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Miss Chen
2018年06月17日
Description: This plant is a small much-branched shrub about 1½–3' tall. The bark of the woody branches is reddish brown to grayish brown, becoming shredded and ragged-looking with age. The alternate leaves are about ½–1" long and across; they are divided into 3-7 narrow pinnate lobes and their margins are smooth and revolute (folded downward). The lobes often appear to be palmate because they are crowded together; they are linear-oblong in shape. The upper surface of each leaf is medium to dark green and sparsely covered with fine silky hairs; the lower surface is pale green and more densely covered with fine hairs. The leaves have short petioles.
The upper branches produce either individual or small clusters of yellow flowers. Each flower spans about ¾–1½" across; it has 5 yellow petals that are well-rounded, 5 yellowish green sepals, 15-20 stamens with flat golden anthers, and multiple carpels (female reproductive organs) that are crowded together in the center. The sepals are ovate in shape and sparsely covered with fine silky hairs. On a particular shrub, many flowers may bloom at once, or only a few flowers at a time. The blooming period occurs during the summer and early fall; a small colony of shrubs may remain in bloom for 2-3 months. Each flower is replaced by a capsule that contains several hairy seeds. Mature capsules become dark brown and persist into the winter. The root system consists of a woody taproot.
Cultivation: Shrubby Cinquefoil prefers full sun, moist conditions, and a sandy or rocky soil containing calcium. The pH of the soil should be slightly acid to alkaline. Shrubby Cinquefoil can be cultivated in a garden soil containing loam or clay-loam, and it will adapt to drier situations.
Range & Habitat: Shrubby Cinquefoil is a rare plant in Illinois; it is found primarily in a few counties in the NE section of the state (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Habitats include fens, calcareous seeps, the upper portion of beaches and low sandy areas along Lake Michigan, sandy banks of interdunal ponds, moist dolomite prairies, and hill prairies. The last habitat is highly atypical. Shrubby Cinquefoil is typically found in calcareous wetlands near Lake Michigan and other Great Lakes; it rarely naturalizes in disturbed areas. Because of its attractive flowers and easy culture, Shrubby Cinquefoil is often cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens and lawns. This circumboreal shrub is also native to Eurasia.
Faunal Associations: According to observations of Müller (1873/1883) in Germany, the nectar and pollen of the flowers attract honeybees, Halictid bees, Sphecid wasps, and various flies. Observed fly visitors include: Soldier flies, Syrphid flies, Thick-headed flies, Flesh flies (Sarcophaga spp.), Blow flies (Lucilia spp.), Dung flies (Scatophaga spp., Sepsis spp.), and Anthomyiid flies. The caterpillars of the butterfly Lycaena dorcas (Dorcas Copper) feed on the foliage of Shrubby Cinquefoil, while the caterpillars of the moth Scopula limboundata (Large Lace Border) eat the flowers. Another insect that feeds on Shrubby Cinquefoil is the flea beetle Macrohaltica caurina. With the exception of goats, hoofed mammalian herbivores don't browse on this shrub to any significant extent.
Photographic Location: A roadside garden in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: Other scientific names for this species includes Potentilla fruticosa and Pentaphylloides floribunda. While the floral structure of Shrubby Cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa) resembles that of the various cinquefoil species (Potentilla spp.), the latter are non-woody plants with smaller flowers (¼–¾" across). Another species, Three-toothed Cinquefoil (Sibbaldiopsis tridentata), is a low woody plant with small white flowers; it more closely resembles a wild strawberry (Fragaria sp.) than Shrubby Cinquefoil.
The upper branches produce either individual or small clusters of yellow flowers. Each flower spans about ¾–1½" across; it has 5 yellow petals that are well-rounded, 5 yellowish green sepals, 15-20 stamens with flat golden anthers, and multiple carpels (female reproductive organs) that are crowded together in the center. The sepals are ovate in shape and sparsely covered with fine silky hairs. On a particular shrub, many flowers may bloom at once, or only a few flowers at a time. The blooming period occurs during the summer and early fall; a small colony of shrubs may remain in bloom for 2-3 months. Each flower is replaced by a capsule that contains several hairy seeds. Mature capsules become dark brown and persist into the winter. The root system consists of a woody taproot.
Cultivation: Shrubby Cinquefoil prefers full sun, moist conditions, and a sandy or rocky soil containing calcium. The pH of the soil should be slightly acid to alkaline. Shrubby Cinquefoil can be cultivated in a garden soil containing loam or clay-loam, and it will adapt to drier situations.
Range & Habitat: Shrubby Cinquefoil is a rare plant in Illinois; it is found primarily in a few counties in the NE section of the state (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Habitats include fens, calcareous seeps, the upper portion of beaches and low sandy areas along Lake Michigan, sandy banks of interdunal ponds, moist dolomite prairies, and hill prairies. The last habitat is highly atypical. Shrubby Cinquefoil is typically found in calcareous wetlands near Lake Michigan and other Great Lakes; it rarely naturalizes in disturbed areas. Because of its attractive flowers and easy culture, Shrubby Cinquefoil is often cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens and lawns. This circumboreal shrub is also native to Eurasia.
Faunal Associations: According to observations of Müller (1873/1883) in Germany, the nectar and pollen of the flowers attract honeybees, Halictid bees, Sphecid wasps, and various flies. Observed fly visitors include: Soldier flies, Syrphid flies, Thick-headed flies, Flesh flies (Sarcophaga spp.), Blow flies (Lucilia spp.), Dung flies (Scatophaga spp., Sepsis spp.), and Anthomyiid flies. The caterpillars of the butterfly Lycaena dorcas (Dorcas Copper) feed on the foliage of Shrubby Cinquefoil, while the caterpillars of the moth Scopula limboundata (Large Lace Border) eat the flowers. Another insect that feeds on Shrubby Cinquefoil is the flea beetle Macrohaltica caurina. With the exception of goats, hoofed mammalian herbivores don't browse on this shrub to any significant extent.
Photographic Location: A roadside garden in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: Other scientific names for this species includes Potentilla fruticosa and Pentaphylloides floribunda. While the floral structure of Shrubby Cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa) resembles that of the various cinquefoil species (Potentilla spp.), the latter are non-woody plants with smaller flowers (¼–¾" across). Another species, Three-toothed Cinquefoil (Sibbaldiopsis tridentata), is a low woody plant with small white flowers; it more closely resembles a wild strawberry (Fragaria sp.) than Shrubby Cinquefoil.
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Miss Chen
2018年06月08日
Description: This is a low shrub up to 6' high (rarely higher) that is irregularly branched. The bark of the trunk or lower branches is gray and slightly rough-textured; it doesn't peel away in strips. The bark of twigs and upper branches is reddish brown and smooth with scattered white lenticels; sometimes it becomes covered with a glaucous gray sheen. Young shoots are light green to light brown and they usually have non-glandular hairs; there are less common varieties of this shrub that have glabrous or glandular-hairy shoots. Alternate deciduous leaves occur along the shoots and twigs. The leaves are up to 1¾" long and 1½" across (rarely larger); they are obovate, oval, or nearly orbicular in shape, while their margins are coarsely dentate. The leaf tips are rounded or obtusely angled, while the leaf bases are rounded to broadly wedge-shaped. The upper leaf surface is medium green (or reddish green while young), either shiny or dull, and hairless, while the lower leaf surface is pale green to whitish green (or reddish green while young), and either hairless or variably hairy. In one variety of this shrub, the lower leaf surface is glandular-pitted. The short petioles are up to ¼" long, light green to red, and either glabrous or hairy. Bog Birch is monoecious, producing male catkins and female catkins on the same shrub. The male catkins develop during the autumn at the tips of last year's twigs and overwinter.
During the blooming period, they become ¾–1¼" long, brownish yellow, cylindrical in shape, and spreading or pendent. Behind each scale of a male catkin, there are several stamens from a cluster of 3 male flowers. The female catkins develop during the spring from the floral buds of young twigs; they are ½–¾" long, green, short-cylindrical in shape, and erect. Behind each scale of a female catkin, there is a cluster of 3 female flowers; each female flower consists of a naked ovary with a divided style. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late-spring, lasting 1-2 weeks. The flowers are cross-pollinated by the wind. Afterwards, the male catkins wither away, while the female catkins persist, becoming slightly more elongated, and turning brown at maturity. The woody scales of mature female catkins are 3-lobed; the 2 lateral lobes develop at right-angles from the central lobe, and they are shorter than it. The nutlet bodies are broadly ellipsoid and compressed in shape; the 2 lateral wings of the nutlets are slightly more narrow than the nutlet bodies. The root system is shallow and woody, sometimes forming clonal offsets from underground runners. Sometimes this shrub also reproduces by layering, when lower branches become lodged in the soil and develop rootlets.
Cultivation: This shrub prefers full or partial sun, wet to moist conditions (although not standing water), and either peaty soil or calcareous sand. It is very winter-hardy.
Range & Habitat: The native Bog Birch occurs in NE Illinois, where it is uncommon (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the southern-range limit of this species. It tends to be more common in boreal areas further to the north. Habitats include forested larch bogs, shrubby margins of open bogs, calcareous fens, and margins of calcareous sand flats (pannes) along Lake Michigan. In Illinois, this shrub is found in high quality natural areas. Unfortunately, an introduced shrub, Frangula alnus (Glossy Buckthorn), has invaded some of the habitats where Bog Birch occurs, and this introduced shrub is threatening to displace it.
Faunal Associations: Several insect species have been observed to feed on Bog Birch (Betula pumila) in its various habitats. These species include the Witch Hazel Spiny Gall Aphid (Hamamelistes spinosus) and other aphids (Calaphis manitobensis, Cedoaphis incognita, Cepegillettea betulaefoliae), plant bugs (Psallus parshleyi, Noctuocoris incognita), Gladiator Meadow Katydid (Orchelimum gladiator), Fork-tailed Bush Katydid (Scudderia furcata), and larvae of a buck moth (Hemileuca sp.); see Hottes & Frison (1931), Blackman & Eastop (2013), Discover Life (www.discoverlife.org), Knight (1941), Gangwere (1961), and Kruse (1998) for more information. Many other insect species are known to feed on birches (Betula spp.), including the larvae of wood-boring beetles, weevils, leaf beetles, larvae of bark beetles, seed bugs, armored scales, larvae of sawflies, and larvae of many moths. Among vertebrate animals, White-tailed Deer are known to browse on the twigs and foliage of Bog Birch in Canada, decreasing its size (Pellerin et al., 2006). In addition, the Greater Prairie Chicken used Bog Birch as winter browse in Wisconsin, feeding on its buds and catkins (Hamerstrom et al., 1941). The buds and nutlets of birches are a source of food for such songbirds as chickadees, finches, and juncos.
Photographic Location: Edge of a moist sand flat along Lake Michigan at the Illinois Beach State Park in NE Illinois. The photographed shrub is the typical variety of Bog Birch, Betula pumila pumila.
Comments: This is the only birch in Illinois that is a shrub. Other shrubby birches (Betula spp.) exist in North America, but they occur in boreal and arctic areas further to the north. Several varieties of Bog Birch (Betula pumila) have been described; three of them occur in Illinois. The typical variety, Betula pumila pumila, is the most common variety within the state. Its shoots and young twigs are covered with non-glandular hairs. Another variety, Betula pumila glandulifera, is very similar, except its shoots and young twigs are covered with glandular hairs, and its leaf undersides are glandular-pitted. The third variety, Betula pumila glabra, has shoots and young twigs that are hairless and its leaves are always hairless. The leaves of the other varieties can be either hairless or variably hairy on their leaf undersides.
During the blooming period, they become ¾–1¼" long, brownish yellow, cylindrical in shape, and spreading or pendent. Behind each scale of a male catkin, there are several stamens from a cluster of 3 male flowers. The female catkins develop during the spring from the floral buds of young twigs; they are ½–¾" long, green, short-cylindrical in shape, and erect. Behind each scale of a female catkin, there is a cluster of 3 female flowers; each female flower consists of a naked ovary with a divided style. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late-spring, lasting 1-2 weeks. The flowers are cross-pollinated by the wind. Afterwards, the male catkins wither away, while the female catkins persist, becoming slightly more elongated, and turning brown at maturity. The woody scales of mature female catkins are 3-lobed; the 2 lateral lobes develop at right-angles from the central lobe, and they are shorter than it. The nutlet bodies are broadly ellipsoid and compressed in shape; the 2 lateral wings of the nutlets are slightly more narrow than the nutlet bodies. The root system is shallow and woody, sometimes forming clonal offsets from underground runners. Sometimes this shrub also reproduces by layering, when lower branches become lodged in the soil and develop rootlets.
Cultivation: This shrub prefers full or partial sun, wet to moist conditions (although not standing water), and either peaty soil or calcareous sand. It is very winter-hardy.
Range & Habitat: The native Bog Birch occurs in NE Illinois, where it is uncommon (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the southern-range limit of this species. It tends to be more common in boreal areas further to the north. Habitats include forested larch bogs, shrubby margins of open bogs, calcareous fens, and margins of calcareous sand flats (pannes) along Lake Michigan. In Illinois, this shrub is found in high quality natural areas. Unfortunately, an introduced shrub, Frangula alnus (Glossy Buckthorn), has invaded some of the habitats where Bog Birch occurs, and this introduced shrub is threatening to displace it.
Faunal Associations: Several insect species have been observed to feed on Bog Birch (Betula pumila) in its various habitats. These species include the Witch Hazel Spiny Gall Aphid (Hamamelistes spinosus) and other aphids (Calaphis manitobensis, Cedoaphis incognita, Cepegillettea betulaefoliae), plant bugs (Psallus parshleyi, Noctuocoris incognita), Gladiator Meadow Katydid (Orchelimum gladiator), Fork-tailed Bush Katydid (Scudderia furcata), and larvae of a buck moth (Hemileuca sp.); see Hottes & Frison (1931), Blackman & Eastop (2013), Discover Life (www.discoverlife.org), Knight (1941), Gangwere (1961), and Kruse (1998) for more information. Many other insect species are known to feed on birches (Betula spp.), including the larvae of wood-boring beetles, weevils, leaf beetles, larvae of bark beetles, seed bugs, armored scales, larvae of sawflies, and larvae of many moths. Among vertebrate animals, White-tailed Deer are known to browse on the twigs and foliage of Bog Birch in Canada, decreasing its size (Pellerin et al., 2006). In addition, the Greater Prairie Chicken used Bog Birch as winter browse in Wisconsin, feeding on its buds and catkins (Hamerstrom et al., 1941). The buds and nutlets of birches are a source of food for such songbirds as chickadees, finches, and juncos.
Photographic Location: Edge of a moist sand flat along Lake Michigan at the Illinois Beach State Park in NE Illinois. The photographed shrub is the typical variety of Bog Birch, Betula pumila pumila.
Comments: This is the only birch in Illinois that is a shrub. Other shrubby birches (Betula spp.) exist in North America, but they occur in boreal and arctic areas further to the north. Several varieties of Bog Birch (Betula pumila) have been described; three of them occur in Illinois. The typical variety, Betula pumila pumila, is the most common variety within the state. Its shoots and young twigs are covered with non-glandular hairs. Another variety, Betula pumila glandulifera, is very similar, except its shoots and young twigs are covered with glandular hairs, and its leaf undersides are glandular-pitted. The third variety, Betula pumila glabra, has shoots and young twigs that are hairless and its leaves are always hairless. The leaves of the other varieties can be either hairless or variably hairy on their leaf undersides.
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Miss Chen
2018年06月05日
Description: This woody shrub is 2-6' tall, branching occasionally. The bark of the trunk and larger branches is gray and slightly rough, while the bark of the small branches and twigs is gray or gray-brown and more smooth. Opposite pairs of leaves develop from new growth. These leaves are up to 5" long and 4" across; they are usually 3-lobed (less often unlobed), coarsely dentate, and approximately oval in shape. The lobes of the leaves have pointed tips, while the leaf bases are cordate or rounded. The upper leaf surface is medium green and hairless, while the lower surface is pale green and pubescent. The leaf petioles are pale green and pubescent. At the base of each petiole, there is usually a pair of small linear stipules, which may wither away with age.
The flat-headed panicles (or compound cymes) of flowers develop from young branches. Individual panicles span about 1½–3" across. Individual flowers are about ¼" across, consisting of a white corolla with 5 petaloid lobes, a short green calyx with 5 small teeth, 5 strongly exerted stamens, and a central pistil. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer and lasts about 3 weeks. The flowers are replaced by ovoid-globoid berries about ¼" long that become blue-black at maturity. Each berry contains a single seed (or stone). The root system is woody and branching. During the fall, the leaves can assume different colors, including pink, magenta, red, or orange.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight to light shade, mesic to dry conditions, and a somewhat acidic soil that is rocky or sandy. This shrub will adapt to fertile loamy soil, but it is more likely to be displaced by taller shrubs.
Range & Habitat: The native Maple-Leaved Viburnum is occasional in northeast Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland rocky woodlands, upland sandy woodlands, stabilized sand dunes with woody vegetation, and rocky wooded slopes. This is an understory plant in high quality wooded habitats where the shade is not too dense.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract Halictid bees, Andrenid bees, miscellaneous other bees, Syrphid flies, dance flies (Empididae), and miscellaneous other flies. To a lesser extent, the flowers are also visited by wasps, beetles, butterflies, and skippers. The caterpillars of several moths feed on Viburnums (primarily the foliage); see the Moth Table for a listing of these species. Other insect feeders include the caterpillars of the butterfly Celastrina argiolus (Spring/Summer Azure), the introduced Pyrrhalta viburni (Viburnum Leaf Beetle), the wood-boring larvae of Oberea deficiens (Long-Horned Beetle sp.) and Oberea tripunctata (Dogwood Twig Borer), and several aphid species. Viburnum berries are eaten by the Ruffed Grouse and many woodland songbirds (see Bird Table). To a lesser extent, these berries are also eaten by the White-Footed Mouse, Woodland Deer Mouse, Eastern Chipmunk, and various tree squirrels. White-Tailed Deer may browse on the twigs and leaves.
Photographic Location: An upland rocky woodland at the Portland Arch in west-central Indiana, where sandstone lies at or near the ground surface.
Comments: This is one of the smallest Viburnum spp., rarely exceeding 6' in height. The other small Viburnum sp. in Illinois, Viburnum rafinesquianum (Downy Arrow-Wood), has smaller leaves that lack pointed lobes. The only other native species in this genus that has pointed lobed leaves, Viburnum trilobum (American Cranberry Bush), has sterile white flowers that are much larger in size than the fertile flowers in the center of each inflorescence. There is also a very similar European species, Viburnum opulus (European Cranberry Bush), that also produces large sterile flowers; this latter species occasionally escapes from cultivation. The mature berries of these latter two species are shiny red. In contrast, Maple-Leaved Viburnum lacks such sterile flowers, and its mature berries are blue-black.
The flat-headed panicles (or compound cymes) of flowers develop from young branches. Individual panicles span about 1½–3" across. Individual flowers are about ¼" across, consisting of a white corolla with 5 petaloid lobes, a short green calyx with 5 small teeth, 5 strongly exerted stamens, and a central pistil. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer and lasts about 3 weeks. The flowers are replaced by ovoid-globoid berries about ¼" long that become blue-black at maturity. Each berry contains a single seed (or stone). The root system is woody and branching. During the fall, the leaves can assume different colors, including pink, magenta, red, or orange.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight to light shade, mesic to dry conditions, and a somewhat acidic soil that is rocky or sandy. This shrub will adapt to fertile loamy soil, but it is more likely to be displaced by taller shrubs.
Range & Habitat: The native Maple-Leaved Viburnum is occasional in northeast Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland rocky woodlands, upland sandy woodlands, stabilized sand dunes with woody vegetation, and rocky wooded slopes. This is an understory plant in high quality wooded habitats where the shade is not too dense.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract Halictid bees, Andrenid bees, miscellaneous other bees, Syrphid flies, dance flies (Empididae), and miscellaneous other flies. To a lesser extent, the flowers are also visited by wasps, beetles, butterflies, and skippers. The caterpillars of several moths feed on Viburnums (primarily the foliage); see the Moth Table for a listing of these species. Other insect feeders include the caterpillars of the butterfly Celastrina argiolus (Spring/Summer Azure), the introduced Pyrrhalta viburni (Viburnum Leaf Beetle), the wood-boring larvae of Oberea deficiens (Long-Horned Beetle sp.) and Oberea tripunctata (Dogwood Twig Borer), and several aphid species. Viburnum berries are eaten by the Ruffed Grouse and many woodland songbirds (see Bird Table). To a lesser extent, these berries are also eaten by the White-Footed Mouse, Woodland Deer Mouse, Eastern Chipmunk, and various tree squirrels. White-Tailed Deer may browse on the twigs and leaves.
Photographic Location: An upland rocky woodland at the Portland Arch in west-central Indiana, where sandstone lies at or near the ground surface.
Comments: This is one of the smallest Viburnum spp., rarely exceeding 6' in height. The other small Viburnum sp. in Illinois, Viburnum rafinesquianum (Downy Arrow-Wood), has smaller leaves that lack pointed lobes. The only other native species in this genus that has pointed lobed leaves, Viburnum trilobum (American Cranberry Bush), has sterile white flowers that are much larger in size than the fertile flowers in the center of each inflorescence. There is also a very similar European species, Viburnum opulus (European Cranberry Bush), that also produces large sterile flowers; this latter species occasionally escapes from cultivation. The mature berries of these latter two species are shiny red. In contrast, Maple-Leaved Viburnum lacks such sterile flowers, and its mature berries are blue-black.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月12日
Description: This sub-shrub is 3–8" (5–20 cm.) tall. It has ascending semi-woody stems that are sparingly branched. These stems are light green to bright red and more or less terete; they are sparsely to moderately covered with appressed white hairs. Alternate evergreen leaves occur along these stems. The leaves are ¾–2" (2–5 cm.) long and about one-third to one-half as much across; they are elliptic, ovate, obovate, or oval in shape. The margins of the leaves are sparsely serrated with bristly teeth. The upper leaf surface is medium to dark green, hairless, and shiny, while the lower leaf surface is light green, hairless to sparsely appressed-hairy, and dull. Leaf texture is somewhat stiff and leathery, while leaf venation is pinnate. The petioles of the leaves are light green to bright red and less than ¼" (6 mm.) long; they are sparsely to moderately covered with appressed white hairs. The foliage of this sub-shrub has a minty (or wintergreen) fragrance, especially when it is crushed. Either solitary or short racemes of 2-5 nodding flowers develop from the upper leaf axils.
Each flower is about 1/3" (8 mm.) in length, consisting of a white bell-shaped corolla (sometimes tinted pink) with 5 short outwardly curled lobes, a white calyx with 5 ovate-oval lobes, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with a single stout style. The calyx is much shorter than the corolla. At the base of each flower, there is a pair of tiny ovate to heart-shaped bracts; these bracts can be light green, white, or red, and they have membranous margins. The pedicels of the flowers are up to 1/3" (8 mm.) in length, light green to red, and more or less terete; they are sparsely to moderately covered with appressed white hairs. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer, lasting about 3 weeks. The flowers are reported to be fragrant. Afterwards, fertile flowers are replaced by berry-like fruits that become mature during late summer or early autumn. Mature fruits are about 1/3" (8 mm.) or slightly more across, bright red, and globoid in shape; they have a fleshy interior that is slightly sweet and minty (wintergreen) in flavor. Each fruit contains many tiny seeds. The root system has shallow rhizomes, from which clonal subshrubs develop. The evergreen foliage becomes reddish or purplish during the autumn.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions, relatively cool temperatures, and somewhat acidic soil containing either sand or loam with decaying organic matter. Growth and development are relatively slow. Flowers and fruits are more likely to be produced in brighter locations. The seeds are difficult to germinate.
Range & Habitat: Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) is native to northern Illinois, where it is rare and state-listed as 'endangered' (see Distribution Map). Elsewhere within the state, it is absent from natural areas. Wintergreen occurs primarily in the Great Lakes region, northeastern USA, and adjacent areas of Canada; it also occurs in the Appalachian mountains in high-altitude areas. In Illinois, the habitats of this sub-shrub are largely restricted to upland oak woodlands, wooded hillsides, forested bogs, and shrubby bogs. In more northern areas, it is often found in coniferous woodlands, mixed woodlands, and shrubby meadows. Wintergreen occurs in high quality natural areas in Illinois. It is easily topkilled by wildfires, although the thinning of the tree canopy and reduction of taller shrubs can cause populations of this sub-shrub to increase.
Faunal Associations: Bumblebees are the primary pollinators of the flowers. Other floral visitors include cuckoo bumblebees (Psithyrus spp.) and the honeybee. Nectar is the primary floral reward for these insect visitors (Mirick & Quin, 1981; Reader, 1977; Lovell, 1898). Other insects feed on the plant sap or foliage of Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens). These species include an aphid (Illinoia borealis) and larvae of two moths, Cameraria gaultheriella and Rhopobota naevana (Blackman & Eastop, 2013; Ferguson, 1975; Needham et al., 1928). Birds and mammals also use Wintergreen as a source of food. The Ruffed Grouse eats the buds, leaves, and fruits; the Bobwhite Quail, Ring-necked Pheasant, and the extinct Passenger Pigeon eat (or ate) the fruits (Bennetts, 1900; Martin et al., 1951/1961; Coladonato, 1994; Schorger, 1955). This sub-shrub provides protective cover for the nests of the rare Kirtland's Warbler in Jack Pine barrens in the state of Michigan (Buech, 1980). Mammals feeding on this sub-shrub include the American Black Bear (leaves & fruits), Red Fox (fruits), Eastern Chipmunk (leaves & fruits), Elk (leaves & twigs), White-tailed Deer (leaves & twigs), Deer Mouse (fruits), and White-footed Mouse (fruits); see Coladonato (1994), Martin et al. (1951/1961), Schneider et al. (2006), Hamilton (1941), and Schloyer (1976) for more information. Fruit-eating birds and mammals spread the seeds to new locations.
Photographic Location: A flower garden at the Urbana Free Library in Urbana, Illinois, and a wooded hillside at the Pine Hills Nature Preserve in west-central Indiana.
Comments: The most striking characteristic of this plant is the mint (or wintergreen) fragrance of its crushed leaves, from which oil of wintergreen is made. Even without flowers or fruits, Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) can be identified by the size, shape, and fragrance of its leathery evergreen leaves. Another species in this genus, Creeping Snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula), is found north of Illinois in more boreal areas. Its crushed leaves have the same wintergreen fragrance, but Creeping Snowberry differs from Wintergreen by its prostrate habit of growth, white berry-like fruits, and smaller leaves. Other similar species in the Heath family (Ericaceae) are either larger shrubs or their leaves lack the wintergreen fragrance. Other common names of Gaultheria procumbens are Teaberry and Checkerberry.
Each flower is about 1/3" (8 mm.) in length, consisting of a white bell-shaped corolla (sometimes tinted pink) with 5 short outwardly curled lobes, a white calyx with 5 ovate-oval lobes, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with a single stout style. The calyx is much shorter than the corolla. At the base of each flower, there is a pair of tiny ovate to heart-shaped bracts; these bracts can be light green, white, or red, and they have membranous margins. The pedicels of the flowers are up to 1/3" (8 mm.) in length, light green to red, and more or less terete; they are sparsely to moderately covered with appressed white hairs. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer, lasting about 3 weeks. The flowers are reported to be fragrant. Afterwards, fertile flowers are replaced by berry-like fruits that become mature during late summer or early autumn. Mature fruits are about 1/3" (8 mm.) or slightly more across, bright red, and globoid in shape; they have a fleshy interior that is slightly sweet and minty (wintergreen) in flavor. Each fruit contains many tiny seeds. The root system has shallow rhizomes, from which clonal subshrubs develop. The evergreen foliage becomes reddish or purplish during the autumn.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions, relatively cool temperatures, and somewhat acidic soil containing either sand or loam with decaying organic matter. Growth and development are relatively slow. Flowers and fruits are more likely to be produced in brighter locations. The seeds are difficult to germinate.
Range & Habitat: Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) is native to northern Illinois, where it is rare and state-listed as 'endangered' (see Distribution Map). Elsewhere within the state, it is absent from natural areas. Wintergreen occurs primarily in the Great Lakes region, northeastern USA, and adjacent areas of Canada; it also occurs in the Appalachian mountains in high-altitude areas. In Illinois, the habitats of this sub-shrub are largely restricted to upland oak woodlands, wooded hillsides, forested bogs, and shrubby bogs. In more northern areas, it is often found in coniferous woodlands, mixed woodlands, and shrubby meadows. Wintergreen occurs in high quality natural areas in Illinois. It is easily topkilled by wildfires, although the thinning of the tree canopy and reduction of taller shrubs can cause populations of this sub-shrub to increase.
Faunal Associations: Bumblebees are the primary pollinators of the flowers. Other floral visitors include cuckoo bumblebees (Psithyrus spp.) and the honeybee. Nectar is the primary floral reward for these insect visitors (Mirick & Quin, 1981; Reader, 1977; Lovell, 1898). Other insects feed on the plant sap or foliage of Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens). These species include an aphid (Illinoia borealis) and larvae of two moths, Cameraria gaultheriella and Rhopobota naevana (Blackman & Eastop, 2013; Ferguson, 1975; Needham et al., 1928). Birds and mammals also use Wintergreen as a source of food. The Ruffed Grouse eats the buds, leaves, and fruits; the Bobwhite Quail, Ring-necked Pheasant, and the extinct Passenger Pigeon eat (or ate) the fruits (Bennetts, 1900; Martin et al., 1951/1961; Coladonato, 1994; Schorger, 1955). This sub-shrub provides protective cover for the nests of the rare Kirtland's Warbler in Jack Pine barrens in the state of Michigan (Buech, 1980). Mammals feeding on this sub-shrub include the American Black Bear (leaves & fruits), Red Fox (fruits), Eastern Chipmunk (leaves & fruits), Elk (leaves & twigs), White-tailed Deer (leaves & twigs), Deer Mouse (fruits), and White-footed Mouse (fruits); see Coladonato (1994), Martin et al. (1951/1961), Schneider et al. (2006), Hamilton (1941), and Schloyer (1976) for more information. Fruit-eating birds and mammals spread the seeds to new locations.
Photographic Location: A flower garden at the Urbana Free Library in Urbana, Illinois, and a wooded hillside at the Pine Hills Nature Preserve in west-central Indiana.
Comments: The most striking characteristic of this plant is the mint (or wintergreen) fragrance of its crushed leaves, from which oil of wintergreen is made. Even without flowers or fruits, Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) can be identified by the size, shape, and fragrance of its leathery evergreen leaves. Another species in this genus, Creeping Snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula), is found north of Illinois in more boreal areas. Its crushed leaves have the same wintergreen fragrance, but Creeping Snowberry differs from Wintergreen by its prostrate habit of growth, white berry-like fruits, and smaller leaves. Other similar species in the Heath family (Ericaceae) are either larger shrubs or their leaves lack the wintergreen fragrance. Other common names of Gaultheria procumbens are Teaberry and Checkerberry.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月11日
Description: This perennial plant is ½–1½' tall and up to 3½' long, developing as a dwarf shrub or a short woody vine. The central stem is either ascending or sprawling, branching occasionally. The central stem and any lateral stems are light green or purple, terete or angular, and hairless. Pairs of opposite leaves occur at interval along these stems. Individual leaves are up to 2½" long and 1¾" across, obovate, hairless, and finely serrate-crenate along their margins. The upper surface of each leaf is medium green, while the lower surface is slightly more pale with raised pinnate veins. The petioles are about 1/8" (3 mm.) long. Cymes of 1-4 flowers occasionally develop from the axils of the leaves. The peduncle of each cyme is about 1-2" long, while the pedicels of individual flowers are much shorter. Individual flowers are up to 1/3" (8 mm.) across, consisting of 5 pale greenish purple petals, a short green calyx with 5 lobes, 5 short stamens, and a central pistil. The petals are nearly orbicular in shape and slightly overlapping.
The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer and lasts about 1½ months. Each fertile flower is replaced by a tuberculate globoid fruit about ¾" across. This fruit usually has 3 lobed cells (less often, there are 5). The outer surface of the fruit is orange or pink. When it splits open along its lobes, the fleshy arils covering the seeds are revealed; they are scarlet. New rootlets can develop where the stems have contact with the ground; as a result, this plant can reproduce vegetatively.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to medium shade, moist to slightly dry conditions, and soil that is loamy or rocky. Well-drained areas are preferred. Because of its habitat of growth, Running Strawberry Bush can be used as a ground cover.
Range & Habitat: Running Strawberry Bush is an uncommon plant that is found only in NE Illinois, east-central Illinois, and southern Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Illinois lies along the NW edge of its range. Habitats include upland rocky woodlands, wooded slopes, thinly wooded bluffs, and shaded to semi-shaded areas along the edges of cliffs. Running Strawberry is a conservative species that is found in high quality habitats.
Faunal Associations: Information about floral-faunal relationships for this particular species is limited. The nectar and pollen of the flowers probably attract small bees and miscellaneous flies. Some insects that are known to feed on Euonymus spp. include Taedia evonymi (Euonymus Plant Bug), Otiorhynchus sulcatus (Black Vine Weevil), Unaspis euonymi (Euonymus Scale), caterpillars of Herpetogramma thestealis (Pyralid Moth sp.), caterpillars of Yponomeuta multipunctella (American Ermine Moth), and the larvae of Stenocorus cinnamopterus (Long-Horned Beetle sp.). The larvae of this latter insect bore through branches. The fruit of Running Strawberry Bush is probably eaten by the Wild Turkey and other birds, while the foliage is occasionally eaten by White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbits, even though both the fruit and foliage are supposed to be somewhat toxic.
Photographic Location: Along the wooded slope of a bluff in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: This interesting shrub should be cultivated more often. Running Strawberry Bush differs from other Euonymus spp. by its low habit of growth (less than 2' tall) and stems that often sprawl across the ground (less than 4' long). Other Euonymus spp. are either taller or they have longer stems. The flowers of Running Strawberry Bush have 5 petals, while the flowers of most Eurasian Euonymus spp. in Illinois have only 4 petals. This low shrub can be confused with a small Euonymus americanus (Strawberry Bush). Running Strawberry Bush usually has obovate leaves that are widest above the middle, while the latter shrub has leaves that are widest at or below the middle. A mature specimen of Strawberry Bush is about 3-6' tall.
The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer and lasts about 1½ months. Each fertile flower is replaced by a tuberculate globoid fruit about ¾" across. This fruit usually has 3 lobed cells (less often, there are 5). The outer surface of the fruit is orange or pink. When it splits open along its lobes, the fleshy arils covering the seeds are revealed; they are scarlet. New rootlets can develop where the stems have contact with the ground; as a result, this plant can reproduce vegetatively.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to medium shade, moist to slightly dry conditions, and soil that is loamy or rocky. Well-drained areas are preferred. Because of its habitat of growth, Running Strawberry Bush can be used as a ground cover.
Range & Habitat: Running Strawberry Bush is an uncommon plant that is found only in NE Illinois, east-central Illinois, and southern Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Illinois lies along the NW edge of its range. Habitats include upland rocky woodlands, wooded slopes, thinly wooded bluffs, and shaded to semi-shaded areas along the edges of cliffs. Running Strawberry is a conservative species that is found in high quality habitats.
Faunal Associations: Information about floral-faunal relationships for this particular species is limited. The nectar and pollen of the flowers probably attract small bees and miscellaneous flies. Some insects that are known to feed on Euonymus spp. include Taedia evonymi (Euonymus Plant Bug), Otiorhynchus sulcatus (Black Vine Weevil), Unaspis euonymi (Euonymus Scale), caterpillars of Herpetogramma thestealis (Pyralid Moth sp.), caterpillars of Yponomeuta multipunctella (American Ermine Moth), and the larvae of Stenocorus cinnamopterus (Long-Horned Beetle sp.). The larvae of this latter insect bore through branches. The fruit of Running Strawberry Bush is probably eaten by the Wild Turkey and other birds, while the foliage is occasionally eaten by White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbits, even though both the fruit and foliage are supposed to be somewhat toxic.
Photographic Location: Along the wooded slope of a bluff in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: This interesting shrub should be cultivated more often. Running Strawberry Bush differs from other Euonymus spp. by its low habit of growth (less than 2' tall) and stems that often sprawl across the ground (less than 4' long). Other Euonymus spp. are either taller or they have longer stems. The flowers of Running Strawberry Bush have 5 petals, while the flowers of most Eurasian Euonymus spp. in Illinois have only 4 petals. This low shrub can be confused with a small Euonymus americanus (Strawberry Bush). Running Strawberry Bush usually has obovate leaves that are widest above the middle, while the latter shrub has leaves that are widest at or below the middle. A mature specimen of Strawberry Bush is about 3-6' tall.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月07日
Description: This shrub is 3-8' tall, producing unbranched canes that are erect. Young tips of the central cane are light green and sometimes pubescent, otherwise the cane is woody with gray to brown bark. With age, this bark tears off into multicolored sheets, providing it with a tattered appearance. Pairs of opposite leaves occur at intervals along each cane. These leaves are about 4-6" long and 3-5" across; they are oval-ovate or oval-cordate and serrated along their margins. The upper surface of each leaf is medium to dark green and hairless, while the lower surface is pale green and either hairless or sparsely pubescent. The slender petioles are 2-6" long and either hairless or pubescent.
Each cane terminates in a flat-headed panicle (or compound cyme) of flowers about 3-6" across. In the center of the panicle, there are numerous fertile flowers that are very small in size, while around the outer margin of the panicle there are a few sterile flowers that are larger in size (about ¾" across). However, sterile flowers are occasionally absent in some populations of wild plants. Each fertile flower has a short light green calyx with insignificant teeth, 5 tiny white petals less than 1/8" (3 mm.) long, 8 or 10 stamens with long filaments, and a pistil with a pair of styles. The fertile flowers are either greenish white or cream-colored. Each sterile flower has 3-4 petaloid bracts that are large and white. The branches of the panicle are dull cream-colored and usually pubescent. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer. The fertile flowers are in bloomDistribution Map for only a short time, while the sterile flowers remain attractive until the autumn. Each fertile flower is replaced by a small 2-celled seed capsule about 1/8" (3 mm.) across that has a pair of tiny curved horns on its upper surface. The sides of the capsule are ribbed. Each capsule contains many tiny seeds that are flattened; they are small enough to be blown about by the wind or carried by currents of water. The root system can develop clonal offsets from underground runners. As a result, colonies of plants are often formed.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight to light shade, consistently damp conditions, and a moderately acidic to neutral soil that contains some decaying organic matter. To prevent a straggly appearance, this shrub can be cut back during the autumn. A humid area with some protection from the wind is desirable.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Hydrangea is occasional to locally common in southern Illinois, uncommon in central Illinois, and largely absent from the northern section of the state. Habitats include shaded ravines, rocky stream banks in wooded areas, bottoms of bluffs and cliffs, low rocky ledges, and similar habitats in wooded areas. Wild Hydrangea is found in high quality natural areas. It is also cultivated in gardens.
Faunal Associations: The fertile flowers offer nectar and pollen to a wide range of visiting insects. These visitors include bumblebees, little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), Halictid bees, masked bees (Hylaeus spp.), miscellaneous wasps, mosquitoes, Syrphid flies, thick-headed flies, Muscid flies, dance flies (Empis spp.), tumbling flower beetles, and long-horned beetles. The foliage of Wild Hydrangea is eaten by the caterpillars of Darapsa versicolor (Hydrangea Sphinx) and Olethreutes ferriferana (Hydrangea Leaf-Tier Moth). Some polyphagous insects occasionally feed on this shrub; these species include the thrips Echinothrips americanus, the seed bug Kleidocerys resedae, the aphids Aphis rumicis and Aphis citricola, and the larvae of the long-horned beetle Stenocorus cinnamopterus. White-tailed Deer occasionally browse on the canes and leaves.
Photographic Location: The flowerhead was photographed at the Arboretum of the University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois. The leaves were photographed at the Potholes in west-central Indiana.
Comments: This fast-growing shrub is very attractive. The only other native hydrangea in Illinois is Hydrangea cinerea (Southern Wild Hydrangea), which is found in the southern section of the state. This latter species differs from Wild Hydrangea by the dense gray pubescence on the undersides of its leaves; it is sometimes considered a variety of Wild Hydrangea, rather than a distinct species. There are many cultivars of Wild Hydrangea in circulation. These cultivars tend to have more sterile flowers than the wild version of this species; there are even cultivars that produce only sterile flowers. While the latter cultivars are showier, they don't provide any nectar or pollen to flower-visiting insects. From an ecological perspective, this makes them less desirable.
Each cane terminates in a flat-headed panicle (or compound cyme) of flowers about 3-6" across. In the center of the panicle, there are numerous fertile flowers that are very small in size, while around the outer margin of the panicle there are a few sterile flowers that are larger in size (about ¾" across). However, sterile flowers are occasionally absent in some populations of wild plants. Each fertile flower has a short light green calyx with insignificant teeth, 5 tiny white petals less than 1/8" (3 mm.) long, 8 or 10 stamens with long filaments, and a pistil with a pair of styles. The fertile flowers are either greenish white or cream-colored. Each sterile flower has 3-4 petaloid bracts that are large and white. The branches of the panicle are dull cream-colored and usually pubescent. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer. The fertile flowers are in bloomDistribution Map for only a short time, while the sterile flowers remain attractive until the autumn. Each fertile flower is replaced by a small 2-celled seed capsule about 1/8" (3 mm.) across that has a pair of tiny curved horns on its upper surface. The sides of the capsule are ribbed. Each capsule contains many tiny seeds that are flattened; they are small enough to be blown about by the wind or carried by currents of water. The root system can develop clonal offsets from underground runners. As a result, colonies of plants are often formed.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight to light shade, consistently damp conditions, and a moderately acidic to neutral soil that contains some decaying organic matter. To prevent a straggly appearance, this shrub can be cut back during the autumn. A humid area with some protection from the wind is desirable.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Hydrangea is occasional to locally common in southern Illinois, uncommon in central Illinois, and largely absent from the northern section of the state. Habitats include shaded ravines, rocky stream banks in wooded areas, bottoms of bluffs and cliffs, low rocky ledges, and similar habitats in wooded areas. Wild Hydrangea is found in high quality natural areas. It is also cultivated in gardens.
Faunal Associations: The fertile flowers offer nectar and pollen to a wide range of visiting insects. These visitors include bumblebees, little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), Halictid bees, masked bees (Hylaeus spp.), miscellaneous wasps, mosquitoes, Syrphid flies, thick-headed flies, Muscid flies, dance flies (Empis spp.), tumbling flower beetles, and long-horned beetles. The foliage of Wild Hydrangea is eaten by the caterpillars of Darapsa versicolor (Hydrangea Sphinx) and Olethreutes ferriferana (Hydrangea Leaf-Tier Moth). Some polyphagous insects occasionally feed on this shrub; these species include the thrips Echinothrips americanus, the seed bug Kleidocerys resedae, the aphids Aphis rumicis and Aphis citricola, and the larvae of the long-horned beetle Stenocorus cinnamopterus. White-tailed Deer occasionally browse on the canes and leaves.
Photographic Location: The flowerhead was photographed at the Arboretum of the University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois. The leaves were photographed at the Potholes in west-central Indiana.
Comments: This fast-growing shrub is very attractive. The only other native hydrangea in Illinois is Hydrangea cinerea (Southern Wild Hydrangea), which is found in the southern section of the state. This latter species differs from Wild Hydrangea by the dense gray pubescence on the undersides of its leaves; it is sometimes considered a variety of Wild Hydrangea, rather than a distinct species. There are many cultivars of Wild Hydrangea in circulation. These cultivars tend to have more sterile flowers than the wild version of this species; there are even cultivars that produce only sterile flowers. While the latter cultivars are showier, they don't provide any nectar or pollen to flower-visiting insects. From an ecological perspective, this makes them less desirable.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月24日
Description: This is a deciduous shrub about ½-3' tall that branches occasionally. Young branches are initially green, but they later become yellowish green and more or less covered with small warty dots. Young branches are usually glabrous, but sometimes they are slightly pubescent. Older branches become woody and vary in color from red to yellowish brown; on the trunk and very old branches, the bark becomes shredded. Alternate leaves occur along new branches. The blades of these leaves are ¾-2¼" long and ½-1" across; they are oval, ovate, obovate, or broadly elliptic in shape, and their margins are smooth or minutely toothed toward the tips of the blades. The upper surface of the leaf blades is medium green or yellowish green and glabrous (sometimes with reddish tints in bright sunlight), while the lower surface is pale green, glabrous, and sometimes glaucous. Less often, the lower surface of the leaf blades may be slightly pubescent. The petioles are short and slender.
Raceme-like clusters of flowers develop from second-year branches. The pedicels of the flowers are light green and glabrous. Each flower (up to 1/3" or 8 mm. in length) is longer than it is wide, consisting of a tubular corolla with 5 tiny recurved lobes, a short light green calyx with 5 broad teeth, 10 inserted stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The corolla is somewhat constricted toward its outer rim and its exterior is greenish white, pink-tinted cream, or red. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 3 weeks. The flowers are replaced by globoid berries about ¼" across that are initially green, but they later become dark blue with a whitish bloom. The berries become mature during mid- to late summer; they are juicy and sweet, containing 8-20 tiny seeds that are less than 1.5 mm. in length. The woody root system is branched and shallow, forming underground runners that can produce clonal offsets. At favorable sites, colonies of clonal plants are often formed. The leaves become red to dark red during the autumn before they fall to the ground.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic soil containing sandy or rocky material.
Range & Habitat: Hillside Blueberry is occasional in northern Illinois, southern Illinois, and sandy areas along the Illinois River in central Illinois. Elsewhere in the state, it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland rocky forests, thinly wooded bluffs and rocky hillsides, sandy forests and sandy savannas, openings in sandy forests, sandstone cliffs and glades, sandy roadside embankments, sandy ditches, and abandoned sandy fields. Hillside Blueberry is often found in fire-adapted habitats because it is able to resprout from its underground runners. Dominant trees in these habitats are either oaks or pines.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by honeybees, bumblebees, and Andrenid bees. These bees suck nectar from the flowers and, to a lesser extent, collect pollen. Various insects eat the leaves and other parts of blueberries (Vaccinium spp.). These species include the caterpillars of the butterflies Callophrys henrici (Henry's Elfin), Callophrys augustinus (Brown Elfin), and Colias interior (Pink-Edged Sulfur). The caterpillars of Hemaris gracilis (Graceful Clearwing), Sphinx canadensis (Canadian Sphinx), and other moths also use blueberry shrubs as a food source (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include Oberea myops (Rhododendron Stem Borer), Melanoplus fasciatus (Huckleberry Spur-Throated Grasshopper), Altica sylvia (Blueberry Flea Beetle), Neochlamisus cribripennis (Blueberry Case Beetle), Tricholochmaea vaccinii (Blueberry Leaf Beetle), Dasineura cyanococci (Gall Fly sp.), Dasineura oxycoccana (Blueberry Gall Midge), Rhagoletis mendax (Blueberry Maggot Fruit Fly), Mesoleucanium nigrofasciatum (Terrapin Scale), Illinoia azaleae (Aphid sp.), and Clastoptera saintcyri (Heath Spittlebug). The species Acalitus vaccinii (Blueberry Bud Mite) forms galls on the flower buds. The edible berries are eaten by many upland gamebirds and songbirds (see Bird Table). Mammals that eat the berries include the Black Bear, Gray Fox, Red Fox, Striped Skunk, Opossum, Red Squirrel, Gray Squirrel, Fox Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk, White-Footed Mouse, Woodland Deer Mouse, and Jumping Mouse. The berries are also eaten by Terrapene carolina (Eastern Box Turtle) and Clemmys insculpta (Wood Turtle). The leaves and twigs of blueberries are occasionally browsed by White-Tailed Deer and the Cottontail Rabbit. Colonies of Hillside Blueberry and other low-bush blueberries provide cover for many small animals in upland areas.
Comments: There is some variability in the shape of leaves, the hairiness of leaves and young stems, and the color of the flowers. As a result, different varieties of Hillside Blueberry have been described by some authors. In areas where their ranges overlap, this species is capable of hybridizing with the similar Vaccinium angustifolium (Northern Low-Bush Blueberry). This latter species tends to have more slender leaves than Hillside Blueberry, and they are usually more serrated along their margins. While the lower leaf surface of Hillside Blueberry is lighter (pale green) than the upper leaf surface, the lower and upper leaf surfaces of Northern Low-Bush Blueberry are about the same color (medium green). An obsolete scientific name of Hillside Blueberry is Vaccinium vacillans. Other common names of this species are Early Low-Bush Blueberry and Blue Ridge Blueberry.
Raceme-like clusters of flowers develop from second-year branches. The pedicels of the flowers are light green and glabrous. Each flower (up to 1/3" or 8 mm. in length) is longer than it is wide, consisting of a tubular corolla with 5 tiny recurved lobes, a short light green calyx with 5 broad teeth, 10 inserted stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The corolla is somewhat constricted toward its outer rim and its exterior is greenish white, pink-tinted cream, or red. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 3 weeks. The flowers are replaced by globoid berries about ¼" across that are initially green, but they later become dark blue with a whitish bloom. The berries become mature during mid- to late summer; they are juicy and sweet, containing 8-20 tiny seeds that are less than 1.5 mm. in length. The woody root system is branched and shallow, forming underground runners that can produce clonal offsets. At favorable sites, colonies of clonal plants are often formed. The leaves become red to dark red during the autumn before they fall to the ground.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic soil containing sandy or rocky material.
Range & Habitat: Hillside Blueberry is occasional in northern Illinois, southern Illinois, and sandy areas along the Illinois River in central Illinois. Elsewhere in the state, it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland rocky forests, thinly wooded bluffs and rocky hillsides, sandy forests and sandy savannas, openings in sandy forests, sandstone cliffs and glades, sandy roadside embankments, sandy ditches, and abandoned sandy fields. Hillside Blueberry is often found in fire-adapted habitats because it is able to resprout from its underground runners. Dominant trees in these habitats are either oaks or pines.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by honeybees, bumblebees, and Andrenid bees. These bees suck nectar from the flowers and, to a lesser extent, collect pollen. Various insects eat the leaves and other parts of blueberries (Vaccinium spp.). These species include the caterpillars of the butterflies Callophrys henrici (Henry's Elfin), Callophrys augustinus (Brown Elfin), and Colias interior (Pink-Edged Sulfur). The caterpillars of Hemaris gracilis (Graceful Clearwing), Sphinx canadensis (Canadian Sphinx), and other moths also use blueberry shrubs as a food source (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include Oberea myops (Rhododendron Stem Borer), Melanoplus fasciatus (Huckleberry Spur-Throated Grasshopper), Altica sylvia (Blueberry Flea Beetle), Neochlamisus cribripennis (Blueberry Case Beetle), Tricholochmaea vaccinii (Blueberry Leaf Beetle), Dasineura cyanococci (Gall Fly sp.), Dasineura oxycoccana (Blueberry Gall Midge), Rhagoletis mendax (Blueberry Maggot Fruit Fly), Mesoleucanium nigrofasciatum (Terrapin Scale), Illinoia azaleae (Aphid sp.), and Clastoptera saintcyri (Heath Spittlebug). The species Acalitus vaccinii (Blueberry Bud Mite) forms galls on the flower buds. The edible berries are eaten by many upland gamebirds and songbirds (see Bird Table). Mammals that eat the berries include the Black Bear, Gray Fox, Red Fox, Striped Skunk, Opossum, Red Squirrel, Gray Squirrel, Fox Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk, White-Footed Mouse, Woodland Deer Mouse, and Jumping Mouse. The berries are also eaten by Terrapene carolina (Eastern Box Turtle) and Clemmys insculpta (Wood Turtle). The leaves and twigs of blueberries are occasionally browsed by White-Tailed Deer and the Cottontail Rabbit. Colonies of Hillside Blueberry and other low-bush blueberries provide cover for many small animals in upland areas.
Comments: There is some variability in the shape of leaves, the hairiness of leaves and young stems, and the color of the flowers. As a result, different varieties of Hillside Blueberry have been described by some authors. In areas where their ranges overlap, this species is capable of hybridizing with the similar Vaccinium angustifolium (Northern Low-Bush Blueberry). This latter species tends to have more slender leaves than Hillside Blueberry, and they are usually more serrated along their margins. While the lower leaf surface of Hillside Blueberry is lighter (pale green) than the upper leaf surface, the lower and upper leaf surfaces of Northern Low-Bush Blueberry are about the same color (medium green). An obsolete scientific name of Hillside Blueberry is Vaccinium vacillans. Other common names of this species are Early Low-Bush Blueberry and Blue Ridge Blueberry.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月24日
Description: This small deciduous shrub is ½-2' tall with spreading leafy branches. The trunk and branches of older shrubs are often woody with shredded bark, while young shoots and twigs are green to brownish red, terete, and finely warty. Sometimes the twigs and shoots are slightly short-pubescent. Alternate leaves along the twigs and shoots are ¾-1½" long and about ¼-¾" across; they are elliptic in shape and very finely serrated along their margins. Both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves are medium to dark green and glabrous (or nearly so). The short petioles are up to 1/8" (3 mm.) in length.
Small clusters of nodding flowers develop from the preceding year's twigs. Each flower is about ¼" long and a little less across, consisting of a short green calyx with 5 teeth, a short-tubular corolla that is white or pinkish white, 10 inserted stamens, and an inferior ovary with a single style. The corolla is slightly indented along its upper rim, where 5 tiny lobes occur that are recurved. The peduncle and pedicels of the clustered flowers are light green to reddish brown and glabrous. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer for about 3 weeks. Afterwards, fertile flowers are replaced by globoid berries up to 1/3" (8 mm.) across that become dark blue with a whitish bloom at maturity. At this time, the fleshy interior of each berry is juicy and sweet and it typically contains 10-15 tiny seeds. The root system is usually shallow and spreading, although a taproot may develop on an older shrub. Vegetative colonies are produced from underground runners. The deciduous leaves often become red or burgundy during the the autumn.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic soil that is sandy. Cross-pollination between genetically distinct shrubs increases the production of fruit. This shrub may fail to produce flowers and fruit in areas that are too shady.
Close-up of TwigRange & Habitat: The native Lowbush Blueberry is occasional in NE Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include sand prairies, shrub prairies, sandy savannas, sandy woodlands, rocky upland woodlands, rocky bluffs, sand dunes along Lake Michigan, and bogs. Lowbush Blueberry is sometimes the dominant understory shrub in some of these habitats, especially when they are sandy. This shrub becomes more abundant in response to occasional wildfires and the openings that such wildfires create.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by various bees, including Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), bumblebees, and honeybees. Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. The pollen is released from the anthers in response to the "buzz pollination" of the bees (high frequency vibration of the thoracic muscles). In addition to these floral visitors, many insects feed on the foliage, stems, and other parts of blueberry shrubs. For example, the larvae of two beetles, Oberea myops (Rhododendron Stem Borer) and Oberea tripunctata (Dogwood Twig Borer), bore through the twigs of these shrubs, while the larvae of two flies, Dasineura cyanococci and Dasineura oxycoccum (Blueberry Gall Midge), form galls on the buds or developing flowers. Other insect feeders include the leaf beetles Altica sylvia and Tricholochmea vaccinii, the larvae of Rhagoletis mendax (Blueberry Fruit Fly), Clastoptera saintcyri (Heath Spittlebug), Limotettix vaccinii (Blunt-Nosed Leafhopper), and Mesolecanium nigrofasciatum (Terrapin Scale). The caterpillars of two butterflies, Callophrys augustinus (Brown Elfin) and Callophrys henrici (Henry's Elfin), feed on the flowers and developing fruits of blueberry shrubs. In addition to these insects, the caterpillars of such moths as Hemaris gracilis (Slender Clearwing), Sympistis dentata (Blueberry Cinder), and Xestia dilucida (Reddish Heath Dart) also feed on these shrubs (see the Moth Table for a more complete listing of these species). Blueberries fruits are an important source of food to many vertebrate animals. These species include the terrestrial turtles, Clemmys insculpta (Wood Turtle) and Terrapene carolina (Eastern Box Turtle); such birds as the Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Blue Jay, American Robin, Yellow-Breasted Chat, Wood Thrush, and Eastern Bluebird (see the Bird Table for a more complete listing of species); and such mammals as the Black Bear, Red Fox, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, Opossum, Red Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk, Jumping Mouse, Deer Mouse, and White-Footed Mouse. In addition to the fruits, the White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbit also browse on the foliage and twigs. Because Lowbush Blueberry is a densely branched shrub that often forms large colonies, it provides significant protective cover for ground-nesting birds and other wildlife.
Comments: Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) is one of the primary sources of commercial blueberries, particularly in the New England region of the United States. The flavor of the berries is sweet and mild. Because this shrub is somewhat variable across its range, different varieties have been described, although none of these are currently recognized in Illinois. Compared to the Hillside Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum), Lowbush Blueberry has more narrow leaves and its leaf undersides are less pale. It differs from another species, Canada Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides), by having leaf undersides that are glabrous, rather than pubescent. These species usually occupy drier habitats than the taller Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum); the latter is typically found in forested bogs and similar wet habitats.
Small clusters of nodding flowers develop from the preceding year's twigs. Each flower is about ¼" long and a little less across, consisting of a short green calyx with 5 teeth, a short-tubular corolla that is white or pinkish white, 10 inserted stamens, and an inferior ovary with a single style. The corolla is slightly indented along its upper rim, where 5 tiny lobes occur that are recurved. The peduncle and pedicels of the clustered flowers are light green to reddish brown and glabrous. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer for about 3 weeks. Afterwards, fertile flowers are replaced by globoid berries up to 1/3" (8 mm.) across that become dark blue with a whitish bloom at maturity. At this time, the fleshy interior of each berry is juicy and sweet and it typically contains 10-15 tiny seeds. The root system is usually shallow and spreading, although a taproot may develop on an older shrub. Vegetative colonies are produced from underground runners. The deciduous leaves often become red or burgundy during the the autumn.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic soil that is sandy. Cross-pollination between genetically distinct shrubs increases the production of fruit. This shrub may fail to produce flowers and fruit in areas that are too shady.
Close-up of TwigRange & Habitat: The native Lowbush Blueberry is occasional in NE Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include sand prairies, shrub prairies, sandy savannas, sandy woodlands, rocky upland woodlands, rocky bluffs, sand dunes along Lake Michigan, and bogs. Lowbush Blueberry is sometimes the dominant understory shrub in some of these habitats, especially when they are sandy. This shrub becomes more abundant in response to occasional wildfires and the openings that such wildfires create.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by various bees, including Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), bumblebees, and honeybees. Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. The pollen is released from the anthers in response to the "buzz pollination" of the bees (high frequency vibration of the thoracic muscles). In addition to these floral visitors, many insects feed on the foliage, stems, and other parts of blueberry shrubs. For example, the larvae of two beetles, Oberea myops (Rhododendron Stem Borer) and Oberea tripunctata (Dogwood Twig Borer), bore through the twigs of these shrubs, while the larvae of two flies, Dasineura cyanococci and Dasineura oxycoccum (Blueberry Gall Midge), form galls on the buds or developing flowers. Other insect feeders include the leaf beetles Altica sylvia and Tricholochmea vaccinii, the larvae of Rhagoletis mendax (Blueberry Fruit Fly), Clastoptera saintcyri (Heath Spittlebug), Limotettix vaccinii (Blunt-Nosed Leafhopper), and Mesolecanium nigrofasciatum (Terrapin Scale). The caterpillars of two butterflies, Callophrys augustinus (Brown Elfin) and Callophrys henrici (Henry's Elfin), feed on the flowers and developing fruits of blueberry shrubs. In addition to these insects, the caterpillars of such moths as Hemaris gracilis (Slender Clearwing), Sympistis dentata (Blueberry Cinder), and Xestia dilucida (Reddish Heath Dart) also feed on these shrubs (see the Moth Table for a more complete listing of these species). Blueberries fruits are an important source of food to many vertebrate animals. These species include the terrestrial turtles, Clemmys insculpta (Wood Turtle) and Terrapene carolina (Eastern Box Turtle); such birds as the Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Blue Jay, American Robin, Yellow-Breasted Chat, Wood Thrush, and Eastern Bluebird (see the Bird Table for a more complete listing of species); and such mammals as the Black Bear, Red Fox, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, Opossum, Red Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk, Jumping Mouse, Deer Mouse, and White-Footed Mouse. In addition to the fruits, the White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbit also browse on the foliage and twigs. Because Lowbush Blueberry is a densely branched shrub that often forms large colonies, it provides significant protective cover for ground-nesting birds and other wildlife.
Comments: Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) is one of the primary sources of commercial blueberries, particularly in the New England region of the United States. The flavor of the berries is sweet and mild. Because this shrub is somewhat variable across its range, different varieties have been described, although none of these are currently recognized in Illinois. Compared to the Hillside Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum), Lowbush Blueberry has more narrow leaves and its leaf undersides are less pale. It differs from another species, Canada Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides), by having leaf undersides that are glabrous, rather than pubescent. These species usually occupy drier habitats than the taller Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum); the latter is typically found in forested bogs and similar wet habitats.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月06日
Description: This branching shrub is 2-4' tall. The trunk and lower branches are woody and brown; they are covered with strips of loose shaggy bark. The middle to upper branches are reddish purple to brown and variably hairy. The blades of the opposite leaves are up to 2" long and 1¼" across; they are oval-ovate and smooth along their margins. The upper surface of each leaf blade is medium green and hairless to slightly pubescent, while the lower surface is whitish green and slightly pubescent to very pubescent. Each leaf has a short petiole up to ¼" long. Leaf venation is pinnate.
At the axils of some leaves, there develops dense clusters of greenish yellow flowers that are sessile, or nearly so. Each flower is about ¼" long, consisting of a short tubular corolla with 5 lobes, a short green calyx with 5 teeth, and an inferior ovary that is pale green and globoid-ovoid in shape. Inside the corolla, there are 5 stamens surrounding a hairy style. The blooming period occurs during the late spring or summer. Each flower is replaced by a berry containing 2 seeds. The mature berries are about ¼" long, reddish purple, and ovoid-globoid in shape; the texture of their flesh is somewhat dry. The seeds are oblongoid and flattened. The root system consists of a woody branching taproot.
Cultivation: Coralberry adapts to partial sun, moist to dry conditions, and a loamy or rocky soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Coralberry is occasional to locally common in the southern half of Illinois, becoming less common or absent in the northern half of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include thin rocky woodlands, woodland openings, woodland borders, areas along woodland paths, powerline clearances in wooded areas, thickets, and limestone glades. Sometimes this shrub is grown as an ornamental plant in gardens, from which it occasionally escapes. Disturbance in wooded areas is beneficial if it reduces excessive shade from overhead trees.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract bees, wasps, and flies primarily. These insects suck nectar from the flowers, although some of the bees also collect pollen. The caterpillars of the moths Hemaris diffinis (Snowberry Clearwing), Hemaris thysbe (Hummingbird Clearwing), and Hesperumia sulphuraria (Sulfur Moth) feed on the foliage of Coralberry and other Symphoricarpos spp. The aphid Apathargelia symphoricarpi and the thrips Thrips winnemanae suck juices from the undersides of the leaves. The berries persist into the fall and winter and are eaten primarily by Robins (Turdus migratorius); the buds and berries are also eaten by the Bobwhite. Coralberry is a favorite food plant of the White-Tailed Deer and it is often heavily browsed. Because of its dense branching habit and abundant leaves, this shrub provides good cover for wildlife.
Photographic Location: A powerline clearance at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Coralberry is a rather small sprawling shrub with attractive foliage and berries. It is an easy shrub to identify in natural areas, particularly during the fall, because of the purplish red berries. Other Symphoricarpos spp. (Snowberry, Wolfberry) in Illinois have white or greenish white berries. A related group of plants, Lonicera spp. (Honeysuckles), are either vines or upright shrubs. Like Coralberry, Honeysuckles often produce berries in clusters near the leaves, but their berries are usually bright red and more juicy. Generally, the corollas of Honeysuckle flowers are larger in size than those of Coralberry, and they have long slender lobes. All of these plants produce pairs of opposite leaves on woody stems; the margins of their leaves are smooth or slightly wavy, but they never have teeth, unlike the leaves of many other shrubs. Another common name of Symphoricarpos orbiculatus is Buckbrush, which refers to the attractiveness of this shrub to deer as a food plant.
At the axils of some leaves, there develops dense clusters of greenish yellow flowers that are sessile, or nearly so. Each flower is about ¼" long, consisting of a short tubular corolla with 5 lobes, a short green calyx with 5 teeth, and an inferior ovary that is pale green and globoid-ovoid in shape. Inside the corolla, there are 5 stamens surrounding a hairy style. The blooming period occurs during the late spring or summer. Each flower is replaced by a berry containing 2 seeds. The mature berries are about ¼" long, reddish purple, and ovoid-globoid in shape; the texture of their flesh is somewhat dry. The seeds are oblongoid and flattened. The root system consists of a woody branching taproot.
Cultivation: Coralberry adapts to partial sun, moist to dry conditions, and a loamy or rocky soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Coralberry is occasional to locally common in the southern half of Illinois, becoming less common or absent in the northern half of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include thin rocky woodlands, woodland openings, woodland borders, areas along woodland paths, powerline clearances in wooded areas, thickets, and limestone glades. Sometimes this shrub is grown as an ornamental plant in gardens, from which it occasionally escapes. Disturbance in wooded areas is beneficial if it reduces excessive shade from overhead trees.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract bees, wasps, and flies primarily. These insects suck nectar from the flowers, although some of the bees also collect pollen. The caterpillars of the moths Hemaris diffinis (Snowberry Clearwing), Hemaris thysbe (Hummingbird Clearwing), and Hesperumia sulphuraria (Sulfur Moth) feed on the foliage of Coralberry and other Symphoricarpos spp. The aphid Apathargelia symphoricarpi and the thrips Thrips winnemanae suck juices from the undersides of the leaves. The berries persist into the fall and winter and are eaten primarily by Robins (Turdus migratorius); the buds and berries are also eaten by the Bobwhite. Coralberry is a favorite food plant of the White-Tailed Deer and it is often heavily browsed. Because of its dense branching habit and abundant leaves, this shrub provides good cover for wildlife.
Photographic Location: A powerline clearance at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Coralberry is a rather small sprawling shrub with attractive foliage and berries. It is an easy shrub to identify in natural areas, particularly during the fall, because of the purplish red berries. Other Symphoricarpos spp. (Snowberry, Wolfberry) in Illinois have white or greenish white berries. A related group of plants, Lonicera spp. (Honeysuckles), are either vines or upright shrubs. Like Coralberry, Honeysuckles often produce berries in clusters near the leaves, but their berries are usually bright red and more juicy. Generally, the corollas of Honeysuckle flowers are larger in size than those of Coralberry, and they have long slender lobes. All of these plants produce pairs of opposite leaves on woody stems; the margins of their leaves are smooth or slightly wavy, but they never have teeth, unlike the leaves of many other shrubs. Another common name of Symphoricarpos orbiculatus is Buckbrush, which refers to the attractiveness of this shrub to deer as a food plant.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月03日
Description: This perennial shrub is 2-5' tall, forming arching woody canes. First-year canes produce leaves that are palmately compound (usually 5 leaflets), while second-year canes produce trifoliate leaves (3 leaflets). First-year canes are infertile, while second-year canes bear flowers and fruit. The latter die down after bearing fruit, but they often start new canes vegetatively when their tips touch the ground. Young canes are light green, stout, and rather angular, but they later become red, reddish brown, or black. Stout prickles occur along the sides of the canes; these prickles are usually curved, rather than straight.
The compound leaves of first-year canes span up to 6" long and 6" across (excluding their petioles). The terminal leaflet is larger than the lateral leaflets; it is up to 3" long and 2½" across (less than twice as long as its width). Each terminal leaflet is ovate to oval in shape, rounded or cordate at the base, and coarsely serrated along its margins; the lateral leaflets are similar, except they are more slender in shape. At the base of each terminal leaflet, there is a conspicuous basal stalklet (petiolule) about ½" long, while the lateral leaflets are sessile, or nearly so. On the upper surface, each leaflet is medium green and either hairless or sparsely hairy; on the lower surface, each leaflet is light green and finely pubescent, especially along the veins. The petioles of the compound leaves are up to 4" long, pale green, and either hairless or sparsely pubescent; there are often 1-2 tiny curved prickles along the length of each petiole. The leaflets of second-year canes are slightly smaller in size than those of the first-year canes, and their terminal leaflets are more slender than the terminal leaflets of the latter. Otherwise, the leafletsPrickly Cane of both types of canes are very similar to each other. Second-year canes bear short corymbs of flowers spanning about 2-4" across. Each flower is about 1" across, consisting of 5 white petals, 5 light green sepals, a cluster of light green pistils, and numerous stamens. The petals are oblanceolate in shape and rather wrinkled in appearance; they are much longer than the slightly pubescent sepals. At the base of the pedicel of each flower, there is either a stipule-like or leafy bract of varying size; the flowers are often partially hidden by these bracts. The blooming period of this blackberry occurs during late spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. The flowers are replaced by a juicy fruits (compound drupes) that are globoid-ovoid in shape and up to ¾" long. The fruits become black at maturity during mid- to late summer; they have a pleasant sweet-tart flavor, sometimes with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Each drupelet within a fruit contains a single seed. The root system is woody and branching. Loose colonies of plants are often formed from vegetative propagation of the canes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, clay-loam, or some rocky material. The size of the fruit is strongly influenced by the amount of precipitation during the first half of summer.
Range & Habitat: The native Pennsylvania Blackberry is fairly common and it can be found throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include woodland openings, woodland edges, savannas, thickets, weedy meadows, and fence rows. This shrub is typically found in areas with a history of disturbance, although it is intolerant of regular mowing.
Faunal Associations: This species and other blackberries (Rubus spp.) are important to many kinds of wildlife. The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract many kinds of insects, including long-tongued and short-tongued bees, wasps, bee flies, butterflies, and skippers. The larvae of many moths feed on the leaves and flowers, or bore through the canes (see Moth Table). Other insects that feed on various parts of blackberries include several leaf beetles, larvae of long-horned beetles, stinkbugs, aphids, sawfly larvae, and others (see Insect Table). The fruit is an important source of food to many songbirds and upland gamebirds (see Bird Table). Many mammals feed on the fruit of blackberries as well, including the Deer Mouse, White-Footed Mouse, Jumping Mouse, Eastern Chipmunk, Fox Squirrel, Gray Squirrel, Red Squirrel, Red Fox, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, and Black Bear. White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbits feed on the leaves and twigs. The prickly canes and leaves of blackberries also provide protective cover for small mammals and birds.
Compound Leaf of 1st Year Cane
Comments: The different species of blackberry (Rubus spp.) can be difficult to identify and different authorities don't always agree on their taxonomic classification. Pennsylvania Blackberry can be distinguished from other blackberry species by one or more of the following characteristics: 1) its terminal leaflets are no more than twice as long as they are across, 2) the hairs on its flowering corymbs are non-glandular, rather than glandular, 3) its corymbs of flowers are short and often partially hidden by leafy bracts, and 4) at least some of its floral bracts are large and leafy, rather than small and stipule-like. Compared to Rubus spp. that are raspberries, Pennsylvania Blackberry usually has larger flowers (about 1" across) and its compound drupes do not detach cleanly from their receptacles. Some taxonomists (e.g., Mohlenbrock, 2002) divide Pennsylvania Blackberry into two species: Rubus pensilvanicus and Rubus frondosus (Leafy-Flowered Blackberry). According to this taxonomic classification, the floral bracts of Leafy-Flowered Blackberry are all relatively large and leafy in appearance, whereas Pennsylvania Blackberry has a mixture of small stipule-like bracts and larger leafy bracts in its corymbs. In addition, the terminal leaflets of sterile canes are rounded at their bases for Pennsylvania Blackberry, whereas for Leafy-Bracted Blackberry they have cordate (indented) bases. However, in the field, it is not uncommon to encounter shrubs that display mixed characteristics. As a result, Leafy-Flowered Blackberry can be considered a variant of Pennsylvania Blackberry (or vice versa).
The compound leaves of first-year canes span up to 6" long and 6" across (excluding their petioles). The terminal leaflet is larger than the lateral leaflets; it is up to 3" long and 2½" across (less than twice as long as its width). Each terminal leaflet is ovate to oval in shape, rounded or cordate at the base, and coarsely serrated along its margins; the lateral leaflets are similar, except they are more slender in shape. At the base of each terminal leaflet, there is a conspicuous basal stalklet (petiolule) about ½" long, while the lateral leaflets are sessile, or nearly so. On the upper surface, each leaflet is medium green and either hairless or sparsely hairy; on the lower surface, each leaflet is light green and finely pubescent, especially along the veins. The petioles of the compound leaves are up to 4" long, pale green, and either hairless or sparsely pubescent; there are often 1-2 tiny curved prickles along the length of each petiole. The leaflets of second-year canes are slightly smaller in size than those of the first-year canes, and their terminal leaflets are more slender than the terminal leaflets of the latter. Otherwise, the leafletsPrickly Cane of both types of canes are very similar to each other. Second-year canes bear short corymbs of flowers spanning about 2-4" across. Each flower is about 1" across, consisting of 5 white petals, 5 light green sepals, a cluster of light green pistils, and numerous stamens. The petals are oblanceolate in shape and rather wrinkled in appearance; they are much longer than the slightly pubescent sepals. At the base of the pedicel of each flower, there is either a stipule-like or leafy bract of varying size; the flowers are often partially hidden by these bracts. The blooming period of this blackberry occurs during late spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. The flowers are replaced by a juicy fruits (compound drupes) that are globoid-ovoid in shape and up to ¾" long. The fruits become black at maturity during mid- to late summer; they have a pleasant sweet-tart flavor, sometimes with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Each drupelet within a fruit contains a single seed. The root system is woody and branching. Loose colonies of plants are often formed from vegetative propagation of the canes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, clay-loam, or some rocky material. The size of the fruit is strongly influenced by the amount of precipitation during the first half of summer.
Range & Habitat: The native Pennsylvania Blackberry is fairly common and it can be found throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include woodland openings, woodland edges, savannas, thickets, weedy meadows, and fence rows. This shrub is typically found in areas with a history of disturbance, although it is intolerant of regular mowing.
Faunal Associations: This species and other blackberries (Rubus spp.) are important to many kinds of wildlife. The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract many kinds of insects, including long-tongued and short-tongued bees, wasps, bee flies, butterflies, and skippers. The larvae of many moths feed on the leaves and flowers, or bore through the canes (see Moth Table). Other insects that feed on various parts of blackberries include several leaf beetles, larvae of long-horned beetles, stinkbugs, aphids, sawfly larvae, and others (see Insect Table). The fruit is an important source of food to many songbirds and upland gamebirds (see Bird Table). Many mammals feed on the fruit of blackberries as well, including the Deer Mouse, White-Footed Mouse, Jumping Mouse, Eastern Chipmunk, Fox Squirrel, Gray Squirrel, Red Squirrel, Red Fox, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, and Black Bear. White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbits feed on the leaves and twigs. The prickly canes and leaves of blackberries also provide protective cover for small mammals and birds.
Compound Leaf of 1st Year Cane
Comments: The different species of blackberry (Rubus spp.) can be difficult to identify and different authorities don't always agree on their taxonomic classification. Pennsylvania Blackberry can be distinguished from other blackberry species by one or more of the following characteristics: 1) its terminal leaflets are no more than twice as long as they are across, 2) the hairs on its flowering corymbs are non-glandular, rather than glandular, 3) its corymbs of flowers are short and often partially hidden by leafy bracts, and 4) at least some of its floral bracts are large and leafy, rather than small and stipule-like. Compared to Rubus spp. that are raspberries, Pennsylvania Blackberry usually has larger flowers (about 1" across) and its compound drupes do not detach cleanly from their receptacles. Some taxonomists (e.g., Mohlenbrock, 2002) divide Pennsylvania Blackberry into two species: Rubus pensilvanicus and Rubus frondosus (Leafy-Flowered Blackberry). According to this taxonomic classification, the floral bracts of Leafy-Flowered Blackberry are all relatively large and leafy in appearance, whereas Pennsylvania Blackberry has a mixture of small stipule-like bracts and larger leafy bracts in its corymbs. In addition, the terminal leaflets of sterile canes are rounded at their bases for Pennsylvania Blackberry, whereas for Leafy-Bracted Blackberry they have cordate (indented) bases. However, in the field, it is not uncommon to encounter shrubs that display mixed characteristics. As a result, Leafy-Flowered Blackberry can be considered a variant of Pennsylvania Blackberry (or vice versa).
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Miss Chen
2018年04月03日
Description: This perennial shrub produces little-branched canes up to 6' long during the first year. These canes are initially erect, but they eventually arch sideways and downward – their tips sometimes reach the ground. First-year canes are vegetative and do not produce flowers and fruit. They are initially green, hairless, and glaucous, but later turn brown and woody during the winter. Scattered along the length of each cane are prickles that are short and curved. During the second year, these canes develop short branches that terminate in erect cymes or short racemes of flowers. Along the length of these canes, there are alternate compound leaves. These compound leaves are usually trifoliate; rarely are they palmate with 5 leaflets. The leaflets are up to 3" long and 2" across. They are cordate-ovate or ovate in shape and doubly serrate along the margins; some leaflets may be shallowly cleft. The upper surface of each leaflet has strong pinnate venation, while its lower surface is white tomentose (covered with white hairs that are very short and appressed). The terminate leaflet has a short slender petiole, while the lateral leaflets are sessile, or nearly so.
The flowers are bunched tightly together on the cymes/racemes. Each flower is about ½" across, consisting of 5 white petals, 5 green sepals, and numerous stamens that surround the multiple green carpels and their styles. The petals are elliptic or oblong, while the sepals are triangular-shaped and spreading; the petals are about the same length as the sepals. The blooming period occurs during the late spring or very early summer and lasts about 2-3 weeks. Each flower is replaced by a compound drupe that is ovoid and about 1/3" long when fully mature. This compound drupe is initially white, later becomes red, and finally turns black-purple when it is mature. Each drupe consists of multiple drupelets, each drupelet containing a single seed. The fleshy drupes are sweet and slightly tart in flavor; they detach cleanly and easily from their receptacles. The root system consists of a woody branching taproot. Vegetative offsets are often produced by the canes rooting at their tips.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and rich loamy soil. In areas that are too sunny and dry, the fruit may not develop properly without adequate rain. The canes also fail to set fruit if there is too much shade.
Range & Habitat: The native Black Raspberry is common in central and northern Illinois, but somewhat less common in the southern area of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include openings in deciduous woodlands, woodland borders, savannas, thickets, fence rows, overgrown vacant lots, powerline clearances in wooded areas, and partially shaded areas along buildings. Black Raspberry adapts well to human-related disturbance; it also occurs in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts bees primarily, including honeybees, bumblebees, mason bees (Osmia spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), Halictid bees, and Andrenid bees. The short-tongued bees also collect pollen from the flowers. Less often, small butterflies and skippers may visit the flowers for nectar. Because raspberries are economically important, insects that feed on the foliage, stems, and fruit are fairly well known. Insects that chew on the foliage or suck sap include caterpillars of various moths, spider mites and flea beetles, and leafhoppers. Insects that bore through canes or roots include the caterpillars of some moths and grubs of various wood-boring beetles (see the Insect Table for a listing of these species). The fruit of both raspberries and blackberries is an important source of food for many upland gamebirds and songbirds (see Bird Table). Raccoons, fox squirrels, and chipmunks occasionally eat the fruit, while rabbits and deer browse on the foliage and stems.
Photographic Location: Along a fence row at the webmaster's apartment complex.
Comments: While the flowers of Black Raspberry are not very showy, the fruit has excellent flavor and is rather colorful. The prickly canes are unpleasant to walk through or mow around, although less so than many species of blackberries. While both raspberries and blackberries are members of the same genus (Rubus spp.), the drupes of raspberries detach cleanly and easily from their receptacles, while the drupes of blackberries do not. Other native raspberries in Illinois produce drupes that are red at maturity, rather than black-purple. When drupes are unavailable for observation, Black Raspberry can be identified by the following features: 1) the white petals of its flowers are narrow, rather than broad and overlapping, 2) its compound leaves are usually trifoliate, rather than palmate with 5 or more leaflets, 3) its leaflets are white-tomentose on their undersides, rather than some shade of green, and 4) young vegetative canes often have a white bloom that can be rubbed off (i.e., they are glaucous).
The flowers are bunched tightly together on the cymes/racemes. Each flower is about ½" across, consisting of 5 white petals, 5 green sepals, and numerous stamens that surround the multiple green carpels and their styles. The petals are elliptic or oblong, while the sepals are triangular-shaped and spreading; the petals are about the same length as the sepals. The blooming period occurs during the late spring or very early summer and lasts about 2-3 weeks. Each flower is replaced by a compound drupe that is ovoid and about 1/3" long when fully mature. This compound drupe is initially white, later becomes red, and finally turns black-purple when it is mature. Each drupe consists of multiple drupelets, each drupelet containing a single seed. The fleshy drupes are sweet and slightly tart in flavor; they detach cleanly and easily from their receptacles. The root system consists of a woody branching taproot. Vegetative offsets are often produced by the canes rooting at their tips.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and rich loamy soil. In areas that are too sunny and dry, the fruit may not develop properly without adequate rain. The canes also fail to set fruit if there is too much shade.
Range & Habitat: The native Black Raspberry is common in central and northern Illinois, but somewhat less common in the southern area of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include openings in deciduous woodlands, woodland borders, savannas, thickets, fence rows, overgrown vacant lots, powerline clearances in wooded areas, and partially shaded areas along buildings. Black Raspberry adapts well to human-related disturbance; it also occurs in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts bees primarily, including honeybees, bumblebees, mason bees (Osmia spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), Halictid bees, and Andrenid bees. The short-tongued bees also collect pollen from the flowers. Less often, small butterflies and skippers may visit the flowers for nectar. Because raspberries are economically important, insects that feed on the foliage, stems, and fruit are fairly well known. Insects that chew on the foliage or suck sap include caterpillars of various moths, spider mites and flea beetles, and leafhoppers. Insects that bore through canes or roots include the caterpillars of some moths and grubs of various wood-boring beetles (see the Insect Table for a listing of these species). The fruit of both raspberries and blackberries is an important source of food for many upland gamebirds and songbirds (see Bird Table). Raccoons, fox squirrels, and chipmunks occasionally eat the fruit, while rabbits and deer browse on the foliage and stems.
Photographic Location: Along a fence row at the webmaster's apartment complex.
Comments: While the flowers of Black Raspberry are not very showy, the fruit has excellent flavor and is rather colorful. The prickly canes are unpleasant to walk through or mow around, although less so than many species of blackberries. While both raspberries and blackberries are members of the same genus (Rubus spp.), the drupes of raspberries detach cleanly and easily from their receptacles, while the drupes of blackberries do not. Other native raspberries in Illinois produce drupes that are red at maturity, rather than black-purple. When drupes are unavailable for observation, Black Raspberry can be identified by the following features: 1) the white petals of its flowers are narrow, rather than broad and overlapping, 2) its compound leaves are usually trifoliate, rather than palmate with 5 or more leaflets, 3) its leaflets are white-tomentose on their undersides, rather than some shade of green, and 4) young vegetative canes often have a white bloom that can be rubbed off (i.e., they are glaucous).
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Miss Chen
2018年04月02日
Description: This shrub develops first-year and second-year canes that are 2-6' high; the canes often bend or arch to one side, sometimes touching the ground at their tips. The slightly woody canes are light green to dark red, stout, angular, furrowed or ridged, and glabrous; they have sharp prickles less than ¼" long that are straight to slightly curved. The alternate leaves are palmately compound. First-year canes have palmate leaves with 5 leaflets; these leaflets are 3-5" long, 1-2¼" across, elliptic to ovate, and sharply toothed. Second-year canes have palmate leaves with 3 leaflets; these leaflets are similar to the leaflets of first-year canes, except they are a little smaller in size. The upper surface of the leaflets is medium green or yellowish green, indented along the veins, and either hairless or sparsely covered with appressed hairs. The lower surface of the leaflets is pale green with prominent veins; the vein undersides are either hairless or covered with appressed hairs, while the lower surface between the veins is hairless to sparsely hairy. The basal stalklets (petiolules) of the leaflets are light green or yellowish green and either hairless or covered with appressed hairs; they vary in length from 1/8" or 3 mm. (for lower lateral leaflets) to 1/2" or 6 mm. (for terminal leaflets). The petioles of the leaves are 2-4" long; they are light green to yellowish green and either hairless or covered with appressed hairs. The petioles have small prickles along their undersides. At the base of each petiole, there is a pair of deciduous linear stipules (less than ½" long).
Second-year canes develop elongated racemes of 5-20 flowers about 2-6" long. The peduncle and pedicels of each raceme are light green to yellowish green and more or less covered with appressed woolly hairs that are white to pale brown; these hairs are non-glandular. The pedicels are ascending to widely spreading. The leafy bracts of each raceme are small, inconspicuous, and deciduous. Individual flowers are about ¾-1" across, consisting of 5 white petals, 5 light green sepals, a greenish compound pistil with multiple styles, and a ring of many stamens. The widely spreading petals are oblong to elliptic in shape, while the sepals are lanceolate, recurved, and densely covered with appressed white hairs. The blooming period occurs during the late spring and lasts about 3 weeks. During the summer, the flowers are replaced by fruits that are compound drupes. At maturity, these compound drupes change from bright red to black; they are about 1/3-2/3" (8-16 mm.) in length and globoid to ovoid in shape. Each drupelet of a drupe contains a single yellow seed. Mature drupes are juicy and vary in flavor from sour to sweet-tart. Second-year canes die down after bearing fruits, but they are replaced by new canes from underground runners.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, silt, sand, or gravel. At drier sites, this blackberry does better when it receives some protection from the afternoon sun.
Range & Habitat: The native Highbush Blackberry is occasional to locally common in most areas of Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is less common in the northern section of the state than elsewhere because Illinois lies close to its northern range limit. Habitats include savannas and sandy savannas, thickets and sandy thickets, riverbottom prairies and moist sand prairies, woodland borders, and acidic gravelly seeps. This blackberry is usually found in areas where there has been some disturbance from natural or human-related causes. It is a pioneer species.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract a variety of insects, especially long-tongued and short-tongued bees. Other floral visitors include wasps, flies, butterflies, and skippers. Other insects feed on the foliage, bore through the canes, or use other parts of blackberries as a food source. These species include the caterpillars of Satyrium liparops strigosum (Striped Hairstreak); also the caterpillars of such moths as Chlorochlamys chloroleuca (Blackberry Looper Moth), Olethreutes permundana (Raspberry Leafroller), Pennisetia marginata (Raspberry Crown Borer), and others (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include the larvae of Hartigia trimaculata (Rose Shoot Sawfly) and Metallus rohweri (Blackberry Leafminer); Trioza tripunctata (Blackberry Psyllid); the treehoppers Stictocephala albescens and Stictocephala taurina; Typhlocyba rosae (Rose Leafhopper), Erythroneura octonotata (Eight-Spotted Leafhopper), and other leafhoppers; the aphids Amphorophora sensoriata, Aphis rubicola, and Aphis rubifolii; the plant bug Dicyphus famelicus; the larvae of such wood-boring beetles as Agrilus ruficollis (Red-Necked Cane Borer) and Oberea bimaculata (Raspberry Cane Borer); the leaf beetles Neochlamisus eubati and Neochlamisus gibbosus; and Byturus unicolor (Raspberry Fruitworm Beetle). The Insect Table provides a more complete listing of these various insect species. The fruits of blackberries are an important source of food to many upland gamebirds and songbirds (see Bird Table), and they are also eaten by such mammals as the Black Bear, Gray Fox, Red Fox, Opossum, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, Fox Squirrel, Gray Squirrel, Red Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk, White-Footed Mouse, Woodland Deer Mouse, and Jumping Mouse. Notwithstanding the prickles, both the Cottontail Rabbit and White-Tailed Deer occasionally browse on the foliage and tender first-year canes. Blackberry thickets also provide nesting habitat for various songbirds, including the Cardinal, Yellow-Breasted Chat, Indigo Bunting, and Field Sparrow. Such thickets also provide good protective cover for many birds, mammals, and other wildlife.
Photographic Location: A moist sand prairie at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in NW Indiana.
Comments: Highbush Blackberry has a similar appearance to Rubus allegheniensis (Common Blackberry). Both of these species produce elongated racemes of flowers (or drupes) that have small and insignificant bracts. While the racemes of Highbush Blackberry have stalks with woolly non-glandular hairs, the racemes of Common Blackberry have stalks with sticky-glandular hairs. The drupes of Common Blackberry are usually longer (½-¾" ) than those of Highbush Blackberry, its leaflets are usually more broad in shape, and the petals of its flowers are slightly wider and tend to overlap. With the exception of the presence or absence of glandular hairs, these differences are more subtle than dramatic. Another common species, Rubus pensilvanicus (Leafy-Bracted Blackberry), produces its flowers (and drupes) in flat-headed corymbs that have large leafy bracts. As a result, its flowers and fruits are sometimes partially hidden by these bracts. In the Rubus genus, there has been excessive taxonomic splitting in the past. As a result, some older species of blackberry are now regarded as variants of current species of blackberry; Rubus ostryifolius and several others are considered scientific synonyms of Rubus argutus (Highbush Blackberry). Other common names of this species are Sawtooth Blackberry, Sharp-Toothed Blackberry, and Florida Prickly Blackberry.
Second-year canes develop elongated racemes of 5-20 flowers about 2-6" long. The peduncle and pedicels of each raceme are light green to yellowish green and more or less covered with appressed woolly hairs that are white to pale brown; these hairs are non-glandular. The pedicels are ascending to widely spreading. The leafy bracts of each raceme are small, inconspicuous, and deciduous. Individual flowers are about ¾-1" across, consisting of 5 white petals, 5 light green sepals, a greenish compound pistil with multiple styles, and a ring of many stamens. The widely spreading petals are oblong to elliptic in shape, while the sepals are lanceolate, recurved, and densely covered with appressed white hairs. The blooming period occurs during the late spring and lasts about 3 weeks. During the summer, the flowers are replaced by fruits that are compound drupes. At maturity, these compound drupes change from bright red to black; they are about 1/3-2/3" (8-16 mm.) in length and globoid to ovoid in shape. Each drupelet of a drupe contains a single yellow seed. Mature drupes are juicy and vary in flavor from sour to sweet-tart. Second-year canes die down after bearing fruits, but they are replaced by new canes from underground runners.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, silt, sand, or gravel. At drier sites, this blackberry does better when it receives some protection from the afternoon sun.
Range & Habitat: The native Highbush Blackberry is occasional to locally common in most areas of Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is less common in the northern section of the state than elsewhere because Illinois lies close to its northern range limit. Habitats include savannas and sandy savannas, thickets and sandy thickets, riverbottom prairies and moist sand prairies, woodland borders, and acidic gravelly seeps. This blackberry is usually found in areas where there has been some disturbance from natural or human-related causes. It is a pioneer species.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract a variety of insects, especially long-tongued and short-tongued bees. Other floral visitors include wasps, flies, butterflies, and skippers. Other insects feed on the foliage, bore through the canes, or use other parts of blackberries as a food source. These species include the caterpillars of Satyrium liparops strigosum (Striped Hairstreak); also the caterpillars of such moths as Chlorochlamys chloroleuca (Blackberry Looper Moth), Olethreutes permundana (Raspberry Leafroller), Pennisetia marginata (Raspberry Crown Borer), and others (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include the larvae of Hartigia trimaculata (Rose Shoot Sawfly) and Metallus rohweri (Blackberry Leafminer); Trioza tripunctata (Blackberry Psyllid); the treehoppers Stictocephala albescens and Stictocephala taurina; Typhlocyba rosae (Rose Leafhopper), Erythroneura octonotata (Eight-Spotted Leafhopper), and other leafhoppers; the aphids Amphorophora sensoriata, Aphis rubicola, and Aphis rubifolii; the plant bug Dicyphus famelicus; the larvae of such wood-boring beetles as Agrilus ruficollis (Red-Necked Cane Borer) and Oberea bimaculata (Raspberry Cane Borer); the leaf beetles Neochlamisus eubati and Neochlamisus gibbosus; and Byturus unicolor (Raspberry Fruitworm Beetle). The Insect Table provides a more complete listing of these various insect species. The fruits of blackberries are an important source of food to many upland gamebirds and songbirds (see Bird Table), and they are also eaten by such mammals as the Black Bear, Gray Fox, Red Fox, Opossum, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, Fox Squirrel, Gray Squirrel, Red Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk, White-Footed Mouse, Woodland Deer Mouse, and Jumping Mouse. Notwithstanding the prickles, both the Cottontail Rabbit and White-Tailed Deer occasionally browse on the foliage and tender first-year canes. Blackberry thickets also provide nesting habitat for various songbirds, including the Cardinal, Yellow-Breasted Chat, Indigo Bunting, and Field Sparrow. Such thickets also provide good protective cover for many birds, mammals, and other wildlife.
Photographic Location: A moist sand prairie at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in NW Indiana.
Comments: Highbush Blackberry has a similar appearance to Rubus allegheniensis (Common Blackberry). Both of these species produce elongated racemes of flowers (or drupes) that have small and insignificant bracts. While the racemes of Highbush Blackberry have stalks with woolly non-glandular hairs, the racemes of Common Blackberry have stalks with sticky-glandular hairs. The drupes of Common Blackberry are usually longer (½-¾" ) than those of Highbush Blackberry, its leaflets are usually more broad in shape, and the petals of its flowers are slightly wider and tend to overlap. With the exception of the presence or absence of glandular hairs, these differences are more subtle than dramatic. Another common species, Rubus pensilvanicus (Leafy-Bracted Blackberry), produces its flowers (and drupes) in flat-headed corymbs that have large leafy bracts. As a result, its flowers and fruits are sometimes partially hidden by these bracts. In the Rubus genus, there has been excessive taxonomic splitting in the past. As a result, some older species of blackberry are now regarded as variants of current species of blackberry; Rubus ostryifolius and several others are considered scientific synonyms of Rubus argutus (Highbush Blackberry). Other common names of this species are Sawtooth Blackberry, Sharp-Toothed Blackberry, and Florida Prickly Blackberry.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月02日
Description: This woody shrub forms canes that are initially erect, but often bend downward to re-root in the ground. These canes actively grow and form leaves during the first year, and develop fruits in the form of drupes during the second year, afterwhich they die down. The canes are about 3-6' tall; they are green where there is new growth at the tips, otherwise they are brown or reddish brown with stout prickles that are straight or somewhat curved. The alternate leaves are usually trifoliate or palmately compound; they have long petioles. The leaflets are up to 4" long and 3" across; they are up to twice as long as wide. A typical leaflet is usually ovate with coarse, doubly serrate margins; it may have a few scattered white hairs on the upper surface, while the lower surface is light green and pubescent.
The canes develop racemes with about 12 white flowers; these racemes are much longer than they are wide. There are conspicuous glandular-tipped hairs on the peduncles and pedicels of the inflorescence. A flower has 5 white petals and 5 green sepals with pointed tips; this flower is about ¾-1" across. The petals are longer than the sepals, rather rounded, and often wrinkly. In the center of each flower, are numerous stamens with yellow anthers surrounding a green reproductive structure with a prickly appearance. The flowers bloom during late spring or early summer for a month; there is little or no floral fragrance. The drupes develop later in the summer; they are about ¾" long and 1/3" across, although their size varies with moisture levels. The drupes are initially white or green, but eventually turn red, finally becoming almost black. They are seedy and have a sweet flavor when fully ripened. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant often forms loose colonies vegetatively.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to full sun, and mesic conditions; some drought is tolerated, although this can reduce the size of the drupes. Growth is best in rich fertile soil; a clay-loam or rocky soil is also acceptable. This plant is easy to grow from transplants or cuttings of young growth. It can become aggressive and be difficult to eliminate; the use of herbicides may be required on some occasions.
Range & Habitat: The native Common Blackberry occurs in most counties of Illinois; it is common in most areas of central and northern Illinois, and somewhat less common in southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to slightly dry prairie edges along woodlands, thickets, open woodlands, savannas, woodland meadows, limestone glades, fence rows, areas along roadsides and railroads, and abandoned pastures. This plant favors disturbed, burned-over areas in and around woodlands; it is one of the shrubby invaders of prairies.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract many kinds of insects, especially long-tongued and short-tongued bees. This includes honeybees, bumblebees, Little Carpenter bees, Nomadine Cuckoo bees, Mason bees, Green Metallic bees and other Halictid bees, and Andrenid bees. Other visitors of the flowers include wasps, flies, small to medium-sized butterflies, skippers, and beetles. Many of the flies and beetles feed on pollen and are not very effective at pollination. The caterpillars of the butterfly Satyrium liparops strigosum (Striped Hairstreak) and several species of moths feed on the Common Blackberry (see Moth Table). Also, various upland gamebirds, songbirds, and mammals feed on the fruit, stems, or foliage of this plant (see Wildlife Table). Among the upland gamebirds, the Greater Prairie Chicken, Wild Turkey, Bobwhite, and Ring-Necked Pheasant have been observed eating the drupes of blackberries. These various animals help to distribute the seeds far and wide. The Common Blackberry provides some shelter and shrubby protection to various ground-nesting birds and small mammals, such as the Cottontail Rabbit. In general, the ecological value of blackberries is very high.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Occasionally, blackberries (Rubus spp.) are found along the edges of prairies. It can be difficult to tell the different species apart. This is one of the more common blackberries in Illinois. The fruits of Common Blackberry tend to be a bit larger and more elongated than those of other blackberries, and they usually have an excellent flavor. This blackberry is distinguished from other blackberries by the numerous glandular hairs on the peduncles and pedicels of its elongated racemes of flowers. Furthermore, its mature leaflets are usually no more than twice as long as they are wide. These two characteristics distinguish the Common Blackberry from other Rubus spp. in Illinois.
The canes develop racemes with about 12 white flowers; these racemes are much longer than they are wide. There are conspicuous glandular-tipped hairs on the peduncles and pedicels of the inflorescence. A flower has 5 white petals and 5 green sepals with pointed tips; this flower is about ¾-1" across. The petals are longer than the sepals, rather rounded, and often wrinkly. In the center of each flower, are numerous stamens with yellow anthers surrounding a green reproductive structure with a prickly appearance. The flowers bloom during late spring or early summer for a month; there is little or no floral fragrance. The drupes develop later in the summer; they are about ¾" long and 1/3" across, although their size varies with moisture levels. The drupes are initially white or green, but eventually turn red, finally becoming almost black. They are seedy and have a sweet flavor when fully ripened. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant often forms loose colonies vegetatively.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to full sun, and mesic conditions; some drought is tolerated, although this can reduce the size of the drupes. Growth is best in rich fertile soil; a clay-loam or rocky soil is also acceptable. This plant is easy to grow from transplants or cuttings of young growth. It can become aggressive and be difficult to eliminate; the use of herbicides may be required on some occasions.
Range & Habitat: The native Common Blackberry occurs in most counties of Illinois; it is common in most areas of central and northern Illinois, and somewhat less common in southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to slightly dry prairie edges along woodlands, thickets, open woodlands, savannas, woodland meadows, limestone glades, fence rows, areas along roadsides and railroads, and abandoned pastures. This plant favors disturbed, burned-over areas in and around woodlands; it is one of the shrubby invaders of prairies.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract many kinds of insects, especially long-tongued and short-tongued bees. This includes honeybees, bumblebees, Little Carpenter bees, Nomadine Cuckoo bees, Mason bees, Green Metallic bees and other Halictid bees, and Andrenid bees. Other visitors of the flowers include wasps, flies, small to medium-sized butterflies, skippers, and beetles. Many of the flies and beetles feed on pollen and are not very effective at pollination. The caterpillars of the butterfly Satyrium liparops strigosum (Striped Hairstreak) and several species of moths feed on the Common Blackberry (see Moth Table). Also, various upland gamebirds, songbirds, and mammals feed on the fruit, stems, or foliage of this plant (see Wildlife Table). Among the upland gamebirds, the Greater Prairie Chicken, Wild Turkey, Bobwhite, and Ring-Necked Pheasant have been observed eating the drupes of blackberries. These various animals help to distribute the seeds far and wide. The Common Blackberry provides some shelter and shrubby protection to various ground-nesting birds and small mammals, such as the Cottontail Rabbit. In general, the ecological value of blackberries is very high.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Occasionally, blackberries (Rubus spp.) are found along the edges of prairies. It can be difficult to tell the different species apart. This is one of the more common blackberries in Illinois. The fruits of Common Blackberry tend to be a bit larger and more elongated than those of other blackberries, and they usually have an excellent flavor. This blackberry is distinguished from other blackberries by the numerous glandular hairs on the peduncles and pedicels of its elongated racemes of flowers. Furthermore, its mature leaflets are usually no more than twice as long as they are wide. These two characteristics distinguish the Common Blackberry from other Rubus spp. in Illinois.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月02日
Description: This woody shrub is about 2-4' tall, branching occasionally. Young branches are green, but older branches become grey or brown and woody. The branches have two different kinds of thorns: large straight thorns (about ½" or longer) that are reddish brown and small straight thorns (¼" or less) that are brown. The large thorns occur in bunches of 1-3 where the petioles of the leaves occur (or used to occur), while the small thorns are abundant on the larger branches. However, smaller branches may lack small thorns altogether. The deciduous leaves occur alternately along the stems in bunches of 1-3. Each leaf is up to 2" long and across and palmately lobed; there are 3-5 major lobes and several smaller lobes (or large teeth that are crenate). Each lobe is cleft and tapers to a blunt point. The base of each leaf is slightly cordate, truncate, or obtuse. The upper surface of each leaf is hairless to slightly pubescent, while the lower surface is nearly hairless to pubescent. The petiole of each leaf is somewhat hairy and about 1–1½" long.
Near the base of some leaf petioles, a raceme or corymb of 1-3 flowers is produced. The stalk of this inflorescence spreads horizontally, while the flowers droop downward on slender pedicels. Each flower has a narrow tubular calyx with 4-5 linear-oblong lobes, a similar number of strongly exerted stamens, and a smooth ovary at its base; this flower is up to ½" long (including the stamens). The tubular calyx and its lobes are white (sometimes tinted green or purple); the stamens are at least twice as long as the tubular calyx. The blooming period occurs during late spring and lasts about 2 weeks. Each fertilized flower is replaced by a globoid berry about 1/3" (8 mm.) across or a little larger; this berry is initially green and glabrous, but it later becomes dull red or dull purple. There are no prickles on the surface. The berries are juicy and contain many minute seeds. The root system is woody and branching.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to slightly dry conditions, and loamy or rocky soil with organic material to retain moisture. In excessive shade, flowers and fruit may not be produced. Gooseberries and currants (both Ribes spp.) can be hosts to White Pine blister rust. This is not usually a problem in Illinois, as White Pine and its relatives occur in boreal areas to the north of the state.
Range & Habitat: The native Missouri Gooseberry is occasional to locally common in central, northern, and SW Illinois, but it is absent in the SE and south-central areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic to dry open woodlands, savannas, woodland borders, thickets, powerline clearances and small meadows in wooded areas, abandoned fields, and partially shaded fence rows. Occasional disturbance is beneficial if it removes some of the overhead tree canopy.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract bees primarily; this includes both long-tongued and short-tongued bees. Less common insect visitors include flies, butterflies, Hummingbird moths, and wasps. Bees with long-tongues are more effective at pollinating the flowers than other visitors. Examples of such bees are bumblebees, Anthophorid bees, Mason bees, and Digger bees (Eucerine). The caterpillars of the butterflies Polygonia faunus (Green Comma) and Polygonia progne (Gray Comma) feed on the foliage of Ribes spp. (Gooseberries, Currants). The Insect Table lists other species that feed on Gooseberries and Currants. The fruit is occasionally eaten by some songbirds, including the Catbird, Robin, Brown Thrasher, and Cedar Waxwing. The fruit is also eaten by some mammals, including the Red Fox, Eastern Skunk, Raccoon, Red Squirrel, Deer Mouse, and White-Footed Mouse. These animals help to distribute the seeds to new locations.
Photographic Location: The edge of a deciduous woodland at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois. The fruit in the lower photograph is still green.
Leaf Underside & Fruit
Comments: This is the most common Gooseberry in Illinois (excluding cultivated forms). Like many other Gooseberries, it is a rather spiny shrub with palmately cleft leaves and odd drooping flowers. Missouri Gooseberry differs from Ribes cynosbati (Prickly Gooseberry), a less common species in Illinois, by the smooth surface of its berries; the latter has berries with a conspicuously prickly surface. The leaf bases of Prickly Gooseberry are usually more cordate than those of Missouri Gooseberry, and the stamens of its flowers are not exerted beyond the tubular calyx. Another species, Ribes hirtellum (Northern Gooseberry), is restricted to northern Illinois. This species has yellowish green flowers with tubular calyxes that are more broad, and its exerted stamens are up to twice the length of the corollas. Missouri Gooseberry has flowers that are more or less white; they have narrow tubular calyxes with exerted stamens that are at least twice the length of the calyx tubes (excluding their lobes). The branches of Missouri Gooseberry are usually more thorny than those of Northern Gooseberry; the larger thorns of the former are ½" or more in length, while the thorns of the latter are less than ½" in length.
Near the base of some leaf petioles, a raceme or corymb of 1-3 flowers is produced. The stalk of this inflorescence spreads horizontally, while the flowers droop downward on slender pedicels. Each flower has a narrow tubular calyx with 4-5 linear-oblong lobes, a similar number of strongly exerted stamens, and a smooth ovary at its base; this flower is up to ½" long (including the stamens). The tubular calyx and its lobes are white (sometimes tinted green or purple); the stamens are at least twice as long as the tubular calyx. The blooming period occurs during late spring and lasts about 2 weeks. Each fertilized flower is replaced by a globoid berry about 1/3" (8 mm.) across or a little larger; this berry is initially green and glabrous, but it later becomes dull red or dull purple. There are no prickles on the surface. The berries are juicy and contain many minute seeds. The root system is woody and branching.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to slightly dry conditions, and loamy or rocky soil with organic material to retain moisture. In excessive shade, flowers and fruit may not be produced. Gooseberries and currants (both Ribes spp.) can be hosts to White Pine blister rust. This is not usually a problem in Illinois, as White Pine and its relatives occur in boreal areas to the north of the state.
Range & Habitat: The native Missouri Gooseberry is occasional to locally common in central, northern, and SW Illinois, but it is absent in the SE and south-central areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic to dry open woodlands, savannas, woodland borders, thickets, powerline clearances and small meadows in wooded areas, abandoned fields, and partially shaded fence rows. Occasional disturbance is beneficial if it removes some of the overhead tree canopy.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract bees primarily; this includes both long-tongued and short-tongued bees. Less common insect visitors include flies, butterflies, Hummingbird moths, and wasps. Bees with long-tongues are more effective at pollinating the flowers than other visitors. Examples of such bees are bumblebees, Anthophorid bees, Mason bees, and Digger bees (Eucerine). The caterpillars of the butterflies Polygonia faunus (Green Comma) and Polygonia progne (Gray Comma) feed on the foliage of Ribes spp. (Gooseberries, Currants). The Insect Table lists other species that feed on Gooseberries and Currants. The fruit is occasionally eaten by some songbirds, including the Catbird, Robin, Brown Thrasher, and Cedar Waxwing. The fruit is also eaten by some mammals, including the Red Fox, Eastern Skunk, Raccoon, Red Squirrel, Deer Mouse, and White-Footed Mouse. These animals help to distribute the seeds to new locations.
Photographic Location: The edge of a deciduous woodland at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois. The fruit in the lower photograph is still green.
Leaf Underside & Fruit
Comments: This is the most common Gooseberry in Illinois (excluding cultivated forms). Like many other Gooseberries, it is a rather spiny shrub with palmately cleft leaves and odd drooping flowers. Missouri Gooseberry differs from Ribes cynosbati (Prickly Gooseberry), a less common species in Illinois, by the smooth surface of its berries; the latter has berries with a conspicuously prickly surface. The leaf bases of Prickly Gooseberry are usually more cordate than those of Missouri Gooseberry, and the stamens of its flowers are not exerted beyond the tubular calyx. Another species, Ribes hirtellum (Northern Gooseberry), is restricted to northern Illinois. This species has yellowish green flowers with tubular calyxes that are more broad, and its exerted stamens are up to twice the length of the corollas. Missouri Gooseberry has flowers that are more or less white; they have narrow tubular calyxes with exerted stamens that are at least twice the length of the calyx tubes (excluding their lobes). The branches of Missouri Gooseberry are usually more thorny than those of Northern Gooseberry; the larger thorns of the former are ½" or more in length, while the thorns of the latter are less than ½" in length.
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