文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月03日
Description: Prior to developing an inflorescence, this perennial plant consists of one or more rosettes of basal leaves that are clustered together. They are medium green, sometimes with reddish tints. They are variable in shape, but tend to be ovate, obovate, or broadly lanceolate, and are up to 6" long and 2½" wide. Their margins are usually smooth. One or more flowering stalks emerge from the clustered rosettes during the spring, which are about 3' tall. They are hairless and light green, while the opposite leaves on these stalks are more lanceolate in shape than the basal leaves. Their edges often have tiny teeth, and the leaf surface is often shiny.
The white flowers occur in a panicle at the top of each flowering stem, and bloom during late spring or early summer for about a month. They are tubular in shape and about 1" long, with the corolla divided into a lower lip with 3 lobes and and an upper lip with 2 lobes. Somtimes there are fine lines of violet within the corolla, which function as nectar guides to visiting insects. There is no floral scent. The entire plant is hairless, except on the outer surface of the flowers. The flowering stalk eventually turns dark brown, developing numerous oval seed capsules, each containing numerous seeds. These seeds are gray, finely pitted, and irregularly angled. This inflorescence eventually falls over are the seeds have formed, helping to distribute them, but the basal leaves remain. The small seeds can also be carried aloft by the wind for short distances. The root system has short rhizomes, which often produce new plantlets around the base.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, average levels of moisture, and loamy soil. This plant matures quickly during the spring, and the flowering stalks often ascend above neighboring plants. It adapts well to cultivation, is not bothered by disease, and is easy to grow. Under severe drought conditions, however, the leaves may turn yellow and the plant will wilt.
Range & Habitat: The native Foxglove Penstemon occurs occasionally, except in some counties of central and NW Illinois, where it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). However, in other areas, it may be locally common. Habitats include mesic black soil prairies, openings in upland and floodplain forests, woodland borders, thickets, savannas, acid gravel seeps, pastures, and abandoned fields.
Faunal Associations: The tubular flowers of this plant attract long-tongued bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, Anthophorine bees, Miner bees, Mason bees, and large Leaf-Cutting bees. To a lesser extent, Halictid bees, butterflies, Sphinx moths, and hummingbirds may visit the flowers, but they are not effective pollinators. The caterpillars of the moth Elaphria chalcedonia (Chalcedony Midget) feed on the foliage of this and other beardtongues. There have been reports that the caterpillars of the butterfly Euphydryes phaeton (Baltimore) feed on the foliage of various beardtongues, but this does not appear to be the case in Illinois. The seeds are not often eaten by birds, nor is the foliage an attractive source of food to mammalian herbivores, although they may browse on it when little else is available.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is probably the easiest Penstemon sp. to grow in areas that lie east of the Mississippi river. The flowers are quite showy, and the plant is large enough to compete against many kinds of weeds. Another desirable feature is that the blooming period is rather long for an early season plant. Foxglove Penstemon can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the absence of hairs on the leaves and stems, a corolla that is primarily white on the outer surface (but sometimes with violet tints), the presence of tiny white hairs on the anthers (resembling small combs), and an absence of ridges on the lower inner surface of the corolla. The small hairs on the anthers can lodge against the hairs of a visiting bee, causing the stamens to bend downward to deposit pollen on the back of the insect, if it is sufficiently large in size.
The white flowers occur in a panicle at the top of each flowering stem, and bloom during late spring or early summer for about a month. They are tubular in shape and about 1" long, with the corolla divided into a lower lip with 3 lobes and and an upper lip with 2 lobes. Somtimes there are fine lines of violet within the corolla, which function as nectar guides to visiting insects. There is no floral scent. The entire plant is hairless, except on the outer surface of the flowers. The flowering stalk eventually turns dark brown, developing numerous oval seed capsules, each containing numerous seeds. These seeds are gray, finely pitted, and irregularly angled. This inflorescence eventually falls over are the seeds have formed, helping to distribute them, but the basal leaves remain. The small seeds can also be carried aloft by the wind for short distances. The root system has short rhizomes, which often produce new plantlets around the base.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, average levels of moisture, and loamy soil. This plant matures quickly during the spring, and the flowering stalks often ascend above neighboring plants. It adapts well to cultivation, is not bothered by disease, and is easy to grow. Under severe drought conditions, however, the leaves may turn yellow and the plant will wilt.
Range & Habitat: The native Foxglove Penstemon occurs occasionally, except in some counties of central and NW Illinois, where it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). However, in other areas, it may be locally common. Habitats include mesic black soil prairies, openings in upland and floodplain forests, woodland borders, thickets, savannas, acid gravel seeps, pastures, and abandoned fields.
Faunal Associations: The tubular flowers of this plant attract long-tongued bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, Anthophorine bees, Miner bees, Mason bees, and large Leaf-Cutting bees. To a lesser extent, Halictid bees, butterflies, Sphinx moths, and hummingbirds may visit the flowers, but they are not effective pollinators. The caterpillars of the moth Elaphria chalcedonia (Chalcedony Midget) feed on the foliage of this and other beardtongues. There have been reports that the caterpillars of the butterfly Euphydryes phaeton (Baltimore) feed on the foliage of various beardtongues, but this does not appear to be the case in Illinois. The seeds are not often eaten by birds, nor is the foliage an attractive source of food to mammalian herbivores, although they may browse on it when little else is available.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is probably the easiest Penstemon sp. to grow in areas that lie east of the Mississippi river. The flowers are quite showy, and the plant is large enough to compete against many kinds of weeds. Another desirable feature is that the blooming period is rather long for an early season plant. Foxglove Penstemon can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the absence of hairs on the leaves and stems, a corolla that is primarily white on the outer surface (but sometimes with violet tints), the presence of tiny white hairs on the anthers (resembling small combs), and an absence of ridges on the lower inner surface of the corolla. The small hairs on the anthers can lodge against the hairs of a visiting bee, causing the stamens to bend downward to deposit pollen on the back of the insect, if it is sufficiently large in size.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月03日
Description: This perennial plant is ½–1' tall and unbranched. The foliage consists primarily of basal leaves up to 6" long and 2" across, which are arranged as a rosette. From the center of this rosette, emerges a stout flowering stalk, which is often covered with long white hairs. The stalk itself may be green or reddish brown. There are a few small leaves that alternate along this stem. The leaves are lanceolate or oblanceolate, with angular pinnate lobes and crenate margins. The margins have a tendency to undulate vertically. These characteristics provide the leaves with an almost fern-like appearance, except they are somewhat heavier and thicker.
The flowers occur along a spike at the top of the stem. They are about ¾" long and tubular with two lips. The upper lip curves downward and functions as a protective hood, while the lower lip functions as a landing pad for insects. The flowers are usually yellow, but sometimes brownish red. The lower lip of the flower is often white. These flowers bloom from the bottom up during late spring; this blooming period lasts about 3 weeks. There is a mild floral fragrance that is not always detectable to the human nose, although bees and other insects can detect it. The flowers are replaced by large fruits that are angular and hairy. The root system consists of a taproot, and lateral roots that are parasitic on the roots of grasses and possibly other plants. Wood Betony, however, is capable of normal growth and development even when suitable host plants are unavailable. This plant often forms colonies by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is partial to full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and a somewhat acidic soil, which can be loamy or sandy. Most of the growth and development of this plant occurs during the spring, although the leaves stay green during the summer.
Range & Habitat: The native Woody Betony occurs occasionally in the northern half of Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent in the southern half of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic to dry black soil prairies, open woodlands and sandy woodlands, savannas and sandy savannas, thickets, and borders of lakes. This plant is often associated with the Black Oak in woodlands and savannas. Because of its parasitic habit, there is a tendency for the surrounding grass to be shorter in height than it would be normally, creating open areas along the ground where colonies of Wood Betony occur.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees are the primary visitors of the flowers, including queen bumblebees and Mason bees. Occasionally, short-tongued Halictid bees may visit the flowers to collect pollen, but they are non-pollinating. Little information is available about this plant's relationship to birds and mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a meadow of Orchid Hill in Vermilion County, Illinois, the Prospect Cemetery Prairie in Ford County, Illinois, and a rocky woodland of the Potholes in west-central Indiana.
Comments: Wood Betony is very showy when it is in full bloom. Because of the unusual flowers and foliage, it has a striking appearance. There are other Pedicularis spp. that this plant resembles, however most of them don't occur in Illinois. An exception is Pedicularis lanceolata (Swamp Betony), which differs from Wood Betony by its greater height, leaves with shallower pinnate lobes, and preference for wetland habitats. The flowers of these two plants are very similar. Another common name for this plant is Lousewort, which was based on the mistaken belief that it could repel lice and similar parasites from livestock.
The flowers occur along a spike at the top of the stem. They are about ¾" long and tubular with two lips. The upper lip curves downward and functions as a protective hood, while the lower lip functions as a landing pad for insects. The flowers are usually yellow, but sometimes brownish red. The lower lip of the flower is often white. These flowers bloom from the bottom up during late spring; this blooming period lasts about 3 weeks. There is a mild floral fragrance that is not always detectable to the human nose, although bees and other insects can detect it. The flowers are replaced by large fruits that are angular and hairy. The root system consists of a taproot, and lateral roots that are parasitic on the roots of grasses and possibly other plants. Wood Betony, however, is capable of normal growth and development even when suitable host plants are unavailable. This plant often forms colonies by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is partial to full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and a somewhat acidic soil, which can be loamy or sandy. Most of the growth and development of this plant occurs during the spring, although the leaves stay green during the summer.
Range & Habitat: The native Woody Betony occurs occasionally in the northern half of Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent in the southern half of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic to dry black soil prairies, open woodlands and sandy woodlands, savannas and sandy savannas, thickets, and borders of lakes. This plant is often associated with the Black Oak in woodlands and savannas. Because of its parasitic habit, there is a tendency for the surrounding grass to be shorter in height than it would be normally, creating open areas along the ground where colonies of Wood Betony occur.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees are the primary visitors of the flowers, including queen bumblebees and Mason bees. Occasionally, short-tongued Halictid bees may visit the flowers to collect pollen, but they are non-pollinating. Little information is available about this plant's relationship to birds and mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a meadow of Orchid Hill in Vermilion County, Illinois, the Prospect Cemetery Prairie in Ford County, Illinois, and a rocky woodland of the Potholes in west-central Indiana.
Comments: Wood Betony is very showy when it is in full bloom. Because of the unusual flowers and foliage, it has a striking appearance. There are other Pedicularis spp. that this plant resembles, however most of them don't occur in Illinois. An exception is Pedicularis lanceolata (Swamp Betony), which differs from Wood Betony by its greater height, leaves with shallower pinnate lobes, and preference for wetland habitats. The flowers of these two plants are very similar. Another common name for this plant is Lousewort, which was based on the mistaken belief that it could repel lice and similar parasites from livestock.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月03日
Description: This perennial plant is about 2-3' tall while in flower. There is a rosette of basal leaves up to 6" long and 4" wide on long petioles. They are medium green, sandpapery in texture, coarsely serrated along the margins, and broadly lanceolate, ovate, or cordate. From the middle of this rosette, a stout flowering stalk develops, which has smaller alternate leaves on short petioles. Usually there are erect side stems that each develop an inflorescence. An inflorescence consists of flat-headed clusters of small white flowerheads; usually, there are several of them bunched loosely together on the same plant. Each flowerhead is about 1/3" (8 mm.) across, consisting primarily of numerous disk florets, while the few ray florets are greatly reduced in size and barely perceptible. The overall effect is similar to a head of cauliflower. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, and lasts about 2 months. There is no noticeable floral scent. Eventually, the flowerheads turn brown, and the achenes develop without tufts of hair. The central taproot is quite thickened and somewhat tuberous in appearance, while rhizomes promote the vegetative spread of this plant.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and mesic conditions. However, a small amount of shade is tolerated, and the soil can vary from moist to slightly dry. A fertile loamy soil is preferred, although the presence of some sand or rocky material is tolerated. While established plants are fairly easy to grow, recent transplants can be temperamental. It is important to put the transplants into the ground after danger of hard frost has passed, but before the period of active growth occurs during the late spring and early summer. Foliar disease isn't a significant problem. During a drought, some of the lower leaves may turn yellow and wither away.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Quinine occurs occasionally in the majority of counties in Illinois, however it is uncommon or absent in many areas of western and SE Illinois (see Distribution Map). In high quality habitats, Wild Quinine can be locally common, while in disturbed areas it is uncommon, possibly because of the limited dispersion of its seeds. Habitats include mesic black soil prairies, sand prairies, openings in rocky upland forests, savannas, scrubby barrens, limestone glades, and thickets.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract Halictine bees, wasps, flies, beetles, and plant bugs. The beetles usually feed on pollen, while the other insects seek nectar primarily. The fly visitors include Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, Flesh flies, Muscid flies, Anthomyiid flies, and others. Wasp visitors include Crabronine wasps, Eumenine wasps, Cuckoo wasps, Braconid wasps, and others. Mammalian herbivores appear to ignore this plant as a food source because the leaves are sandpapery in texture and bitter-tasting.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a remnant prairie along an abandoned railroad in Champaign County, Illinois, and the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Don't be put off by the lack of conspicuous ray florets on the flowerheads – they are still quite showy, resembling small white pearls from a distance. The leaves are admittedly rather coarse, but they possess characteristics that help this plant to survive in the prairie (as well as one's flower garden). Because of the unique flowerheads, this plant can be confused with no other species in Illinois; there are some close relatives that occur in other states, however. Wild Quinine was used as a substitute for the bark of the Cinchona tree during World War I, when the supply of the latter was disrupted; this was an attempt to maintain the supply of quinine to treat malaria.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and mesic conditions. However, a small amount of shade is tolerated, and the soil can vary from moist to slightly dry. A fertile loamy soil is preferred, although the presence of some sand or rocky material is tolerated. While established plants are fairly easy to grow, recent transplants can be temperamental. It is important to put the transplants into the ground after danger of hard frost has passed, but before the period of active growth occurs during the late spring and early summer. Foliar disease isn't a significant problem. During a drought, some of the lower leaves may turn yellow and wither away.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Quinine occurs occasionally in the majority of counties in Illinois, however it is uncommon or absent in many areas of western and SE Illinois (see Distribution Map). In high quality habitats, Wild Quinine can be locally common, while in disturbed areas it is uncommon, possibly because of the limited dispersion of its seeds. Habitats include mesic black soil prairies, sand prairies, openings in rocky upland forests, savannas, scrubby barrens, limestone glades, and thickets.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract Halictine bees, wasps, flies, beetles, and plant bugs. The beetles usually feed on pollen, while the other insects seek nectar primarily. The fly visitors include Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, Flesh flies, Muscid flies, Anthomyiid flies, and others. Wasp visitors include Crabronine wasps, Eumenine wasps, Cuckoo wasps, Braconid wasps, and others. Mammalian herbivores appear to ignore this plant as a food source because the leaves are sandpapery in texture and bitter-tasting.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a remnant prairie along an abandoned railroad in Champaign County, Illinois, and the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Don't be put off by the lack of conspicuous ray florets on the flowerheads – they are still quite showy, resembling small white pearls from a distance. The leaves are admittedly rather coarse, but they possess characteristics that help this plant to survive in the prairie (as well as one's flower garden). Because of the unique flowerheads, this plant can be confused with no other species in Illinois; there are some close relatives that occur in other states, however. Wild Quinine was used as a substitute for the bark of the Cinchona tree during World War I, when the supply of the latter was disrupted; this was an attempt to maintain the supply of quinine to treat malaria.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月02日
Description: This wildflower is a biennial or short-lived perennial plant that is ½–1' tall when it blooms. The basal leaves persist during most of the year, although they may die down during the winter. They are ¾-2" long, ½-1" across, broadly elliptic to oval-obovate in shape, and either finely serrated or slightly dentate along their margins. The slender petioles of the basal leaves are ½-1" long and light green; they often have cobwebby hairs. The blade surface of the basal leaves is medium green and sparsely covered with mealy hairs. Unbranched flowering stalks develop among the basal leaves. These stalks are light green, terete to slightly channeled, and more or less covered with cobwebby hairs. Alternate leaves are sparsely distributed along each flowering stalk; they are up to 1¼" long and ¼" across. The alternate leaves are medium green, narrowly pinnatifid, and more or less covered with cobwebby hairs, particularly along the lower side of their central veins and along their petioles.
The central stalk terminates in a flat-headed cluster of 3-12 flowerheads. Each daisy-like flowerhead is about ½" across, consisting of 8-14 ray florets surrounding numerous disk florets that are yellow or golden yellow. The petaloid rays of the flowerheads are yellow and narrowly oblong. Around the base of each flowerhead, there are light green floral bracts (phyllaries) that are arranged together in a single series. They are oblong-linear in shape and more or less covered with cobwebby hairs. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring, lasting about 3-4 weeks. The flowerheads are mildly fragrant. About a month after the blooming period, the achenes mature, developing tufts of white hairs; they are dispersed by the wind. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Prairie Ragwort often forms clonal colonies from its rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing loam, clay-loam, sand, or gravelly material. Prairie Ragwort tends to favor less fertile soil because of the reduced competition from other plants. The basal leaves are semi-evergreen and they have few problems with disease.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Ragwort occurs primarily in the northern half of Illinois and in counties that are located along major rivers. It is occasional to locally common in the northern and western sections of the state, while elsewhere it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland prairies, gravel prairies, sand prairies, hill prairies, bluffs overlooking major rivers, openings in either rocky or sandy upland forests, sandy savannas, limestone glades, and roadside embankments. This little plant is usually found in open grassy areas. It blooms during the spring before the warm-season prairie grasses have achieved much growth.
Faunal Associations: Flies and small bees are the most common visitors to the flowers. Among the bee visitors, are little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), Halictid bees (Augochlorella spp., Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.), and Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), including the oligolectic bee Andrena gardineri. Other floral visitors include Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, thick-headed flies, skippers, and small butterflies. These insects are attracted to the nectar and pollen of the flowers. Polyphagous caterpillars of the moth Orthonama obstipata (The Gem) feed on the foliage of ragworts (Packera spp.); this moth dies out in Illinois during the winter, but it rapidly repopulates the state from the south when warm weather returns. Ragworts are preferred host plants of the seed bug, Neacoryphus bicrucis. The foliage is highly toxic to mammalian herbivores, especially cattle, and to a lesser extent horses and sheep. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can damage the liver and cause other health problems.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is a perky little plant with bright yellow flowerheads. Among the various ragworts (Packera spp.) in Illinois, Prairie Ragwort is the most drought tolerant. It also has more cobwebby hairs on its flowering stalks and leaves than other ragworts, although these hairs gradually disappear after the blooming period. A scientific synonym of Prairie Ragwort is Senecio plattensis. The 'ragwort' in the common name probably refers to the ragged appearance of alternate leaves on the flowering stalks.
The central stalk terminates in a flat-headed cluster of 3-12 flowerheads. Each daisy-like flowerhead is about ½" across, consisting of 8-14 ray florets surrounding numerous disk florets that are yellow or golden yellow. The petaloid rays of the flowerheads are yellow and narrowly oblong. Around the base of each flowerhead, there are light green floral bracts (phyllaries) that are arranged together in a single series. They are oblong-linear in shape and more or less covered with cobwebby hairs. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring, lasting about 3-4 weeks. The flowerheads are mildly fragrant. About a month after the blooming period, the achenes mature, developing tufts of white hairs; they are dispersed by the wind. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Prairie Ragwort often forms clonal colonies from its rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing loam, clay-loam, sand, or gravelly material. Prairie Ragwort tends to favor less fertile soil because of the reduced competition from other plants. The basal leaves are semi-evergreen and they have few problems with disease.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Ragwort occurs primarily in the northern half of Illinois and in counties that are located along major rivers. It is occasional to locally common in the northern and western sections of the state, while elsewhere it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland prairies, gravel prairies, sand prairies, hill prairies, bluffs overlooking major rivers, openings in either rocky or sandy upland forests, sandy savannas, limestone glades, and roadside embankments. This little plant is usually found in open grassy areas. It blooms during the spring before the warm-season prairie grasses have achieved much growth.
Faunal Associations: Flies and small bees are the most common visitors to the flowers. Among the bee visitors, are little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), Halictid bees (Augochlorella spp., Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.), and Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), including the oligolectic bee Andrena gardineri. Other floral visitors include Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, thick-headed flies, skippers, and small butterflies. These insects are attracted to the nectar and pollen of the flowers. Polyphagous caterpillars of the moth Orthonama obstipata (The Gem) feed on the foliage of ragworts (Packera spp.); this moth dies out in Illinois during the winter, but it rapidly repopulates the state from the south when warm weather returns. Ragworts are preferred host plants of the seed bug, Neacoryphus bicrucis. The foliage is highly toxic to mammalian herbivores, especially cattle, and to a lesser extent horses and sheep. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can damage the liver and cause other health problems.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is a perky little plant with bright yellow flowerheads. Among the various ragworts (Packera spp.) in Illinois, Prairie Ragwort is the most drought tolerant. It also has more cobwebby hairs on its flowering stalks and leaves than other ragworts, although these hairs gradually disappear after the blooming period. A scientific synonym of Prairie Ragwort is Senecio plattensis. The 'ragwort' in the common name probably refers to the ragged appearance of alternate leaves on the flowering stalks.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月02日
Description: This perennial plant is up to 6" tall. It consists of a small cluster of trifoliate basal leaves on long petioles that emerge directly from the ground. The petioles of the basal leaves are up to 4" long; they are whitish green to pale reddish green, terete, glabrous, and rather delicate in appearance. Individual trifoliate leaves are about 1" across and they open up during the day. Each leaf consists of three obcordate leaflets with smooth margins. The leaves may turn purplish in response to cold weather or strong sunlight, otherwise, they tend to be greyish green. Both the upper and lower leaflet surfaces are hairless.
Close-up of Flower
Among these leaves, floppy umbels of flowers develop on peduncles up to 6" long. The peduncles are similar in appearance to the petioles. Each umbel has 2-5 flowers on slender pedicels up to 1" long; usually only 1-2 flowers per umbel are in bloom at the same time. The flowers are bell-shaped (campanulate) and about 1/3" (8 mm.) across. Each flower has 5 lavender or pale purple petals, 5 light green sepals, 5 inserted stamens with yellow anthers, and an ovary with an inserted style. Near the throat of the flower, the petals become greenish white with converging fine veins; they are oblanceolate in shape, often becoming slightly recurved toward their tips. The sepals are shorter than the petals; they are lanceolate in shape and hairless with purplish tips. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 1-2 months. On rare occasions, Violet Wood Sorrel may bloom again during the fall. There is no floral scent. Eventually, slender pointed seed capsules develop that split into 5 sections, sometimes ejecting the light brown seeds several inches. The root system consists of small bulblets with fibrous roots; these bulblets can multiply by forming clonal offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun and mesic to dry conditions. The soil can be rocky or loamy. Disease is not normally a problem as long as the site is well-drained. Violet Wood Sorrel can be cultivated in gardens if taller and more aggressive vegetation is kept away.
Range & Habitat: The native Violet Wood Sorrel occurs in every county of Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is occasional throughout the state. Habitats include mesic to dry black soil prairies, hill prairies, open upland forests, savannas, edges of wooded bluffs, limestone glades, and abandoned fields. Violet Wood Sorrel responds positively to prairie wildfires as this clears away the dead vegetation that can smother this plant during the spring. It is usually found in higher quality natural areas where the original ground flora has been left intact.
Faunal Associations: Primarily long-tongued and short-tongued bees visit the flowers for nectar or pollen. This includes little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp., Hoplitis spp.), Andrenid bees, and Halictid bees (including green metallic bees). Less commonly, the flowers may be visited by small butterflies, skippers, and bee flies. Syrphid flies also visit the flowers, but they feed on the pollen and are non-pollinating. The oligophagous caterpillars of a brownish Noctuid moth, Galgula partita (The Wedgling), feed on the leaflets of Oxalis spp. The seeds of Oxalis spp. are eaten to a limited extent by several upland gamebirds and songbirds, including the Bobwhite, Mourning Dove, Horned Lark, Field Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, and Slate-Colored Junco. The Prairie Deer Mouse and White-Footed Mouse also eat the seeds of these plants. The Cottontail Rabbit browses on the foliage occasionally, even though it is mildly toxic because of the presence of oxalic acid.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Loda Cemetery Prairie in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: In Illinois, this is the only Oxalis sp. (Wood Sorrel) that has lavender or pale purple flowers. Other Wood Sorrel species within the state have yellow flowers. Both the flowers and leaves open up on sunny days, otherwise they fold up and "go to sleep." Violet Wood Sorrel is an attractive plant, although rather small in size. The leaflets are supposed to be edible in small amounts.
Close-up of Flower
Among these leaves, floppy umbels of flowers develop on peduncles up to 6" long. The peduncles are similar in appearance to the petioles. Each umbel has 2-5 flowers on slender pedicels up to 1" long; usually only 1-2 flowers per umbel are in bloom at the same time. The flowers are bell-shaped (campanulate) and about 1/3" (8 mm.) across. Each flower has 5 lavender or pale purple petals, 5 light green sepals, 5 inserted stamens with yellow anthers, and an ovary with an inserted style. Near the throat of the flower, the petals become greenish white with converging fine veins; they are oblanceolate in shape, often becoming slightly recurved toward their tips. The sepals are shorter than the petals; they are lanceolate in shape and hairless with purplish tips. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 1-2 months. On rare occasions, Violet Wood Sorrel may bloom again during the fall. There is no floral scent. Eventually, slender pointed seed capsules develop that split into 5 sections, sometimes ejecting the light brown seeds several inches. The root system consists of small bulblets with fibrous roots; these bulblets can multiply by forming clonal offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun and mesic to dry conditions. The soil can be rocky or loamy. Disease is not normally a problem as long as the site is well-drained. Violet Wood Sorrel can be cultivated in gardens if taller and more aggressive vegetation is kept away.
Range & Habitat: The native Violet Wood Sorrel occurs in every county of Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is occasional throughout the state. Habitats include mesic to dry black soil prairies, hill prairies, open upland forests, savannas, edges of wooded bluffs, limestone glades, and abandoned fields. Violet Wood Sorrel responds positively to prairie wildfires as this clears away the dead vegetation that can smother this plant during the spring. It is usually found in higher quality natural areas where the original ground flora has been left intact.
Faunal Associations: Primarily long-tongued and short-tongued bees visit the flowers for nectar or pollen. This includes little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp., Hoplitis spp.), Andrenid bees, and Halictid bees (including green metallic bees). Less commonly, the flowers may be visited by small butterflies, skippers, and bee flies. Syrphid flies also visit the flowers, but they feed on the pollen and are non-pollinating. The oligophagous caterpillars of a brownish Noctuid moth, Galgula partita (The Wedgling), feed on the leaflets of Oxalis spp. The seeds of Oxalis spp. are eaten to a limited extent by several upland gamebirds and songbirds, including the Bobwhite, Mourning Dove, Horned Lark, Field Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, and Slate-Colored Junco. The Prairie Deer Mouse and White-Footed Mouse also eat the seeds of these plants. The Cottontail Rabbit browses on the foliage occasionally, even though it is mildly toxic because of the presence of oxalic acid.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Loda Cemetery Prairie in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: In Illinois, this is the only Oxalis sp. (Wood Sorrel) that has lavender or pale purple flowers. Other Wood Sorrel species within the state have yellow flowers. Both the flowers and leaves open up on sunny days, otherwise they fold up and "go to sleep." Violet Wood Sorrel is an attractive plant, although rather small in size. The leaflets are supposed to be edible in small amounts.
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成长记
LIm Chor Yeow
2018年02月01日
I now added "Plant name" in my "garden"
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Mikel Ledes Marley：Hydrangea
成长记
LIm Chor Yeow
2018年02月01日
I now added "Plant name" in my "garden"
2
0
Mikel Ledes Marley：Lantana is called
文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月01日
Description: This perennial plant is ¾–2' tall. It consists of a single pad (swollen stem) that is partially inserted in the ground, from which 1-2 additional sessile pads may develop from its upper curved margin. These fleshy pads are usually erect or ascending, although sometimes they sprawl horizontally. Individual pads are 2-7" long, 1½–5" across, and ½–1¼" thick; they are obovoid in shape and somewhat flattened. The pad surfaces are medium green or bluish green, shiny or dull, and hairless (excluding the woolly hair, bristles, and spines of areoles). The pads are evergreen during the winter, although they often become slightly yellowish and wrinkled at this time. Areoles (air pores) are scattered across the surface of each pad in diagonal rows; they often have a brownish appearance. Areoles have small tufts of fine sharp bristles (glochids) up to 3 mm. long that are embedded in woolly hairs. In addition, 0-2 hardened spines develop from each areole. The spines are light gray to light brown, straight, and variable in length (½–4" long). There are also small leaves near the areoles (one leaf per areole); these leaves are green or pale brown, about 3-6 mm. long, awl-shaped (subulate), and early-deciduous.
One or more flower buds can develop along the upper curved margin of each pad. These flower buds are up to 2" long and ¾" across; they are oblanceoloid-oblongoid in shape, greenish, and somewhat fleshy-scaly in appearance. When the flowers are fully open, they are 2-3" across. Each flower several tepals, numerous stamens, and an inferior ovary with a single style. Mature tepals are light yellow to yellow and satiny in appearance. Sometimes, the bases of inner tepals toward the center of each flower are orange-red. The filaments of the stamens are yellow to pale orange, while their anthers are yellow. At the apex of the style, there is a narrow ring of short stigmas; these stigmas are white. to pale yellow. The blooming period occurs during early summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks for a colony of plants. Each flower is diurnal, lasting only a single day. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by sessile fruits. Mature fruits are 1¼–2" long and ½–¾" across, dull red to reddish brown, and oblanceoloid-oblongoid in shape with concave apices. Each fruit contains several seeds in a fleshy interior. Depending on the local ecotype and stage of ripeness, the flesh of these fruits is green to red and either sour, bland, or sweet.
Individual seeds are about 4 mm. long, tan to dark brown, globoid, and somewhat flattened in shape; there is narrow ridge along at least one-half of the outer margin of each seed. The root system is fibrous and spreading. Upper pads occasionally break off from lower pads, falling to the ground. Such detached pads can develop new roots in the ground, creating new plants that are clonal offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sunlight (at least one-half day of sun), mesic to dry conditions, and sandy or rocky soil. Soil containing loam or clay-loam is tolerated if it is well-drained. Older stems on the ground have a tendency to become brown and woody with age, which is natural. It is faster and easier to start new plants using pads, rather than seeds; detached pads form new roots in the ground readily. This is the easiest cactus to grow in Illinois because of its tolerance of moisture, humidity, and cold winter weather. It also blooms more reliably than most cacti.
Range & Habitat: The Eastern Prickly Pear occurs occasionally in about one-half of the counties in Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is most likely to be found in sandy or hilly areas along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, in hilly areas of southern Illinois, and sandy or rocky areas of northern Illinois. This is by far the most common cactus in Illinois. Most populations of this plant are native, although some local populations are the result of restoration efforts or occasional escapes from cultivation. Typical habitats include openings in sandy woodlands, sandy savannas, sand prairies, hill prairies, gravel prairies, barrens and rocky bluffs, sandstone and limestone glades, sand dunes along Lake Michigan and other areas, rocky or sandy slopes along major rivers and lakes, sandy cemeteries, pastures, and sandy or gravelly areas along railroads. The greatest threats to the survival of this plant are the destruction of habitat by modern development and the invasion of its habitat by woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Both long-tongued and short-tongued bees visit the flowers, including bumblebees, the Large Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), digger bees (Melissodes spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees (including green metallic bees), and plasterer bees (Colletes spp.). Long-tongued bees suck nectar or collect pollen, while short-tongued bees collect pollen only; the larger bees are more likely to cause cross-pollination (Mitchell, 1960/1962; Kevan & Aiello, 2002). Some insects feed on the pads of Eastern Prickly Pear and other prickly pears (Opuntia spp.). These species include larvae of the Eastern Cactus-boring Moth (Melitara prodenialis); larvae of a polyphagous moth, Julia's Dicymolomia (Dicymolomia julianalis); larvae of another polyphagous moth, the Arge Tiger Moth (Grammia arge); and larvae of a Syrphid fly, Copestylum vittatum. Other insects suck plant juices from the pads or fruits of these plants. These species include the Prickly Pear Cactus Bug (Chelinidea vittiger), Pale-margined Stink Bug (Chlorochloa persimilis), and Uhler's Stink Bug (Chlorochroa uhleri). Some of these insects are found in the Great Plains region and SE United States, but not in the Midwest. See Needham et al. (1928), Covell (1984/2005), Hart & Gleason (1907), Froeschner (1942), Vestal (1913), and Rider (2009) for more information.
In the Eastern states, the relationships of prickly pears with vertebrate wildlife are less well-known than in western United States. From studies in these western areas, the fruits and seeds of these plants are eaten occasionally by the Wild Turkey and Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel. Both the fruits and pads are eaten occasionally by the Coyote, Gray Fox, Cottontail Rabbit, Striped Skunk, and White-tailed Deer, notwithstanding the presence of bristles and occasional spines (Martin et al., 1951/1961). The fruits and pads are also eaten by the Ornate Box Turtle (Ernst et al., 1994); this turtle is often found in sand prairies. All of these vertebrate animals occur in Illinois at the present time. Domesticated animals, such as cattle, horses, and sheep, normally avoid the consumption of the fruits and pads of the Eastern Prickly Pear because of its spines and bristles. However, when these plants are eaten by such animals, the spines and bristles can irritate and damage both their mouth parts and digestive tracts (Georgia, 1913). When White-tailed Deer (and probably other vertebrate animals) eat the fruits, they help to spread the seeds to new locations (Myers et al., 2004). The relatively large pads of Eastern Prickly Pear provide nesting habitat for the Bobwhite Quail (Hernandez et al., 2003), and protective cover for snakes and other kinds of wildlife.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a sandy meadow near Kickapoo State Park in Vermilion County, Illinois, and at a sand prairie of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in NW Indiana.
Comments: The Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa) is a striking plant with large beautiful flowers. It has fewer spines than many western species of prickly pear (Opuntia spp.), but they are still fairly formidable. The fine bristles near the areoles can easily penetrate the skin, causing irritation should the pads of this cactus be carelessly handled or brushed against. While Eastern Prickly Pear normally occurs as scattered individual plants or in small colonies, sometimes this cactus can form impressively large colonies if it persists at the same location for a sufficiently long period of time. The only other cactus with a similar size and appearance in Illinois is the less common Big-rooted Prickly Pear (Opuntia macrorhiza). This latter species differs from the Eastern Prickly Pear by its thick tuberous root and the greater abundance of spines on its pads. While Eastern Prickly Pear develops 0-2 spines per areole, Big-rooted Prickly Pear develops 2 or more spines per areole. Other scientific names that refer to Eastern Prickly Pear include Opuntia compressa and Opuntia rafinesquei.
One or more flower buds can develop along the upper curved margin of each pad. These flower buds are up to 2" long and ¾" across; they are oblanceoloid-oblongoid in shape, greenish, and somewhat fleshy-scaly in appearance. When the flowers are fully open, they are 2-3" across. Each flower several tepals, numerous stamens, and an inferior ovary with a single style. Mature tepals are light yellow to yellow and satiny in appearance. Sometimes, the bases of inner tepals toward the center of each flower are orange-red. The filaments of the stamens are yellow to pale orange, while their anthers are yellow. At the apex of the style, there is a narrow ring of short stigmas; these stigmas are white. to pale yellow. The blooming period occurs during early summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks for a colony of plants. Each flower is diurnal, lasting only a single day. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by sessile fruits. Mature fruits are 1¼–2" long and ½–¾" across, dull red to reddish brown, and oblanceoloid-oblongoid in shape with concave apices. Each fruit contains several seeds in a fleshy interior. Depending on the local ecotype and stage of ripeness, the flesh of these fruits is green to red and either sour, bland, or sweet.
Individual seeds are about 4 mm. long, tan to dark brown, globoid, and somewhat flattened in shape; there is narrow ridge along at least one-half of the outer margin of each seed. The root system is fibrous and spreading. Upper pads occasionally break off from lower pads, falling to the ground. Such detached pads can develop new roots in the ground, creating new plants that are clonal offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sunlight (at least one-half day of sun), mesic to dry conditions, and sandy or rocky soil. Soil containing loam or clay-loam is tolerated if it is well-drained. Older stems on the ground have a tendency to become brown and woody with age, which is natural. It is faster and easier to start new plants using pads, rather than seeds; detached pads form new roots in the ground readily. This is the easiest cactus to grow in Illinois because of its tolerance of moisture, humidity, and cold winter weather. It also blooms more reliably than most cacti.
Range & Habitat: The Eastern Prickly Pear occurs occasionally in about one-half of the counties in Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is most likely to be found in sandy or hilly areas along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, in hilly areas of southern Illinois, and sandy or rocky areas of northern Illinois. This is by far the most common cactus in Illinois. Most populations of this plant are native, although some local populations are the result of restoration efforts or occasional escapes from cultivation. Typical habitats include openings in sandy woodlands, sandy savannas, sand prairies, hill prairies, gravel prairies, barrens and rocky bluffs, sandstone and limestone glades, sand dunes along Lake Michigan and other areas, rocky or sandy slopes along major rivers and lakes, sandy cemeteries, pastures, and sandy or gravelly areas along railroads. The greatest threats to the survival of this plant are the destruction of habitat by modern development and the invasion of its habitat by woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Both long-tongued and short-tongued bees visit the flowers, including bumblebees, the Large Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), digger bees (Melissodes spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees (including green metallic bees), and plasterer bees (Colletes spp.). Long-tongued bees suck nectar or collect pollen, while short-tongued bees collect pollen only; the larger bees are more likely to cause cross-pollination (Mitchell, 1960/1962; Kevan & Aiello, 2002). Some insects feed on the pads of Eastern Prickly Pear and other prickly pears (Opuntia spp.). These species include larvae of the Eastern Cactus-boring Moth (Melitara prodenialis); larvae of a polyphagous moth, Julia's Dicymolomia (Dicymolomia julianalis); larvae of another polyphagous moth, the Arge Tiger Moth (Grammia arge); and larvae of a Syrphid fly, Copestylum vittatum. Other insects suck plant juices from the pads or fruits of these plants. These species include the Prickly Pear Cactus Bug (Chelinidea vittiger), Pale-margined Stink Bug (Chlorochloa persimilis), and Uhler's Stink Bug (Chlorochroa uhleri). Some of these insects are found in the Great Plains region and SE United States, but not in the Midwest. See Needham et al. (1928), Covell (1984/2005), Hart & Gleason (1907), Froeschner (1942), Vestal (1913), and Rider (2009) for more information.
In the Eastern states, the relationships of prickly pears with vertebrate wildlife are less well-known than in western United States. From studies in these western areas, the fruits and seeds of these plants are eaten occasionally by the Wild Turkey and Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel. Both the fruits and pads are eaten occasionally by the Coyote, Gray Fox, Cottontail Rabbit, Striped Skunk, and White-tailed Deer, notwithstanding the presence of bristles and occasional spines (Martin et al., 1951/1961). The fruits and pads are also eaten by the Ornate Box Turtle (Ernst et al., 1994); this turtle is often found in sand prairies. All of these vertebrate animals occur in Illinois at the present time. Domesticated animals, such as cattle, horses, and sheep, normally avoid the consumption of the fruits and pads of the Eastern Prickly Pear because of its spines and bristles. However, when these plants are eaten by such animals, the spines and bristles can irritate and damage both their mouth parts and digestive tracts (Georgia, 1913). When White-tailed Deer (and probably other vertebrate animals) eat the fruits, they help to spread the seeds to new locations (Myers et al., 2004). The relatively large pads of Eastern Prickly Pear provide nesting habitat for the Bobwhite Quail (Hernandez et al., 2003), and protective cover for snakes and other kinds of wildlife.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a sandy meadow near Kickapoo State Park in Vermilion County, Illinois, and at a sand prairie of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in NW Indiana.
Comments: The Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa) is a striking plant with large beautiful flowers. It has fewer spines than many western species of prickly pear (Opuntia spp.), but they are still fairly formidable. The fine bristles near the areoles can easily penetrate the skin, causing irritation should the pads of this cactus be carelessly handled or brushed against. While Eastern Prickly Pear normally occurs as scattered individual plants or in small colonies, sometimes this cactus can form impressively large colonies if it persists at the same location for a sufficiently long period of time. The only other cactus with a similar size and appearance in Illinois is the less common Big-rooted Prickly Pear (Opuntia macrorhiza). This latter species differs from the Eastern Prickly Pear by its thick tuberous root and the greater abundance of spines on its pads. While Eastern Prickly Pear develops 0-2 spines per areole, Big-rooted Prickly Pear develops 2 or more spines per areole. Other scientific names that refer to Eastern Prickly Pear include Opuntia compressa and Opuntia rafinesquei.
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lrgarden：😀
文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月01日
Description: This perennial plant is 2-5" (5-12 cm.) tall, eventually forming sprawling mats of cactus pads. An individual plant typically consists of 2-6 pads (modified fleshy stem-segments) that form either branched or unbranched chains (usually the former). These pads can become detached from each other easily, especially the uppermost and youngest pads. The pads are ascending to widely spreading. Individual pads are 1-2.5" (2.5-6 cm.) long, ½-1" (1.2-2.5 cm.) across, and slightly to moderately flattened; mature pads are ellipsoid, broadly ellipsoid, or obovoid in shape. Pad surfaces are medium green and glabrous; they often shrivel and become wrinkled during the dormant stage of winter, while remaining green. Scattered across the pads in diagonal rows are areoles (air pores) about 2-3 mm. across; they are initially white-woolly. The areoles contain inconspicuous glochids (fine spiny bristles) about 1-2 mm. long that are yellowish or brownish. In addition, clusters of 2-6 divergent spines develop from the areoles. These spines are ¼-1¼" (5-30 mm.) long, light gray or brown, straight, terete, and barbed at their tips. With age, some of the spines become detached from the pads. On young developing pads, scale-like leaves develop near the areoles that are 1-3 mm. long, green to reddish green, and lanceolate in shape; they are early-deciduous.
While most plants fail to bloom during a given year, usually a small minority of plants in a colony will produce 1-2 flowers each. Each flower is about 1½-2" (4-5 cm.) across when it is fully open, consisting of several rounded yellow tepals, numerous stamens, and a pistil with a single slender style. Sometimes the inner tepals are reddish or greenish at their bases. The filaments of the stamens are yellow or reddish brown, while their anthers are yellow. The style is whitish yellow with a cluster of 4-10 green stigmata at its tip. For a colony of plants, the blooming period occurs during mid-summer for about 1-2 weeks; each diurnal flower lasts only a single day. Sometimes there is a slight floral fragrance. Most flowers fail to set fruit. Among those that do, their fruits are ½-¾" (12-20 mm.) long and ovoid in shape. Immature fruits are green to reddish green, while mature fruits are tan to brown and bur-like in appearance. Like the pads, the fruits have areoles with glochids and barbed spines; the spines are more common toward the apex of each fruit. The interior of mature fruits is dry and seedy. These fruits are easily detached from their pads. Individual seeds are 4-6 mm. across, bone-colored to grayish brown, and hairless; they are rather chunky and irregular in shape. The root system is shallow and fibrous. This plant can reproduce vegetatively whenever detached pads have contact with the ground surface, as they willDistribution Map form new roots. This is the primary method of reproduction. It is not uncommon for little-disturbed plants to form sprawling colonies at favorable sites.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and open barren ground that is rocky, gravelly, or sandy. However, this cactus will adapt to ordinary garden soil if other plants are kept away from it. Under these conditions, it is not difficult to cultivate, however flowers and fruits are uncommonly produced in most geographical areas where this cactus occurs. This dwarf cactus is a good candidate for a sunny rock garden. It is the most winter-hardy cactus in North America.
Range & Habitat: The native Brittle Prickly Pear is found in only the NW corner of Illinois, where it is rare and state-listed as 'endangered.' Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this cactus; it is more common in areas further to the west, especially in the northern plains region of the United States. In Illinois, Brittle Prickly Pear occurs on a dry sand prairie of an abandoned army base that is in the process of being restored. Outside of the state, this cactus can be found in open grassy prairies, sandy hills, and rocky outcrops containing granite, limestone, or quartzite. In Illinois, this cactus is found in a higher quality natural area, while toward the center of its range, it sometimes occurs in disturbed areas (e.g., cattle pastures).
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily bees, including Halictid bees. Insects that feed destructively on Brittle Prickly Pear and other Opuntia spp. include the Coreid bug, Chelinidea vittiger, which sucks juices from the cactus pads and fruits; the stink bugs, Chlorochroa uhleri and Chlorochroa persimilis, which also suck juices from the cactus pads and fruits; larvae of the Syrphid fly, Copestylum vittatum, which bore into the cactus pads; and larvae of the Pyralid moths, Melitara dentata and Melitara prodenialis, which also bore into the cactus pads. The sharp spines and bristly glochids provide the cactus pads and fruits with some protection from browsing by vertebrate herbivores. Nonetheless, in some areas the Brittle Prickly Pear is eaten by the Plains Pocket Gopher, and its seeds are an important source of food for the Harris Ground Squirrel and many species of birds (Ribbens, 2007). Among cacti, the Brittle Prickly Pear is unusual in having individual pads and fruits that are designed to attach themselves to the fur of mammals, such as the American Bison; they also become attached to the clothing and skin of humans. By such means, new clonal plants and seeds can be transported across long distances.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: In Illinois, Brittle Prickly Pear can be distinguished from other Opuntia spp. (Prickly Pears) by its small size and dry bur-like fruits. Like many other cacti, it produces large showy flowers that are short-lived. The detachable pads make this cactus difficult to handle while transplanting as they readily cling to fingers, hands, or gloves, thanks to its barbed spines. In particular, the inconspicuous glochids (fine sharp bristles of the areoles) can embed themselves underneath the surface of the skin and are difficult to remove. So its wise to exercise considerable care while handling this plant. Not only can the pads become detached by the movements of animals or people, even heavy rainfall, blowing snow, or a strong gust wind sometimes dislodge them. Each one of these detached pads has the potential to become another clonal plant, forming low mats of sprawling plants over time.
While most plants fail to bloom during a given year, usually a small minority of plants in a colony will produce 1-2 flowers each. Each flower is about 1½-2" (4-5 cm.) across when it is fully open, consisting of several rounded yellow tepals, numerous stamens, and a pistil with a single slender style. Sometimes the inner tepals are reddish or greenish at their bases. The filaments of the stamens are yellow or reddish brown, while their anthers are yellow. The style is whitish yellow with a cluster of 4-10 green stigmata at its tip. For a colony of plants, the blooming period occurs during mid-summer for about 1-2 weeks; each diurnal flower lasts only a single day. Sometimes there is a slight floral fragrance. Most flowers fail to set fruit. Among those that do, their fruits are ½-¾" (12-20 mm.) long and ovoid in shape. Immature fruits are green to reddish green, while mature fruits are tan to brown and bur-like in appearance. Like the pads, the fruits have areoles with glochids and barbed spines; the spines are more common toward the apex of each fruit. The interior of mature fruits is dry and seedy. These fruits are easily detached from their pads. Individual seeds are 4-6 mm. across, bone-colored to grayish brown, and hairless; they are rather chunky and irregular in shape. The root system is shallow and fibrous. This plant can reproduce vegetatively whenever detached pads have contact with the ground surface, as they willDistribution Map form new roots. This is the primary method of reproduction. It is not uncommon for little-disturbed plants to form sprawling colonies at favorable sites.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and open barren ground that is rocky, gravelly, or sandy. However, this cactus will adapt to ordinary garden soil if other plants are kept away from it. Under these conditions, it is not difficult to cultivate, however flowers and fruits are uncommonly produced in most geographical areas where this cactus occurs. This dwarf cactus is a good candidate for a sunny rock garden. It is the most winter-hardy cactus in North America.
Range & Habitat: The native Brittle Prickly Pear is found in only the NW corner of Illinois, where it is rare and state-listed as 'endangered.' Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this cactus; it is more common in areas further to the west, especially in the northern plains region of the United States. In Illinois, Brittle Prickly Pear occurs on a dry sand prairie of an abandoned army base that is in the process of being restored. Outside of the state, this cactus can be found in open grassy prairies, sandy hills, and rocky outcrops containing granite, limestone, or quartzite. In Illinois, this cactus is found in a higher quality natural area, while toward the center of its range, it sometimes occurs in disturbed areas (e.g., cattle pastures).
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily bees, including Halictid bees. Insects that feed destructively on Brittle Prickly Pear and other Opuntia spp. include the Coreid bug, Chelinidea vittiger, which sucks juices from the cactus pads and fruits; the stink bugs, Chlorochroa uhleri and Chlorochroa persimilis, which also suck juices from the cactus pads and fruits; larvae of the Syrphid fly, Copestylum vittatum, which bore into the cactus pads; and larvae of the Pyralid moths, Melitara dentata and Melitara prodenialis, which also bore into the cactus pads. The sharp spines and bristly glochids provide the cactus pads and fruits with some protection from browsing by vertebrate herbivores. Nonetheless, in some areas the Brittle Prickly Pear is eaten by the Plains Pocket Gopher, and its seeds are an important source of food for the Harris Ground Squirrel and many species of birds (Ribbens, 2007). Among cacti, the Brittle Prickly Pear is unusual in having individual pads and fruits that are designed to attach themselves to the fur of mammals, such as the American Bison; they also become attached to the clothing and skin of humans. By such means, new clonal plants and seeds can be transported across long distances.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: In Illinois, Brittle Prickly Pear can be distinguished from other Opuntia spp. (Prickly Pears) by its small size and dry bur-like fruits. Like many other cacti, it produces large showy flowers that are short-lived. The detachable pads make this cactus difficult to handle while transplanting as they readily cling to fingers, hands, or gloves, thanks to its barbed spines. In particular, the inconspicuous glochids (fine sharp bristles of the areoles) can embed themselves underneath the surface of the skin and are difficult to remove. So its wise to exercise considerable care while handling this plant. Not only can the pads become detached by the movements of animals or people, even heavy rainfall, blowing snow, or a strong gust wind sometimes dislodge them. Each one of these detached pads has the potential to become another clonal plant, forming low mats of sprawling plants over time.
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0
文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月01日
Description: This perennial plant is 1-3' tall, producing multiple erect to spreading shoots from the root system. The stems are whitish green, terete, densely appressed-pubescent, and moderately hairy; they are either unbranched, sparingly branched, or occasionally branched. Spreading alternate leaves occur along these stems that are 1½–3½" long and ½–1" across. These leaves are elliptic, broadly elliptic, or lanceolate-elliptic in shape, while their margins are toothless and ciliate; they are usually sessile. The upper leaf surface is medium green or grayish green; it is sparsely to moderately covered with appressed to ascending hairs. The lower leaf surface is light green and appressed-pubescent; it also has spreading hairs along the major veins. The uppermost leaves are usually more hairy than the remaining leaves. Individual leaves have 3-7 primary veins that are more or less parallel to each other; they are very conspicuous on both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. The central stem (and upper lateral stems, if present) terminates in a coiled raceme of flowers up to 1' long. The flowers occur along only one side of the raceme, facing more or less downward while they are in bloom.
Each flower has a white corolla that is ½–¾" long, a hairy green calyx with 5 slender lobes, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with a strongly exerted white style. The corolla is cylindrical-angular in shape, becoming slightly and gradually wider toward its tip. At the tip of the corolla, there are 5 triangular lobes that extend outward and inward, effectively closing off the opening of the corolla, except for the exerted style. These lobes are often tinted green or yellow. The outer sides of the corolla are densely canescent, except where its lobes occur; the latter are hairy throughout. The lobes of the calyx are linear-lanceolate to linear-oblong in shape. Including its lobes, the calyx is about two-thirds as long as the corolla. The pedicels of the flowers are up to ¼" long (rarely longer); they are whitish green, terete, appressed-pubescent, and covered with appressed to slightly spreading hairs. At the bases of these pedicels, there are solitary bracts up to 1" long that resemble the leaves. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 3 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the raceme uncoils itself and becomes more straight and erect; each flower is replaced by 0-4 nutlets (often, there is only a single nutlet per flower). Mature nutlets are 3.5–4.5 mm. long, 2.5–3.5 mm. across, and ovoid in shape; their tips are bluntly acute, while their bottoms are more or less truncate and discolored. There is no ring-like constriction near the base of each nutlet. The sides of these nutlets are pale brown to white and either dull or shiny; they are usually devoid of small pits, although sometimes a few scattered pits may occur. The nutlets are also quite hard. The root system consists of a deep taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing gravel, sand, or rocky material. While this plant readily adapts to more fertile loamy soil, it is typically found on more barren ground because of the reduced competition from other kinds of ground vegetation. Most growth and development occurs during the spring and the first half of summer; this plant has a C3 metabolism. The hard seeds may lie in the ground for several years before they germinate.
Range & Habitat: Western Marbleseed is found in the western half of Illinois and at the Shawnee Hills in the southern section of the state (see Distribution Map). It is native to the state and uncommon. Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this species. Western Marbleseed has a rather large range that extends across the Great Plains and into some of the western states. In Illinois, habitats for this species includes upland sand prairies, upland gravel prairies, hill prairies, upland savannas, rocky glades, and upland pastures. This plant is normally found in high quality natural areas, although it appears to thrive better when there are occasional wildfires or cattle grazing.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by bumblebees. Other insect visitors of the flowers include honeybees, Halictid bees, ants, and true bugs (Williams, 1998). Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. Other insects feed on the foliage, stems, sap, and other parts of Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle). Adult flea beetles (Epitrix spp., Longitarsus spp.) feed on the leaves, while their larvae feed on the roots. One species, the Marbleseed Flea Beetle (Longitarsus subrufus), is oligophagous on Marbleseed. Other insect feeders include polyphagous stink bugs that feed on the sap of the stems, stem-boring larvae of gall flies (Neolasioptera spp.), and pollen-feeding larvae of a sap beetle (Afrogethes saevus). Species that feed on sap from the leaves include the Two-striped Planthopper (Acanalonia bivittata), Meadow Spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius), and Girdled Leafhopper (Aphrodes bicincta). The larvae of a moth, the Marbleseed Leafminer (Acrocercops pnosmodiella), is oligophagous on marbleseed. Larvae of another moth, the Streaked Ethmia Moth (Ethmia longimaculella longimaculella), feed on the leaves of marbleseed and puccoons (Lithospermum spp.). Larvae of some polyphagous tiger moths and larvae of a polyphagous butterfly, the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), also feed on the leaves marbleseed. For more information, see Williams (1998), Powell (1973), and Needham et al. (1928). The foliage of marbleseed is not a preferred source of food for mammalian herbivores because of its bristly hairs. This plant usually becomes more abundant in upland pastures that are occasionally grazed by cattle (Williams, 1997). Like other species in the Borage family, the foliage of marbleseed may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to the liver.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Western Marbleseed is another plant that is native to Illinois prairies. Its flowers are somewhat odd-looking because of their closed corollas. The taxonomy of marbleseed (Onosmodium) has been unstable and the different species, subspecies, and/or varieties can be difficult to distinguish from each other, especially when their nutlets are unavailable for observation. For example, Western Marbleseed has been classified as Onosmodium occidentale, Onosmodium molle occidentale, Onosmodium bejariense occidentale, and even Lithospermum occidentale. Another marbleseed that has been reported from Illinois, Rough Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle hispidissimum), has a more eastern distribution and its nutlets have conspicuous ring-like constrictions near their bases, unlike Western Marbleseed. The typical variety, Soft-haired Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle molle), apparently doesn't occur in Illinois. It has softer foliage than the preceding varieties of this species, and its nutlets are conspicuously pitted. Another variety of this species, Bexar Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle bejariense), has corolla lobes with longer and more tapered tips than the preceding varieties. This variety is native to Texas. According to Mackenzie (1905), Bexar Marbleseed has smaller nutlets (about 3 mm. in length) that have slight to strong ring-like constrictions near their bases. Yet another variety, Glabrous-stemmed Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle subsetosus), has stems that are glabrous to sparsely hairy. It is found in a few states in the south-central region of the United States.
Each flower has a white corolla that is ½–¾" long, a hairy green calyx with 5 slender lobes, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with a strongly exerted white style. The corolla is cylindrical-angular in shape, becoming slightly and gradually wider toward its tip. At the tip of the corolla, there are 5 triangular lobes that extend outward and inward, effectively closing off the opening of the corolla, except for the exerted style. These lobes are often tinted green or yellow. The outer sides of the corolla are densely canescent, except where its lobes occur; the latter are hairy throughout. The lobes of the calyx are linear-lanceolate to linear-oblong in shape. Including its lobes, the calyx is about two-thirds as long as the corolla. The pedicels of the flowers are up to ¼" long (rarely longer); they are whitish green, terete, appressed-pubescent, and covered with appressed to slightly spreading hairs. At the bases of these pedicels, there are solitary bracts up to 1" long that resemble the leaves. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 3 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the raceme uncoils itself and becomes more straight and erect; each flower is replaced by 0-4 nutlets (often, there is only a single nutlet per flower). Mature nutlets are 3.5–4.5 mm. long, 2.5–3.5 mm. across, and ovoid in shape; their tips are bluntly acute, while their bottoms are more or less truncate and discolored. There is no ring-like constriction near the base of each nutlet. The sides of these nutlets are pale brown to white and either dull or shiny; they are usually devoid of small pits, although sometimes a few scattered pits may occur. The nutlets are also quite hard. The root system consists of a deep taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing gravel, sand, or rocky material. While this plant readily adapts to more fertile loamy soil, it is typically found on more barren ground because of the reduced competition from other kinds of ground vegetation. Most growth and development occurs during the spring and the first half of summer; this plant has a C3 metabolism. The hard seeds may lie in the ground for several years before they germinate.
Range & Habitat: Western Marbleseed is found in the western half of Illinois and at the Shawnee Hills in the southern section of the state (see Distribution Map). It is native to the state and uncommon. Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this species. Western Marbleseed has a rather large range that extends across the Great Plains and into some of the western states. In Illinois, habitats for this species includes upland sand prairies, upland gravel prairies, hill prairies, upland savannas, rocky glades, and upland pastures. This plant is normally found in high quality natural areas, although it appears to thrive better when there are occasional wildfires or cattle grazing.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by bumblebees. Other insect visitors of the flowers include honeybees, Halictid bees, ants, and true bugs (Williams, 1998). Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. Other insects feed on the foliage, stems, sap, and other parts of Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle). Adult flea beetles (Epitrix spp., Longitarsus spp.) feed on the leaves, while their larvae feed on the roots. One species, the Marbleseed Flea Beetle (Longitarsus subrufus), is oligophagous on Marbleseed. Other insect feeders include polyphagous stink bugs that feed on the sap of the stems, stem-boring larvae of gall flies (Neolasioptera spp.), and pollen-feeding larvae of a sap beetle (Afrogethes saevus). Species that feed on sap from the leaves include the Two-striped Planthopper (Acanalonia bivittata), Meadow Spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius), and Girdled Leafhopper (Aphrodes bicincta). The larvae of a moth, the Marbleseed Leafminer (Acrocercops pnosmodiella), is oligophagous on marbleseed. Larvae of another moth, the Streaked Ethmia Moth (Ethmia longimaculella longimaculella), feed on the leaves of marbleseed and puccoons (Lithospermum spp.). Larvae of some polyphagous tiger moths and larvae of a polyphagous butterfly, the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), also feed on the leaves marbleseed. For more information, see Williams (1998), Powell (1973), and Needham et al. (1928). The foliage of marbleseed is not a preferred source of food for mammalian herbivores because of its bristly hairs. This plant usually becomes more abundant in upland pastures that are occasionally grazed by cattle (Williams, 1997). Like other species in the Borage family, the foliage of marbleseed may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to the liver.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Western Marbleseed is another plant that is native to Illinois prairies. Its flowers are somewhat odd-looking because of their closed corollas. The taxonomy of marbleseed (Onosmodium) has been unstable and the different species, subspecies, and/or varieties can be difficult to distinguish from each other, especially when their nutlets are unavailable for observation. For example, Western Marbleseed has been classified as Onosmodium occidentale, Onosmodium molle occidentale, Onosmodium bejariense occidentale, and even Lithospermum occidentale. Another marbleseed that has been reported from Illinois, Rough Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle hispidissimum), has a more eastern distribution and its nutlets have conspicuous ring-like constrictions near their bases, unlike Western Marbleseed. The typical variety, Soft-haired Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle molle), apparently doesn't occur in Illinois. It has softer foliage than the preceding varieties of this species, and its nutlets are conspicuously pitted. Another variety of this species, Bexar Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle bejariense), has corolla lobes with longer and more tapered tips than the preceding varieties. This variety is native to Texas. According to Mackenzie (1905), Bexar Marbleseed has smaller nutlets (about 3 mm. in length) that have slight to strong ring-like constrictions near their bases. Yet another variety, Glabrous-stemmed Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle subsetosus), has stems that are glabrous to sparsely hairy. It is found in a few states in the south-central region of the United States.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月01日
Description: This perennial plant is 2-5' tall and unbranched, except near the inflorescence. The central stem is covered with fine white hairs. The basal leaves are up to 10" long and 5" wide, while much smaller leaves alternate upward along the central stem. These leaves are light green and pubescent; their margins are smooth or slightly serrated. They are variably shaped, appearing lanceolate, oblanceolate, oblong, or oval, but always with blunt tips. Initially, the leaves have a soft floppy texture, but they become more stiff later in the year. The basal leaves often persist through the winter and are semi-evergreen. At the apex of the central stem is a corymb of small yellow flowers. This inflorescence is about 2-4" across, while each flower is ¼–½" across. The upper side stems also produce corymbs of these flowers, which are more or less all bunched together. There is a mild floral fragrance. The blooming period occurs from late summer to fall, and lasts about a month. The achenes have small tufts of white or light brown hair, and are distributed by the wind. This plant has deep fibrous roots, and it has a tendency to form offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and moist to slightly dry conditions. This plant is not particular about soil, which can consist of loam, clay-loam, or gravelly material. There is a tendency to flop over during bloom if it is spoiled by fertile soil or too much water. Powdery mildew sometimes attacks the leaves. Drought resistance is good; some of the lower leaves may wither away in response. This plant is easy to grow.
Range & Habitat: The native Stiff Goldenrod occurs in most counties of Illinois and is fairly common, but it is rare or absent in parts of southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to slightly dry black soil prairies, clay prairies, savannas, thickets, limestone glades, abandoned fields, roadsides, and open areas along railroads, particularly where prairie remnants occur.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract many kinds of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, and beetles. Monarch butterflies are especially attracted to the flowers. The caterpillars of several species of moths feed on various parts of this and other goldenrods (see Moth Table). Other insects that feed on this plant are Disonycta latifrons (Flea Beetle sp.), Microrhapala vittata (Leafminer Beetle sp.), Hesperotattix viridii (Spur-Throated Grasshopper sp.), and Corythucha marmorata (Lace Bug sp.). The Greater Prairie Chicken and Eastern Goldfinch eat the seeds to a limited extent. Many mammalian herbivores eat this plant, particularly during the early stages of growth and development. This includes the White-Tailed Deer, Cottontail Rabbit, Muskrats, and livestock. The latter tend to leave this plant alone when there are other sources of food available.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois, and the wildflower garden of the webmaster in the same city.
Comments: This is one of the more attractive goldenrods. It has a unique appearance and is easy to distinguish from other goldenrods: 1) the foliage is quite pubescent and light green, with a felty appearance; 2) the basal leaves are quite large, assuming that they haven't withered away; 3) the inflorescence consists of erect bunches of flowers; it does not radiate outward, nor form a narrow wand; 4) the individual flowers are slightly larger than those of other goldenrods. Along with a few other goldenrod species, such as Riddell's Goldenrod and Ohio Goldenrod, Stiff Goldenrod has been recently reassigned from the Solidago genus to the Oligoneuron genus. Formerly, it was referred to as Solidago rigida.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and moist to slightly dry conditions. This plant is not particular about soil, which can consist of loam, clay-loam, or gravelly material. There is a tendency to flop over during bloom if it is spoiled by fertile soil or too much water. Powdery mildew sometimes attacks the leaves. Drought resistance is good; some of the lower leaves may wither away in response. This plant is easy to grow.
Range & Habitat: The native Stiff Goldenrod occurs in most counties of Illinois and is fairly common, but it is rare or absent in parts of southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to slightly dry black soil prairies, clay prairies, savannas, thickets, limestone glades, abandoned fields, roadsides, and open areas along railroads, particularly where prairie remnants occur.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract many kinds of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, and beetles. Monarch butterflies are especially attracted to the flowers. The caterpillars of several species of moths feed on various parts of this and other goldenrods (see Moth Table). Other insects that feed on this plant are Disonycta latifrons (Flea Beetle sp.), Microrhapala vittata (Leafminer Beetle sp.), Hesperotattix viridii (Spur-Throated Grasshopper sp.), and Corythucha marmorata (Lace Bug sp.). The Greater Prairie Chicken and Eastern Goldfinch eat the seeds to a limited extent. Many mammalian herbivores eat this plant, particularly during the early stages of growth and development. This includes the White-Tailed Deer, Cottontail Rabbit, Muskrats, and livestock. The latter tend to leave this plant alone when there are other sources of food available.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois, and the wildflower garden of the webmaster in the same city.
Comments: This is one of the more attractive goldenrods. It has a unique appearance and is easy to distinguish from other goldenrods: 1) the foliage is quite pubescent and light green, with a felty appearance; 2) the basal leaves are quite large, assuming that they haven't withered away; 3) the inflorescence consists of erect bunches of flowers; it does not radiate outward, nor form a narrow wand; 4) the individual flowers are slightly larger than those of other goldenrods. Along with a few other goldenrod species, such as Riddell's Goldenrod and Ohio Goldenrod, Stiff Goldenrod has been recently reassigned from the Solidago genus to the Oligoneuron genus. Formerly, it was referred to as Solidago rigida.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月01日
Description: This is a herbaceous perennial plant, producing one or more erect stems that are ¾–2' tall. Each stem is light green to reddish purple, terete, and unbranched below the inflorescence; it is usually glabrous below and sparsely short-hairy above. Several alternate leaves occur along each stem, becoming significantly smaller in size as they ascend; they are up to 6" long and 1/3" (1 cm.) across (rarely larger). Relative to the stem, the blade orientation of lower leaves is widely spreading to ascending, while the blade orientation of middle to upper leaves is ascending. The leaf blades are linear-oblanceolate, linear-elliptic, and linear in shape; they are entire (toothless) to sparingly and shallowly toothed along the sides of their outer margins. The upper and lower surfaces of leaf blades are medium green and glabrous. The lower leaves taper gradually into petiole-like bases, while the upper leaves are sessile. Each stem terminates in a flat-headed panicle of flowerheads spanning up to 6" across; the branching structure of this inflorescence is corymbiform (corymb-like). The branches of this inflorescence are light green to reddish purple and sparsely short-hairy. Sometimes there are solitary leafy bracts where these branches diverge; these bracts are up to 1" long and linear in shape.
Each flowerhead spans about ¾–1" across, consisting of 10-25 pistillate ray florets that surround numerous perfect disk florets. The petaloid rays (ligules) are widely spreading, elliptic or oblong-elliptic in shape, and bright white; sometimes they are slightly notched at their tips. The corollas of the disk florets are about 4 mm. long, short-tubular in shape, 5-lobed, and dull white; their conjoined stamens are yellow. The base of the flowerhead is surrounded by appressed phyllaries (floral scales) that are arranged in about 4 overlapping series. These phyllaries are about 4 mm. long, linear-oblong to oblong in shape, light to medium green, and glabrous; their margins are a deeper shade of green above than below. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 1-2 months for a local population of plants. Afterwards, the flowerheads become light brown and their florets are replaced by small achenes with white tufts of hair. Individual achenes are about 1-1.5 mm. long, bullet-shaped, and glabrous; their apices are truncate where the tufts of hair occur. The root system consists of a branching caudex.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, moist to dry conditions, and calcareous barren ground that is sandy, gravelly, or rocky. This plant can be cultivated in rock gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native White Goldenrod is uncommon in northern Illinois and sandy areas of mid-central Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include hill prairies, gravel prairies, sand prairies, and moist sand flats (pannes) along Lake Michigan. Other habitats outside of Illinois include alvars (limestone pavements) along the Great Lakes, rocky cliffs, rocky crevices, river outcrop prairies, sandy Jack Pine plains, and fens. This plant is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. A rare butterfly, Karner's Blue (Lycaeides melissa samuelis), a rare skipper, Poweshiek Skipperling (Oarisma poweshiek), and the common Pennsylvania Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus) have been observed to visit the flowerheads of White Goldenrod (Oligoneuron album); see Grundel & Pavlovic (2000), Semmler (2010), and Williams (2006). The butterfly and skipper feed on nectar, while the soldier beetle probably feeds on pollen. Many other insects undoubtedly visit its flowerheads as well.
Photographic Location: A moist sand flat near Lake Michigan at Illinois Beach State Park in NE Illinois.
Comments: This goldenrod is very unusual because it looks like an aster, and it was even classified as an aster, Aster ptarmicoides, for many years. Other scientific names of White Goldenrod (Oligoneuron album) include Solidago ptarmicoides and Unamia alba. In spite of its deceptive appearance, it was discovered that this species forms naturally occurring hybrids with such flat-topped goldenrods as Oligoneuron rigidum, Oligoneuron riddellii, and Oligoneuron ohiense. In contrast, there is no evidence that it can form hybrids with other goldenrods (Solidago spp.) and asters (Aster spp.). Several common names have been used to refer to this plant, including Prairie Goldenrod, Stiff Aster, Stiff Goldenrod (also used for Oligoneuron rigidum), White Upland Aster, White Upland Goldenrod, and White Flat-topped Goldenrod.
Each flowerhead spans about ¾–1" across, consisting of 10-25 pistillate ray florets that surround numerous perfect disk florets. The petaloid rays (ligules) are widely spreading, elliptic or oblong-elliptic in shape, and bright white; sometimes they are slightly notched at their tips. The corollas of the disk florets are about 4 mm. long, short-tubular in shape, 5-lobed, and dull white; their conjoined stamens are yellow. The base of the flowerhead is surrounded by appressed phyllaries (floral scales) that are arranged in about 4 overlapping series. These phyllaries are about 4 mm. long, linear-oblong to oblong in shape, light to medium green, and glabrous; their margins are a deeper shade of green above than below. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 1-2 months for a local population of plants. Afterwards, the flowerheads become light brown and their florets are replaced by small achenes with white tufts of hair. Individual achenes are about 1-1.5 mm. long, bullet-shaped, and glabrous; their apices are truncate where the tufts of hair occur. The root system consists of a branching caudex.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, moist to dry conditions, and calcareous barren ground that is sandy, gravelly, or rocky. This plant can be cultivated in rock gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native White Goldenrod is uncommon in northern Illinois and sandy areas of mid-central Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include hill prairies, gravel prairies, sand prairies, and moist sand flats (pannes) along Lake Michigan. Other habitats outside of Illinois include alvars (limestone pavements) along the Great Lakes, rocky cliffs, rocky crevices, river outcrop prairies, sandy Jack Pine plains, and fens. This plant is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. A rare butterfly, Karner's Blue (Lycaeides melissa samuelis), a rare skipper, Poweshiek Skipperling (Oarisma poweshiek), and the common Pennsylvania Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus) have been observed to visit the flowerheads of White Goldenrod (Oligoneuron album); see Grundel & Pavlovic (2000), Semmler (2010), and Williams (2006). The butterfly and skipper feed on nectar, while the soldier beetle probably feeds on pollen. Many other insects undoubtedly visit its flowerheads as well.
Photographic Location: A moist sand flat near Lake Michigan at Illinois Beach State Park in NE Illinois.
Comments: This goldenrod is very unusual because it looks like an aster, and it was even classified as an aster, Aster ptarmicoides, for many years. Other scientific names of White Goldenrod (Oligoneuron album) include Solidago ptarmicoides and Unamia alba. In spite of its deceptive appearance, it was discovered that this species forms naturally occurring hybrids with such flat-topped goldenrods as Oligoneuron rigidum, Oligoneuron riddellii, and Oligoneuron ohiense. In contrast, there is no evidence that it can form hybrids with other goldenrods (Solidago spp.) and asters (Aster spp.). Several common names have been used to refer to this plant, including Prairie Goldenrod, Stiff Aster, Stiff Goldenrod (also used for Oligoneuron rigidum), White Upland Aster, White Upland Goldenrod, and White Flat-topped Goldenrod.
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成长记
Avacha
2018年02月01日
For a fortnight Gamora’s being observed by Xiaomi Flower Care device. With the help of this small gadget I see when it’s time to water the plant and understand if it gets enough light. The device also measures levels of temperature and fertility of the soil, but I suppose the first index is not so important, and the second one is not measured accurately - so the need of fertilization I plan to determine intuitively 😉
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月31日
Description: This perennial plant is is usually ½-2' tall. The light green stems are terete, covered with appressed pubescence, and either erect or sprawling. The central stem is usually little branched, except near the apex of the plant, where the flowers occur. The alternate leaves are up to 2-3" long and ¾" across. They are lanceolate, elliptic, or oblanceolate in shape, while their margins are smooth (entire), dentate, or shallowly pinnatifid. Some leaves may have paired basal lobes. The leaves are either sessile against their stems or they have petioles up to 1" in length. Both the upper and lower leaf surfaces are light to medium green and either glabrous or sparsely appressed-pubescent.
About 1-3 flowers develop from the axils of the upper leaves. The appressed-pubescent flower buds are rather long and spindle-shaped. The showy flowers open up during the daytime, and they are 2-3½" across. Each flower has 4 broad petals, 8 stamens with white or yellow anthers, and a long white stigma that is 4-cleft at its tip, resembling a white cross. These flowers are usually pinkish white; they have fine pink lines that radiate outward from their throats across the rather wrinkled petals. The throats of these flowers are usually yellow. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about a month, although individual flowers are short-lived. The flowers are replaced by elongated 4-angled capsules that contain numerous seeds. The root system is highly rhizomatous, forming sizable colonies at some sites.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and dry conditions. This plant often grows on poor, rocky soil, but it can tolerate other kinds of soil as well. This plant can spread aggressively at dry, sunny locations, and it becomes rather ragged in appearance after the blooming period is over.
Range & Habitat: Showy Evening Primrose is widely scattered across Illinois, where it has been reported most often from the Chicago area, central Illinois, and SW Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is native to the Great Plains and other areas that lie west of Illinois. Habitats include upland areas of degraded prairies, glades, old homesteads and abandoned fields, areas along railroads and roadsides, and dry waste areas. In Illinois, Showy Evening Primrose occurs primarily in disturbed areas. Many local populations are undoubtedly cultivated plants that have managed to escape for one reason or another. This species has been naturalized in Illinois for a long time.
Faunal Associations: Small bees collect pollen from the flowers, but they are unlikely to pollinate them. The size and length of the stamens and style suggest that hummingbirds, large butterflies, or day-flying Sphinx moths are more likely to pollinate the flowers while seeking nectar, although this is somewhat speculative. Some insects feed destructively on the foliage and other parts of Showy Evening Primrose and other Oenothera spp. (Evening Primrose species). These insect species include the flea beetles Altica texana and Altica polita, the aphids Anoecia oenotherae and Aphis oestlundi, the weevil Acanthoscelidius acephalus, and the larvae of several moths. Among these moths, there are several Mompha spp. that feed on the seed capsules or bore through the stems, the flower-eating Schinia florida (Primrose Moth), and the foliage-eating Proserpinus juanita (Green-Banded Day Sphinx). The foliage is occasionally browsed by various mammalian herbivores, including rabbits, groundhogs, deer, and livestock.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Considering the size of Showy Evening Primrose as a plant, the flowers seem impossibly large. They are also very bright and showy. For this reason, this species is often cultivated in flower gardens in areas far outside its normal range in the Great Plains and southwestern states. It can be distinguished from other Oenothera spp. by its large pinkish white flowers. Other species in this genus typically have yellow flowers.
About 1-3 flowers develop from the axils of the upper leaves. The appressed-pubescent flower buds are rather long and spindle-shaped. The showy flowers open up during the daytime, and they are 2-3½" across. Each flower has 4 broad petals, 8 stamens with white or yellow anthers, and a long white stigma that is 4-cleft at its tip, resembling a white cross. These flowers are usually pinkish white; they have fine pink lines that radiate outward from their throats across the rather wrinkled petals. The throats of these flowers are usually yellow. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about a month, although individual flowers are short-lived. The flowers are replaced by elongated 4-angled capsules that contain numerous seeds. The root system is highly rhizomatous, forming sizable colonies at some sites.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and dry conditions. This plant often grows on poor, rocky soil, but it can tolerate other kinds of soil as well. This plant can spread aggressively at dry, sunny locations, and it becomes rather ragged in appearance after the blooming period is over.
Range & Habitat: Showy Evening Primrose is widely scattered across Illinois, where it has been reported most often from the Chicago area, central Illinois, and SW Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is native to the Great Plains and other areas that lie west of Illinois. Habitats include upland areas of degraded prairies, glades, old homesteads and abandoned fields, areas along railroads and roadsides, and dry waste areas. In Illinois, Showy Evening Primrose occurs primarily in disturbed areas. Many local populations are undoubtedly cultivated plants that have managed to escape for one reason or another. This species has been naturalized in Illinois for a long time.
Faunal Associations: Small bees collect pollen from the flowers, but they are unlikely to pollinate them. The size and length of the stamens and style suggest that hummingbirds, large butterflies, or day-flying Sphinx moths are more likely to pollinate the flowers while seeking nectar, although this is somewhat speculative. Some insects feed destructively on the foliage and other parts of Showy Evening Primrose and other Oenothera spp. (Evening Primrose species). These insect species include the flea beetles Altica texana and Altica polita, the aphids Anoecia oenotherae and Aphis oestlundi, the weevil Acanthoscelidius acephalus, and the larvae of several moths. Among these moths, there are several Mompha spp. that feed on the seed capsules or bore through the stems, the flower-eating Schinia florida (Primrose Moth), and the foliage-eating Proserpinus juanita (Green-Banded Day Sphinx). The foliage is occasionally browsed by various mammalian herbivores, including rabbits, groundhogs, deer, and livestock.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Considering the size of Showy Evening Primrose as a plant, the flowers seem impossibly large. They are also very bright and showy. For this reason, this species is often cultivated in flower gardens in areas far outside its normal range in the Great Plains and southwestern states. It can be distinguished from other Oenothera spp. by its large pinkish white flowers. Other species in this genus typically have yellow flowers.
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