eremitus (Hermit Sphinx) may feed on the foliage. Mammalian herbivores usually avoid this plant as a food source – apparently they dislike the sage scent, or perhaps the scent is associated with indigestion from chemicals that disrupt bacterial populations in their digestive tracts.
Photographic Location: The photographs of the flowering plant and flower close-up were taken at Meadowbrook Park, Urbana, Illinois, while the photograph of the leaf was taken at the wildflower garden of the webmaster in the same city and state.
Comments: This is a wonderful plant with attractive blue flowers – a pleasant alternative to the preponderance of goldenrods and asters during the fall. It can be confused with no other plant within the state. Wild Blue Sage is more common in states that lie west of the Mississippi River, such as Nebraska and Missouri. In Illinois, only small remnant populations exist. A different variety occurs in some southeastern states, Salvia azurea azurea, which has less showy flowers. In the past, the scientific name for Salvia azurea grandiflora was Salvia pitcheri, and it is still referred to as Pitcher's Sage by some authorities.
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求助
MathildeHoi
2018年02月11日
I have decided to take better care of this plant..
I am new to this, so can anyone tell me the name of it?
I am new to this, so can anyone tell me the name of it?
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月10日
Description: This biennial wildflower forms a low rosette of leaves during the 1st year, bolting into an erect plant about 1-2½' tall during the 2nd year. The central stem is 4-angled, winged, and glabrous; it is unbranched below and oppositely branched above. Opposite leaves (up to 1½" long and 1" across) occur along the stems; they are medium green, glabrous, smooth along their margins, and lanceolate to oval-cordate in shape. The leaves are sessile or slightly clasp the stems. The upper stems terminate in small cymes of flowers. The pedicels of these flowers are ½–1¼" long and glabrous. When they are fully open, individual flowers are 1-1½" across. Each flower has a corolla with 5 petals, 5 stamens with yellow anthers, a superior ovary with a divided style, and a green calyx with 5 sepals that are linear-lanceolate. The petals are obovate in shape and vary in color from rose-pink to white; they are about twice the length of the sepals. At the center of the flower, the petal bases are yellow to greenish yellow, presenting a small 5-sided star. The margins of this star are outlined in dark rose-pink. When they are receptive to pollen, the 2 linear stigmata of the style become bright yellow. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer. The flowers open up during the day and close at night; they are fragrant. During the fall, the flowers are replaced by single-celled seed capsules about 1/3" (8 mm.) long; each capsule contains a multitude of tiny seeds that can be blown about by the wind or float on water. The root system is shallow and fibrous.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun and moist conditions. The soil can contain loam, sand, silt, or some rocky/gravelly material.
Range & Habitat: Common Rose Pink is occasional in the southern half of Illinois, while in the northern half of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). This plant is native to the state. Habitats include moist prairies and sand prairies, moist sandy thickets, marshes and sandy marshes, interdunal swales, rocky glades, openings in rocky woodlands, sandy pits on mined land, poorly drained fields, and roadsides. This wildflower can be found in both degraded and higher quality habitats.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by long-tongued bees and possibly other diurnal insects with long mouthparts (e.g., butterflies and skippers). Charles Robertson (1929) observed a little carpenter bee, Ceratina dupla, and a large leaf-cutting bee, Megachile brevis, visiting the flowers for nectar or pollen. The caterpillars of the moth, Agyrostrotis anilis (Short-Lined Chocolate), feed on Sabatia spp. (Rose Pinks). Common Rose Pink is a bitter-tasting plant, but it is unclear to what extent this may deter its consumption by mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A prairie in Fayette County, Illinois. The photographs of the flowering plants were taken by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2009).
Comments: Like other species in this genus, Common Rose Pink is a showy and attractive plant. It resembles an oversized version of Centaurium pulchellum (Branching Centaury) from Europe, which is also in the Gentian family. Another species, Sabatia campestris (Prairie Rose Pink), also occurs in Illinois; it is usually found in drier habitats. Prairie Rose Pink differs from Common Rose Pink by its tendency to branch alternately, rather than oppositely. It also has 5 vertical ribs along the tubular portion of its calyx, while the calyx of Common Rose Pink lacks such ribs. Other common names that have been applied to Sabatia angularis include Rose Gentian, Marsh Pink, and Bitterbloom.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun and moist conditions. The soil can contain loam, sand, silt, or some rocky/gravelly material.
Range & Habitat: Common Rose Pink is occasional in the southern half of Illinois, while in the northern half of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). This plant is native to the state. Habitats include moist prairies and sand prairies, moist sandy thickets, marshes and sandy marshes, interdunal swales, rocky glades, openings in rocky woodlands, sandy pits on mined land, poorly drained fields, and roadsides. This wildflower can be found in both degraded and higher quality habitats.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by long-tongued bees and possibly other diurnal insects with long mouthparts (e.g., butterflies and skippers). Charles Robertson (1929) observed a little carpenter bee, Ceratina dupla, and a large leaf-cutting bee, Megachile brevis, visiting the flowers for nectar or pollen. The caterpillars of the moth, Agyrostrotis anilis (Short-Lined Chocolate), feed on Sabatia spp. (Rose Pinks). Common Rose Pink is a bitter-tasting plant, but it is unclear to what extent this may deter its consumption by mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A prairie in Fayette County, Illinois. The photographs of the flowering plants were taken by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2009).
Comments: Like other species in this genus, Common Rose Pink is a showy and attractive plant. It resembles an oversized version of Centaurium pulchellum (Branching Centaury) from Europe, which is also in the Gentian family. Another species, Sabatia campestris (Prairie Rose Pink), also occurs in Illinois; it is usually found in drier habitats. Prairie Rose Pink differs from Common Rose Pink by its tendency to branch alternately, rather than oppositely. It also has 5 vertical ribs along the tubular portion of its calyx, while the calyx of Common Rose Pink lacks such ribs. Other common names that have been applied to Sabatia angularis include Rose Gentian, Marsh Pink, and Bitterbloom.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月10日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is about 1' tall, branching occasionally. The stems are light green and covered with white hairs. The opposite leaves are up to 2½" long and 1" wide, and broadly lanceolate, deltoid, or ovate in form. They are light green to green, with smooth margins, and are covered with white hairs on both the upper and lower sides. The leaves also have hairy petioles. The light lavender or light purple flowers are funnel-shaped, with 5 flared lobes, and range in length from 1½-2½". There are usually fine purple lines towards the center of the corolla that function as nectar guides to visiting insects. There is no noticeable floral scent. A flower typically opens during the morning and falls off the plant by evening. The overall appearance of Hairy Wild Petunia resembles cultivated petunias, but they are members of different plant families. The blooming period occurs from early summer to late summer, and lasts about 2 months. The root system is fibrous. The dark seeds are fairly large and fall to the ground not far from the mother plant.
Cultivation: It's quite adaptable, tolerating full or partial sun, moist to dry conditions, and practically any kind of soil. Under moist conditions with rich soil, however, this plant is unable to compete with taller, more aggressive plants. Disease doesn't seem to bother it.
Range & Habitat: This native plant occurs occasionally throughout Illinois, but it is most likely to be absent in the NW counties (see Distribution Map). Hairy Wild Petunia occurs in mesic to dry black soil prairies, gravelly hill prairies, dry open woodlands, limestone glades, bluffs, sandy cemeteries, sand flats, and areas along roadsides and railroads. This plant is typically found in areas with poor soil and sparse vegetative cover, where it occurs sporadically in short grass, rather than forming dense colonies.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees are the most important pollinators of the flowers, including Anthophorid bees and Leaf-Cutting bees. The latter sometimes cut the petals, which are used in the construction of brood nests. Short-tongued bees and Syrphid flies also visit the flowers, but they collect stray pollen and are not effective pollinators. The light color and funnel-like shape of the diurnal flowers suggest that they may be visited by day-flying Sphinx moths and Hummingbird moths, but apparently this has not been observed. It has been reported that the caterpillars of the butterfly Junonia coenia (Buckeye) may feed on the foliage of Ruellia spp. occasionally.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken at the Red Bison Railroad Prairie in Savoy, Illinois.
Comments: Because of its large and abundant flowers, the Hairy Wild Petunia is grown occasionally in flower gardens, particularly along borders, or in rock gardens. It's an attractive little plant. There is some variation in the shape and hairiness of the leaves, depending on the local ecotype. There are other Ruellia spp. with similar flowers that occur in woodland areas – they tend to be taller plants with less hairy leaves.
Cultivation: It's quite adaptable, tolerating full or partial sun, moist to dry conditions, and practically any kind of soil. Under moist conditions with rich soil, however, this plant is unable to compete with taller, more aggressive plants. Disease doesn't seem to bother it.
Range & Habitat: This native plant occurs occasionally throughout Illinois, but it is most likely to be absent in the NW counties (see Distribution Map). Hairy Wild Petunia occurs in mesic to dry black soil prairies, gravelly hill prairies, dry open woodlands, limestone glades, bluffs, sandy cemeteries, sand flats, and areas along roadsides and railroads. This plant is typically found in areas with poor soil and sparse vegetative cover, where it occurs sporadically in short grass, rather than forming dense colonies.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees are the most important pollinators of the flowers, including Anthophorid bees and Leaf-Cutting bees. The latter sometimes cut the petals, which are used in the construction of brood nests. Short-tongued bees and Syrphid flies also visit the flowers, but they collect stray pollen and are not effective pollinators. The light color and funnel-like shape of the diurnal flowers suggest that they may be visited by day-flying Sphinx moths and Hummingbird moths, but apparently this has not been observed. It has been reported that the caterpillars of the butterfly Junonia coenia (Buckeye) may feed on the foliage of Ruellia spp. occasionally.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken at the Red Bison Railroad Prairie in Savoy, Illinois.
Comments: Because of its large and abundant flowers, the Hairy Wild Petunia is grown occasionally in flower gardens, particularly along borders, or in rock gardens. It's an attractive little plant. There is some variation in the shape and hairiness of the leaves, depending on the local ecotype. There are other Ruellia spp. with similar flowers that occur in woodland areas – they tend to be taller plants with less hairy leaves.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月10日
particularly along the upper half of the plant. The alternate leaves are up to 4" long and 2" across. They are lanceolate to ovate, slightly to coarsely dentate, and rough-textured from minute stiff hairs. Some of the lower leaves are divided into three lobes. Individual upper stems terminate in 1-2 flowerheads. Each flowerhead is about 1½-2" across, consisting of 6-12 ray florets that surround a brown to black flattened cone of numerous disk florets. The petaloid rays of the flowerheads are bright yellow and oblong in shape. The tiny disk florets are narrowly cylindrical. Around the base of each flowerhead, there are inner and outer floral bracts (phyllaries) that are green and ciliate. The flowerheads have little or no scent. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to late summer for about 1-2 months. On robust plants, 6 or more flowerheads are often in bloom at the same time, creating a showy effect. The small achenes are 4-angled and have no tufts of hair. The root system is shallow and fibrous.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and fertile loamy soil, although soil with some gravel or clay is tolerated. This plant has moderate drought-tolerance; it may drop some of its lower leaves or wilt should this occur. After the blooming season is over, Brown-Eyed Susan can appear rather untidy.
Range & Habitat: The native Brown-Eyed Susan is a common plant in Illinois, except for some counties in the southern and NW sections of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include black soil prairies, prairie remnants along railroads, thickets, savannas, meadows and openings in wooded areas, riverbanks, edges of fens, roadsides, vacant lots, and abandoned fields. Areas with a history of disturbance are preferred, although this plant also occurs in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Brown-Eyed Susan is often self-pollinated, but it nonetheless attracts numerous nectar-seeking and pollen-seeking insects to its flowers. These visitors include bumblebees, little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), digger bees (Melissodes spp.), cuckoo bees (Triepeolus spp., Coelioxys spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp., Heterosarus spp.), and Halictid bees (including green metallic bees). One of these bees, Andrena rudbeckiae, is a specialist pollinator (oligolege) of Rudbeckia and Ratibida coneflowers. Other floral visitors include Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, Syrphid flies, bee flies, thick-headed flies, Tachinid flies, small to medium-sized butterflies, and the common Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus (Goldenrod Soldier Beetle). Other insects feed destructively on Brown-Eyed Susan and other Rudbeckia spp. These insects include the leaf beetles Brachypnoea clypealis and Sumitrosis inaequalis, the aphids Uroleucon ambrosiae and Uroleucon rudbeckiae, and caterpillars of the Tortricid moths Epiblema carolinana (feeding on roots), Epiblema tandana (feeding on roots), and Epiblema triparitana (feeding on flowerheads & stems). The foliage is sometimes browsed by deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and other mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken of plants growing in a wildflower garden at Crystal Lake Park, Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Brown-Eyed Susan can be distinguished from similar species by the smaller size of its flowerheads and the smaller number of ray florets per flowerhead. It is usually more tall and bushy than Rudbeckia hirta (Black-Eyed Susan), but it is shorter with fewer lobed leaves than Rudbeckia laciniata (Cutleaf Coneflower). Brown-Eyed Susan is often observed in the eastern range of the tallgrass prairie, but it tends to retreat to wetland or woodland areas further to the west where rainfall amounts are lower and summer temperatures are more extreme.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and fertile loamy soil, although soil with some gravel or clay is tolerated. This plant has moderate drought-tolerance; it may drop some of its lower leaves or wilt should this occur. After the blooming season is over, Brown-Eyed Susan can appear rather untidy.
Range & Habitat: The native Brown-Eyed Susan is a common plant in Illinois, except for some counties in the southern and NW sections of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include black soil prairies, prairie remnants along railroads, thickets, savannas, meadows and openings in wooded areas, riverbanks, edges of fens, roadsides, vacant lots, and abandoned fields. Areas with a history of disturbance are preferred, although this plant also occurs in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Brown-Eyed Susan is often self-pollinated, but it nonetheless attracts numerous nectar-seeking and pollen-seeking insects to its flowers. These visitors include bumblebees, little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), digger bees (Melissodes spp.), cuckoo bees (Triepeolus spp., Coelioxys spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp., Heterosarus spp.), and Halictid bees (including green metallic bees). One of these bees, Andrena rudbeckiae, is a specialist pollinator (oligolege) of Rudbeckia and Ratibida coneflowers. Other floral visitors include Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, Syrphid flies, bee flies, thick-headed flies, Tachinid flies, small to medium-sized butterflies, and the common Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus (Goldenrod Soldier Beetle). Other insects feed destructively on Brown-Eyed Susan and other Rudbeckia spp. These insects include the leaf beetles Brachypnoea clypealis and Sumitrosis inaequalis, the aphids Uroleucon ambrosiae and Uroleucon rudbeckiae, and caterpillars of the Tortricid moths Epiblema carolinana (feeding on roots), Epiblema tandana (feeding on roots), and Epiblema triparitana (feeding on flowerheads & stems). The foliage is sometimes browsed by deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and other mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken of plants growing in a wildflower garden at Crystal Lake Park, Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Brown-Eyed Susan can be distinguished from similar species by the smaller size of its flowerheads and the smaller number of ray florets per flowerhead. It is usually more tall and bushy than Rudbeckia hirta (Black-Eyed Susan), but it is shorter with fewer lobed leaves than Rudbeckia laciniata (Cutleaf Coneflower). Brown-Eyed Susan is often observed in the eastern range of the tallgrass prairie, but it tends to retreat to wetland or woodland areas further to the west where rainfall amounts are lower and summer temperatures are more extreme.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月09日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is up to 4' tall while in flower. The long slender stems are slightly ridged. The basal leaves occur toward the bottom of these stems and are irregularly shaped – the larger leaves are pinnately divided into 3-7 lobes, sometimes subdividing further into 1-2 secondary lobes. The margins of these leaves are smooth, or sparsely dentate; they are individually up to 8" long and 5" across. The smaller leaves higher up on the stems are usually lanceolate; they are few in number. The texture of these leaves is rough as a result of tiny stiff hairs and bumps. The daisy-like composite flowers occur at the apex of the tall stems. Each composite flower has up to 13 drooping yellow ray florets spanning 1-2½" across, and an oblong head of disk florets that is about ½–¾" tall when mature. This head is initially light green or grey, but later becomes dark brown. The blooming period occurs from early to late summer, and lasts about 1-2 months. There is little or no floral scent – although the seedheads release an anise scent when they are crushed. The root system is rhizomatous, often forming tight clumps of plants. The dark achenes are without tufts of hair.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic conditions, and a loam or clay-loam soil. However, this is a robust plant that will tolerate partial sun, moist to slightly dry conditions, and many kinds of soil. Foliar disease doesn't affect the leaves until after the blooming period. There is a tendency for the flowering stems to flop around if this plant is spoiled by too much water or fertile soil. This plant is easy to grow.
Range & Habitat: The native Yellow Coneflower is fairly common in Illinois, except in some SE counties (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to slightly dry black soil prairies, clay prairies, thickets, woodland borders, limestone glades, and areas along railroads, particularly where remnant prairies occur. Yellow Coneflower tends to colonize the more disturbed areas of these habitats.
Close-up of Compound Leaf
Faunal Associations: Many kinds of insects visit the flowers, but especially bees, including Epeoline Cuckoo bees, large Leaf-Cutting bees, Green Metallic bees, and other Halictine bees. Other insect visitors include wasps, flies, small butterflies, and beetles. These insects suck nectar from the flowers, although the bees also collect pollen and some beetles feed on pollen. The caterpillars of the butterfly Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) feed on Yellow Coneflower, as well as the caterpillars of the moths Eynchlora acida (Wavy-Lined Emerald) and Eupithecia miserulata (Common Eupithecia). Goldfinches occasionally eat the seeds, while some mammalian herbivores eat the foliage and flowering stems, particularly groundhogs and livestock.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken at a prairie of Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: Yellow Coneflower is an excellent choice for a wildflower garden because of its long blooming period and attractive yellow flowers. The entire plant is delicately constructed, and has a tendency to sway or flutter with each passing breeze. This species can be distinguished from other yellow coneflowers, such as Rudbeckia hirta, by its drooping ray florets and the complex structure of the basal leaves.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic conditions, and a loam or clay-loam soil. However, this is a robust plant that will tolerate partial sun, moist to slightly dry conditions, and many kinds of soil. Foliar disease doesn't affect the leaves until after the blooming period. There is a tendency for the flowering stems to flop around if this plant is spoiled by too much water or fertile soil. This plant is easy to grow.
Range & Habitat: The native Yellow Coneflower is fairly common in Illinois, except in some SE counties (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to slightly dry black soil prairies, clay prairies, thickets, woodland borders, limestone glades, and areas along railroads, particularly where remnant prairies occur. Yellow Coneflower tends to colonize the more disturbed areas of these habitats.
Close-up of Compound Leaf
Faunal Associations: Many kinds of insects visit the flowers, but especially bees, including Epeoline Cuckoo bees, large Leaf-Cutting bees, Green Metallic bees, and other Halictine bees. Other insect visitors include wasps, flies, small butterflies, and beetles. These insects suck nectar from the flowers, although the bees also collect pollen and some beetles feed on pollen. The caterpillars of the butterfly Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) feed on Yellow Coneflower, as well as the caterpillars of the moths Eynchlora acida (Wavy-Lined Emerald) and Eupithecia miserulata (Common Eupithecia). Goldfinches occasionally eat the seeds, while some mammalian herbivores eat the foliage and flowering stems, particularly groundhogs and livestock.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken at a prairie of Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: Yellow Coneflower is an excellent choice for a wildflower garden because of its long blooming period and attractive yellow flowers. The entire plant is delicately constructed, and has a tendency to sway or flutter with each passing breeze. This species can be distinguished from other yellow coneflowers, such as Rudbeckia hirta, by its drooping ray florets and the complex structure of the basal leaves.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月09日
Description: This is a perennial herbaceous plant up to 3' tall and branching frequently, often with a bushy appearance. The green or reddish stems are strongly four-angled and have scattered white hairs along the ridges. The opposite leaves are up to 2½" long and narrowly lanceolate or linear. They are sessile, and have smooth margins. The largest leaves are ¼ - ½" across. When damaged, the foliage releases a strong mint scent.
Numerous flattened heads of small white flowers (often with purple dots) occur at the ends of the upper stems. Each head is up to ¾" across and can contain up to 50 flowers. However, only a few of these are in bloom at the same time, beginning with the outer circle of flowers and ending towards the center. Each tubular flower is about 1/8" long and 2-lipped. The blooming period occurs during the middle of summer and lasts about a month. Each small flower produces 4 tiny, finely pitted, dull black seeds. These seeds are distributed to some extent by the wind. The root system produces rhizomes, which spread a short distance from the mother plant. Soon, a small colony of plants are formed vegetatively.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and moist to average conditions. The soil can contain loam, sand, clay, or gravel – this plant is not fussy about soil texture. During drought, the lower leaves will turn yellow and fall off. This plant is easy to grow, and less subject to foliar disease than some other mints, such as Monarda spp. However, stressed out plants sometimes succumb to rust.
Range & Habitat: The native Common Mountain Mint is widely distributed in Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent from southern Illinois and a few western counties (see Distribution Map). This plant is occasional to locally common in moist to mesic black soil prairies. Other habitats include moist sand prairies, moist meadows in woodland areas, thickets, fens, swamps, and rocky bluffs. This is probably the most common Mountain Mint in Illinois.
Faunal Associations: Many insects are strongly attracted to the flowers, including various bees, wasps, flies, small butterflies, and beetles. Typical visitors from these groups include honeybees, Cuckoo bees, Halictid bees, Sphecid wasps, Eumenine wasps, bee flies, Tachinid flies, Wedge-shaped beetles, and Pearl Cresecent butterflies. Most of these insects seek nectar. Mammalian herbivores and many leaf-chewing insects apparently find the mint fragrance of the leaves and stems repugnant, and rarely bother this plant.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a prairie of Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: The name 'Mountain Mint' is something of a misnomer, because this plant and other similar species in this genus do not usually occur in mountainous habitats. Common Mountain Mint is similar in appearance to Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (Slender Mountain Mint). It can be distinguished from the latter species by the white hairs along the ridges of its stems, and the occurrence of leaves greater than ¼" across. The stems of Slender Mounntain Mint lack hairs.
Numerous flattened heads of small white flowers (often with purple dots) occur at the ends of the upper stems. Each head is up to ¾" across and can contain up to 50 flowers. However, only a few of these are in bloom at the same time, beginning with the outer circle of flowers and ending towards the center. Each tubular flower is about 1/8" long and 2-lipped. The blooming period occurs during the middle of summer and lasts about a month. Each small flower produces 4 tiny, finely pitted, dull black seeds. These seeds are distributed to some extent by the wind. The root system produces rhizomes, which spread a short distance from the mother plant. Soon, a small colony of plants are formed vegetatively.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and moist to average conditions. The soil can contain loam, sand, clay, or gravel – this plant is not fussy about soil texture. During drought, the lower leaves will turn yellow and fall off. This plant is easy to grow, and less subject to foliar disease than some other mints, such as Monarda spp. However, stressed out plants sometimes succumb to rust.
Range & Habitat: The native Common Mountain Mint is widely distributed in Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent from southern Illinois and a few western counties (see Distribution Map). This plant is occasional to locally common in moist to mesic black soil prairies. Other habitats include moist sand prairies, moist meadows in woodland areas, thickets, fens, swamps, and rocky bluffs. This is probably the most common Mountain Mint in Illinois.
Faunal Associations: Many insects are strongly attracted to the flowers, including various bees, wasps, flies, small butterflies, and beetles. Typical visitors from these groups include honeybees, Cuckoo bees, Halictid bees, Sphecid wasps, Eumenine wasps, bee flies, Tachinid flies, Wedge-shaped beetles, and Pearl Cresecent butterflies. Most of these insects seek nectar. Mammalian herbivores and many leaf-chewing insects apparently find the mint fragrance of the leaves and stems repugnant, and rarely bother this plant.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a prairie of Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: The name 'Mountain Mint' is something of a misnomer, because this plant and other similar species in this genus do not usually occur in mountainous habitats. Common Mountain Mint is similar in appearance to Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (Slender Mountain Mint). It can be distinguished from the latter species by the white hairs along the ridges of its stems, and the occurrence of leaves greater than ¼" across. The stems of Slender Mounntain Mint lack hairs.
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