文章
Miss Chen
2017年12月20日
Description: This perennial plant is 1–2½' tall and more or less erect. The central stem is unbranched below, while above it branches occasionally. The stems are medium green, terete, and mostly glabrous, except at the bases of leaves, where they have tufts of hair. Pairs of opposite sessile leaves are distributed evenly along the stems. Lobed leaves are 1-3" long and about one-half as much across (in outline), while unlobed leaves are up to 1" long and less than ¼" across; they are widely spreading to ascending. Each leaf is usually divided into 2 lateral lobes and a terminal lobe; some of the uppermost leaves and small axillary leaves lack lobes. Both lateral and terminal lobes are narrowly oblong in shape; the lateral lobes occur toward the middle of each leaf, where they diverge from each other at about a 60º angle. Both unlobed leaves and the bases of lobed leaves are narrowly oblong. The leaf margins are smooth (entire). Upper leaf surfaces are medium to dark green and glabrous, while lower leaf surfaces are medium green and glabrous. The upper stems terminate in either solitary or pairs of flowerheads (usually the former) on peduncles that are more or less erect and about ½–2" long. These peduncles are medium green, terete, and glabrous.
Each flowerhead spans about 1½–2" across, consisting of a dense head of numerous disk florets that are surrounded by about 8 ray florets. The tiny corollas of the disk florets are yellow, tubular in shape, and 4-5 lobed. The petaloid rays of the flowerheads are yellow, broadly oblong in shape, and somewhat truncate and ragged along their tips. Surrounding the base of each flowerhead, there are about 8 appressed phyllaries (inner floral bracts) in a single series; these phyllaries are yellowish green, broadly ovate in shape, and about 8 mm. long. Slightly below the base of each flowerhead, there are about 8 outer bracts that are ascending to erect; these outer bracts are green, glabrous, narrowly oblong in shape, and 8-12 mm. long. The blooming period occurs during early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the florets are replaced by achenes. These achenes are about 5 mm. long, brown or grayish brown, oblong to elliptic-oblong in shape, slightly concave-convex, longitudinally and finely ridged, and hairless; the apices of these achenes are truncate, lacking hairs or significant scales. The root system is fibrous and long-rhizomatous, often forming colonies of clonal plants. During autumn, the deciduous foliage of this plant often acquires reddish tints.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, clay-loam, sandy loam, or some gravel. This plant is easy to cultivate. It may sprawl across the ground unless it receives full sun and rather lean treatment with fertilizer and water. While it can spread aggressively from its rhizomes, Prairie Coreopsis is more impressive when it is allowed to form clonal colonies. The foliage usually remains in good condition until hard frost during the autumn.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Coreopsis occurs occasionally in most counties of Illinois, but it is rare or absent in SE Illinois and some western counties (see Distribution Map). Habitats include well-drained black soil prairies, sand prairies, gravel prairies, hill prairies, thickets, open areas of rocky upland forests, savannas, limestone glades, and abandoned fields. Prairie Coreopsis is usually found in high quality natural areas because the dispersion of its seeds is rather limited and it is infrequently cultivated.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract many kinds of insects because of their abundance and accessibility. These floral visitors include digger bees (Melissodes spp.), cuckoo bees (Epeolus spp., Nomada spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees (including green metallic bees), dagger bees (Calliopsis spp., Heterosarus spp.), Sphecid wasps and other wasps, Syrphid flies (Eristalis spp. and others), bee flies (Exoprosopa spp. and others), thick-headed flies (Conopidae), Tachinid flies, bottle flies (Lucilia spp.), Muscid flies, butterflies, skippers, moths, and beetles (Robertson, 1929). A digger bee, Melissodes coreopsis, is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Coreopsis spp. Some insects feed destructively on the plant juices, flowerheads, and other parts of Prairie Coreopsis and other Coreopsis spp. These species include the Red-spotted Aster Mirid (Polymerus basalis), an aphid (Uroleucon reynoldense), the Ragweed Leaf Beetle (Calligrapha bidenticola) and Coreopsis Leaf Beetle (Calligrapha californica coreopsivora), and larvae of such moths as the Dimorphic Gray (Tornos scolopacinarius), Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata), and Common Tan Wave (Pleuroprucha insulsaria). The larvae of the latter two moths feed on the flowerheads. See Knight (1941), Blackman & Eastop (2013), Clark et al. (2004), Wagner (2005), and Covell (1984/2005) for more information. Mammalian herbivores occasionally browse on the foliage of Coreopsis spp., including rabbits, groundhogs, deer, horses, and livestock.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Among the many prairie wildflowers with showy yellow flowerheads, Prairie Coreopsis (Coreopsis palmata) has the advantage of flowering somewhat earlier in the summer than most of them. It also blooms before the warm-season prairie grasses develop rapidly in response to hot summer weather, allowing its flowerheads to be seen from a distance by flower-visiting insects. Prairie Coreopsis can be distinguished from Sand Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) by its more deeply lobed and shorter leaves; these leaves are distributed evenly along the stems, while the leaves of Sand Coreopsis are more clustered toward the bottoms of the stems. In contrast, the leaves of Prairie Coreopsis have wider lobes than the leaves of Large-flowered Coreopsis (Coreopsis grandiflora) and Whorled Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata). The leaves of these latter two species have lobes that are thread-like, rather than finger-like. Finally, Prairie Coreopsis is a much shorter plant that blooms earlier than Tall Coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris). In addition, the deeply lobed leaves of this latter species are much larger in size.
Each flowerhead spans about 1½–2" across, consisting of a dense head of numerous disk florets that are surrounded by about 8 ray florets. The tiny corollas of the disk florets are yellow, tubular in shape, and 4-5 lobed. The petaloid rays of the flowerheads are yellow, broadly oblong in shape, and somewhat truncate and ragged along their tips. Surrounding the base of each flowerhead, there are about 8 appressed phyllaries (inner floral bracts) in a single series; these phyllaries are yellowish green, broadly ovate in shape, and about 8 mm. long. Slightly below the base of each flowerhead, there are about 8 outer bracts that are ascending to erect; these outer bracts are green, glabrous, narrowly oblong in shape, and 8-12 mm. long. The blooming period occurs during early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the florets are replaced by achenes. These achenes are about 5 mm. long, brown or grayish brown, oblong to elliptic-oblong in shape, slightly concave-convex, longitudinally and finely ridged, and hairless; the apices of these achenes are truncate, lacking hairs or significant scales. The root system is fibrous and long-rhizomatous, often forming colonies of clonal plants. During autumn, the deciduous foliage of this plant often acquires reddish tints.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, clay-loam, sandy loam, or some gravel. This plant is easy to cultivate. It may sprawl across the ground unless it receives full sun and rather lean treatment with fertilizer and water. While it can spread aggressively from its rhizomes, Prairie Coreopsis is more impressive when it is allowed to form clonal colonies. The foliage usually remains in good condition until hard frost during the autumn.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Coreopsis occurs occasionally in most counties of Illinois, but it is rare or absent in SE Illinois and some western counties (see Distribution Map). Habitats include well-drained black soil prairies, sand prairies, gravel prairies, hill prairies, thickets, open areas of rocky upland forests, savannas, limestone glades, and abandoned fields. Prairie Coreopsis is usually found in high quality natural areas because the dispersion of its seeds is rather limited and it is infrequently cultivated.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract many kinds of insects because of their abundance and accessibility. These floral visitors include digger bees (Melissodes spp.), cuckoo bees (Epeolus spp., Nomada spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees (including green metallic bees), dagger bees (Calliopsis spp., Heterosarus spp.), Sphecid wasps and other wasps, Syrphid flies (Eristalis spp. and others), bee flies (Exoprosopa spp. and others), thick-headed flies (Conopidae), Tachinid flies, bottle flies (Lucilia spp.), Muscid flies, butterflies, skippers, moths, and beetles (Robertson, 1929). A digger bee, Melissodes coreopsis, is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Coreopsis spp. Some insects feed destructively on the plant juices, flowerheads, and other parts of Prairie Coreopsis and other Coreopsis spp. These species include the Red-spotted Aster Mirid (Polymerus basalis), an aphid (Uroleucon reynoldense), the Ragweed Leaf Beetle (Calligrapha bidenticola) and Coreopsis Leaf Beetle (Calligrapha californica coreopsivora), and larvae of such moths as the Dimorphic Gray (Tornos scolopacinarius), Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata), and Common Tan Wave (Pleuroprucha insulsaria). The larvae of the latter two moths feed on the flowerheads. See Knight (1941), Blackman & Eastop (2013), Clark et al. (2004), Wagner (2005), and Covell (1984/2005) for more information. Mammalian herbivores occasionally browse on the foliage of Coreopsis spp., including rabbits, groundhogs, deer, horses, and livestock.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Among the many prairie wildflowers with showy yellow flowerheads, Prairie Coreopsis (Coreopsis palmata) has the advantage of flowering somewhat earlier in the summer than most of them. It also blooms before the warm-season prairie grasses develop rapidly in response to hot summer weather, allowing its flowerheads to be seen from a distance by flower-visiting insects. Prairie Coreopsis can be distinguished from Sand Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) by its more deeply lobed and shorter leaves; these leaves are distributed evenly along the stems, while the leaves of Sand Coreopsis are more clustered toward the bottoms of the stems. In contrast, the leaves of Prairie Coreopsis have wider lobes than the leaves of Large-flowered Coreopsis (Coreopsis grandiflora) and Whorled Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata). The leaves of these latter two species have lobes that are thread-like, rather than finger-like. Finally, Prairie Coreopsis is a much shorter plant that blooms earlier than Tall Coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris). In addition, the deeply lobed leaves of this latter species are much larger in size.
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文章
Miss Chen
2017年12月20日
Description: Fertile shoots of this perennial plant are 1½–3' tall, while infertile shoots consist of tufted basal leaves. The basal leaves are erect, ascending, or widely spreading; they are 3-6" long, ½–1" across, elliptic or elliptic-oblanceolate in shape, and entire (toothless) along their margins. The slender petioles of basal leaves are 1-4" long. The upper and lower surfaces of basal leaves are light-medium green and either glabrous (var. lanceolata) or irregularly covered with white hairs (var. villosa). Fertile shoots produce one or more stems from the base of each plant; these stems are ascending to erect, although their bases may rest on the ground. The stems are light-medium green, terete, and either glabrous (var. lanceolata) or irregularly covered with white hairs (var. villosa). Pairs of sessile opposite leaves occur primarily along the lower one-half of each plant.
Individual opposite leaves are either unlobed, or they may have 1-4 basal/lateral lobes and a terminal lobe. Unlobed opposite leaves are 1-4" long, linear-elliptic to elliptic in shape, and entire along their margins. Other opposite leaves have lobes that are ½–3" long, linear-elliptic to elliptic in shape, and entire along their margins. Some opposite leaves may have 1-2 short basal lobes, while other opposite leaves may have 2 basal lobes and 2 lateral lobes that are longer. The upper and lower surfaces of opposite leaves are light-medium green and either glabrous (var. lanceolata) or irregularly covered with white hairs (var. villosa). The stems terminate in solitary flowerheads on long naked peduncles (flowering stalks) up to 12" long. Each flowerhead spans 2-3" across, consisting of about 8 sterile ray florets that surround a dense head of numerous fertile disk florets. The petaloid rays of the flowerhead are yellow, oblanceolate to obovate in shape, and 4-lobed along their tips. In addition to the 4 primary lobes, some secondary lobes may be present, providing the tips of the petaloid rays with a ragged appearance.
The corollas of the disk florets are about 6 mm. (¼") in length, yellow, tubular in shape, and 4-5 lobed. At the base of each flowerhead, there is a single series of about 8 phyllaries (inner floral bracts). These phyllaries are about 8-10 mm. long, yellowish green to yellowish brown, and deltate-oval in shape; they are appressed along the bases of the petals when the flowerhead is in bloom. Slightly below the base of the flowerhead, there is a single series of 8 outer bracts that are similar to the phyllaries, except they are more green and lanceolate-ovate in shape. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 1 month for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the disk florets are replaced by achenes that are about 3 mm. long, 3 mm. across (including the membranous wings), brown, and flattened (slightly convex on one side and slightly concave on the other side). The tips of these achenes soon become truncate because their paired awns are early-deciduous. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous, often forming colonies of clonal plants.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and poor soil containing sandy or rocky material. This plant will adapt to soil containing fertile loam if it is well-drained and taller plants are kept away from it. This plant is easy to grow from transplants. In open areas with exposed ground, it may spread aggressively.
Range & Habitat: The native Sand Coreopsis occurs in NE Illinois, counties along the Illinois River, SW Illinois, and scattered counties elsewhere within the state (see Distribution Map). In Illinois, it is an uncommon plant. Habitats include mesic to dry sand prairies, gravel prairies, hill prairies, limestone glades, thinly wooded bluffs, areas along railroads, and roadsides. Some local populations, particularly in heavily populated NE Illinois, may be plants that have escaped cultivation. In addition, some populations within the state are the result of habitat restoration efforts.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract many kinds of insect visitors, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, skippers, day-flying moths, and beetles. A long-tongued bee, Melissodes coreopsis) is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Coreopsis spp. Some insects feed destructively on the plant juices, flowerheads, and other parts of Sand Coreopsis and other Coreopsis spp. These species include the Ragweed Leaf Beetle (Calligrapha bidenticola) and Coreopsis Leaf Beetle (Calligrapha californica coreopsivora), the Red-spotted Aster Mirid (Polymerus basalis), an aphid (Uroleucon reynoldense), and the larvae of such moths as the Dimorphic Gray (Tornos scolopacinarius), Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata), and Common Tan Wave (Pleuroprucha insulsaria); see Clark et al. (2004), Knight (1941), Blackman & Eastop (2013), Covell (1984/2005), and Wagner (2005) for more information. The larvae of the latter two moths feed on the flowerheads. Mammalian herbivores occasionally browse on the foliage of Coreopsis spp., including rabbits, groundhogs, deer, horses, and livestock.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a sand prairie of Kickapoo State Park in Vermilion County, Illinois, and at a flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Another common name for this plant is Lance-leaved Coreopsis, even though the leaves are usually more broad toward their tips than near their bases. Sand Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) can be distinguished from other Coreopsis spp. primarily by the lack of lobes on its basal leaves and some of its opposite leaves. Different populations of Sand Coreopsis can vary significantly in the hairiness of the stems and leaves, ranging from glabrous (var. lanceolata) to conspicuously hairy (var. villosa). It has been suggested that the hairy variety may be the result of a naturally occurring hybrid of Coreopsis lanceolata with Coreopsis pubescens, or that it should be considered a distinct species (see Flora of North America, Vol. 21, at: www.efloras.org). Sand Coreopsis is often grown in flower gardens because of its showy flowerheads. As a result, many cultivars have been developed, including those that are double-flowered and bicolored.
Individual opposite leaves are either unlobed, or they may have 1-4 basal/lateral lobes and a terminal lobe. Unlobed opposite leaves are 1-4" long, linear-elliptic to elliptic in shape, and entire along their margins. Other opposite leaves have lobes that are ½–3" long, linear-elliptic to elliptic in shape, and entire along their margins. Some opposite leaves may have 1-2 short basal lobes, while other opposite leaves may have 2 basal lobes and 2 lateral lobes that are longer. The upper and lower surfaces of opposite leaves are light-medium green and either glabrous (var. lanceolata) or irregularly covered with white hairs (var. villosa). The stems terminate in solitary flowerheads on long naked peduncles (flowering stalks) up to 12" long. Each flowerhead spans 2-3" across, consisting of about 8 sterile ray florets that surround a dense head of numerous fertile disk florets. The petaloid rays of the flowerhead are yellow, oblanceolate to obovate in shape, and 4-lobed along their tips. In addition to the 4 primary lobes, some secondary lobes may be present, providing the tips of the petaloid rays with a ragged appearance.
The corollas of the disk florets are about 6 mm. (¼") in length, yellow, tubular in shape, and 4-5 lobed. At the base of each flowerhead, there is a single series of about 8 phyllaries (inner floral bracts). These phyllaries are about 8-10 mm. long, yellowish green to yellowish brown, and deltate-oval in shape; they are appressed along the bases of the petals when the flowerhead is in bloom. Slightly below the base of the flowerhead, there is a single series of 8 outer bracts that are similar to the phyllaries, except they are more green and lanceolate-ovate in shape. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 1 month for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the disk florets are replaced by achenes that are about 3 mm. long, 3 mm. across (including the membranous wings), brown, and flattened (slightly convex on one side and slightly concave on the other side). The tips of these achenes soon become truncate because their paired awns are early-deciduous. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous, often forming colonies of clonal plants.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and poor soil containing sandy or rocky material. This plant will adapt to soil containing fertile loam if it is well-drained and taller plants are kept away from it. This plant is easy to grow from transplants. In open areas with exposed ground, it may spread aggressively.
Range & Habitat: The native Sand Coreopsis occurs in NE Illinois, counties along the Illinois River, SW Illinois, and scattered counties elsewhere within the state (see Distribution Map). In Illinois, it is an uncommon plant. Habitats include mesic to dry sand prairies, gravel prairies, hill prairies, limestone glades, thinly wooded bluffs, areas along railroads, and roadsides. Some local populations, particularly in heavily populated NE Illinois, may be plants that have escaped cultivation. In addition, some populations within the state are the result of habitat restoration efforts.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract many kinds of insect visitors, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, skippers, day-flying moths, and beetles. A long-tongued bee, Melissodes coreopsis) is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Coreopsis spp. Some insects feed destructively on the plant juices, flowerheads, and other parts of Sand Coreopsis and other Coreopsis spp. These species include the Ragweed Leaf Beetle (Calligrapha bidenticola) and Coreopsis Leaf Beetle (Calligrapha californica coreopsivora), the Red-spotted Aster Mirid (Polymerus basalis), an aphid (Uroleucon reynoldense), and the larvae of such moths as the Dimorphic Gray (Tornos scolopacinarius), Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata), and Common Tan Wave (Pleuroprucha insulsaria); see Clark et al. (2004), Knight (1941), Blackman & Eastop (2013), Covell (1984/2005), and Wagner (2005) for more information. The larvae of the latter two moths feed on the flowerheads. Mammalian herbivores occasionally browse on the foliage of Coreopsis spp., including rabbits, groundhogs, deer, horses, and livestock.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a sand prairie of Kickapoo State Park in Vermilion County, Illinois, and at a flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Another common name for this plant is Lance-leaved Coreopsis, even though the leaves are usually more broad toward their tips than near their bases. Sand Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) can be distinguished from other Coreopsis spp. primarily by the lack of lobes on its basal leaves and some of its opposite leaves. Different populations of Sand Coreopsis can vary significantly in the hairiness of the stems and leaves, ranging from glabrous (var. lanceolata) to conspicuously hairy (var. villosa). It has been suggested that the hairy variety may be the result of a naturally occurring hybrid of Coreopsis lanceolata with Coreopsis pubescens, or that it should be considered a distinct species (see Flora of North America, Vol. 21, at: www.efloras.org). Sand Coreopsis is often grown in flower gardens because of its showy flowerheads. As a result, many cultivars have been developed, including those that are double-flowered and bicolored.
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Miss Chen
2017年12月20日
Description: This perennial plant is about 2' tall, unbranched, and hairless. The leaves are arranged oppositely or alternately at intervals along the stem (usually the former). They are pinnatifid and deeply lobed. The leaf segments are linear and rather irregular; the terminal segment is usually the largest. A few leaves at the bottom or the top may be linear and lack lobes. These leaves are up to 3" long and 2" across, although the linear leaf segment are less than ¼" across. At the apex of the plant, is a rather long and naked flowering stem with a single composite flower about 2½" across. It consists of 6-12 yellow ray florets that surround numerous golden yellow disk florets. Each ray floret has 4-5 notches along the outer edge. This provides the composite flower with an attractive, somewhat ragged, appearance. The blooming period occurs during early to mid-summer and lasts about a month. This is little or no floral scent. The flowerbuds have a smooth, spherical appearance, and are olive green. The achenes are flat and rather oblong, with two have small scales at the apex. They are distributed to a limited extent by the wind. The root system has rhizomes, causing colonies to be formed.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and dry conditions. This plant is typically found in a rather heavy soil containing clay or gravel. At a well-drained site, it is an easy plant to grow, and has few problems with foliar disease.
Range & Habitat: The non-native Large-Flowered Coreopsis occurs primarily in western Illinois and the Chicago area (see Distribution Map). This plant is originally from areas that lie west and southwest of Illinois, but it has since spread as an occasional escape from cultivation and other disturbances of modern development. In Illinois, it is a rather uncommon plant, but probably occurs in more areas than official records indicate. Habitats include upland areas of prairie (including prairie restorations), openings in rocky upland forests, thickets, glades, roadsides, and miscellaneous waste areas.
Faunal Associations: Like other coreopsis species, a wide range of insects are probably attracted to the flowers, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers. These insects usually seek nectar, although bees sometimes collect pollen. An oligolege of Coreopsis spp. is Melissodes coreopsis (Coreopsis Miner Bee). The larvae of the moths Tornos scolopacinarius (Dimorphic Gray) and Enychlora acida (Wavy-Lined Emerald) feed on the foliage or flowerheads. Such mammalian herbivores as rabbits, groundhogs, livestock, and probably deer occasionally consume the foliage as well.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Large-Flowered Coreopsis has showy flowers and attractive foliage. For these reasons, it is often available through the nursery trade and cultivated in gardens. This species can be distinguished from other Coreopsis spp. by the ragged appearance of the flower petals, and the linear pinnate leaves that occur along the stems, usually in opposite pairs. The species Coreopsis lanceolata (Sand Coreopsis) has ragged-looking petals, but its leaves are primarily lanceolate or oblanceolate in shape and confined near the base of the central stem. An eastern species that hasn't been observed in Illinois in natural areas, Coreopsis verticillata (Whorled Coreopsis), has leaves with a similar appearance, but they occur in whorls of three along the central stem. Also, the flowers of Whorled Coreopsis don't have a ragged appearance because their petals lack conspicuous outer notches. The narrowness of the leaves of Large-Flowered Coreopsis is somewhat variable, depending on the variety.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and dry conditions. This plant is typically found in a rather heavy soil containing clay or gravel. At a well-drained site, it is an easy plant to grow, and has few problems with foliar disease.
Range & Habitat: The non-native Large-Flowered Coreopsis occurs primarily in western Illinois and the Chicago area (see Distribution Map). This plant is originally from areas that lie west and southwest of Illinois, but it has since spread as an occasional escape from cultivation and other disturbances of modern development. In Illinois, it is a rather uncommon plant, but probably occurs in more areas than official records indicate. Habitats include upland areas of prairie (including prairie restorations), openings in rocky upland forests, thickets, glades, roadsides, and miscellaneous waste areas.
Faunal Associations: Like other coreopsis species, a wide range of insects are probably attracted to the flowers, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers. These insects usually seek nectar, although bees sometimes collect pollen. An oligolege of Coreopsis spp. is Melissodes coreopsis (Coreopsis Miner Bee). The larvae of the moths Tornos scolopacinarius (Dimorphic Gray) and Enychlora acida (Wavy-Lined Emerald) feed on the foliage or flowerheads. Such mammalian herbivores as rabbits, groundhogs, livestock, and probably deer occasionally consume the foliage as well.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Large-Flowered Coreopsis has showy flowers and attractive foliage. For these reasons, it is often available through the nursery trade and cultivated in gardens. This species can be distinguished from other Coreopsis spp. by the ragged appearance of the flower petals, and the linear pinnate leaves that occur along the stems, usually in opposite pairs. The species Coreopsis lanceolata (Sand Coreopsis) has ragged-looking petals, but its leaves are primarily lanceolate or oblanceolate in shape and confined near the base of the central stem. An eastern species that hasn't been observed in Illinois in natural areas, Coreopsis verticillata (Whorled Coreopsis), has leaves with a similar appearance, but they occur in whorls of three along the central stem. Also, the flowers of Whorled Coreopsis don't have a ragged appearance because their petals lack conspicuous outer notches. The narrowness of the leaves of Large-Flowered Coreopsis is somewhat variable, depending on the variety.
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Miss Chen
2017年12月20日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is up to 1' tall; its leafy stems are either unbranched or sparingly branched. The stems are light green or light reddish green, terete, and glabrous. Abundant alternate leaves occur along the entire length of each stem. These leaves are ¾–1½" long, ¼–½" across, and either sessile or short-petiolate; they are oblong-elliptic to broadly oblong-elliptic in shape and their margins are entire (toothless). The upper leaf surface is grayish green and glabrous, while the lower leaf surface is slightly more pale and glabrous. Leaf venation is pinnate. Some of the stems terminate in flat-topped clusters of white flowers spanning ¾–1½" across. Sometimes these flowers are tinted green or pink. Each flower is about ¼" across, consisting of a shallow bell-shaped corolla with 5 sepals (rarely 4), 5 short stamens, and an inferior ovary with a single short style. The sepals are lanceolate in shape with spreading tips when a flower is fully open.
The central stalk, branches, and pedicels of each inflorescence are light green to light reddish green, terete, and glabrous. Individual pedicels are up to ¼" long. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer, lasting about 1 month for a colony of plants. Usually, relatively few flowers are in bloom at the same time in each inflorescence. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by small oily drupes spanning about ¼" across. Each thin-fleshed drupe contains a single large seed that is globoid in shape. The drupes gradually change color from green to brown, and they are said to have a sweet taste while still immature. The root system is fibrous and long-rhizomatous. Colonies of clonal plants are often produced by the thick woody rhizomes. The fibrous roots send out underground suckers (haustoria) that parasitize other plants. As a result, Bastard Toadflax is hemiparasitic.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic to neutral soil containing loam, sand, or rocky material. This plant is an alternate host of Comandra Blister Rust (Cronartium comandrae). This fungal disease also attacks hard pines (Pinus spp.). Bastard Toadflax is partially parasitic on the root systems of a wide variety of plants, including grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees.
Range & Habitat: The native Bastard Toadflax occurs occasionally in most areas of Illinois, but it is less common in the southern section of the state (see Distribution Map). This plant can be locally abundant at some high quality sites. Habitats include black soil prairies, sand prairies, hill prairies, rocky open woodlands, thinly wooded ridges, sandy savannas, and barren areas with scrubby vegetation. Bastard Toadflax is usually found in higher quality natural areas with other native plants. Populations of this plant tend to increase when they are exposed to occasional wildfires or light to moderate grazing.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract Halictid bees (Lasioglossum spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), soldier flies (Stratiomyidae), Syrphid flies, flesh flies (Sarcophagidae), Calliphorid flies, and Muscid flies. Less common floral visitors include various long-tongued bees, butterflies, and beetles (Robertson, 1929). The larvae of a moth, the Ochre-patched Epermeniid (Ochromolopis ramapoella), feed on the fruits of Bastard Toadflax. Other insects feeding on this plant include the polyphagous larvae of such Tortricid moths as the Oblique-banded Leafroller Moth (Choristoneura rosaceana), the Sparganothis Fruitworm (Sparganothis sulfureana), and the Pallid Leafroller Moth (Xenostemna pallorana); see Godfrey et al. (1987). It has been reported that the small oily fruits are eaten by birds and rodents (Hedgcock & Long, 1915; Mielke, 1957). Such animals may carry the fruits and their seeds for considerable distances, introducing this plant to new areas.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the Loda Cemetery Prairie in the southwest corner of Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: This is one of the few herbaceous plants of the prairie that produces edible fruits, although they are thin-fleshed and small in size. With age, the flesh of these fruits becomes dry. Because Bastard Toadflax (Comandra umbellata) is the only member of its genus that occurs in Illinois, it is relatively distinct in appearance and easy to identify. Some small-flowered chickweeds (Stellaria spp., Cerastium spp.) superficially resemble Bastard Toadflax, but they can be distinguished by the notched petals of their flowers and their foliage is often pubescent. A prairie species, Flowering Spurge (Euphorbia corolla), has superficially similar leafy stems while it is still young, but this species becomes taller later in the year and it also blooms later. While the foliage of Bastard Toadflax has clear sap, the foliage of Flowering Spurge has milky sap, like many other spurges (Euphorbia spp.).
The central stalk, branches, and pedicels of each inflorescence are light green to light reddish green, terete, and glabrous. Individual pedicels are up to ¼" long. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer, lasting about 1 month for a colony of plants. Usually, relatively few flowers are in bloom at the same time in each inflorescence. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by small oily drupes spanning about ¼" across. Each thin-fleshed drupe contains a single large seed that is globoid in shape. The drupes gradually change color from green to brown, and they are said to have a sweet taste while still immature. The root system is fibrous and long-rhizomatous. Colonies of clonal plants are often produced by the thick woody rhizomes. The fibrous roots send out underground suckers (haustoria) that parasitize other plants. As a result, Bastard Toadflax is hemiparasitic.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic to neutral soil containing loam, sand, or rocky material. This plant is an alternate host of Comandra Blister Rust (Cronartium comandrae). This fungal disease also attacks hard pines (Pinus spp.). Bastard Toadflax is partially parasitic on the root systems of a wide variety of plants, including grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees.
Range & Habitat: The native Bastard Toadflax occurs occasionally in most areas of Illinois, but it is less common in the southern section of the state (see Distribution Map). This plant can be locally abundant at some high quality sites. Habitats include black soil prairies, sand prairies, hill prairies, rocky open woodlands, thinly wooded ridges, sandy savannas, and barren areas with scrubby vegetation. Bastard Toadflax is usually found in higher quality natural areas with other native plants. Populations of this plant tend to increase when they are exposed to occasional wildfires or light to moderate grazing.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract Halictid bees (Lasioglossum spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), soldier flies (Stratiomyidae), Syrphid flies, flesh flies (Sarcophagidae), Calliphorid flies, and Muscid flies. Less common floral visitors include various long-tongued bees, butterflies, and beetles (Robertson, 1929). The larvae of a moth, the Ochre-patched Epermeniid (Ochromolopis ramapoella), feed on the fruits of Bastard Toadflax. Other insects feeding on this plant include the polyphagous larvae of such Tortricid moths as the Oblique-banded Leafroller Moth (Choristoneura rosaceana), the Sparganothis Fruitworm (Sparganothis sulfureana), and the Pallid Leafroller Moth (Xenostemna pallorana); see Godfrey et al. (1987). It has been reported that the small oily fruits are eaten by birds and rodents (Hedgcock & Long, 1915; Mielke, 1957). Such animals may carry the fruits and their seeds for considerable distances, introducing this plant to new areas.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the Loda Cemetery Prairie in the southwest corner of Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: This is one of the few herbaceous plants of the prairie that produces edible fruits, although they are thin-fleshed and small in size. With age, the flesh of these fruits becomes dry. Because Bastard Toadflax (Comandra umbellata) is the only member of its genus that occurs in Illinois, it is relatively distinct in appearance and easy to identify. Some small-flowered chickweeds (Stellaria spp., Cerastium spp.) superficially resemble Bastard Toadflax, but they can be distinguished by the notched petals of their flowers and their foliage is often pubescent. A prairie species, Flowering Spurge (Euphorbia corolla), has superficially similar leafy stems while it is still young, but this species becomes taller later in the year and it also blooms later. While the foliage of Bastard Toadflax has clear sap, the foliage of Flowering Spurge has milky sap, like many other spurges (Euphorbia spp.).
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Miss Chen
2017年12月19日
Description: This perennial plant is about ½–¾' tall and occasionally to abundantly branched. The foliage of this plant smells like mint when it is crushed. The stems are light green to reddish purple, 4-angled, and glabrous or nearly so; sometimes the sides of the stems have longitudinal central grooves. Pairs of spreading opposite leaves occur along these stems. Individual leaves are ½–1" long and about 3 mm. (1/8") across; they are linear to linear-oblong in shape, entire (smooth) along their margins, and sessile. Smaller pairs of secondary leaves often develop from the axils of the preceding leaves, and sometimes even smaller tertiary leaves develop from the axils of the secondary leaves, causing the leaves along the stems to appear whorled. Both the lower and upper surfaces of these leaves are yellowish green to medium green and glabrous; both surfaces are also pitted with transparent glands (use a 10x hand lens to see). The tips of the leaves are bluntly acute to acute. Individual leaves have prominent central veins.
Solitary flowers develop from the axils of the leaves. Because such flowers can develop from primary, secondary, and even tertiary leaves, they often appear to occur in clusters (up to 6 flowers per node). Each flower is about 12 mm. (½") long, consisting of a pale lavender (rarely white) trumpet-shaped corolla with 2 lips, a light green to reddish purple calyx that is tubular in shape with 5 teeth, 4 stamens with pale lavender anthers and white filaments, and a pistil with a single divided style. The corolla is slightly compressed (flattened), becoming wider toward its lips; the upper lip consists of a pair of adjacent upper lobes that are erect-recurved, while the lower lip consists of 3 lower lobes that are slightly descending and spreading. All of these lobes have rounded margins. The outer upper surface of the corolla is finely hairy. Two stamens are slightly exserted near the upper lip, while the remaining pair of stamens are inserted. The style is also inserted within the corolla.
The tubular calyx is about one-third the length of the corolla; it is slightly compressed (flattened) and there are 10 fine longitudinal ribs along its length. The teeth of the calyx are narrowly triangular. The slender pedicels of the flowers are 6-10 mm. (about 1/3") in length. The blooming period occurs from early to late summer, lasting about 2-3 months. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by small nutlets (4 nutlets per flower). These nutlets are up to 1 mm. across, brown, and finely pitted. The root system is fibrous and stoloniferous. Outside of the main growing season, this plant also produces a low rosette of basal leaves; the latter are substantially wider than the opposite leaves.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and calcareous soil that is sandy or rocky. This plant could be cultivated in sunny rock gardens. It doesn't tolerate much competition from taller ground vegetation. Standing water is tolerated if it is temporary. During hot dry spells, this plant should be watered.
Range & Habitat: Low Calamint occurs primarily in NE Illinois, where it is uncommon and native (see Distribution Map). Rather oddly, this plant is widespread in Missouri, but it hasn't been found in southern Illinois. Habitats consist of mesic gravel prairies, sandy savannas, limestone glades, limestone cliffs, rocky areas along springs, moist sand flats along Lake Michigan, and fens. Low Calamint is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are probably cross-pollinated by bees. Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. The larvae of a fly, Ophiomyia labiatarum, bore through the stems of Calamint species (Spencer & Steyskal, 1986). Because the foliage of this plant has a strong mint fragrance, it is probably avoided by mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster, and the edge of a sand flat near Lake Michigan in NE Illinois.
Comments: Low Calamint (Clinopodium arkansanum) has an unstable taxonomic history, and it has several scientific synonyms, including Satureja arkansana, Satureja glabella angustifolia, Calamintha arkansana, and Clinopodium glabrum. Another common name for this plant is Limestone Calamint. It is a bushy-looking little plant that becomes attractive during its peak flowering period (typically mid-summer), when numerous small flowers are in bloom at the same time. It also has a fairly long period of bloom. Low Calamint can be distinguished from similar plants by the strong mint fragrance of its crushed foliage, hairless or nearly hairless foliage, short narrow leaves without significant teeth, finely ribbed calyces, and solitary axillary flowers (although it can appear to have clusters of flowers if secondary and tertiary leaves are produced). Other species of plants in the Mint family that have foliage with a mint fragrance include mint, spearmint, and peppermint (Mentha spp.), and American Pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegioides). Compared to Low Calamint, the various mints have wider leaves with conspicuous teeth and their flowers occur in dense axillary or terminal clusters. American Pennyroyal differs by having hairy stems, slightly wider leaves with petioles, and smaller flowers (about 6 mm. or ¼" in length) with shorter pedicels.
Solitary flowers develop from the axils of the leaves. Because such flowers can develop from primary, secondary, and even tertiary leaves, they often appear to occur in clusters (up to 6 flowers per node). Each flower is about 12 mm. (½") long, consisting of a pale lavender (rarely white) trumpet-shaped corolla with 2 lips, a light green to reddish purple calyx that is tubular in shape with 5 teeth, 4 stamens with pale lavender anthers and white filaments, and a pistil with a single divided style. The corolla is slightly compressed (flattened), becoming wider toward its lips; the upper lip consists of a pair of adjacent upper lobes that are erect-recurved, while the lower lip consists of 3 lower lobes that are slightly descending and spreading. All of these lobes have rounded margins. The outer upper surface of the corolla is finely hairy. Two stamens are slightly exserted near the upper lip, while the remaining pair of stamens are inserted. The style is also inserted within the corolla.
The tubular calyx is about one-third the length of the corolla; it is slightly compressed (flattened) and there are 10 fine longitudinal ribs along its length. The teeth of the calyx are narrowly triangular. The slender pedicels of the flowers are 6-10 mm. (about 1/3") in length. The blooming period occurs from early to late summer, lasting about 2-3 months. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by small nutlets (4 nutlets per flower). These nutlets are up to 1 mm. across, brown, and finely pitted. The root system is fibrous and stoloniferous. Outside of the main growing season, this plant also produces a low rosette of basal leaves; the latter are substantially wider than the opposite leaves.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and calcareous soil that is sandy or rocky. This plant could be cultivated in sunny rock gardens. It doesn't tolerate much competition from taller ground vegetation. Standing water is tolerated if it is temporary. During hot dry spells, this plant should be watered.
Range & Habitat: Low Calamint occurs primarily in NE Illinois, where it is uncommon and native (see Distribution Map). Rather oddly, this plant is widespread in Missouri, but it hasn't been found in southern Illinois. Habitats consist of mesic gravel prairies, sandy savannas, limestone glades, limestone cliffs, rocky areas along springs, moist sand flats along Lake Michigan, and fens. Low Calamint is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are probably cross-pollinated by bees. Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. The larvae of a fly, Ophiomyia labiatarum, bore through the stems of Calamint species (Spencer & Steyskal, 1986). Because the foliage of this plant has a strong mint fragrance, it is probably avoided by mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster, and the edge of a sand flat near Lake Michigan in NE Illinois.
Comments: Low Calamint (Clinopodium arkansanum) has an unstable taxonomic history, and it has several scientific synonyms, including Satureja arkansana, Satureja glabella angustifolia, Calamintha arkansana, and Clinopodium glabrum. Another common name for this plant is Limestone Calamint. It is a bushy-looking little plant that becomes attractive during its peak flowering period (typically mid-summer), when numerous small flowers are in bloom at the same time. It also has a fairly long period of bloom. Low Calamint can be distinguished from similar plants by the strong mint fragrance of its crushed foliage, hairless or nearly hairless foliage, short narrow leaves without significant teeth, finely ribbed calyces, and solitary axillary flowers (although it can appear to have clusters of flowers if secondary and tertiary leaves are produced). Other species of plants in the Mint family that have foliage with a mint fragrance include mint, spearmint, and peppermint (Mentha spp.), and American Pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegioides). Compared to Low Calamint, the various mints have wider leaves with conspicuous teeth and their flowers occur in dense axillary or terminal clusters. American Pennyroyal differs by having hairy stems, slightly wider leaves with petioles, and smaller flowers (about 6 mm. or ¼" in length) with shorter pedicels.
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Miss Chen
2017年12月19日
Description: This biennial or short-lived perennial plant initially forms a low rosette of spiny basal leaves up to 1' across. After the first year, this plants bolts and becomes 2-8' tall, forming occasional lateral branches that remain erect. The light green stems have white hairs, but they are without spines. The alternate leaves are quite spiny, pinnately lobed, and up to 9" long and 3" across. They are green on the upper surface, but powdery white on the lower surface because of minute fine hairs. Flowerheads with little or no scent occur individually on erect flowering stems in the upper part of the plant. These flowerheads are about 2" across and light pink (rarely white), consisting of numerous disk florets. At the base of each flowerhead, there are overlapping floral bracts (phyllaries) that are light green with white central veins; they resemble fish scales. Each floral bract has a single golden spine that is slender, but sharp. Underneath the base of each flowerhead, there are a few leafy bracts that resemble the alternate leaves, but they are smaller in size and more ascending. The blooming period is from late summer to fall, lasting about a month for individual plants. The achenes develop with tufts of white hair, which facilitates their dispersal by wind. The root system consists of a central taproot and some coarse secondary roots. Vegetative spread by rhizomes does not occur.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, soil containing loam or clay-loam, and mesic levels of moisture. During summer droughts, there is a tendency for the lower leaves to turn yellow and fall off the plant. This is an easy plant to grow, but it has a tendency to appear rather the worse for wear as the growing season progresses. Pasture Thistle is short-lived, but reseeds itself readily.
Range & Habitat: This native plant occurs in virtually every county in Illinois (see Distribution Map); it is common within the state. Habitats include moist to dry prairies, openings in woodland areas, moist meadows near rivers, limestone glades, pastures and abandoned fields, open areas along railroads and roadsides, and waste areas. This plant is more abundant in disturbed areas, including degraded prairies, but also occurs in higher quality habitats.
Faunal Associations: The most important pollinators of the flowers are bumblebees, digger bees (Melissodes spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), and butterflies. One of these bees, Melissodes desponsa, is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Cirsium spp. Among the butterflies, are such floral visitors as Monarchs, Fritillaries, Painted Ladies, Swallowtails, and Sulfurs. Sphinx moths and bee flies also visit the flowers for nectar. The caterpillars of the butterfly Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady) feed on the foliage, while the caterpillars of several moths feed on the foliage and other parts of this and other thistles (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include Cassida rubiginosa (Thistle Tortoise Beetle), Euphoria inda (Bumble Flower Beetle), Brachycaudus cardui (Thistle Aphid) and Capitophorus elaeagni (Artichoke Aphid), Melanoplus borealis (Northern Grasshopper), and many others. Among vertebrate animals, the Eastern Goldfinch eats the seeds and uses the tufts of hair as lining material in its nests. The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird has been known to visit the flowers of thistles for nectar. Mammalian herbivores avoid this plant because of the spines.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken near Kaufman Lake Park in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: This native plant can be distinguished from the non-native Cirsium vulgare (Bull Thistle) by the white undersides of its leaves. Also, the floral bracts subtending the flowerheads of Bull Thistle have thick coarse spines, whereas the bracts of the Pasture Thistle have slender golden spines.. Otherwise, they are similar in appearance. Sometimes this plant can be aggressive in disturbed areas, but not to the same extent as the Bull Thistle. It is possible to boil the young leaves and stems and serve them as edible greens. During the month of August, when other forbs are less likely to flower, this plant produces some patches of pink color, making the prairie more interesting during this time of year.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, soil containing loam or clay-loam, and mesic levels of moisture. During summer droughts, there is a tendency for the lower leaves to turn yellow and fall off the plant. This is an easy plant to grow, but it has a tendency to appear rather the worse for wear as the growing season progresses. Pasture Thistle is short-lived, but reseeds itself readily.
Range & Habitat: This native plant occurs in virtually every county in Illinois (see Distribution Map); it is common within the state. Habitats include moist to dry prairies, openings in woodland areas, moist meadows near rivers, limestone glades, pastures and abandoned fields, open areas along railroads and roadsides, and waste areas. This plant is more abundant in disturbed areas, including degraded prairies, but also occurs in higher quality habitats.
Faunal Associations: The most important pollinators of the flowers are bumblebees, digger bees (Melissodes spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), and butterflies. One of these bees, Melissodes desponsa, is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Cirsium spp. Among the butterflies, are such floral visitors as Monarchs, Fritillaries, Painted Ladies, Swallowtails, and Sulfurs. Sphinx moths and bee flies also visit the flowers for nectar. The caterpillars of the butterfly Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady) feed on the foliage, while the caterpillars of several moths feed on the foliage and other parts of this and other thistles (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include Cassida rubiginosa (Thistle Tortoise Beetle), Euphoria inda (Bumble Flower Beetle), Brachycaudus cardui (Thistle Aphid) and Capitophorus elaeagni (Artichoke Aphid), Melanoplus borealis (Northern Grasshopper), and many others. Among vertebrate animals, the Eastern Goldfinch eats the seeds and uses the tufts of hair as lining material in its nests. The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird has been known to visit the flowers of thistles for nectar. Mammalian herbivores avoid this plant because of the spines.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken near Kaufman Lake Park in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: This native plant can be distinguished from the non-native Cirsium vulgare (Bull Thistle) by the white undersides of its leaves. Also, the floral bracts subtending the flowerheads of Bull Thistle have thick coarse spines, whereas the bracts of the Pasture Thistle have slender golden spines.. Otherwise, they are similar in appearance. Sometimes this plant can be aggressive in disturbed areas, but not to the same extent as the Bull Thistle. It is possible to boil the young leaves and stems and serve them as edible greens. During the month of August, when other forbs are less likely to flower, this plant produces some patches of pink color, making the prairie more interesting during this time of year.
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Miss Chen
2017年12月19日
Description: This perennial plant is 2-5' tall, and is either unbranched or sparsely branched. The smooth stems are round or somewhat angular; they often become reddish in the sun near the inflorescence. The willow-like hairless leaves are up to 5" long and ¾" across. They are narrowly lanceolate or linear, with margins that are smooth or slightly serrated (widely spaced), and are sessile or with short petioles. The central stem and upper side stems each terminate in an elongated raceme of showy flowers, about 3-8" long. These flowers range in color from pink to magenta, depending on the local ecotype.
Each flower is about 1" across, consisting of 4 petals and 4 sepals. The petals are narrow at the base, but become broad and rounded toward their tips. The sepals are long and narrow; they are usually a darker color than the petals. In the center of the flower, there are up to 8 long white filaments with large magenta anthers; these anthers eventually shrivel and turn brown. The pedicels of the flowers are rather long and colored magenta. The blooming period occurs primarily from early to late summer, and lasts about a month. There is no floral scent. The flowers quickly wither away, and are replaced by seedpods that are long and narrow. These seedpods split into multiple sections, beginning at their tips (each section curling backward), and release a multitude of tiny seeds with small tufts of white hair. These seeds are readily dispersed by the wind, and can travel a considerable distance. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous, which enables this plant to form colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and cool to warm temperatures. This plant becomes dormant during hot summer weather. The soil should contain abundant organic matter, with or without sand. A low pH is tolerated, if not preferred. This plant is fairly easy to grow, even under conditions that are not entirely suitable for it, but it has difficulty competing with plants that are better adapted to hot, dry summer weather. Foliar disease is not troublesome; however, the stems are easily broken. In warmer areas with a long growing season, Fireweed will bloom during early summer, while in cooler, boreal areas, it tends to bloom later in the summer.
Close-up of Leaf
Range & Habitat: The native Fireweed is a rare plant that occurs in only a few counties of NE and north central Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is more common further to the north in Wisconsin. Habitats include moist sedge meadows, woodland borders, damp ravines, sandy marshes near dunes, remnant bogs, and areas where trees and brush have been removed by fire. This plant is confined to cooler areas of Illinois where the climate has been made more moderate by the influence of the Great Lakes. It is not really a plant of the open prairies, but can be found sometimes in moist meadows. Fire stimulates the germination of this plant's seeds and helps to eliminate competitors, hence the common name.
Faunal Associations: Primarily long-tongued bees visit the flowers for pollen and nectar, including bumblebees and leafcutting bees (Megachile spp.). Smaller short-tongued bees and Syrphid flies also visit the flowers, but they seek pollen and are probably less effective at pollination (personal observations, Mitchell (1960/1962). Other insects feed on the foliage, sap, and other parts of Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium), including such species as Altica tombacina (a flea beetle), Bromius obscurus (a leaf beetle), leaf-mining larvae of Mompha communis (a Momphid moth), larvae of Hyles lineata (White-lined Sphinx) and Hyles galii (Galium Sphinx), nymphs of Aphrophora gelida (Boreal Spittlebug), Aphis oenotherae (Evening Primrose Aphid), Aphis salicariae (Dogwood-Fireweed Aphid), and Aphis varians (Currant-Fireweed Aphid); see Clark et al. (2004), Needham et al. (1928), Wagner (2005), Marshall (2006), Robinson & Bradley (1965), and Blackman & Eastop (2013). Many of these insects are found north of Illinois where Fireweed is more common. The seeds of this plant are too small to be of much interest to birds. The foliage is palatable to various mammalian herbivores, but it has relatively low food value.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) is attractive while in bloom, but it becomes ragged in appearance afterwards. This plant can't be confused with most willow-herb species (Epilobium spp.) because of their much smaller flowers. However, its flowers are similar in size to those of Hairy Fireweed (Epilobium hirsutum), which is not native to Illinois. This latter plant has spreading hairs that are soft and long, while Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) is hairless. A scientific synonym of this plant is Epilobium angustifolium.
Each flower is about 1" across, consisting of 4 petals and 4 sepals. The petals are narrow at the base, but become broad and rounded toward their tips. The sepals are long and narrow; they are usually a darker color than the petals. In the center of the flower, there are up to 8 long white filaments with large magenta anthers; these anthers eventually shrivel and turn brown. The pedicels of the flowers are rather long and colored magenta. The blooming period occurs primarily from early to late summer, and lasts about a month. There is no floral scent. The flowers quickly wither away, and are replaced by seedpods that are long and narrow. These seedpods split into multiple sections, beginning at their tips (each section curling backward), and release a multitude of tiny seeds with small tufts of white hair. These seeds are readily dispersed by the wind, and can travel a considerable distance. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous, which enables this plant to form colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and cool to warm temperatures. This plant becomes dormant during hot summer weather. The soil should contain abundant organic matter, with or without sand. A low pH is tolerated, if not preferred. This plant is fairly easy to grow, even under conditions that are not entirely suitable for it, but it has difficulty competing with plants that are better adapted to hot, dry summer weather. Foliar disease is not troublesome; however, the stems are easily broken. In warmer areas with a long growing season, Fireweed will bloom during early summer, while in cooler, boreal areas, it tends to bloom later in the summer.
Close-up of Leaf
Range & Habitat: The native Fireweed is a rare plant that occurs in only a few counties of NE and north central Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is more common further to the north in Wisconsin. Habitats include moist sedge meadows, woodland borders, damp ravines, sandy marshes near dunes, remnant bogs, and areas where trees and brush have been removed by fire. This plant is confined to cooler areas of Illinois where the climate has been made more moderate by the influence of the Great Lakes. It is not really a plant of the open prairies, but can be found sometimes in moist meadows. Fire stimulates the germination of this plant's seeds and helps to eliminate competitors, hence the common name.
Faunal Associations: Primarily long-tongued bees visit the flowers for pollen and nectar, including bumblebees and leafcutting bees (Megachile spp.). Smaller short-tongued bees and Syrphid flies also visit the flowers, but they seek pollen and are probably less effective at pollination (personal observations, Mitchell (1960/1962). Other insects feed on the foliage, sap, and other parts of Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium), including such species as Altica tombacina (a flea beetle), Bromius obscurus (a leaf beetle), leaf-mining larvae of Mompha communis (a Momphid moth), larvae of Hyles lineata (White-lined Sphinx) and Hyles galii (Galium Sphinx), nymphs of Aphrophora gelida (Boreal Spittlebug), Aphis oenotherae (Evening Primrose Aphid), Aphis salicariae (Dogwood-Fireweed Aphid), and Aphis varians (Currant-Fireweed Aphid); see Clark et al. (2004), Needham et al. (1928), Wagner (2005), Marshall (2006), Robinson & Bradley (1965), and Blackman & Eastop (2013). Many of these insects are found north of Illinois where Fireweed is more common. The seeds of this plant are too small to be of much interest to birds. The foliage is palatable to various mammalian herbivores, but it has relatively low food value.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) is attractive while in bloom, but it becomes ragged in appearance afterwards. This plant can't be confused with most willow-herb species (Epilobium spp.) because of their much smaller flowers. However, its flowers are similar in size to those of Hairy Fireweed (Epilobium hirsutum), which is not native to Illinois. This latter plant has spreading hairs that are soft and long, while Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) is hairless. A scientific synonym of this plant is Epilobium angustifolium.
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Miss Chen
2017年12月19日
Description: This annual plant sprawls across the ground, forming a low mat of leafy stems up to 12" across. The central stem divides early, forming numerous lateral stems that also divide. The stems are terete, pale red, and hairless. At intervals, pairs of opposite leaves occur along the stems that are ¼-¾" in length; they are about 3 times as long as they are across. Individual leaves are narrowly oblong in shape and smooth along their margins; there is a tendency for the lower half of a leaf to be slightly wider than its upper half. The upper leaf surface is medium green and hairless, while the lower surface is pale green and hairless. At the base of each leaf, there is a short slender petiole. White to light green stipules occur below pairs of new leaves; the stipules are sharply and deeply cleft into linear to lanceolate lobes with narrow pointed tips. These stipules soon wither away. Both the stems and the leaves exude a milky latex when they become damaged.
Tiny flowers with cyathia (cup-like structures) develop near pairs of leaves; there is normally only a single cyathium (cup-like structure) per pair of leaves. The cyathium is less than 2 mm. long; its outer surface is light green and hairless. Each cyathium has a short stalk at its base that is terete and pale red. Along the upper rim of the cyathium, there are 4 nectar glands with tiny petaloid appendages. These petaloid appendages are white and barely perceptible without magnification; sometimes they are absent. Between the nectar glands along the upper rim of the cyathium, there are tiny linear-lanceolate lobes that are erect. From the center of the cyathium, there develops a single female flower on a short stout pedicel that becomes more long and curved with age. The female flower consists of a naked 3-celled ovary with a short tripartite style at its apex. This ovary is light green, hairless, and globoid in shape. Several male flowers develop underneath the female flower within the cyathium; each male flower consists of a single stamen. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer into the fall. The ovaries of female flowers develop into seed capsules about 1/8" (3.0-3.5 mm.) across; these capsules are globoid with 3 shallow longitudinal lobes and they are hairless. Each cell of a capsule contains 1-2 seeds that are 2.0-2.5 mm. long, narrowly ovoid in shape, and relatively smooth (although minutely pitted under magnification). Seeds are ejected from their capsules at maturity. The root system consists of a slender branching taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and very sandy soil. This little plant has a C4 metabolism, which enables it to withstand hot dry conditions.
Range & Habitat: The native Seaside Spurge is found primarily along Lake Michigan; it has also been found in Fulton County, although this interior location is highly unusual for this species (see Distribution Map). Seaside Spurge is rare in Illinois and state-listed as 'endangered.' Outside of the state, this species is found along the coastal areas of the Great Lakes (except for Lake Superior) and it is also found along the Atlantic coast, particularly in sandy areas such as beaches. In Illinois, habitats consist of sandy beaches along Lake Michigan, sand dunes near Lake Michigan, and a dry sand prairie in Fulton County. This plant is very specialized in its habitat preferences; it is vulnerable to development in coastal areas and trampling by people along beaches.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract small bees and flies (mainly Syrphidae). These insects obtain nectar from the flowers; in addition, the bees may collect pollen. Insects that feed on the foliage or plant juices of Chamaesyce spp. (Prostrate Spurges) include the aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae, the plant bug Semium hirtum, and the leaf beetle Glyptina leptosoma. Bird that eat the seeds of these plants include the Greater Prairie Chicken, Northern Bobwhite, Horned Lark, Chipping Sparrow, and Mourning Dove. Because the seeds have oily elaiosomes, they are dispersed to some extent by ants.
Photographic Location: A sandy beach at Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: Some authorities refer to this species as Euphorbia polygonifolia. Seaside Spurge is a member of a small group of prostrate spurges (Chamaesyce spp.) that are often difficult to distinguish. They are mainly native to Illinois, although a few species are adventive from the western states. Seaside Spurge can be be distinguished from most species in this genus by its hairless leaves and stems, its hairless ovaries and seed capsules, and the smooth toothless margins of its leaves. Another prostrate spurge, Chamaesyce geyeri (Geyer's Spurge), also has these characteristics, but its seeds (about 1.5 mm. long) and seed capsules (2.0-2.5 mm. long) are smaller in size than those of Seaside Spurge.
Tiny flowers with cyathia (cup-like structures) develop near pairs of leaves; there is normally only a single cyathium (cup-like structure) per pair of leaves. The cyathium is less than 2 mm. long; its outer surface is light green and hairless. Each cyathium has a short stalk at its base that is terete and pale red. Along the upper rim of the cyathium, there are 4 nectar glands with tiny petaloid appendages. These petaloid appendages are white and barely perceptible without magnification; sometimes they are absent. Between the nectar glands along the upper rim of the cyathium, there are tiny linear-lanceolate lobes that are erect. From the center of the cyathium, there develops a single female flower on a short stout pedicel that becomes more long and curved with age. The female flower consists of a naked 3-celled ovary with a short tripartite style at its apex. This ovary is light green, hairless, and globoid in shape. Several male flowers develop underneath the female flower within the cyathium; each male flower consists of a single stamen. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer into the fall. The ovaries of female flowers develop into seed capsules about 1/8" (3.0-3.5 mm.) across; these capsules are globoid with 3 shallow longitudinal lobes and they are hairless. Each cell of a capsule contains 1-2 seeds that are 2.0-2.5 mm. long, narrowly ovoid in shape, and relatively smooth (although minutely pitted under magnification). Seeds are ejected from their capsules at maturity. The root system consists of a slender branching taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and very sandy soil. This little plant has a C4 metabolism, which enables it to withstand hot dry conditions.
Range & Habitat: The native Seaside Spurge is found primarily along Lake Michigan; it has also been found in Fulton County, although this interior location is highly unusual for this species (see Distribution Map). Seaside Spurge is rare in Illinois and state-listed as 'endangered.' Outside of the state, this species is found along the coastal areas of the Great Lakes (except for Lake Superior) and it is also found along the Atlantic coast, particularly in sandy areas such as beaches. In Illinois, habitats consist of sandy beaches along Lake Michigan, sand dunes near Lake Michigan, and a dry sand prairie in Fulton County. This plant is very specialized in its habitat preferences; it is vulnerable to development in coastal areas and trampling by people along beaches.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract small bees and flies (mainly Syrphidae). These insects obtain nectar from the flowers; in addition, the bees may collect pollen. Insects that feed on the foliage or plant juices of Chamaesyce spp. (Prostrate Spurges) include the aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae, the plant bug Semium hirtum, and the leaf beetle Glyptina leptosoma. Bird that eat the seeds of these plants include the Greater Prairie Chicken, Northern Bobwhite, Horned Lark, Chipping Sparrow, and Mourning Dove. Because the seeds have oily elaiosomes, they are dispersed to some extent by ants.
Photographic Location: A sandy beach at Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: Some authorities refer to this species as Euphorbia polygonifolia. Seaside Spurge is a member of a small group of prostrate spurges (Chamaesyce spp.) that are often difficult to distinguish. They are mainly native to Illinois, although a few species are adventive from the western states. Seaside Spurge can be be distinguished from most species in this genus by its hairless leaves and stems, its hairless ovaries and seed capsules, and the smooth toothless margins of its leaves. Another prostrate spurge, Chamaesyce geyeri (Geyer's Spurge), also has these characteristics, but its seeds (about 1.5 mm. long) and seed capsules (2.0-2.5 mm. long) are smaller in size than those of Seaside Spurge.
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Miss Chen
2017年12月19日
Description: This annual plant is ½-2' tall, branching occasionally. Shorter plants are erect, while taller plants are inclined to sprawl. The slender hairless stems are initially light green, but become reddish brown. The alternate compound leaves are medium to dark green. They have petioles with nectaries that attract insects. Each compound leaf has up to 20 leaflets, which are somewhat sensitive to touch. A leaflet is about 2/3" long and 1/3" across. It is hairless and oblong. The bright yellow flowers appear along the major stems near the axils of the leaves. They are about 1" across, and have an open, irregular shape. Each flower has 5 rounded petals that vary in relative size, and there are about 10 reddish stamens. There is no floral scent. The blooming period is quite long, from mid-summer to fall. During the fall, pods develop that are initially hairy green, but later become hairless and dark brown. They are about 2½" long, ¾" across, and rather flat. The seeds are dark brown, rather flat, and slightly pitted. The root system consists of a central taproot and smaller auxillary roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and average to dry conditions. The soil can contain sand, loam, gravel, or clay, to which this plant will add nitrogen. It favors poor soil because of reduced competition from other plants. Partridge Pea is easy to grow, but can spread readily in dry, open situations. It's not usually bothered by disease.
Range & Habitat: The native Partridge Pea is widespread and locally common in Illinois, except in some northern counties, where it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic to dry black soil prairies, sand prairies, savannas, limestone glades, abandoned fields, open areas along railroads and roadsides. Sometimes Partridge Pea is deliberately planted to stabilize banks around ditches and other areas, from where it frequently escapes. This plant favors disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees are responsible for pollination of the flowers, which includes such visitors as honeybees, bumblebees, long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), and leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.). They are attracted to the food pollen of the purple anthers, and are then dusted by the reproductive pollen of the yellow anthers. Two species of bees, Anthophora walshii and Svastra atripes atripes, are oligoleges of Partridge Pea. Sometimes leaf-cutting bees cut off portions of the petals for their brood chambers. The flowers are usually cross-pollinated by insects, but sometimes they are self-pollinating. The petiolar nectaries attract a completely different assortment of insects, which includes such visitors as Halictid bees, wasps, flies, and ants (Robertson, 1929). Unusual visitors to the nectaries are velvet ants (Mutillidae), which are hairy wingless wasps (in the case of the females). The caterpillars of several sulfur butterflies feed on the foliage of this plant, including Eurema lisa (Little Sulfur), Eurema nicippe (Sleepy Orange), and Phoebis sennae cubule (Cloudless Sulfur); see Opler & Krizek (1984). Other insects that feed on Partridge Pea include Cerotoma trifurcata (Bean Leaf Beetle) and Sennius cruentatus (Partridge Pea Seed Beetle); see Clark et al. (2004) and Vestal (1913). The seeds are an important food source for the Bobwhite Quail and Greater Prairie Chicken (Martin et al., 1951/1961; Yeatter, 1943). Because the foliage is strongly cathartic, it is usually avoided by grazing animals (Georgia, 1913). However, White-Tailed Deer occasionally browse on the foliage in limited amounts.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Judge Webber Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is one of the few annual plants of the prairie that are non-parasitic on the roots of perennial plants. The Partridge Pea is quite attractive in regards to both its foliage and flowering habit, providing quick bloom during the first year of a wild flower garden.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and average to dry conditions. The soil can contain sand, loam, gravel, or clay, to which this plant will add nitrogen. It favors poor soil because of reduced competition from other plants. Partridge Pea is easy to grow, but can spread readily in dry, open situations. It's not usually bothered by disease.
Range & Habitat: The native Partridge Pea is widespread and locally common in Illinois, except in some northern counties, where it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic to dry black soil prairies, sand prairies, savannas, limestone glades, abandoned fields, open areas along railroads and roadsides. Sometimes Partridge Pea is deliberately planted to stabilize banks around ditches and other areas, from where it frequently escapes. This plant favors disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees are responsible for pollination of the flowers, which includes such visitors as honeybees, bumblebees, long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), and leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.). They are attracted to the food pollen of the purple anthers, and are then dusted by the reproductive pollen of the yellow anthers. Two species of bees, Anthophora walshii and Svastra atripes atripes, are oligoleges of Partridge Pea. Sometimes leaf-cutting bees cut off portions of the petals for their brood chambers. The flowers are usually cross-pollinated by insects, but sometimes they are self-pollinating. The petiolar nectaries attract a completely different assortment of insects, which includes such visitors as Halictid bees, wasps, flies, and ants (Robertson, 1929). Unusual visitors to the nectaries are velvet ants (Mutillidae), which are hairy wingless wasps (in the case of the females). The caterpillars of several sulfur butterflies feed on the foliage of this plant, including Eurema lisa (Little Sulfur), Eurema nicippe (Sleepy Orange), and Phoebis sennae cubule (Cloudless Sulfur); see Opler & Krizek (1984). Other insects that feed on Partridge Pea include Cerotoma trifurcata (Bean Leaf Beetle) and Sennius cruentatus (Partridge Pea Seed Beetle); see Clark et al. (2004) and Vestal (1913). The seeds are an important food source for the Bobwhite Quail and Greater Prairie Chicken (Martin et al., 1951/1961; Yeatter, 1943). Because the foliage is strongly cathartic, it is usually avoided by grazing animals (Georgia, 1913). However, White-Tailed Deer occasionally browse on the foliage in limited amounts.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Judge Webber Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is one of the few annual plants of the prairie that are non-parasitic on the roots of perennial plants. The Partridge Pea is quite attractive in regards to both its foliage and flowering habit, providing quick bloom during the first year of a wild flower garden.
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Miss Chen
2017年12月18日
Description: This perennial plant is about ½–1½' and unbranched, except for some upper side stems near the inflorescence. Often, several stems will emerge from the same rootstock; they remain reasonably erect. The basal leaves have long petioles, and are about 1" across. They are usually cordate or orbicular and their margins are bluntly dentate. The basal leaves often wither away by flowering time. Along the slender central stem are alternate leaves. These leaves are linear and about ½–2" long. They usually angle upward from the stem, and then curve outward. Usually the foliage and stems are without hairs, although sometimes they are slightly pubescent.
The central stem (and some of the side stems) terminates in either a solitary flower, or a short raceme of 2-3 flowers. These flowers are violet and bell-shaped. A typical flower is about ¾" long, and tends to hang toward from a slender pedicel. The corolla has 5 short lobes that curve outward. The interior of a flower is white or pale violet near the base, while a long violet style projects slightly beyond the outer rim of the corolla. This style terminates into a tripartite white stigma. The green calyx divides into 5 slender segments that are slightly recurved. The blooming period occurs from early to late summer, and lasts about 2-3 months. There is no noticeable floral scent. The flowers are replaced by ovoid capsules that contain numerous tiny seeds. These seeds are easily dispersed by gusts of wind. The root system consists of a taproot.
Cultivation: This little plant prefers full sunlight and moist to dry conditions. It typically grows in shallow rocky soil, but will flourish in ordinary garden soil if taller, more aggressive plants are kept away. Harebell is surprisingly easy to grow, notwithstanding its delicate appearance. It tolerates alkaline soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Harebell is an uncommon plant that occurs primarily in northern Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is more common in areas to the north and east of Illinois. Habitats include sandy Black Oak savannas, hill prairies, crevices of sandstone, limestone, or dolomite cliffs, and shallow rocky soil along streams. It also occurs along roadsides in neighboring states. Generally, Harebell is found in high quality habitats where there are rocky slopes. It also cultivated in gardens.
Faunal Associations: Various bees often visit the flowers, where they seek nectar. While the foliage is potentially edible to mammalian herbivores, only the basal leaves are sufficiently large to attract much attention from them. The seeds are too small to be of any interest to birds.
Photographic Location: The photographs of the flowers were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois, while the photograph of the basal leaves was taken at the Japan House of the University of Illinois in the same city.
Comments: This is a charming little plant. Harebell is distributed in both the Old World and New World, and may be variable across its large range. The native Campanula aparinoides (Marsh Bellflower) has smaller flowers and is found in wetland areas. Sometimes non-native bellflowers escape into the wild, such as Campanula rapunculoides (Creeping Bellflower), but they have broader foliage and larger flowers.
The central stem (and some of the side stems) terminates in either a solitary flower, or a short raceme of 2-3 flowers. These flowers are violet and bell-shaped. A typical flower is about ¾" long, and tends to hang toward from a slender pedicel. The corolla has 5 short lobes that curve outward. The interior of a flower is white or pale violet near the base, while a long violet style projects slightly beyond the outer rim of the corolla. This style terminates into a tripartite white stigma. The green calyx divides into 5 slender segments that are slightly recurved. The blooming period occurs from early to late summer, and lasts about 2-3 months. There is no noticeable floral scent. The flowers are replaced by ovoid capsules that contain numerous tiny seeds. These seeds are easily dispersed by gusts of wind. The root system consists of a taproot.
Cultivation: This little plant prefers full sunlight and moist to dry conditions. It typically grows in shallow rocky soil, but will flourish in ordinary garden soil if taller, more aggressive plants are kept away. Harebell is surprisingly easy to grow, notwithstanding its delicate appearance. It tolerates alkaline soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Harebell is an uncommon plant that occurs primarily in northern Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is more common in areas to the north and east of Illinois. Habitats include sandy Black Oak savannas, hill prairies, crevices of sandstone, limestone, or dolomite cliffs, and shallow rocky soil along streams. It also occurs along roadsides in neighboring states. Generally, Harebell is found in high quality habitats where there are rocky slopes. It also cultivated in gardens.
Faunal Associations: Various bees often visit the flowers, where they seek nectar. While the foliage is potentially edible to mammalian herbivores, only the basal leaves are sufficiently large to attract much attention from them. The seeds are too small to be of any interest to birds.
Photographic Location: The photographs of the flowers were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois, while the photograph of the basal leaves was taken at the Japan House of the University of Illinois in the same city.
Comments: This is a charming little plant. Harebell is distributed in both the Old World and New World, and may be variable across its large range. The native Campanula aparinoides (Marsh Bellflower) has smaller flowers and is found in wetland areas. Sometimes non-native bellflowers escape into the wild, such as Campanula rapunculoides (Creeping Bellflower), but they have broader foliage and larger flowers.
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Miss Chen
2017年12月18日
Description: This perennial plant consists of a rosette of basal leaves up to 1½' across and one or more flowering stalks up to 2½' tall. The strap-shaped basal leaves are up to 14" long and 1" across; they are linear, smooth along the margins, and glabrous. Their veins are parallel. These basal leaves are rather floppy and they often arch downward or sprawl across the ground in the absence of support from other vegetation. The basal leaves wither away by mid-summer. The flowering stalks are erect, slender, hairless, and leafless. Each stalk terminates in a raceme of about 20-80 flowers. Each flower consists of 6 lavender to pale blue-violet tepals, 6 stamens with golden yellow anthers, and a light green pistil with a short slender style. Each flower spans about ¾" across when it is fully open. The pedicels of the flowers are slender, green, and deciduous, unless the flower is successfully cross-pollinated. Underneath each flower, there is often a persistent bract about ¾" long that is thread-like in appearance. After the flowers begin blooming on the raceme, there can be 3-20 (or more) of these bracts underneath. Several flowers bloom in a ring at the same time, which forms at the bottom of the raceme and moves upward. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and can last up to 1 month for a colony of plants. The flowers that are successfully cross-pollinated form seed capsules that are ovoid-oblongoid in shape. Each capsule contains several seeds. The root system consists of a bulb with secondary fibrous roots at the bottom. This plant reproduces by forming offsets from the bulbs and by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and a fertile loamy soil. This plant is rarely bothered by disease and insect pests. It is somewhat slow to develop, especially from seeds.
Range & Habitat: In Illinois, Prairie Hyacinth is a rare plant that has been observed in Macon and Peoria counties only (see Distribution Map). At the present time, only one population of plants is known to exist within the state at a railroad prairie. Apparently, the other population has been extirpated. In neighboring states, Prairie Hyacinth has been observed in prairies and thinly-wooded areas. This native species is state-listed as 'endangered' in Illinois.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract both long-tongued and short-tongued bees, which suck nectar or collect pollen. Other visitors of the flowers include various flies, butterflies, skippers, wasps, and beetles, which suck nectar or feed on pollen. Aside from these flower-visiting insects, little information is available about floral-faunal relations for this wildflower.
Photographic Location: The webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This little-known species is sometimes confused with Camassia scilloides (Wild Hyacinth), which is more common within the state. Both species are attractive wildflowers with similar habitat preferences. Their appearance is quite similar, which can make them difficult to tell apart. Prairie Hyacinth begins to flower about a month later than Wild Hyacinth and there is little overlap in their blooming periods; this is one good reason why they should be considered separate species. The flowering stalk of Prairie Hyacinth has 3-20 (or more) persistent bracts underneath the blooming flowers, while Wild Hyacinth has 0-2 deciduous bracts underneath the flowers of its stalks. The seed capsules of Prairie Hyacinth are longer than they are wide, while the seed capsules of Wild Hyacinth are about as long as they are wide. The flowers of Prairie Hyacinth tend to have shorter styles, shorter stamens, and tepals that are a little shorter and more deeply colored, but these distinctions are less reliable, or they require the careful use of a ruler or measuring tape in the field.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and a fertile loamy soil. This plant is rarely bothered by disease and insect pests. It is somewhat slow to develop, especially from seeds.
Range & Habitat: In Illinois, Prairie Hyacinth is a rare plant that has been observed in Macon and Peoria counties only (see Distribution Map). At the present time, only one population of plants is known to exist within the state at a railroad prairie. Apparently, the other population has been extirpated. In neighboring states, Prairie Hyacinth has been observed in prairies and thinly-wooded areas. This native species is state-listed as 'endangered' in Illinois.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract both long-tongued and short-tongued bees, which suck nectar or collect pollen. Other visitors of the flowers include various flies, butterflies, skippers, wasps, and beetles, which suck nectar or feed on pollen. Aside from these flower-visiting insects, little information is available about floral-faunal relations for this wildflower.
Photographic Location: The webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This little-known species is sometimes confused with Camassia scilloides (Wild Hyacinth), which is more common within the state. Both species are attractive wildflowers with similar habitat preferences. Their appearance is quite similar, which can make them difficult to tell apart. Prairie Hyacinth begins to flower about a month later than Wild Hyacinth and there is little overlap in their blooming periods; this is one good reason why they should be considered separate species. The flowering stalk of Prairie Hyacinth has 3-20 (or more) persistent bracts underneath the blooming flowers, while Wild Hyacinth has 0-2 deciduous bracts underneath the flowers of its stalks. The seed capsules of Prairie Hyacinth are longer than they are wide, while the seed capsules of Wild Hyacinth are about as long as they are wide. The flowers of Prairie Hyacinth tend to have shorter styles, shorter stamens, and tepals that are a little shorter and more deeply colored, but these distinctions are less reliable, or they require the careful use of a ruler or measuring tape in the field.
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Miss Chen
2017年12月18日
Description: This perennial plant is ¾-1½' tall and unbranched. It is usually erect, but sometimes sprawls across the ground. The central stem is light green and hairy; it rarely twines about the stems of adjacent plants, fences, or other objects. Alternate leaves about 1½-3" long and about one-half as much across occur along the central stem. They are yellowish green to dull green, oblong-cordate in shape, smooth along their margins, and slightly to moderately hairy. The leaf bases are usually cordate (less often truncate or rounded), while their tips are blunt or pointed. Each leaf usually has a short petiole about ½" long or less; sometimes the upper leaves are sessile. Occasionally, individual flowers develop from the axils of the leaves; there are 1-4 flowers per plant. Each flower is about 2-3" long and 2" across, consisting of a white (rarely pink) funnelform corolla with 5 shallow lobes, 5 light green sepals, several stamens, and a pistil with 2 white stigmata. At the base of the flower, 2 sepal-like bracts surround the sepals; these bracts are light green and ovate. The pedicel is 1" long or less.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer and lasts about 1-2 months. On any given day, only 0-1 flowers are in bloom per plant. Each large flower opens up during the early morning and closes at around noon; it lasts only a single day. Fertilized flowers are replaced by globoid seed capsules; each capsule is 2-celled and about 1/3" across. Each cell of the capsule contains a single large seed. The root system is rhizomatous, occasionally forming vegetative offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and soil containing sand, rocky material, or clay.
Range & Habitat: The native Erect Bindweed is found primarily in central and northern Illinois, where it is uncommon (see Distribution Map). Populations of this species have declined across the state. Habitats consist of upland sand prairies, gravel prairies, hill prairies, open rocky woodlands, limestone glades, and roadside embankments. Erect Bindweed tends to increase in response to occasional wildfires as this reduces woody vegetation and excess debris. This is an indicator plant of high quality prairies.
Faunal Associations: Little is known about floral-faunal relationships for Erect Bindweed, although there is some information available about its more weedy relatives, e.g. Calystegia sepium (Hedge Bindweed). The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by miscellaneous long-tongued bees. The caterpillars of Agrius cingulatus (Pink-Spotted Hawk Moth) require bindweed as a food source; the caterpillars of Emmelina monodactyla (Common Plume Moth) and Bedellia somnulentella (Morning Glory Leafminer) also feed on the foliage of species in the Bindweed family. Several beetles feed on the foliage and other parts of these same species: Typophorus nigritus (Sweet Potato Leaf Beetle), Strongylocassis atripes and other tortoise beetles, Chaetocnema confinis (Sweet Potato Flea Beetle), the stem-boring beetle Phaea monostigma, and the seed weevil Megacerus discoidus. One insect, Charidotella sexpunctata (Golden Tortoise Beetle), has been found on the foliage of Erect Bindweed specifically. There are also records of upland gamebirds eating the seeds of bindweed species: the Bobwhite, Ring-Necked Pheasant, and Prairie Chicken.
Photographic Location: The Coneflower Hill Prairie near Lake Shelbyville in Moultrie County, Illinois. The flowers are mostly closed because the photograph was taken after the blooming period during the morning.
Comments: Unlike Erect Bindweed, most species in the Bindweed family are long twining vines that are adapted to thickets, overgrown meadows, and similar habitats. Most of these species are weedy annuals, although Ipomoea pandurata (Wild Sweet Potato) is a perennial with a tuberous swollen root. Species that are twining vines produce large showy flowers in abundance. While the flowers of Erect Bindweed are also large and showy, they are sparingly produced. All of these species have short-lived flowers that remain open during the morning of a single day. Other common names of Calystegia spithamaea are Dwarf Bindweed, Low Bindweed, and Low False Bindweed. An older scientific name of this species is Convolvulus spithamaeus.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer and lasts about 1-2 months. On any given day, only 0-1 flowers are in bloom per plant. Each large flower opens up during the early morning and closes at around noon; it lasts only a single day. Fertilized flowers are replaced by globoid seed capsules; each capsule is 2-celled and about 1/3" across. Each cell of the capsule contains a single large seed. The root system is rhizomatous, occasionally forming vegetative offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and soil containing sand, rocky material, or clay.
Range & Habitat: The native Erect Bindweed is found primarily in central and northern Illinois, where it is uncommon (see Distribution Map). Populations of this species have declined across the state. Habitats consist of upland sand prairies, gravel prairies, hill prairies, open rocky woodlands, limestone glades, and roadside embankments. Erect Bindweed tends to increase in response to occasional wildfires as this reduces woody vegetation and excess debris. This is an indicator plant of high quality prairies.
Faunal Associations: Little is known about floral-faunal relationships for Erect Bindweed, although there is some information available about its more weedy relatives, e.g. Calystegia sepium (Hedge Bindweed). The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by miscellaneous long-tongued bees. The caterpillars of Agrius cingulatus (Pink-Spotted Hawk Moth) require bindweed as a food source; the caterpillars of Emmelina monodactyla (Common Plume Moth) and Bedellia somnulentella (Morning Glory Leafminer) also feed on the foliage of species in the Bindweed family. Several beetles feed on the foliage and other parts of these same species: Typophorus nigritus (Sweet Potato Leaf Beetle), Strongylocassis atripes and other tortoise beetles, Chaetocnema confinis (Sweet Potato Flea Beetle), the stem-boring beetle Phaea monostigma, and the seed weevil Megacerus discoidus. One insect, Charidotella sexpunctata (Golden Tortoise Beetle), has been found on the foliage of Erect Bindweed specifically. There are also records of upland gamebirds eating the seeds of bindweed species: the Bobwhite, Ring-Necked Pheasant, and Prairie Chicken.
Photographic Location: The Coneflower Hill Prairie near Lake Shelbyville in Moultrie County, Illinois. The flowers are mostly closed because the photograph was taken after the blooming period during the morning.
Comments: Unlike Erect Bindweed, most species in the Bindweed family are long twining vines that are adapted to thickets, overgrown meadows, and similar habitats. Most of these species are weedy annuals, although Ipomoea pandurata (Wild Sweet Potato) is a perennial with a tuberous swollen root. Species that are twining vines produce large showy flowers in abundance. While the flowers of Erect Bindweed are also large and showy, they are sparingly produced. All of these species have short-lived flowers that remain open during the morning of a single day. Other common names of Calystegia spithamaea are Dwarf Bindweed, Low Bindweed, and Low False Bindweed. An older scientific name of this species is Convolvulus spithamaeus.
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文章
Miss Chen
2017年12月17日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 2-4' tall, branching occasionally. It forms a rosette of basal leaves, which usually wither away prior to the blooming period. These basal leaves may be triangular-cordate or palmately lobed. The slender stems are usually glabrous and glaucous; the lower central stem is often terete (furrowed along all sides), while the upper stems are round in circumference. The alternate leaves are up to 5" long and 6" across (excluding their petioles), becoming smaller as they ascend the stems. Each of these leaves is deeply divided into palmate lobes, which are often deeply divided into secondary lobes. The leaves are usually glabrous and glaucous like the stems; their petioles are up to 6" long. The upper stems terminate in one or more flowers on long peduncles (flowering stalks). Each flower is 1-2" across, consisting of 5 magenta petals, 5 green sepals, and a central column of stamens and styles. The outer edge of each petal is slightly fringed and truncate, while the sepals are triangular-ovate with pointed tips. There are no floral bracts underneath the sepals. The blooming period occurs during the summer and lasts about 2 months. There is no floral scent. Each flower matures into a whorl of flattened seeds. Each seed is rectangular, reticulated and pitted along the sides, with little or no pubescence. The root system consists of a woody taproot that is often swollen at the base. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and mesic to dry conditions. Poor soil containing sand, gravel, or clay is preferred, as this reduces competition from neighboring plants. This plant has a tendency to lean over while in bloom, especially if the soil is too moist and rich.
Range & Habitat: The Fringed Poppy Mallow is an uncommon plant that has naturalized in only two or three counties in Illinois (Peoria and Dupage). The webmaster has observed this species at a prairie restoration in Champaign County (see Distribution Map). The Fringed Poppy Mallow is native to the southern Great Plains, where it is more common. Habitats include upland areas of sand prairies, gravel prairies, savannas with scant ground vegetation, and abandoned fields. This species may appear unexpectedly in a prairie restoration as a result of contaminated seed. In Illinois, it is not aggressive.
Faunal Associations: Bees are probably the most important visitors of the flowers. Deer, rabbits, and other mammalian herbivores eat the foliage of Poppy Mallows readily. Rabbits often eat the lower leaves of the Fringed Poppy Mallow (including the lower leaves of the photographed plant), while deer occasionally chomp off the upper half of the foliage.
Photographic Location: A restored prairie at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Among the few Callirhoe spp. (Poppy Mallows) that occur in Illinois, the Fringed Poppy Mallow is the tallest. It is a lanky plant with slender stems and finger-like foliage. Some Callirhoe spp. have floral bracts underneath the sepals of each flower; these floral bracts have a leafy or papery-membranous appearance. However, the Fringed Poppy Mallow lacks such bracts. It is also rather distinctive because of the fringed outer edge of its petals, which becomes more pronounced as the flowers mature. Other Poppy Mallows have flowers with unfringed petals.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and mesic to dry conditions. Poor soil containing sand, gravel, or clay is preferred, as this reduces competition from neighboring plants. This plant has a tendency to lean over while in bloom, especially if the soil is too moist and rich.
Range & Habitat: The Fringed Poppy Mallow is an uncommon plant that has naturalized in only two or three counties in Illinois (Peoria and Dupage). The webmaster has observed this species at a prairie restoration in Champaign County (see Distribution Map). The Fringed Poppy Mallow is native to the southern Great Plains, where it is more common. Habitats include upland areas of sand prairies, gravel prairies, savannas with scant ground vegetation, and abandoned fields. This species may appear unexpectedly in a prairie restoration as a result of contaminated seed. In Illinois, it is not aggressive.
Faunal Associations: Bees are probably the most important visitors of the flowers. Deer, rabbits, and other mammalian herbivores eat the foliage of Poppy Mallows readily. Rabbits often eat the lower leaves of the Fringed Poppy Mallow (including the lower leaves of the photographed plant), while deer occasionally chomp off the upper half of the foliage.
Photographic Location: A restored prairie at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Among the few Callirhoe spp. (Poppy Mallows) that occur in Illinois, the Fringed Poppy Mallow is the tallest. It is a lanky plant with slender stems and finger-like foliage. Some Callirhoe spp. have floral bracts underneath the sepals of each flower; these floral bracts have a leafy or papery-membranous appearance. However, the Fringed Poppy Mallow lacks such bracts. It is also rather distinctive because of the fringed outer edge of its petals, which becomes more pronounced as the flowers mature. Other Poppy Mallows have flowers with unfringed petals.
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文章
Miss Chen
2017年12月17日
Description: This plant is a summer annual about 6-20" tall that branches frequently; large specimens can be as wide as they are tall, resembling a tumbleweed in shape. The rather stout stems are light green, terete to slightly angular, and glabrous. Alternate leaves occur along these stems that are 1-2" long and ¼-½" across; they are medium green, glabrous, and oblanceolate with margins that are coarsely crenate, shallowly lobed, or undulate. Small upper leaves often have smooth margins. The leaves are slightly succulent with a thick texture. The upper stems terminate in racemes of flowers about 2-10" long. Individual flowers are up to ¼" across, consisting of 4 lavender to white petals, 4 green sepals, 6 stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The oblong-lanceolate sepals are about ¼" long and glabrous, while the oblong petals spread widely during the short period when a flower is in bloom. The ascending pedicels are green and glabrous.
The blooming period occurs from mid-summer into the fall, lasting about 3 months. Only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time toward the apex of the racemes. The flowers are replaced by elongated seedpods (silicles) about ½-¾" long. Each seedpod has a lower segment (up to ¼" long) that is ovoid-cylindrical in shape, and an upper segment (up to ½" long) that is lanceoloid with a long tapering beak. Between these two segments, the seedpod is slightly constricted. The upper segment contains a single seed, while the lower segment contains either a single seed or none. At maturity, the upper segment of each seedpod becomes detached from the lower segment, while the lower segment persists on the dried remains of the plant. The upper segment can float on water, and it is often carried off by the waves of the lake or sea. Eventually, the upper segment is deposited at another beach, thereby introducing its seed to a new area. The seed of the lower segment usually germinates in proximity to its mother plant, colonizing the same beach.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and very sandy soil. This plant also adapts to gravelly or rocky shorelines.
Range & Habitat: The native Sea Rocket is a rare plant in Illinois that is state-listed as 'threatened.' Its distribution is restricted to the shoreline of Lake Michigan in the NE section of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats consist of sandy beaches and, to a lesser extent, gravelly or rocky shorelines. Outside of the state, Sea Rocket can be found along the shore lines of other Great Lakes (except the northernmost areas); a closely related subspecies of Sea Rocket is also found along the Atlantic coast.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this plant. Similar to other flowering plants in the Mustard family, Sea Rocket's flowers are probably cross-pollinated by small bees, flies, beetles, and small to medium-sized butterflies. There is a native flea beetle, Phyllotreta chalybeipennis, that feeds primarily, if not exclusively, on the foliage of Sea Rocket: its larvae form mines through the leaves. Other flea beetles that feed on the foliage of this plant include Phyllotreta crucifera (introduced from Europe), Phyllotreta punctulata, and Phyllotreta striolata (Clark et al., 2004). Larvae of a moth, the Rubbed Dart (Euxoa detersa), also referred to as the Sandhill Cutworm, feed primarily on the underground parts of Sea Rocket and many other plants in sandy areas (Covell, 1984/2005).
Photographic Location: A sandy beach at Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: This member of the Mustard family is quite unique and easy to identify: it has slightly succulent leaves and unusual seedpods with 2 segments. Sea Rocket is a pioneer species of sandy beaches, colonizing areas that only a few plant species can tolerate. Because its succulent leaves can store water, it is able to withstand the desiccating effect of sunlight and sand. The root system helps to bind and stabilize the sand, while the decayed remnants of foliage add organic material and nutrients to the impoverished soil. This enables other plants to colonize the beach, beginning the process of ecological succession.
The blooming period occurs from mid-summer into the fall, lasting about 3 months. Only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time toward the apex of the racemes. The flowers are replaced by elongated seedpods (silicles) about ½-¾" long. Each seedpod has a lower segment (up to ¼" long) that is ovoid-cylindrical in shape, and an upper segment (up to ½" long) that is lanceoloid with a long tapering beak. Between these two segments, the seedpod is slightly constricted. The upper segment contains a single seed, while the lower segment contains either a single seed or none. At maturity, the upper segment of each seedpod becomes detached from the lower segment, while the lower segment persists on the dried remains of the plant. The upper segment can float on water, and it is often carried off by the waves of the lake or sea. Eventually, the upper segment is deposited at another beach, thereby introducing its seed to a new area. The seed of the lower segment usually germinates in proximity to its mother plant, colonizing the same beach.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and very sandy soil. This plant also adapts to gravelly or rocky shorelines.
Range & Habitat: The native Sea Rocket is a rare plant in Illinois that is state-listed as 'threatened.' Its distribution is restricted to the shoreline of Lake Michigan in the NE section of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats consist of sandy beaches and, to a lesser extent, gravelly or rocky shorelines. Outside of the state, Sea Rocket can be found along the shore lines of other Great Lakes (except the northernmost areas); a closely related subspecies of Sea Rocket is also found along the Atlantic coast.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this plant. Similar to other flowering plants in the Mustard family, Sea Rocket's flowers are probably cross-pollinated by small bees, flies, beetles, and small to medium-sized butterflies. There is a native flea beetle, Phyllotreta chalybeipennis, that feeds primarily, if not exclusively, on the foliage of Sea Rocket: its larvae form mines through the leaves. Other flea beetles that feed on the foliage of this plant include Phyllotreta crucifera (introduced from Europe), Phyllotreta punctulata, and Phyllotreta striolata (Clark et al., 2004). Larvae of a moth, the Rubbed Dart (Euxoa detersa), also referred to as the Sandhill Cutworm, feed primarily on the underground parts of Sea Rocket and many other plants in sandy areas (Covell, 1984/2005).
Photographic Location: A sandy beach at Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: This member of the Mustard family is quite unique and easy to identify: it has slightly succulent leaves and unusual seedpods with 2 segments. Sea Rocket is a pioneer species of sandy beaches, colonizing areas that only a few plant species can tolerate. Because its succulent leaves can store water, it is able to withstand the desiccating effect of sunlight and sand. The root system helps to bind and stabilize the sand, while the decayed remnants of foliage add organic material and nutrients to the impoverished soil. This enables other plants to colonize the beach, beginning the process of ecological succession.
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