文章
Miss Chen
2018年04月02日
Description: This woody shrub is about 2-4' tall, branching occasionally. Young branches are green, while older branches are grey or brown. They have two kinds of thorns: long thorns about ½" long that occur in groups of 1-3 near the petioles of the leaves (or where the petioles used to be located), and shorter thorns about ¼" or less that are abundant on major branches, but fewer in number or absent on smaller branches. These thorns are straight and brown to reddish brown. The leaves occur alternately along the branches in groups of 1-3. Each leaf is up to 2" long and across; it is palmately lobed and crenate along the margins. There are usually 3-5 major lobes per leaf, and several lesser lobes; they are cleft and taper to blunt tips. The upper surface of each leaf is slightly pubescent to hairless, while the lower surface is pubescent to slightly pubescent. Each leaf is cordate (indented) at the base where the petiole joins the blade. The petioles are usually hairy and up to 1½" long. Flowers are produced in groups of 1-3 near the petioles of some leaves; the inflorescence is either a branched cyme or a short raceme, from which the flowers droop downward. The slender pedicels of the flowers are green and pubescent or slightly hairy.
Each flower is about 1/3" (8 mm.) long and greenish yellow; it consists of short tubular calyx with 4-5 spreading lobes, a similar number of stamens, and a prickly or bristly ovary underneath. The short lobes are oblong to oval in shape, while the stamens extend no farther than the tubular calyx (they are not exerted). The petals are smaller than the calyx lobes and insignificant. The blooming period occurs during late spring and lasts about 2 weeks. Each fertilized flower develops into a globoid berry about 1/3" (8 mm.) across or a little larger. Immature berries are shiny and green, but they later become dull red or dull purple. All berries have conspicuous prickles. The berries are juicy and contain several minute seeds. The root system is branching and woody.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and loamy or rocky soil. In excessive shade, flowers and fruit may fail to develop. Gooseberries and currants (Ribes spp.) are alternate hosts to White Pine Blister rust.
Range & Habitat: The native Prickly Gooseberry occurs occasionally in central and northern Illinois, while in the southern part of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include thin rocky woodlands, wooded slopes, woodland borders, and limestone bluffs. Some disturbance is beneficial to this species if it reduces the overhead tree canopy.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract honeybees, bumblebees, Large Carpenter bees, Andrenid bees, Syrphid flies, and various ants; most of these visitors suck nectar from the flowers, although Andrenid bees also collect pollen. The bees are more effective pollinators than either flies or ants. 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 additional insects that feed on gooseberries and currants. Some songbirds eat the fruit, including the Catbird, Robin, Brown Thrasher, and Cedar Waxwing. Various mammals eat the fruit as well, including the Red Fox, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, Red Squirrel, Deer Mouse, and White-Footed Mouse. These animals help to distribute the seeds to new locations. To some extent, White-Tailed Deer browse on the branches and leaves, notwithstanding the presence of thorns.
Photographic Location: A rocky bluff with oak trees in Vermilion County, Illinois. In the photograph of leafy branches, there is some evidence of browsing by deer.
Comments: The most striking feature of this shrub is its prickly berries. It is unclear what advantage this provides in comparison to berries without prickles. Other species of plants produce prickly fruits as well – e.g., some Opuntia spp. (Prickly Pear Cacti) have prickly fruits that are offered for sale in grocery stores. In addition to its prickly berries, Prickly Gooseberry can be distinguished from other Ribes spp. (Gooseberries) by the inserted stamens of its flowers and leaves with indented bases (cordate). Other Gooseberries in Illinois have non-prickly berries, flowers with exerted stamens, and leaf bases that are truncate, rounded (obtuse), or less indented. Those Ribes spp. that are Currants have larger clusters of flowers/berries (5 or more). Prickly Gooseberry is more common in areas that are located to the north and east of Illinois.
Each flower is about 1/3" (8 mm.) long and greenish yellow; it consists of short tubular calyx with 4-5 spreading lobes, a similar number of stamens, and a prickly or bristly ovary underneath. The short lobes are oblong to oval in shape, while the stamens extend no farther than the tubular calyx (they are not exerted). The petals are smaller than the calyx lobes and insignificant. The blooming period occurs during late spring and lasts about 2 weeks. Each fertilized flower develops into a globoid berry about 1/3" (8 mm.) across or a little larger. Immature berries are shiny and green, but they later become dull red or dull purple. All berries have conspicuous prickles. The berries are juicy and contain several minute seeds. The root system is branching and woody.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and loamy or rocky soil. In excessive shade, flowers and fruit may fail to develop. Gooseberries and currants (Ribes spp.) are alternate hosts to White Pine Blister rust.
Range & Habitat: The native Prickly Gooseberry occurs occasionally in central and northern Illinois, while in the southern part of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include thin rocky woodlands, wooded slopes, woodland borders, and limestone bluffs. Some disturbance is beneficial to this species if it reduces the overhead tree canopy.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract honeybees, bumblebees, Large Carpenter bees, Andrenid bees, Syrphid flies, and various ants; most of these visitors suck nectar from the flowers, although Andrenid bees also collect pollen. The bees are more effective pollinators than either flies or ants. 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 additional insects that feed on gooseberries and currants. Some songbirds eat the fruit, including the Catbird, Robin, Brown Thrasher, and Cedar Waxwing. Various mammals eat the fruit as well, including the Red Fox, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, Red Squirrel, Deer Mouse, and White-Footed Mouse. These animals help to distribute the seeds to new locations. To some extent, White-Tailed Deer browse on the branches and leaves, notwithstanding the presence of thorns.
Photographic Location: A rocky bluff with oak trees in Vermilion County, Illinois. In the photograph of leafy branches, there is some evidence of browsing by deer.
Comments: The most striking feature of this shrub is its prickly berries. It is unclear what advantage this provides in comparison to berries without prickles. Other species of plants produce prickly fruits as well – e.g., some Opuntia spp. (Prickly Pear Cacti) have prickly fruits that are offered for sale in grocery stores. In addition to its prickly berries, Prickly Gooseberry can be distinguished from other Ribes spp. (Gooseberries) by the inserted stamens of its flowers and leaves with indented bases (cordate). Other Gooseberries in Illinois have non-prickly berries, flowers with exerted stamens, and leaf bases that are truncate, rounded (obtuse), or less indented. Those Ribes spp. that are Currants have larger clusters of flowers/berries (5 or more). Prickly Gooseberry is more common in areas that are located to the north and east of Illinois.
0
0
文章
Miss Chen
2018年04月01日
Description: This woody shrub is 2-8' tall. Depending on the variety, it is variable in size and branching habit. Fragrant Sumac can be an erect shrub with ascending branches, or it can be a low shrub with spreading branches. The trunk and lower branches are greyish brown and woody, while the upper branches are more or less pubescent. The alternate leaves are trifoliate. The individual leaflets are up to 3" long and 1½" across, although they are often half this size. The terminal leaflet is somewhat larger than the lateral leaflets. They are elliptic, oval-ovate, oblanceolate, or obovate in shape, coarsely crenate or shallowly cleft along their margins, and green, yellowish green, or red. The upper surface of each leaflet is glabrous to finely pubescent (canescent), while the lower surface is sparsely pubescent to softly hairy. Each leaflet is sessile, or it has a short petiole. The crushed foliage has a pleasant bittersweet fragrance. Occasionally, short spikes of flowers or panicles of floral spikes are produced from the axils of the leaves. These flowers can appear before or during the early development of the leaves. Each floral spike is up to 1" long. The individual flowers are greenish yellow, short-tubular in shape, and about 1/8" long; they can be perfect or unisexual (male or female).
The blooming period occurs during the spring. During the summer, the flowers are replaced by hairy red drupes. Each drupe is up to ¼" across and globoid-ovoid in shape; it contains a single stone (seed with a hard coat). The root system consists of a woody branching taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, dry conditions, and soil that is sandy or rocky. However, this shrub will adapt to mesic conditions with fertile loamy soil if there is not too much competition from other species of plants.
Range & Habitat: The native Aromatic Sumac is occasional in parts of southern, western, and northern Illinois; it is uncommon or absent from east central Illinois (see Distribution Map). This map combines the distribution of the different varieties of Aromatic Sumac. Aromatic Sumac is more tree-like and erect in southern Illinois, but a low spreading shrub elsewhere in the state. Habitats include thinly wooded bluffs, upland rocky woods, barren rocky areas, limestone glades, sandy savannas, sand prairies, and sand dunes. Aromatic Sumac is often cultivated as an ornamental shrub in yards or along buildings and city streets.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and/or pollen of the flowers attract small bees (especially Halictid & Andrenid bees), Syrphid flies, and a variety of other flies. Small Carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.) create tunnel-nests in the pith of sumac stems. The adults and larvae of Blepharida rhois (Sumac Flea Beetle) feed on the foliage of Aromatic Sumac and other species of sumac (Rhus spp.). Other insects that reportedly feed on sumac include larvae of Oberea ocellata (Sumac Stem Borer), Melaphis rhois (Sumac Gall Aphid), larvae of Asphondylia integrifoliae (Sumac Flowerbud Gall Midge), and the caterpillars of several moths and butterflies (see Moth & Butterfly Table). The hairy red drupes of sumac are largely used as emergency food by birds during the winter or when little else is available. Nonetheless, a large number of bird species have been observed eating these drupes (see Bird Table for a listing of these species). The White-Tailed Deer browses on the woody stems and leaves, while the Cottontail Rabbit gnaws on the bark of sumac during the winter.
Photographic Location: The floral spikes were photographed along a city street in Champaign, Illinois. The trifoliate leaves and hairy red drupes were photographed on a stabilized sand dune near Lake Michigan at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: Fragrant Sumac is smaller and less aggressive than Rhus glabra (Smooth Sumac) and Rhus typhina (Staghorn Sumac). The flowers of Fragrant Sumac bloom earlier in the spring and its drupes ripen earlier in the summer than these other species. Its compound leaves are trifoliate, while the odd-pinnate leaves of other Sumacs in Illinois have many more leaflets than this. These other Sumacs also lack the aromatic foliage of Fragrant Sumac.
The blooming period occurs during the spring. During the summer, the flowers are replaced by hairy red drupes. Each drupe is up to ¼" across and globoid-ovoid in shape; it contains a single stone (seed with a hard coat). The root system consists of a woody branching taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, dry conditions, and soil that is sandy or rocky. However, this shrub will adapt to mesic conditions with fertile loamy soil if there is not too much competition from other species of plants.
Range & Habitat: The native Aromatic Sumac is occasional in parts of southern, western, and northern Illinois; it is uncommon or absent from east central Illinois (see Distribution Map). This map combines the distribution of the different varieties of Aromatic Sumac. Aromatic Sumac is more tree-like and erect in southern Illinois, but a low spreading shrub elsewhere in the state. Habitats include thinly wooded bluffs, upland rocky woods, barren rocky areas, limestone glades, sandy savannas, sand prairies, and sand dunes. Aromatic Sumac is often cultivated as an ornamental shrub in yards or along buildings and city streets.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and/or pollen of the flowers attract small bees (especially Halictid & Andrenid bees), Syrphid flies, and a variety of other flies. Small Carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.) create tunnel-nests in the pith of sumac stems. The adults and larvae of Blepharida rhois (Sumac Flea Beetle) feed on the foliage of Aromatic Sumac and other species of sumac (Rhus spp.). Other insects that reportedly feed on sumac include larvae of Oberea ocellata (Sumac Stem Borer), Melaphis rhois (Sumac Gall Aphid), larvae of Asphondylia integrifoliae (Sumac Flowerbud Gall Midge), and the caterpillars of several moths and butterflies (see Moth & Butterfly Table). The hairy red drupes of sumac are largely used as emergency food by birds during the winter or when little else is available. Nonetheless, a large number of bird species have been observed eating these drupes (see Bird Table for a listing of these species). The White-Tailed Deer browses on the woody stems and leaves, while the Cottontail Rabbit gnaws on the bark of sumac during the winter.
Photographic Location: The floral spikes were photographed along a city street in Champaign, Illinois. The trifoliate leaves and hairy red drupes were photographed on a stabilized sand dune near Lake Michigan at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: Fragrant Sumac is smaller and less aggressive than Rhus glabra (Smooth Sumac) and Rhus typhina (Staghorn Sumac). The flowers of Fragrant Sumac bloom earlier in the spring and its drupes ripen earlier in the summer than these other species. Its compound leaves are trifoliate, while the odd-pinnate leaves of other Sumacs in Illinois have many more leaflets than this. These other Sumacs also lack the aromatic foliage of Fragrant Sumac.
0
0
文章
Miss Chen
2018年03月19日
Description: This low deciduous shrub is 1-3' tall, branching occasionally. Young stems are yellowish green to reddish brown, pubescent or hairless, while older stems are light gray to nearly black. The wood of the stems is relatively brittle and weak. The blades of alternate leaves are 1-2¼" long and ½-1" across; they are oblong-ovate, obovate, or narrowly oval and smooth along their margins. The upper surface of the blades is yellowish green and slightly shiny, while the lower surface is dull yellowish green and more or less covered with fine resinous dots that are yellow (more visible with a 10x hand lens). The petiole is short and slender. Short fine hairs are often present on the lower blade surface and petioles. The flowers develop in raceme-like clusters from the axils of the leaves. Individual flowers are up to 1/3" (8 mm.) long and a little less across, consisting of a short yellowish green calyx with 5 broad lobes and a tubular corolla with 5 tiny lobes along its rim that are strongly recurved. The red corolla (rarely white) is slightly constricted toward its throat, forming an urn-like shape. Each flower also has 10 inserted stamens and a pistil with a single style. The pedicels and calyces of the flowers are covered with short fine hairs and/or yellow resinous dots. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. Later, the flowers are replaced by globoid berries up to 1/3" (8 mm.) across. These berries are initially green, but they become blue-black at maturity. The interior of each berry is fleshy and sweet; it contains 10 seeds, which are individually up to 2 mm. long. The woody root system is shallow and branching; it can develop clonal offsets from underground runners. Colonies of plants are often produced. The leaves turn red during the autumn before falling to the ground.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic soil that is sandy or rocky. Plants that are grown in too much shade may fail to produce flowers and fruit. The flowers are self-fertile, but fruit production is better when there is cross-pollination.
Range & Habitat: Black Huckleberry is a native shrub that is found primarily in northern and southern Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is occasional in sandy or rocky areas. Elsewhere in the state, it is rare or absent. Habitats consist of upland rocky woodlands, wooded slopes, sandy savannas, openings in sandy woodlands, sandy shrub prairies, rocky bluffs and sandstone cliffs, sandy or rocky thickets, and stabilized sand dunes. Outside of Illinois, this shrub is sometimes found in bogs. Because it is able to resprout from underground runners, this shrub adapts to fire-prone habitats. In sandy shrub prairies, it is occasionally the dominant plant.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by honeybees, bumblebees, and Andrenid bees. Other floral visitors include the Karner Blue butterfly and various Syrphid flies. These insects seek primarily nectar from the flowers, although the Syrphid flies probably feed on the pollen. The caterpillars of the butterfly Callophrys henrici (Henry's Elfin) feed on Black Huckleberry, as do the caterpillars of several moths, specifically: Amorbia humerosana (White-Lined Leafroller), Chrysanympha formosa (Formosa Looper Moth), Croesia curvalana (Blueberry Leaftier), Cyclophora pendulinaria (Sweet Fern Geometer), Melanomma auricinctaria (Gold-Lined Melanomma), Pangrapta decoralis (Decorated Owlet), Psectraglaea carnosa (Pink Sallow), Sphinx gordius (Gordian Sphinx), Synchlora aerata (Wavy-Lined Emerald), and Zomaria interruptolineana (Broken-Lined Zomaria). Another insect that feeds on Black Huckleberry is Melanoplus fasciatus (Huckleberry Spur-Throated Grasshopper).
Among vertebrate animals, the fruit is eaten by many species of upland gamebirds and songbirds (see Bird Table). Mammals that eat the fruit include the Gray Fox, Red Fox, Raccoon, Opossum, Striped Skunk, Fox Squirrel, Gray Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk, and White-Footed Mouse. Dense colonies of Black Huckleberry in shrub prairie provide nesting habitat for the Northern Harrier and probably other birds. Such colonies provide protective cover for small animals.
Photographic Location: The photo of the flowers was taken in a sandy savanna at the Oak Opening Nature Preserve in NW Ohio, while the photos of the leafy shrub, twig, and leaf underside were taken in an upland rocky woodland near a ravine at The Potholes in west-central Indiana.
Comments: The berries of huckleberries are very similar to the berries of blueberries, except the latter usually contain more seeds (8-20) that are smaller in size. The foliage and woody stems of Black Huckleberry are quite similar to those of low-bush blueberries (particularly Vaccinium pallidum), except the leaf undersides of the former shrub are covered with resinous yellow dots, while the leaf undersides of blueberries lack such resinous dots. In Illinois, Black Huckleberry is the only species in its genus, although other huckleberry species can be found in the southeastern United States.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic soil that is sandy or rocky. Plants that are grown in too much shade may fail to produce flowers and fruit. The flowers are self-fertile, but fruit production is better when there is cross-pollination.
Range & Habitat: Black Huckleberry is a native shrub that is found primarily in northern and southern Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is occasional in sandy or rocky areas. Elsewhere in the state, it is rare or absent. Habitats consist of upland rocky woodlands, wooded slopes, sandy savannas, openings in sandy woodlands, sandy shrub prairies, rocky bluffs and sandstone cliffs, sandy or rocky thickets, and stabilized sand dunes. Outside of Illinois, this shrub is sometimes found in bogs. Because it is able to resprout from underground runners, this shrub adapts to fire-prone habitats. In sandy shrub prairies, it is occasionally the dominant plant.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by honeybees, bumblebees, and Andrenid bees. Other floral visitors include the Karner Blue butterfly and various Syrphid flies. These insects seek primarily nectar from the flowers, although the Syrphid flies probably feed on the pollen. The caterpillars of the butterfly Callophrys henrici (Henry's Elfin) feed on Black Huckleberry, as do the caterpillars of several moths, specifically: Amorbia humerosana (White-Lined Leafroller), Chrysanympha formosa (Formosa Looper Moth), Croesia curvalana (Blueberry Leaftier), Cyclophora pendulinaria (Sweet Fern Geometer), Melanomma auricinctaria (Gold-Lined Melanomma), Pangrapta decoralis (Decorated Owlet), Psectraglaea carnosa (Pink Sallow), Sphinx gordius (Gordian Sphinx), Synchlora aerata (Wavy-Lined Emerald), and Zomaria interruptolineana (Broken-Lined Zomaria). Another insect that feeds on Black Huckleberry is Melanoplus fasciatus (Huckleberry Spur-Throated Grasshopper).
Among vertebrate animals, the fruit is eaten by many species of upland gamebirds and songbirds (see Bird Table). Mammals that eat the fruit include the Gray Fox, Red Fox, Raccoon, Opossum, Striped Skunk, Fox Squirrel, Gray Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk, and White-Footed Mouse. Dense colonies of Black Huckleberry in shrub prairie provide nesting habitat for the Northern Harrier and probably other birds. Such colonies provide protective cover for small animals.
Photographic Location: The photo of the flowers was taken in a sandy savanna at the Oak Opening Nature Preserve in NW Ohio, while the photos of the leafy shrub, twig, and leaf underside were taken in an upland rocky woodland near a ravine at The Potholes in west-central Indiana.
Comments: The berries of huckleberries are very similar to the berries of blueberries, except the latter usually contain more seeds (8-20) that are smaller in size. The foliage and woody stems of Black Huckleberry are quite similar to those of low-bush blueberries (particularly Vaccinium pallidum), except the leaf undersides of the former shrub are covered with resinous yellow dots, while the leaf undersides of blueberries lack such resinous dots. In Illinois, Black Huckleberry is the only species in its genus, although other huckleberry species can be found in the southeastern United States.
0
0
文章
Miss Chen
2018年03月08日
Description: This is a shrub about 1-3½' tall that has ascending to widely spreading branches. The bark of branches and twigs is gray or reddish brown, more or less smooth, and terete with scattered white lenticels. Young shoots are light green to light brown, terete, and very pubescent, becoming less pubescent with age. Alternate leaves occur along the twigs and shoots. These leaves are 2-6" long and ¼-1" across; they are narrowly oblong to oblong-elliptic in shape and pinnatifid with 3-8 pairs of oblique lobes. The upper surface of mature leaves is medium green and glabrous to slightly short-pubescent, while the lower surface is light green and nearly glabrous to short-pubescent. Immature leaves, in contrast to the mature leaves, are yellowish green and more heavily covered with silky hairs (especially along their undersides). The leaves also have glandular resin-dots; crushed leaves and twigs are fragrant. The petioles are less than ½" in length, light green, more or less pubescent, and relatively stout.
Sweet Fern can be dioecious or monoecious with unisexual florets that are arranged in greenish catkins toward the tips of twigs or young shoots. The male catkins are ¾-1½" long and cylindrical in shape, consisting of numerous male florets and their overlapping scales. Each male floret has 4-8 stamens on short filaments; it is partially hidden by a small scale (about 2-3 mm. in length) that is broadly ovate and ciliate along its margins. The female catkins are about ½" long and ovoid to globoid in shape, consisting of a small cluster of female florets and their scales. Each female floret has a naked ovary with a pair of stigmata at its apex; it is partially hidden by a small scale (about 2-3 mm. in length) that is broadly ovate and ciliate along its margins. In addition to this scale, there is a pair of linear bractlets that originate from the base of the ovary; they are up to twice the length of the scale. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring as the vernal leaves begin to develop, lasting about 2 weeks. Afterwards, the female catkins are replaced by bristly fruits that span about ¾" across; each fruit contains a cluster of nutlets at its center and numerous bristly bractlets. At maturity, individual nutlets are 3-5 mm. long, ovoid in shape, truncate-dentate on one side, and rounded on the other. TheDistribution Map root system can develop clonal offsets from underground runners. Clonal colonies of plants are common from such offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil. The root system of Sweet Fern can fix nitrogen in the soil. This shrub is an alternate host of a blister rust that infects Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana).
Range & Habitat: The native Sweet Fern is rare in Illinois, where it is largely restricted to the NE section of the state. It is state-listed as 'endangered.' Habitats include upland sand prairies, sandy shrub prairies, and sandy upland savannas. Dominant trees in these savannas are oak trees (especially Black Oak) and sometimes pine trees are present (especially Jack Pine). Sweet Fern benefits from occasional wildfires as this reduces competition from taller shrubs and trees. The seeds can lie dormant in the soil for several decades while waiting for such wildfires to occur.
Faunal Associations: Various insects feed on the foliage and other parts of Sweet Fern. These species include the leaf beetles Cryptocephalus insertus, Neochlamisus comptoniae, and Paria frosti (Clark et al., 2004). The leafhopper Eratoneura parallela occasionally sucks sap from this shrub. The caterpillars of several moths feed primarily on the leaves of Sweet Fern, including Cleora sublunaria (Double-Lined Gray), Cyclophora pendulinaria (Sweetfern Geometer), Coleophora comptoniella (Sweetfern Casebearer Moth), Agonopterix atrodorsella (Brown-Collared Agonopterix), Nemoria rubrifrontaria (Red-Fronted Emerald), and Catocala antinympha (Sweetfern Underwing); see the Moth Table for a more complete list of these species (Covell, 2005; Wagner, 2005). Some vertebrate animals also use Sweet Fern as a source of food. The Ruffed Grouse and Greater Prairie Chicken feed on the buds, catkins, and foliage, while White-Tailed Deer and the Cottontail Rabbit browse on the twigs and foliage (Martin et al., 1951/1961). Because of its tendency to form colonies, Sweet Fern also provides good cover for various animals.
Photographic Location: A garden at the Kitty Todd Nature Preserve in NW Ohio.
Comments: This shrub belongs to a monotypic genus that is endemic to North America. It is related to the Bayberry shrubs (Myrica spp.) that are found on sandy coastlines along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Unlike Sweet Fern, Bayberry shrubs produce waxy fruits. In spite of its common name and the appearance of its attractive leaves, Sweet Fern is not related to the true ferns. Perhaps its most notable characteristic is the pleasant fragrance of its crushed leaves and twigs.
Sweet Fern can be dioecious or monoecious with unisexual florets that are arranged in greenish catkins toward the tips of twigs or young shoots. The male catkins are ¾-1½" long and cylindrical in shape, consisting of numerous male florets and their overlapping scales. Each male floret has 4-8 stamens on short filaments; it is partially hidden by a small scale (about 2-3 mm. in length) that is broadly ovate and ciliate along its margins. The female catkins are about ½" long and ovoid to globoid in shape, consisting of a small cluster of female florets and their scales. Each female floret has a naked ovary with a pair of stigmata at its apex; it is partially hidden by a small scale (about 2-3 mm. in length) that is broadly ovate and ciliate along its margins. In addition to this scale, there is a pair of linear bractlets that originate from the base of the ovary; they are up to twice the length of the scale. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring as the vernal leaves begin to develop, lasting about 2 weeks. Afterwards, the female catkins are replaced by bristly fruits that span about ¾" across; each fruit contains a cluster of nutlets at its center and numerous bristly bractlets. At maturity, individual nutlets are 3-5 mm. long, ovoid in shape, truncate-dentate on one side, and rounded on the other. TheDistribution Map root system can develop clonal offsets from underground runners. Clonal colonies of plants are common from such offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil. The root system of Sweet Fern can fix nitrogen in the soil. This shrub is an alternate host of a blister rust that infects Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana).
Range & Habitat: The native Sweet Fern is rare in Illinois, where it is largely restricted to the NE section of the state. It is state-listed as 'endangered.' Habitats include upland sand prairies, sandy shrub prairies, and sandy upland savannas. Dominant trees in these savannas are oak trees (especially Black Oak) and sometimes pine trees are present (especially Jack Pine). Sweet Fern benefits from occasional wildfires as this reduces competition from taller shrubs and trees. The seeds can lie dormant in the soil for several decades while waiting for such wildfires to occur.
Faunal Associations: Various insects feed on the foliage and other parts of Sweet Fern. These species include the leaf beetles Cryptocephalus insertus, Neochlamisus comptoniae, and Paria frosti (Clark et al., 2004). The leafhopper Eratoneura parallela occasionally sucks sap from this shrub. The caterpillars of several moths feed primarily on the leaves of Sweet Fern, including Cleora sublunaria (Double-Lined Gray), Cyclophora pendulinaria (Sweetfern Geometer), Coleophora comptoniella (Sweetfern Casebearer Moth), Agonopterix atrodorsella (Brown-Collared Agonopterix), Nemoria rubrifrontaria (Red-Fronted Emerald), and Catocala antinympha (Sweetfern Underwing); see the Moth Table for a more complete list of these species (Covell, 2005; Wagner, 2005). Some vertebrate animals also use Sweet Fern as a source of food. The Ruffed Grouse and Greater Prairie Chicken feed on the buds, catkins, and foliage, while White-Tailed Deer and the Cottontail Rabbit browse on the twigs and foliage (Martin et al., 1951/1961). Because of its tendency to form colonies, Sweet Fern also provides good cover for various animals.
Photographic Location: A garden at the Kitty Todd Nature Preserve in NW Ohio.
Comments: This shrub belongs to a monotypic genus that is endemic to North America. It is related to the Bayberry shrubs (Myrica spp.) that are found on sandy coastlines along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Unlike Sweet Fern, Bayberry shrubs produce waxy fruits. In spite of its common name and the appearance of its attractive leaves, Sweet Fern is not related to the true ferns. Perhaps its most notable characteristic is the pleasant fragrance of its crushed leaves and twigs.
0
0
文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月11日
Description: This multi-branched shrub is 2-6' tall. Branchlet bark is brown, reddish brown, or pale yellow, relatively smooth, and glabrous. Young shoots are light green and short-pubescent. Alternate leaves occur along the smaller branchlets and shoots. Individual leaves are 1½-4" long and ¼-¾" across; they are oblong-elliptic or oblong-oblanceolate in shape with margins that are smooth, slightly undulate, or slightly crenate-dentate with remote teeth. Often, the leaf margins are revolute (rolled under). Leaf bases are wedge-shaped, while their tips are relatively short and blunt. The upper sides of mature leaves are medium green and glabrous, while their lower sides are pale green to white, mostly glabrous, and glaucous. Sometimes fine hairs occur along the lower side of the central veins. Immature leaves are pale yellowish green or reddish green and they are usually more hairy than mature leaves. The petioles are light green, pale yellow, or nearly white; they are either glabrous or short-pubescent. Sometimes lanceolate stipules occur in pairs at the bases of petioles. These stipules are about 3-8 mm. long and deciduous.
Prairie Willow is dioecious, producing either all male (staminate) or all female (pistillate) catkins on separate shrubs. Male catkins are ¼-¾" long, consisting of numerous male florets. Initially, male catkins are fuzzy and gray, but they later become more red or yellow from the anthers of their stamens. Each male floret consists of 2 stamens and a silky-hairy bract about 1.5-2.0 mm. in length. The female catkins are ½-2" long, consisting of numerous female florets. Initially, female catkins are somewhat fuzzy and gray, but they later become green, and finally light brown. Each female floret consists of a lanceoloid pistil about 4-8 mm. in length and a silky-hairy bract about 1.5-2.0 mm. in length. There are short pedicels underneath the female florets. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-spring for about 1 week. Afterwards, during late spring or early summer, fertile female florets are transformed into seed capsules that split open at maturity to release their seeds. The tiny seeds are embedded in cottony hairs; they are distributed by the wind. The woody root system is shallow and branching. This shrub reproduces by reseeding itself.
Leaf UndersidesCultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil that is loamy or sandy. Most growth and develop occurs from spring to mid-summer. The tiny seeds remain viable for about 1-2 weeks. A new clonal shrub can be created by cutting a branchlet from an older shrub during the early spring and sticking the cut-end of this branchlet into moist ground.
Range and Habitat: The native Smooth Prairie Willow is relatively uncommon in Illinois, where it is found in widely scattered counties (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic prairies, moist to mesic sand prairies, willow thickets, sandy and non-sandy savannas, bases of sandstone bluffs, and sedge meadows. This shrub adapts to both well-drained upland areas and poorly drained bottomland areas.
Faunal Associations: The florets of the catkins are cross-pollinated by insects. These floral visitors include Cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.), sawflies (Dolerus spp.), Syrphid flies, miscellaneous beetles, and other insects. Andrenid bees that are specialist pollinators (oligoleges) of willows (Salix spp.) include Andrena bisalicis, Andrena erythrogaster, Andrena fenningeri, Andrena illinoiensis, Andrena mariae, and Andrena salictaria. Smooth Prairie Willow and other willows are host plants to a variety of insects that feed on their leaves, bore through their branchlets, or suck plant juices. These species include the leafhoppers Empoasca andresia, Empoasca humilis, and Erythroneura rosa; Aphis salicariae (Willow Aphid), Cavariella aegopodii (Carrot-Willow Aphid), Chaitophorus viminalis (Small Black & Green Willow Aphid), and Tuberolachnus salignus (Giant Willow Aphid); Lopidea salicis (Willow Plant Bug) and other plant bugs; the leaf beetles Chrysomela knabi, Chrysomela lineatopunctata, Chrysomela scripta, Crepidodera decora, Crepidodera nana, Cryptocephalus leucomelas, and Disonycha alternata; Rhynchaenus rufipes (Willow Flea Weevil); the wood-boring larvae of Agrilus politus (Common Willow Agrilus); larvae of the gall flies Dasineura salicifolia and Asphondylia salictaria; larvae of Nematus ventralis (Willow Sawfly), Pontania proxima (Willow Redgall Sawfly), and Pontania s-pomum (Willow Gall Sawfly); and Diapheromera velii (Prairie Walkingstick). Some vertebrate animals use willows as a source of food and protective cover. The buds are eaten by the Ruffed Grouse, while the catkins are eaten by the White-Crowned Sparrow. Such birds as the Yellow Warbler, Warbling Vireo, and Yellow-Breasted Chat use these shrubs for protective cover and nesting habitat. The twigs and foliage are browsed occasionally by the White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbit.
Photographic Location: A wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Some authorities don't recognize Smooth Prairie Willow as a distinct variety of Prairie Willow, although Mohlenbrock (2002) does. Smooth Prairie Willow is very similar to the typical variety of Prairie Willow, except that its leaves are hairless, or nearly so. Smooth Prairie Willow resembles the native Salix discolor (Pussy Willow), except that its leaves and stipules are more narrow than those of the latter. Another variety of Prairie Willow, Salix humilis microphylla (Sage Willow), is a shrub about 1-3' tall that has smaller leaves and smaller catkins. This latter variety prefers dry open areas; it is relatively uncommon in Illinois.
Prairie Willow is dioecious, producing either all male (staminate) or all female (pistillate) catkins on separate shrubs. Male catkins are ¼-¾" long, consisting of numerous male florets. Initially, male catkins are fuzzy and gray, but they later become more red or yellow from the anthers of their stamens. Each male floret consists of 2 stamens and a silky-hairy bract about 1.5-2.0 mm. in length. The female catkins are ½-2" long, consisting of numerous female florets. Initially, female catkins are somewhat fuzzy and gray, but they later become green, and finally light brown. Each female floret consists of a lanceoloid pistil about 4-8 mm. in length and a silky-hairy bract about 1.5-2.0 mm. in length. There are short pedicels underneath the female florets. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-spring for about 1 week. Afterwards, during late spring or early summer, fertile female florets are transformed into seed capsules that split open at maturity to release their seeds. The tiny seeds are embedded in cottony hairs; they are distributed by the wind. The woody root system is shallow and branching. This shrub reproduces by reseeding itself.
Leaf UndersidesCultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil that is loamy or sandy. Most growth and develop occurs from spring to mid-summer. The tiny seeds remain viable for about 1-2 weeks. A new clonal shrub can be created by cutting a branchlet from an older shrub during the early spring and sticking the cut-end of this branchlet into moist ground.
Range and Habitat: The native Smooth Prairie Willow is relatively uncommon in Illinois, where it is found in widely scattered counties (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic prairies, moist to mesic sand prairies, willow thickets, sandy and non-sandy savannas, bases of sandstone bluffs, and sedge meadows. This shrub adapts to both well-drained upland areas and poorly drained bottomland areas.
Faunal Associations: The florets of the catkins are cross-pollinated by insects. These floral visitors include Cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.), sawflies (Dolerus spp.), Syrphid flies, miscellaneous beetles, and other insects. Andrenid bees that are specialist pollinators (oligoleges) of willows (Salix spp.) include Andrena bisalicis, Andrena erythrogaster, Andrena fenningeri, Andrena illinoiensis, Andrena mariae, and Andrena salictaria. Smooth Prairie Willow and other willows are host plants to a variety of insects that feed on their leaves, bore through their branchlets, or suck plant juices. These species include the leafhoppers Empoasca andresia, Empoasca humilis, and Erythroneura rosa; Aphis salicariae (Willow Aphid), Cavariella aegopodii (Carrot-Willow Aphid), Chaitophorus viminalis (Small Black & Green Willow Aphid), and Tuberolachnus salignus (Giant Willow Aphid); Lopidea salicis (Willow Plant Bug) and other plant bugs; the leaf beetles Chrysomela knabi, Chrysomela lineatopunctata, Chrysomela scripta, Crepidodera decora, Crepidodera nana, Cryptocephalus leucomelas, and Disonycha alternata; Rhynchaenus rufipes (Willow Flea Weevil); the wood-boring larvae of Agrilus politus (Common Willow Agrilus); larvae of the gall flies Dasineura salicifolia and Asphondylia salictaria; larvae of Nematus ventralis (Willow Sawfly), Pontania proxima (Willow Redgall Sawfly), and Pontania s-pomum (Willow Gall Sawfly); and Diapheromera velii (Prairie Walkingstick). Some vertebrate animals use willows as a source of food and protective cover. The buds are eaten by the Ruffed Grouse, while the catkins are eaten by the White-Crowned Sparrow. Such birds as the Yellow Warbler, Warbling Vireo, and Yellow-Breasted Chat use these shrubs for protective cover and nesting habitat. The twigs and foliage are browsed occasionally by the White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbit.
Photographic Location: A wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Some authorities don't recognize Smooth Prairie Willow as a distinct variety of Prairie Willow, although Mohlenbrock (2002) does. Smooth Prairie Willow is very similar to the typical variety of Prairie Willow, except that its leaves are hairless, or nearly so. Smooth Prairie Willow resembles the native Salix discolor (Pussy Willow), except that its leaves and stipules are more narrow than those of the latter. Another variety of Prairie Willow, Salix humilis microphylla (Sage Willow), is a shrub about 1-3' tall that has smaller leaves and smaller catkins. This latter variety prefers dry open areas; it is relatively uncommon in Illinois.
0
0
文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月11日
Description: This shrub is 2-8' tall, often branching near the base and toward the tips of older stems. Woody stems are terete and variably colored – usually some shade of yellowish tan, brown, or gray. Young woody stems are often short-pubescent, but they become glabrous with age. New shoots are light green and short-pubescent. Alternate leaves occur along young stems and shoots. The leaf blades are 1¾-4" long and ¼-¾" across; they are narrowly lanceolate, oblanceolate, or oblong-elliptic in shape and smooth to slightly crenate along their margins. The margins are often revolute (curved downward) as well. The upper surface of the leaf blades is medium green or grayish green and glabrous to sparsely short-pubescent, while the lower surface (for this variety of Prairie Willow) is short-pubescent and sometimes whitened. The petioles are ¼-½" in length and short-pubescent. At the base of the petioles, lanceolate stipules are sometimes found.
Because Prairie Willow is dioecious, different shrubs will develop either all male (staminate) catkins or all female (pistillate) catkins from the bud scales along twigs of the preceding year. Male catkins are ¼-¾" in length, becoming longer as they mature. They are covered with silvery hairs at first, but later become yellowish or reddish from the anthers of numerous florets. Each male floret consists of a pair of stamens and a hairy bract. Female catkins are ½-3" in length, becoming longer as they mature. Each female catkin has several greenish female florets along its length. A female floret consists of a greenish ovary about 4-8 mm. in length and a hairy bract. The ovary is narrowly lanceoloid in shape with an elongated beak; it is also short-pubescent with a pair of stigmata at its apex. The male and female florets have neither petals nor sepals. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-spring for about 1 week. Afterwards, the female florets develop into seed capsules that become light brown at maturity, when they split open to release tiny seeds that are embedded in cottony hairs. These seeds are dispersed by the wind. The root system is woody and branching. This shrub reproduces by reseeding itself.Distribution Map
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil that is loamy, gravelly, or sandy. New plants can be started by inserting cut-stems into the ground during the spring, where they will form roots. Prairie Willow is more tolerant of dry conditions than many other species in the genus. It is relatively slow-growing for a willow, usually remaining less than 4' tall, although sometimes Prairie Willow becomes larger when conditions are favorable.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Willow occurs occasionally throughout Illinois; it has been observed in most counties. This variety of Prairie Willow is far more common than other varieties within the state. Habitats consist of black soil prairies, sand prairies, sandy shrub prairies, prairie remnants along railroads, sandy and non-sandy savannas, sandy thickets, barren rocky areas along bluffs, and gravelly seeps. This unusual willow can found in either moist lowland or drier upland areas.
Faunal Associations: The catkins of Prairie Willow attract primarily small bees and flies, including Cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), Syrphid flies, Calliphorid flies, Muscid flies, and others. Among the Andrenid bees, the following species are specialist pollinators (oligoleges) of willows (Salix spp.): Andrena bisalicis, Andrena erythrogaster, Andrena fenningeri, Andrena illinoiensis, Andrena mariae, and Andrena salictaria. These insects seek nectar and pollen from the florets of the catkins. Many other insects feed on the foliage, bore through the wood, or suck plant juices from willows. The following leaf beetles have been observed to feed on Prairie Willow: Chrysomela knabi (American Willow Leaf Beetle), Chrysomela lineatopunctata, Chrysomela scripta (Cottonwood Leaf Beetle), Crepidodera decora, Crepidodera nana, Cryptocephalus leucomelas, and Disonycha alternata (Striped Willow Flea Beetle). The Prairie Willow is also the preferred host plant for the leafhopper Empoasca humilis. Other insect feeders include the larvae of wood-boring beetles, weevils, the larvae of gall flies, plant bugs, stink bugs, aphids, the larvae of sawflies, and the caterpillars of many moths. Caterpillars of the butterflies Satyrium acadicum (Acadian Hairstreak) and Limenitis archippus (Viceroy) feed on the leaves of willows, as do the caterpillars of the skipper Erynnis icelus (Dreamy Duskywing). Among vertebrate animals, such birds as the Ruffed Grouse and White-Crowned Sparrow feed on the buds and catkins of willows. Other birds, such as the Northern Harrier, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, American Goldfinch, Gray Catbird, and Willow Flycatcher, often construct their nests in willow thickets. The twigs and leaves are often browsed by White-Tailed Deer and Elk.
Photographic Location: A sandy shrub prairie at Kitty Todd Nature Preserve in NW Ohio.
Comments: The typical variety of Prairie Willow (Salix humilis humilis) has been described here. Two less common varieties, Smooth Prairie Willow (Salix humilis hyporhysa) and Sage Willow (Salix humilis microphylla), also occur in Illinois. Unlike the typical Prairie Willow, Smooth Prairie Willow has leaves that are hairless (or nearly so) and its young shoots and stems are also hairless or less hairy. The margins of Smooth Prairie Willow's leaf blades are also less likely to be revolute (curved downward), otherwise it is almost identical to the typical variety and occupies similar habitats. The Sage Willow is quite different from the preceding two varieties in that it is a smaller shrub only 1-3' tall with smaller leaves (about ¾-2" long) and smaller catkins. It is also usually found in habitats that are more dry and barren than the preceding varieties. The Sage Willow has been classified as a distinct willow species in the past (Salix tristis), but it is now regarded (rightly or wrongly) as a variety of Prairie Willow. In general, the rather variable Prairie Willow can be distinguished from other willow species (Salix spp.) by its preference for drier habitats and small size, smooth to nearly smooth margins that lack conspicuous and abundant teeth, its pubescent shoots and leaf undersides (with the exception of var. hyporhysa), and lanceolate stipules.
Because Prairie Willow is dioecious, different shrubs will develop either all male (staminate) catkins or all female (pistillate) catkins from the bud scales along twigs of the preceding year. Male catkins are ¼-¾" in length, becoming longer as they mature. They are covered with silvery hairs at first, but later become yellowish or reddish from the anthers of numerous florets. Each male floret consists of a pair of stamens and a hairy bract. Female catkins are ½-3" in length, becoming longer as they mature. Each female catkin has several greenish female florets along its length. A female floret consists of a greenish ovary about 4-8 mm. in length and a hairy bract. The ovary is narrowly lanceoloid in shape with an elongated beak; it is also short-pubescent with a pair of stigmata at its apex. The male and female florets have neither petals nor sepals. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-spring for about 1 week. Afterwards, the female florets develop into seed capsules that become light brown at maturity, when they split open to release tiny seeds that are embedded in cottony hairs. These seeds are dispersed by the wind. The root system is woody and branching. This shrub reproduces by reseeding itself.Distribution Map
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil that is loamy, gravelly, or sandy. New plants can be started by inserting cut-stems into the ground during the spring, where they will form roots. Prairie Willow is more tolerant of dry conditions than many other species in the genus. It is relatively slow-growing for a willow, usually remaining less than 4' tall, although sometimes Prairie Willow becomes larger when conditions are favorable.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Willow occurs occasionally throughout Illinois; it has been observed in most counties. This variety of Prairie Willow is far more common than other varieties within the state. Habitats consist of black soil prairies, sand prairies, sandy shrub prairies, prairie remnants along railroads, sandy and non-sandy savannas, sandy thickets, barren rocky areas along bluffs, and gravelly seeps. This unusual willow can found in either moist lowland or drier upland areas.
Faunal Associations: The catkins of Prairie Willow attract primarily small bees and flies, including Cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), Syrphid flies, Calliphorid flies, Muscid flies, and others. Among the Andrenid bees, the following species are specialist pollinators (oligoleges) of willows (Salix spp.): Andrena bisalicis, Andrena erythrogaster, Andrena fenningeri, Andrena illinoiensis, Andrena mariae, and Andrena salictaria. These insects seek nectar and pollen from the florets of the catkins. Many other insects feed on the foliage, bore through the wood, or suck plant juices from willows. The following leaf beetles have been observed to feed on Prairie Willow: Chrysomela knabi (American Willow Leaf Beetle), Chrysomela lineatopunctata, Chrysomela scripta (Cottonwood Leaf Beetle), Crepidodera decora, Crepidodera nana, Cryptocephalus leucomelas, and Disonycha alternata (Striped Willow Flea Beetle). The Prairie Willow is also the preferred host plant for the leafhopper Empoasca humilis. Other insect feeders include the larvae of wood-boring beetles, weevils, the larvae of gall flies, plant bugs, stink bugs, aphids, the larvae of sawflies, and the caterpillars of many moths. Caterpillars of the butterflies Satyrium acadicum (Acadian Hairstreak) and Limenitis archippus (Viceroy) feed on the leaves of willows, as do the caterpillars of the skipper Erynnis icelus (Dreamy Duskywing). Among vertebrate animals, such birds as the Ruffed Grouse and White-Crowned Sparrow feed on the buds and catkins of willows. Other birds, such as the Northern Harrier, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, American Goldfinch, Gray Catbird, and Willow Flycatcher, often construct their nests in willow thickets. The twigs and leaves are often browsed by White-Tailed Deer and Elk.
Photographic Location: A sandy shrub prairie at Kitty Todd Nature Preserve in NW Ohio.
Comments: The typical variety of Prairie Willow (Salix humilis humilis) has been described here. Two less common varieties, Smooth Prairie Willow (Salix humilis hyporhysa) and Sage Willow (Salix humilis microphylla), also occur in Illinois. Unlike the typical Prairie Willow, Smooth Prairie Willow has leaves that are hairless (or nearly so) and its young shoots and stems are also hairless or less hairy. The margins of Smooth Prairie Willow's leaf blades are also less likely to be revolute (curved downward), otherwise it is almost identical to the typical variety and occupies similar habitats. The Sage Willow is quite different from the preceding two varieties in that it is a smaller shrub only 1-3' tall with smaller leaves (about ¾-2" long) and smaller catkins. It is also usually found in habitats that are more dry and barren than the preceding varieties. The Sage Willow has been classified as a distinct willow species in the past (Salix tristis), but it is now regarded (rightly or wrongly) as a variety of Prairie Willow. In general, the rather variable Prairie Willow can be distinguished from other willow species (Salix spp.) by its preference for drier habitats and small size, smooth to nearly smooth margins that lack conspicuous and abundant teeth, its pubescent shoots and leaf undersides (with the exception of var. hyporhysa), and lanceolate stipules.
0
0
文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月10日
Description: This somewhat prickly shrub is about ½-3' tall, branching occasionally. It is usually erect, but taller plants sometimes sprawl. The prickles on the woody stems are slender and straight, and pairs of prickles often occur on opposite sides of the stems. On new growth, the hairless stems are either green or pinkish red, later turning brown. The alternate compound leaves usually consist of 5-7 leaflets (oddly pinnate); a few short stems may have only 3 leaflets. The central stem of each compound leaf is slightly hairy. Each ovate leaflet is about 2" long and 1" across, with strongly serrated margins. The underside of each leaflet is glabrous or only sparsely pubescent. At the base of each compound leaf are two prominent stipules, each terminating in a single pointed tip.
The solitary flowers occur on pedicels with glandular hairs, and are about 2½-3" across. The flower buds also have glandular hairs. Each flower consists of 5 pink petals (rarely white), 5 green pointed sepals, numerous bright yellow stamens, and a pistil structure at the center of the flower that is flat and wide. There is a typical rose fragrance. The blooming period occurs during early summer and lasts about a month. Later, bright red rose hips appear that are often slightly flattened when compared to other wild roses, although not always. The root system consists of a deep central taproot that branches occasionally. From shallow rhizomes, this plant can spread vegetatively, forming small colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun, average to dry moisture conditions, and soil that contains loam, clay-loam, or sandy loam. Other kinds of soil are also tolerated. This plant is more resistant to foliar disease than most horticultural roses. It is faster and easier to start plants using cuttings, as seeds are often slow to germinate and develop. Improved germination may result if they are exposed to an acid treatment, simulating passage through an animal's gullet.
Range & Habitat: The native Pasture Rose occurs throughout Illinois, except for a few southern counties (see Distribution Map). It is quite common in many areas. Habitats include mesic to dry black soil prairies, sand prairies, openings in woodlands, oak savannas, limestone glades, sand dunes near lakes, fence rows, abandoned fields, areas along railroads where prairie remnants remain, and waste areas where birds are likely to occur. This plant has considerable resistance to drought, and recovers readily from occasional wildfires.
Faunal Associations: The most important visitors to the flowers are long-tongued bees, such as bumblebees, Anthophorine bees, and Miner bees (e.g., Synhalonia speciosa). Green Metallic bees, Syrphid flies, and various beetles (e.g., Trichiotinus piger) visit the flowers, but they are less effective at pollination. All of these insect seek pollen, as the flowers provide no nectar. The caterpillars of many species of moths feed on this and other wild roses (see Moth Table). Other kinds of insects also feed on this plant, including Rhynchites bicolor (Rose Weevil; eats pith of woody stems, buds, & rose hips), Macrodactylus subspinosus (Rose Chafer Beetle), Edwardsiana rosae (Rose Leafhopper), Mordella spp. (Tumbling Flower Beetles; eat flowers), and Lepyronia gibbosa (Prairie Spittlebug). Several upland gamebirds and small mammals eat the rosehips, including the Greater Prairie Chicken, Ring-Necked Pheasant, Bobwhite, Cottontail Rabbit, Eastern Striped Skunk, and White-Footed Mouse. These animals help to disperse the seeds of the plant across considerable distances. The leaves, buds, and twigs are browsed by the White-Tailed Deer and Elk (once native to Illinois), notwithstanding the presence of occasional prickles.
Photographic Location: Photographs of the flower and compound leaf were taken at the Red Bison Railroad Prairie in Savoy, Illinois, while the photograph of the fruit was taken at a railroad prairie in Iroquois County of the same state.
Comments: Among the native wild roses that occur in Illinois, the Pasture Rose ranks high in its capacity to tolerate hot dry weather (rivaled only by the Sunshine Rose, R. arkansana). Distinguishing different species of roses (whether native or exotic) can be difficult. The Pasture Rose has narrow straight spines on its stems, while other species often have curved stout spines. Its stipules lack comb-like hairs (unlike the Multiflora Rose, Rosa multiflora, and other exotic roses), and the pistil structure is wide and flat, not tall and columnar like many climbing roses. Other features to consider are the number of leaflets per compound leaf, and the relative abundance or absence of hairs on the leaflets.
The solitary flowers occur on pedicels with glandular hairs, and are about 2½-3" across. The flower buds also have glandular hairs. Each flower consists of 5 pink petals (rarely white), 5 green pointed sepals, numerous bright yellow stamens, and a pistil structure at the center of the flower that is flat and wide. There is a typical rose fragrance. The blooming period occurs during early summer and lasts about a month. Later, bright red rose hips appear that are often slightly flattened when compared to other wild roses, although not always. The root system consists of a deep central taproot that branches occasionally. From shallow rhizomes, this plant can spread vegetatively, forming small colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun, average to dry moisture conditions, and soil that contains loam, clay-loam, or sandy loam. Other kinds of soil are also tolerated. This plant is more resistant to foliar disease than most horticultural roses. It is faster and easier to start plants using cuttings, as seeds are often slow to germinate and develop. Improved germination may result if they are exposed to an acid treatment, simulating passage through an animal's gullet.
Range & Habitat: The native Pasture Rose occurs throughout Illinois, except for a few southern counties (see Distribution Map). It is quite common in many areas. Habitats include mesic to dry black soil prairies, sand prairies, openings in woodlands, oak savannas, limestone glades, sand dunes near lakes, fence rows, abandoned fields, areas along railroads where prairie remnants remain, and waste areas where birds are likely to occur. This plant has considerable resistance to drought, and recovers readily from occasional wildfires.
Faunal Associations: The most important visitors to the flowers are long-tongued bees, such as bumblebees, Anthophorine bees, and Miner bees (e.g., Synhalonia speciosa). Green Metallic bees, Syrphid flies, and various beetles (e.g., Trichiotinus piger) visit the flowers, but they are less effective at pollination. All of these insect seek pollen, as the flowers provide no nectar. The caterpillars of many species of moths feed on this and other wild roses (see Moth Table). Other kinds of insects also feed on this plant, including Rhynchites bicolor (Rose Weevil; eats pith of woody stems, buds, & rose hips), Macrodactylus subspinosus (Rose Chafer Beetle), Edwardsiana rosae (Rose Leafhopper), Mordella spp. (Tumbling Flower Beetles; eat flowers), and Lepyronia gibbosa (Prairie Spittlebug). Several upland gamebirds and small mammals eat the rosehips, including the Greater Prairie Chicken, Ring-Necked Pheasant, Bobwhite, Cottontail Rabbit, Eastern Striped Skunk, and White-Footed Mouse. These animals help to disperse the seeds of the plant across considerable distances. The leaves, buds, and twigs are browsed by the White-Tailed Deer and Elk (once native to Illinois), notwithstanding the presence of occasional prickles.
Photographic Location: Photographs of the flower and compound leaf were taken at the Red Bison Railroad Prairie in Savoy, Illinois, while the photograph of the fruit was taken at a railroad prairie in Iroquois County of the same state.
Comments: Among the native wild roses that occur in Illinois, the Pasture Rose ranks high in its capacity to tolerate hot dry weather (rivaled only by the Sunshine Rose, R. arkansana). Distinguishing different species of roses (whether native or exotic) can be difficult. The Pasture Rose has narrow straight spines on its stems, while other species often have curved stout spines. Its stipules lack comb-like hairs (unlike the Multiflora Rose, Rosa multiflora, and other exotic roses), and the pistil structure is wide and flat, not tall and columnar like many climbing roses. Other features to consider are the number of leaflets per compound leaf, and the relative abundance or absence of hairs on the leaflets.
0
0
文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月09日
Prairie Rose
Rosa arkansana suffulta
Rose family (Rosaceae)
Description: This small shrub is ½-2' tall, branching occasionally. The terete stems are woody and brown below, becoming non-woody and light green above; they are densely covered with fine straight prickles. Alternate compound leaves develop along the non-woody stems; they are 4-5" long, 2½-3" across, and odd-pinnate with 7-11 leaflets. Each compound leaf has a pair of stipules at its base about ¾-1" long; the stipules are light green and smooth along their margins, tapering to a pair of pointed tips. The petioles of the compound leaves are light green to red between their stipules. Individual leaflets are 1-1½" long and about one-half as much across; they are broadly oblong to oblong-obovate in shape and their margins are coarsely serrated. The tips of the leaflets are blunt, while their bottoms are wedge-shaped (cuneate) to rounded. The upper surface of the leaflets is medium to dark green and glabrous, while the lower surface is light green and covered with fine short pubescence. The leaflets are either sessile or they have short petioles less than 1/8" in length. The rachises (central stalks) of the compound leaves are light green to reddish green and they are covered with short fine pubescence. The rachises are also grooved above and rounded below; fine straight prickles along their undersides may, or may not, be present.
Close-up of Flower
Flowers are produced from upper stems either individually or in groups of 2-4 on short corymbs (usually the latter). The flowering stalks are light green and glabrous. Each flower is 1½-2" across, consisting of 5 pink petals (rarely white), 5 green sepals, a ring of numerous stamens, a flattened cluster of short styles, and an inferior ovary that is glabrous. The petals are obovate-orbicular in shape; sometimes they are somewhat bicolored with rays of pink on a lighter background. The sepals are narrowly lanceolate and about one-half the length of the petals. The stamens and styles are more or less yellow. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 3 weeks. Individual flowers last only a few days and they are fragrant. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by rose hips that are up to ½" across, globoid in shape, glabrous, and bright red at maturity during the late summer or fall. The fleshy interior of each rose hip is rather dry and contains several seeds. At the tip of each rose hip, there persists 5 dried sepals; these sepals are widely spreading. The chunky seeds are about 4 mm. in length. The root system is woody, branching, and rather deep. Sometimes small clonal colonies of plants are produced from underground runners.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and a somewhat barren soil that contains clay, rocky material, or sand. The hard seeds are difficult to germinate and can lie dormant in the ground for many years. However, once individual plants become established, they are easy to manage. Drought-resistance is excellent.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Rose occurs occasionally in northern Illinois and scattered counties elsewhere within the state (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies near the western range limit of this species in North America. Habitats include upland prairies, hill prairies, limestone glades, roadside embankments, areas along railroads, pastures, abandoned fields, and fence rows. This small shrub tends to increase in response to light or moderate grazing from cattle and other mammalian herbivores. This shrub is also well-adapted to occasional wildfires, as it is able to regenerate from its deep root system.
Faunal Associations: The flowers offer only pollen as a reward to visiting insects. These floral visitors include bumblebees and other long-tongued bees, Halictid bees, Andrenine bees, various beetles, and Syrphid flies. The Syrphid flies are too small to effectively cross-pollinate the flowers. An oligolectic bee, Synhalonia rosae, is a specialist pollinator of Rosa spp. (roses). Many kinds of insects also feed on the foliage, stems, and other parts of roses. These insect feeders include grasshoppers, thrips, plant bugs, aphids, leafhoppers, larvae of gall flies, larvae of gall wasps, weevils, flea beetles, larvae of wood-boring beetles, larvae of sawflies, and caterpillars of moths. Some examples of these insects include Heterothrips analis (Wild Rose Thrips), Dasineura rhodophaga (Rose Midge), Rhagoletis basiolum (Rose Hip Maggot), Typhlocyba rosae (Rose Leafhopper), Acyrthosiphon dirhoda (Rose-Grass Aphid), Merhynchites bicolor (Rose Curculio), Altica rosae (Rose Flea Beetle), Macrodactylus subspinosa (Rose Chafer), Allantus cinctus (Curled Rose Sawfly), and Parasa indetermina (Stinging Rose Caterpillar). Among vertebrate animals, the Greater Prairie Chicken and Bobwhite Quail feed on the rose hips, while the Cottontail Rabbit and White-Tailed Deer feed on the foliage (and sometimes the rose hips). When the rose hips are eaten by these animals, the seeds of Prairie Rose are carried to new locations where they can germinate. This is because the hard coats of the seeds enable them to survive passage through the gastrointestinal tract of such animals.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Prairie Rose is one of several rose species (Rosa spp.) in Illinois. This dwarf shrub has surprisingly large and showy flowers that can occur in various shades of pink, depending on the local ecotype. Prairie Rose is similar in appearance and size to the native Pasture Rose (Rosa carolina), but it differs from the latter species in the following ways: 1) its flowering stalks and ovaries are hairless, rather than glandular-hairy, 2) the sepals of its rose hips are usually more persistent, 3) its stems are more densely covered with straight fine prickles, 4) its flowers are more often produced in groups of 2-4, rather than individually, 5) its compound leaves tend to have more leaflets (usually 9). There are two varieties of the Prairie Rose, of which only Rosa arkansana suffulta is native to Illinois. The typical variety, Rosa arkansana arkansana, differs by having leaflet undersides that are hairless. This latter variety occurs rarely within the state as an adventive plant from the west. Unlike most authorities, Mohlenbrock (2002) prefers to classify Rosa arkansana suffulta as a distinct species, Rosa suffulta. Another common of this shrub is the Sunshine Rose.
Rosa arkansana suffulta
Rose family (Rosaceae)
Description: This small shrub is ½-2' tall, branching occasionally. The terete stems are woody and brown below, becoming non-woody and light green above; they are densely covered with fine straight prickles. Alternate compound leaves develop along the non-woody stems; they are 4-5" long, 2½-3" across, and odd-pinnate with 7-11 leaflets. Each compound leaf has a pair of stipules at its base about ¾-1" long; the stipules are light green and smooth along their margins, tapering to a pair of pointed tips. The petioles of the compound leaves are light green to red between their stipules. Individual leaflets are 1-1½" long and about one-half as much across; they are broadly oblong to oblong-obovate in shape and their margins are coarsely serrated. The tips of the leaflets are blunt, while their bottoms are wedge-shaped (cuneate) to rounded. The upper surface of the leaflets is medium to dark green and glabrous, while the lower surface is light green and covered with fine short pubescence. The leaflets are either sessile or they have short petioles less than 1/8" in length. The rachises (central stalks) of the compound leaves are light green to reddish green and they are covered with short fine pubescence. The rachises are also grooved above and rounded below; fine straight prickles along their undersides may, or may not, be present.
Close-up of Flower
Flowers are produced from upper stems either individually or in groups of 2-4 on short corymbs (usually the latter). The flowering stalks are light green and glabrous. Each flower is 1½-2" across, consisting of 5 pink petals (rarely white), 5 green sepals, a ring of numerous stamens, a flattened cluster of short styles, and an inferior ovary that is glabrous. The petals are obovate-orbicular in shape; sometimes they are somewhat bicolored with rays of pink on a lighter background. The sepals are narrowly lanceolate and about one-half the length of the petals. The stamens and styles are more or less yellow. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 3 weeks. Individual flowers last only a few days and they are fragrant. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by rose hips that are up to ½" across, globoid in shape, glabrous, and bright red at maturity during the late summer or fall. The fleshy interior of each rose hip is rather dry and contains several seeds. At the tip of each rose hip, there persists 5 dried sepals; these sepals are widely spreading. The chunky seeds are about 4 mm. in length. The root system is woody, branching, and rather deep. Sometimes small clonal colonies of plants are produced from underground runners.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and a somewhat barren soil that contains clay, rocky material, or sand. The hard seeds are difficult to germinate and can lie dormant in the ground for many years. However, once individual plants become established, they are easy to manage. Drought-resistance is excellent.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Rose occurs occasionally in northern Illinois and scattered counties elsewhere within the state (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies near the western range limit of this species in North America. Habitats include upland prairies, hill prairies, limestone glades, roadside embankments, areas along railroads, pastures, abandoned fields, and fence rows. This small shrub tends to increase in response to light or moderate grazing from cattle and other mammalian herbivores. This shrub is also well-adapted to occasional wildfires, as it is able to regenerate from its deep root system.
Faunal Associations: The flowers offer only pollen as a reward to visiting insects. These floral visitors include bumblebees and other long-tongued bees, Halictid bees, Andrenine bees, various beetles, and Syrphid flies. The Syrphid flies are too small to effectively cross-pollinate the flowers. An oligolectic bee, Synhalonia rosae, is a specialist pollinator of Rosa spp. (roses). Many kinds of insects also feed on the foliage, stems, and other parts of roses. These insect feeders include grasshoppers, thrips, plant bugs, aphids, leafhoppers, larvae of gall flies, larvae of gall wasps, weevils, flea beetles, larvae of wood-boring beetles, larvae of sawflies, and caterpillars of moths. Some examples of these insects include Heterothrips analis (Wild Rose Thrips), Dasineura rhodophaga (Rose Midge), Rhagoletis basiolum (Rose Hip Maggot), Typhlocyba rosae (Rose Leafhopper), Acyrthosiphon dirhoda (Rose-Grass Aphid), Merhynchites bicolor (Rose Curculio), Altica rosae (Rose Flea Beetle), Macrodactylus subspinosa (Rose Chafer), Allantus cinctus (Curled Rose Sawfly), and Parasa indetermina (Stinging Rose Caterpillar). Among vertebrate animals, the Greater Prairie Chicken and Bobwhite Quail feed on the rose hips, while the Cottontail Rabbit and White-Tailed Deer feed on the foliage (and sometimes the rose hips). When the rose hips are eaten by these animals, the seeds of Prairie Rose are carried to new locations where they can germinate. This is because the hard coats of the seeds enable them to survive passage through the gastrointestinal tract of such animals.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Prairie Rose is one of several rose species (Rosa spp.) in Illinois. This dwarf shrub has surprisingly large and showy flowers that can occur in various shades of pink, depending on the local ecotype. Prairie Rose is similar in appearance and size to the native Pasture Rose (Rosa carolina), but it differs from the latter species in the following ways: 1) its flowering stalks and ovaries are hairless, rather than glandular-hairy, 2) the sepals of its rose hips are usually more persistent, 3) its stems are more densely covered with straight fine prickles, 4) its flowers are more often produced in groups of 2-4, rather than individually, 5) its compound leaves tend to have more leaflets (usually 9). There are two varieties of the Prairie Rose, of which only Rosa arkansana suffulta is native to Illinois. The typical variety, Rosa arkansana arkansana, differs by having leaflet undersides that are hairless. This latter variety occurs rarely within the state as an adventive plant from the west. Unlike most authorities, Mohlenbrock (2002) prefers to classify Rosa arkansana suffulta as a distinct species, Rosa suffulta. Another common of this shrub is the Sunshine Rose.
0
0
文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月18日
Description: This is a low spreading shrub up to 1½' tall and 20' across. The bark of the short trunk and larger branches is brown to gray, exfoliating into strips. The bark of branchlets (about ¼–½" across) is brown and smooth, while young shoots are yellowish green to pale blue and glabrous. Along the shoots and young branchlets, scale-like leaves are arranged in 4 partially overlapping ranks; they are appressed together. These leaves are 1.5–8 mm. long and 1–3 mm. across; they are usually smallest toward the tips of young shoots, becoming larger in size as they age, until they turn brown and wither away. However, on particularly vigorous shoots of mature shrubs, the leaves at the tips of young shoots are longer. The scale-like leaves are green, bluish green, or grayish blue, lanceolate in shape, toothless along their margins, glabrous, and sometimes glaucous. The leaves are also evergreen, although they often become pale reddish purple during the winter. The outer sides of the leaves are convex. Because Creeping Juniper is dioecious, male (staminate) and female (pistillate) cones are produced at the tips of shoots on separate shrubs during late spring or summer. Each male cone has a cluster of yellowish stamens up to 5 mm. long. Each female cone consists of a cluster of small scales during its first year of development. Cross-pollination is accomplished by the wind. During the second year of development, each female cone becomes berry-like in appearance. At maturity, berry-like cones are 5-8 mm. across, more or less globoid in shape, and light blue from a glaucous coating. The interior of individual cones contains a stiff pulp that is resinous, and usually 1-3 seeds. Individual seeds are 3-5 mm. long and more or less ovoid in shape, although they are flat along one side and irregularly ridged. The root system is woody, shallow, and widely spreading. Creeping Juniper reproduces primarily by layering when above-ground branches dip into the ground, forming their own roots, and later detaching from the original shrub. Eventually, this process results in a colony of clonal shrubs. Less often, Creeping Juniper reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, relatively dry and well-drained conditions, and a calcareous soil containing sand or rocky material. This shrub can adapt to fertile soil containing loam or clay-loam, but taller plants should be kept away from it. This shrub is slow-growing, and in the wild it typically lives 20-140 years (Gucker, 2006). It tolerates hot weather during the summer and severe cold during the winter. Like Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), Creeping Juniper is a potential host plant of a fungal disease, cedar-apple rust.
Range & Habitat: Creeping Juniper is a rare shrub in Illinois, where it is restricted to sandy areas along Lake Michigan (see Distribution Map), and it is state-listed as 'endangered.' Most botanists within the state regard this shrub as native. Illinois lies along the southern range-limit of this species; Creeping Juniper is more common further to the north in Wisconsin and Canada. Within Illinois, habitats include partially stabilized sand dunes and upland sand prairies. Outside of the state, it is also found along the rocky slopes of Cedar glades, cliffs, and sandy pastures. Creeping Juniper is found in high quality natural areas in Illinois. It is also widely cultivated as an evergreen ground cover. While its foliage is initially reluctant to burn, this shrub is killed by wildfire, as its thin bark provides little protection (Gucker, 2006).
Faunal Associations: Creeping Juniper is a host plant of various insects that feed on the foliage or sap. These species include a flea beetle (Paria sexnotata), a plant bug (Bolteria luteifrons), two aphids (Cinara manitobensis, Cinara petersoni), a leafhopper (Texananus marmor), and larvae of two moths, the Juniper Webworm (Dichomeris marginella) and Red-striped Juniper Looper (Thera juniperata); see Clark et al. (2004), Wheeler et al. (1983), Blackman & Eastop (2013), DeLong (1926), Hamilton (1990), and Maier et al. (2011). Some of these insects have been found in Canada (e.g., Manitoba & Ontario) and the New England region, but not in Illinois. The berry-like cones and their seeds are eaten by some upland gamebirds and songbirds, including the Wild Turkey, White-winged Crossbill, Northern Flicker, Cedar Waxwing, American Robin, and Starling. Prairie Voles cache the berry-like cones and galls of Creeping Juniper in their dens for later eating, while Meadow Voles gnaw on the bark during the winter. White-tailed Deer browse on the evergreen foliage of this shrub, primarily during the winter and early spring, when palatable food is scarce (see Martin et al., 1951/1961; Gucker, 2006).
Photographic Location: Along a sidewalk in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: The remarkable thing about this shrub is how low and spreading it is. Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) is closely related to the Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginianus) as these two species can hybridize with each other. Such hybrids exist in the wild in the driftless section of southwest Wisconsin, for example, and they are also cultivated for landscaping purposes. These two species share the same scaly leaves and blue berry-like seed cones. However, Eastern Red Cedar is a tree, rather than a low spreading shrub. Another species, Common Juniper (Juniperus communis), differs from the preceding species by its needle-like leaves, and its seed cones require three years to develop, rather than two. Creeping Juniper is widely regarded as native to the lakeshore area of NE Illinois. However, Tehon (1942) regarded this shrub as non-native, stating that "Creeping Juniper or Creeping Savin, though not native to Illinois, was seeded on the Waukegan moorland nearly three-quarters of a century ago [about 1870] and now occurs there as an established naturalized species." He further states: "On the Waukegan moorland, it has developed from the original seeding as a low trailing shrub with bright steel-blue foliage which, in autumn, turns pale purple and becomes glaucus."
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, relatively dry and well-drained conditions, and a calcareous soil containing sand or rocky material. This shrub can adapt to fertile soil containing loam or clay-loam, but taller plants should be kept away from it. This shrub is slow-growing, and in the wild it typically lives 20-140 years (Gucker, 2006). It tolerates hot weather during the summer and severe cold during the winter. Like Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), Creeping Juniper is a potential host plant of a fungal disease, cedar-apple rust.
Range & Habitat: Creeping Juniper is a rare shrub in Illinois, where it is restricted to sandy areas along Lake Michigan (see Distribution Map), and it is state-listed as 'endangered.' Most botanists within the state regard this shrub as native. Illinois lies along the southern range-limit of this species; Creeping Juniper is more common further to the north in Wisconsin and Canada. Within Illinois, habitats include partially stabilized sand dunes and upland sand prairies. Outside of the state, it is also found along the rocky slopes of Cedar glades, cliffs, and sandy pastures. Creeping Juniper is found in high quality natural areas in Illinois. It is also widely cultivated as an evergreen ground cover. While its foliage is initially reluctant to burn, this shrub is killed by wildfire, as its thin bark provides little protection (Gucker, 2006).
Faunal Associations: Creeping Juniper is a host plant of various insects that feed on the foliage or sap. These species include a flea beetle (Paria sexnotata), a plant bug (Bolteria luteifrons), two aphids (Cinara manitobensis, Cinara petersoni), a leafhopper (Texananus marmor), and larvae of two moths, the Juniper Webworm (Dichomeris marginella) and Red-striped Juniper Looper (Thera juniperata); see Clark et al. (2004), Wheeler et al. (1983), Blackman & Eastop (2013), DeLong (1926), Hamilton (1990), and Maier et al. (2011). Some of these insects have been found in Canada (e.g., Manitoba & Ontario) and the New England region, but not in Illinois. The berry-like cones and their seeds are eaten by some upland gamebirds and songbirds, including the Wild Turkey, White-winged Crossbill, Northern Flicker, Cedar Waxwing, American Robin, and Starling. Prairie Voles cache the berry-like cones and galls of Creeping Juniper in their dens for later eating, while Meadow Voles gnaw on the bark during the winter. White-tailed Deer browse on the evergreen foliage of this shrub, primarily during the winter and early spring, when palatable food is scarce (see Martin et al., 1951/1961; Gucker, 2006).
Photographic Location: Along a sidewalk in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: The remarkable thing about this shrub is how low and spreading it is. Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) is closely related to the Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginianus) as these two species can hybridize with each other. Such hybrids exist in the wild in the driftless section of southwest Wisconsin, for example, and they are also cultivated for landscaping purposes. These two species share the same scaly leaves and blue berry-like seed cones. However, Eastern Red Cedar is a tree, rather than a low spreading shrub. Another species, Common Juniper (Juniperus communis), differs from the preceding species by its needle-like leaves, and its seed cones require three years to develop, rather than two. Creeping Juniper is widely regarded as native to the lakeshore area of NE Illinois. However, Tehon (1942) regarded this shrub as non-native, stating that "Creeping Juniper or Creeping Savin, though not native to Illinois, was seeded on the Waukegan moorland nearly three-quarters of a century ago [about 1870] and now occurs there as an established naturalized species." He further states: "On the Waukegan moorland, it has developed from the original seeding as a low trailing shrub with bright steel-blue foliage which, in autumn, turns pale purple and becomes glaucus."
0
0
文章
Miss Chen
2017年11月20日
They say that wherever rosemary thrives in the garden, a woman is in charge of the household. Whether or not this is true, if you cook, you will be glad to have a rosemary shrub (Rosmarinus officinalis), with its pungent needle-like leaves so useful in the kitchen. Planted correctly, few herbs are less demanding. Established rosemary growing outside needs little supplemental watering.
Rosemary in the Garden
Rosemary hails from southern Europe and western Asia where it grows wild in sandy soils and rocky scrub. The Mediterranean climate boasts warm summers and mild, dry winters, and these are the growing conditions the evergreen herb prefers. The bush grows outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10 where it can grow to 6 feet tall with a 4- to 5-foot spread. Rosemary is drought-tolerant, and established garden specimens generally get all the water they need from rainfall.
Watering Rosemary
You'll probably need to provide supplemental water to a rosemary plant in desert climates or in times of drought. Newly transplanted rosemary plants also need watering until they establish strong root systems. In these cases, the key is to provide occasional deep waterings that favor deep root growth rather than surface watering that encourages shallow roots. Don't water on a regular schedule. Instead, let the dryness of the soil tell you when it's time to water. Water the plant when the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Excellent Drainage Needed
When it comes to rosemary, drainage is as important, if not more important, than correct watering. Your rosemary plant's worst nightmare is to be stuck in wet, heavy soil. If this comes to pass, the shrub won't survive long. Rosemary does not tolerate having soggy soil around its roots and it may get root rot. Its native soil is sandy or rocky, and poor to moderately fertile, but the shrub grows well in any soil with excellent drainage. Rosemary also needs at least six hours a day of direct sun to thrive, but partial shade won't be fatal.
Container-Grown Rosemary
If you grow rosemary in containers, outside or inside, you need to water the plants. But first, make sure the plant has proper drainage. Check for drain holes in the bottom of the pot, then put in a 1-inch layer of gravel. Grow the rosemary in an even mix of sterilized soil, peat moss and perlite. Water the plant thoroughly whenever the top few inches of soil are dry. Take care not to overwater a potted rosemary because this encourages root rot. For outdoor plants, make sure the container is sufficiently large that six hours of direct sun won't dry it out.
Rosemary in the Garden
Rosemary hails from southern Europe and western Asia where it grows wild in sandy soils and rocky scrub. The Mediterranean climate boasts warm summers and mild, dry winters, and these are the growing conditions the evergreen herb prefers. The bush grows outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10 where it can grow to 6 feet tall with a 4- to 5-foot spread. Rosemary is drought-tolerant, and established garden specimens generally get all the water they need from rainfall.
Watering Rosemary
You'll probably need to provide supplemental water to a rosemary plant in desert climates or in times of drought. Newly transplanted rosemary plants also need watering until they establish strong root systems. In these cases, the key is to provide occasional deep waterings that favor deep root growth rather than surface watering that encourages shallow roots. Don't water on a regular schedule. Instead, let the dryness of the soil tell you when it's time to water. Water the plant when the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Excellent Drainage Needed
When it comes to rosemary, drainage is as important, if not more important, than correct watering. Your rosemary plant's worst nightmare is to be stuck in wet, heavy soil. If this comes to pass, the shrub won't survive long. Rosemary does not tolerate having soggy soil around its roots and it may get root rot. Its native soil is sandy or rocky, and poor to moderately fertile, but the shrub grows well in any soil with excellent drainage. Rosemary also needs at least six hours a day of direct sun to thrive, but partial shade won't be fatal.
Container-Grown Rosemary
If you grow rosemary in containers, outside or inside, you need to water the plants. But first, make sure the plant has proper drainage. Check for drain holes in the bottom of the pot, then put in a 1-inch layer of gravel. Grow the rosemary in an even mix of sterilized soil, peat moss and perlite. Water the plant thoroughly whenever the top few inches of soil are dry. Take care not to overwater a potted rosemary because this encourages root rot. For outdoor plants, make sure the container is sufficiently large that six hours of direct sun won't dry it out.
0
1
文章
Miss Chen
2017年11月20日
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) can resist many pest and disease problems, but plants weakened or stressed may fall prey to problems. The shrub grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10, but it also thrives as a potted plant in any climate. Soil or site conditions are common problems, although pests and fungus can also kill rosemary. It can be difficult or even impossible to save rosemary once it begins to die, but quick diagnosis and treatment sometimes prove successful.
Winter Kill
Winter freezes can kill a rosemary shrub, but it may not become obvious until after the temperature begins to warm in spring. The evergreen sprigs begin losing their color, become dry and brittle, and eventually turn completely brown or yellow. (ref 3) Minor freeze damage only kills a few branches, allowing you to save the plant, while major damage kills the roots and plant entirely. Cut back the damaged branches to the nearest healthy wood using pruning shears disinfected with isopropyl alcohol. The healthy roots and remaining living branches will usually survive and put on new growth through spring and summer. Prevent future stress by growing the rosemary in a pot and overwintering it indoors, or by covering it with a frost blanket when short hard freezes are expected.
Water Stress
Locations that easily become wet or waterlogged slowly kill rosemary plants. Rosemary can tolerate more moisture in summer, but wet winter soil quickly kills the plant either by suffocating the roots or by freezing solid. Rosemary prefers well-drained soil and moderate moisture conditions. Dig up and transplant the shrub to a well-drained, full sun garden bed, or transplant it into a pot with bottom drainage holes. Water rosemary about once a week when there is no rainfall and when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feels dry, providing no more than 1 inch of water at each irrigation.
Fungal Disease
Fungal issues typically go hand-in-hand with wet soil. Root and crown rot, caused by the Phytophthora spp. fungus, cause stunted growth or branch death. The rosemary sprigs yellow and dry out, while the base of the stem and roots become soft, mushy and produce a foul odor. Moving the rosemary to a site with better drainage and refraining from watering until after recovery may allow it to live if the roots aren't badly damaged, but most shrubs won't recover from root rot. Powdery mildew fungus, which forms as a white powder on the rosemary needles, favors dry conditions and warm temperatures between 60 and 80 degree Fahrenheit. Providing the rosemary with full, all-day sunlight and spraying the foliage with water early in the day to rinse away spores can minimize mildew issues. For extreme infections, cut out the mildewed branches with disinfected shears so the remaining healthy branches can recover.
Leaf and Stem Pests
Various pests feed on rosemary plants, including spittle bugs, aphids and whiteflies. Rosemary usually recovers from pest damage unless the infestation is severe or if the plant is already weakened by cold or water stress. Pear-shaped aphids feed on the underside of the stems. Spittle bugs leave behind a white, foamy residue that resembles spittle. Treat both by rinsing them off the rosemary with a sharp spray of water, or drench the plant with a ready-to-use insecticidal soap at five-day intervals until the pests are gone. Water sprays and soap products can also help control whiteflies. Spray the plants several times a day with water to discourage the flies and their larvae. Yellow sticky traps or reflective mulch spread around the rosemary may also minimize whitefly problems.
Chemical Damage
Premature needle death, yellowing of the needle tips or a general burned appearance may indicate chemical damage from herbicides, pesticides or improper fertilization. Herbicide drift, which occurs when the wind carries the spray beyond its intended target, causes leaf dieback or kills the entire plant. Pruning out the affected branches may allow the plant to recover if the chemicals haven't reached the roots. Excessive use of fertilizers can lead to the buildup of fertilizer salts in the soil, especially in container-grown plants. Watering the rosemary deeply so the excess moisture drains freely from the bottom of the pot at least once monthly during the summer helps flush out any excess salt.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Fertilizer is seldom necessary for a rosemary shrub, especially those grown in garden beds where the trace nutrients in the soil provide sufficient fertilization. Potted plants or those grown in exceptionally poor soil may be suffering from a nutrient deficiency if the plant grows slowly or develops stunted, pale yellow needles. An application of a general purpose fertilizer in early spring should provide enough nutrients to help the plant recover. Follow package instructions or mix 1/2 teaspoon of a soluble 24-8-16 blend with 1 gallon of water, and water the rosemary with the solution. Avoid applying fertilizer directly to the foliage because it can damage the needles.
Winter Kill
Winter freezes can kill a rosemary shrub, but it may not become obvious until after the temperature begins to warm in spring. The evergreen sprigs begin losing their color, become dry and brittle, and eventually turn completely brown or yellow. (ref 3) Minor freeze damage only kills a few branches, allowing you to save the plant, while major damage kills the roots and plant entirely. Cut back the damaged branches to the nearest healthy wood using pruning shears disinfected with isopropyl alcohol. The healthy roots and remaining living branches will usually survive and put on new growth through spring and summer. Prevent future stress by growing the rosemary in a pot and overwintering it indoors, or by covering it with a frost blanket when short hard freezes are expected.
Water Stress
Locations that easily become wet or waterlogged slowly kill rosemary plants. Rosemary can tolerate more moisture in summer, but wet winter soil quickly kills the plant either by suffocating the roots or by freezing solid. Rosemary prefers well-drained soil and moderate moisture conditions. Dig up and transplant the shrub to a well-drained, full sun garden bed, or transplant it into a pot with bottom drainage holes. Water rosemary about once a week when there is no rainfall and when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feels dry, providing no more than 1 inch of water at each irrigation.
Fungal Disease
Fungal issues typically go hand-in-hand with wet soil. Root and crown rot, caused by the Phytophthora spp. fungus, cause stunted growth or branch death. The rosemary sprigs yellow and dry out, while the base of the stem and roots become soft, mushy and produce a foul odor. Moving the rosemary to a site with better drainage and refraining from watering until after recovery may allow it to live if the roots aren't badly damaged, but most shrubs won't recover from root rot. Powdery mildew fungus, which forms as a white powder on the rosemary needles, favors dry conditions and warm temperatures between 60 and 80 degree Fahrenheit. Providing the rosemary with full, all-day sunlight and spraying the foliage with water early in the day to rinse away spores can minimize mildew issues. For extreme infections, cut out the mildewed branches with disinfected shears so the remaining healthy branches can recover.
Leaf and Stem Pests
Various pests feed on rosemary plants, including spittle bugs, aphids and whiteflies. Rosemary usually recovers from pest damage unless the infestation is severe or if the plant is already weakened by cold or water stress. Pear-shaped aphids feed on the underside of the stems. Spittle bugs leave behind a white, foamy residue that resembles spittle. Treat both by rinsing them off the rosemary with a sharp spray of water, or drench the plant with a ready-to-use insecticidal soap at five-day intervals until the pests are gone. Water sprays and soap products can also help control whiteflies. Spray the plants several times a day with water to discourage the flies and their larvae. Yellow sticky traps or reflective mulch spread around the rosemary may also minimize whitefly problems.
Chemical Damage
Premature needle death, yellowing of the needle tips or a general burned appearance may indicate chemical damage from herbicides, pesticides or improper fertilization. Herbicide drift, which occurs when the wind carries the spray beyond its intended target, causes leaf dieback or kills the entire plant. Pruning out the affected branches may allow the plant to recover if the chemicals haven't reached the roots. Excessive use of fertilizers can lead to the buildup of fertilizer salts in the soil, especially in container-grown plants. Watering the rosemary deeply so the excess moisture drains freely from the bottom of the pot at least once monthly during the summer helps flush out any excess salt.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Fertilizer is seldom necessary for a rosemary shrub, especially those grown in garden beds where the trace nutrients in the soil provide sufficient fertilization. Potted plants or those grown in exceptionally poor soil may be suffering from a nutrient deficiency if the plant grows slowly or develops stunted, pale yellow needles. An application of a general purpose fertilizer in early spring should provide enough nutrients to help the plant recover. Follow package instructions or mix 1/2 teaspoon of a soluble 24-8-16 blend with 1 gallon of water, and water the rosemary with the solution. Avoid applying fertilizer directly to the foliage because it can damage the needles.
1
0
文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年10月02日
Scientific Name
Jatropha podagrica Hook.
Common Names
Buddha Belly Plant, Buddha Belly, Bottleplant Shrub, Bottle Euphorbia, Purgingnut, Gout Plant, Gout Stick, Purging Nut, Guatemalan Rhubarb, Guatemala Rhubarb, White Rhubarb, Goutystalk Nettlespurge, Tartogo
Scientific Classification
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Subfamily: Crotonoideae
Tribe: Jatropheae
Genus: Jatropha
Description
Jatropha podagrica is a tropical, frost-sensitive, succulent shrub, up to 8 feet (2.4 m) tall (usually up to 3 feet / 90 cm). It has a swollen and knobby, grey-skinned stem (large bottle-like caudex) and green, smooth, waxy leaves, up 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter. The flowers are small, coral-like and bright red in color.
How to Grow and Care
The key to growing successful Jatropha is to achieve the proper balance between moisture and drainage. They typically appreciate a steady supply of water, but the most popular species cannot tolerate being submerged or soaked and will quickly succumb to root rot. Many of the popular Jatropha species make excellent small trees for a conservatory or sunny corner. Keep them well pruned so they don’t outgrow their space too soon. Jatropha are vulnerable to pests including aphids, mealy bugs, scale, and white fly. If possible, identify the infestation as early as possible and treat with the leave toxic option. Jatropha can be propagated by seed (if you’re fortunate enough to get sides) or by stem cuttings. To take stem cuttings, remove a small piece of stem, dip it in rooting hormone, then pot into a small pot with seedling starter soil.
Jatropha podagrica Hook.
Common Names
Buddha Belly Plant, Buddha Belly, Bottleplant Shrub, Bottle Euphorbia, Purgingnut, Gout Plant, Gout Stick, Purging Nut, Guatemalan Rhubarb, Guatemala Rhubarb, White Rhubarb, Goutystalk Nettlespurge, Tartogo
Scientific Classification
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Subfamily: Crotonoideae
Tribe: Jatropheae
Genus: Jatropha
Description
Jatropha podagrica is a tropical, frost-sensitive, succulent shrub, up to 8 feet (2.4 m) tall (usually up to 3 feet / 90 cm). It has a swollen and knobby, grey-skinned stem (large bottle-like caudex) and green, smooth, waxy leaves, up 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter. The flowers are small, coral-like and bright red in color.
How to Grow and Care
The key to growing successful Jatropha is to achieve the proper balance between moisture and drainage. They typically appreciate a steady supply of water, but the most popular species cannot tolerate being submerged or soaked and will quickly succumb to root rot. Many of the popular Jatropha species make excellent small trees for a conservatory or sunny corner. Keep them well pruned so they don’t outgrow their space too soon. Jatropha are vulnerable to pests including aphids, mealy bugs, scale, and white fly. If possible, identify the infestation as early as possible and treat with the leave toxic option. Jatropha can be propagated by seed (if you’re fortunate enough to get sides) or by stem cuttings. To take stem cuttings, remove a small piece of stem, dip it in rooting hormone, then pot into a small pot with seedling starter soil.
0
0
文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年10月01日
Scientific Name
Pereskia aculeata Mill.
Common Names
Barbados Gooseberry, Barbados Shrub, Leaf Cactus, Ora-Pro-Nobis
Synonyms
Cactus lucidus, Cactus pereskia, Pereskia foetens, Pereskia fragrans, Pereskia godseffiana, Pereskia longispina, Pereskia pereskia, Pereskia rubescens, Pereskia undulata
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Pereskioideae
Genus: Pereskia
Description
Pereskia aculeata is a scrambling vine growing up to 33 feet (10 m) tall in trees, with stems up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) thick. Younger stems have hooked thorns and older stems have clusters of woody spines. The leaves are up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) wide, simple, entire, and deciduous in the dry season. The strongly scented flowers are white, cream or pinkish, up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter, and numerous, produced in panicles. The fruit is a rounded berry, translucent white to pink, yellow, orange or red, and up to 0.8 inch (2 cm) in diameter.
How to Grow and Care
As with many cacti, Pereskias can be almost ignored and still flourish. One of the major advantages that succulents pose as houseplants is their ease, and overwatering or overfeeding them is a bigger danger than neglecting them because it can damage their roots. If you repot them, remember to leave them alone for a brief period so as to avoid overstressing them, and make sure to keep an eye out for common houseplant pests.
Pereskia aculeata Mill.
Common Names
Barbados Gooseberry, Barbados Shrub, Leaf Cactus, Ora-Pro-Nobis
Synonyms
Cactus lucidus, Cactus pereskia, Pereskia foetens, Pereskia fragrans, Pereskia godseffiana, Pereskia longispina, Pereskia pereskia, Pereskia rubescens, Pereskia undulata
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Pereskioideae
Genus: Pereskia
Description
Pereskia aculeata is a scrambling vine growing up to 33 feet (10 m) tall in trees, with stems up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) thick. Younger stems have hooked thorns and older stems have clusters of woody spines. The leaves are up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) wide, simple, entire, and deciduous in the dry season. The strongly scented flowers are white, cream or pinkish, up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter, and numerous, produced in panicles. The fruit is a rounded berry, translucent white to pink, yellow, orange or red, and up to 0.8 inch (2 cm) in diameter.
How to Grow and Care
As with many cacti, Pereskias can be almost ignored and still flourish. One of the major advantages that succulents pose as houseplants is their ease, and overwatering or overfeeding them is a bigger danger than neglecting them because it can damage their roots. If you repot them, remember to leave them alone for a brief period so as to avoid overstressing them, and make sure to keep an eye out for common houseplant pests.
0
0
文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年09月29日
Scientific Name
Punica granatum L.
Common Names
Pomegranate
Synonyms
Punica nana
Scientific Classification
Family: Lythraceae
Genus: Punica
Flower
Color: Bright red
Bloom Time: July to August
Description
Punica granatum is a shrub or a small tree, up to 32.8 feet (10 m) tall. The leaves are opposite or sub-opposite, glossy, narrow oblong, entire, up to 2.8 inches (7 cm) long and 0.8 inch (2 cm) wide. The flowers are bright red, up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter, with four to five petals. The edible fruit is up to 4.7 inches (12 cm) in diameter with a rounded hexagonal shape, and has thick reddish skin. The number of seeds can vary from 200 to about 1400 seeds.
How to Grow and Care
The Pomegranate shrub is somewhat drought tolerant and also salt tolerant. It is perfect for the sunniest and warmest locations in the yard that might scorch other plants. Pomegranate flowers can be used along with other annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees that attract hummingbirds. The pomegranate is a popular choice for bonsai. The bark is a red-brown color, and branches may have spines.
Pomegranate may be grown in part shade as necessary, but ideally should be placed somewhere with as much sun and warmth as possible. The Pomegranate is drought tolerant, though irrigation is needed for proper fruit production, per the California Rare Fruit Growers. Water every 2 to 4 weeks during the dry season when you are establishing new shrubs. The optimal areas for this fruit are USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10. It is thought to come from Iran initially. The Pomegranate does best in well-drained soil, though it is able to thrive in a wide variety of soils from acid loam to alkaline soil.
Origin
Native from Iran to the Himalayas in northern India.
Punica granatum L.
Common Names
Pomegranate
Synonyms
Punica nana
Scientific Classification
Family: Lythraceae
Genus: Punica
Flower
Color: Bright red
Bloom Time: July to August
Description
Punica granatum is a shrub or a small tree, up to 32.8 feet (10 m) tall. The leaves are opposite or sub-opposite, glossy, narrow oblong, entire, up to 2.8 inches (7 cm) long and 0.8 inch (2 cm) wide. The flowers are bright red, up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter, with four to five petals. The edible fruit is up to 4.7 inches (12 cm) in diameter with a rounded hexagonal shape, and has thick reddish skin. The number of seeds can vary from 200 to about 1400 seeds.
How to Grow and Care
The Pomegranate shrub is somewhat drought tolerant and also salt tolerant. It is perfect for the sunniest and warmest locations in the yard that might scorch other plants. Pomegranate flowers can be used along with other annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees that attract hummingbirds. The pomegranate is a popular choice for bonsai. The bark is a red-brown color, and branches may have spines.
Pomegranate may be grown in part shade as necessary, but ideally should be placed somewhere with as much sun and warmth as possible. The Pomegranate is drought tolerant, though irrigation is needed for proper fruit production, per the California Rare Fruit Growers. Water every 2 to 4 weeks during the dry season when you are establishing new shrubs. The optimal areas for this fruit are USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10. It is thought to come from Iran initially. The Pomegranate does best in well-drained soil, though it is able to thrive in a wide variety of soils from acid loam to alkaline soil.
Origin
Native from Iran to the Himalayas in northern India.
0
0
文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年09月28日
Pomegranate shrubs are one of the easiest fruits to keep since they are usually not affected by many pests or diseases. The fruits are full of antioxidants and thought to have many health benefits. The scientific name assigned to this shrub is Punica granatum. It used to have its own family, Punicaceae, but studies have shown that it is part of the Lythraceae family. The name used for this fruit shrub is Pomegranate. It is sometimes misspelled as Pomegranite.
The Pomegranate can range from a dwarf shrub of 3 feet (90 cm) to a small tree of 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 m). The average size of a standard Pomegranate shrub is 12 to 16 feet (3.6 to 4.8 m) tall with a round shape. If you want a short version, choose the ‘Nana’ variety. The leaves are glossy and have a narrow, lance shape. In most places they are deciduous, but in the warmer climates may be evergreen. The flowers are tube shaped and over 1 inch (2.5 cm) long. They are a brilliant scarlet red, and are very attractive to hummingbirds. The flowers are self-pollinating, though fertility is improved through cross pollination. The Pomegranate fruit is approximately 2.5 to 5 inches (6 to 13 cm) wide. It has a red, leathery rind. Each seed is encased in pulp and sectioned off by walls.
Harvest when the color has developed and makes a metallic sound when tapped. Use a pair of pruning shears to cut the stem above the fruit instead of pulling it off. They can be stored for a long time if kept around 32 to 40 ºF (0 to 4.5 ºC).
Growing Conditions
Light: Pomegranate shrubs may be grown in part shade as necessary, but ideally should be placed somewhere with as much sun and warmth as possible.
Water: The Pomegranate is drought tolerant, though irrigation is needed for proper fruit production, per the California Rare Fruit Growers. Water every 2 to 4 weeks during the dry season when you are establishing new shrubs.
Hardiness Zones: The optimal areas for this fruit are USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10. It is thought to come from Iran initially.
Soil: The Pomegranate does best in well-drained soil, though it is able to thrive in a wide variety of soils from acid loam to alkaline soil.
Fertilizer: Fertilize in November and March for the first two years. Otherwise, not much fertilizer is usually needed in subsequent years.
Design Tips
The Pomegranate shrub is somewhat drought tolerant and also salt tolerant. It is perfect for the sunniest and warmest locations in the yard that might scorch other plants. Pomegranate flowers can be used along with other annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees that attract hummingbirds. The pomegranate is a popular choice for bonsai. The bark is a red-brown color, and branches may have spines.
Propagation
Propagation is through cuttings taken in winter and air layering. Seeds may be used, but varieties may not stay true.
Pruning
Pomegranates are prone to producing suckers, so remove them as they appear.
Pruning procedures: Cut the pomegranate back once it is 2 feet (60 cm) high. Allow 4 to 5 shoots to develop about 1 feet (30 cm) above ground. For the first three years keep shortening the branches to encourage shoot development. Fruit only develops where there is new growth. After 3 years, just prune away dead, damaged or diseased branches.
Pests and Diseases
Pomegranate shrubs are one of the easier fruits to work with since they are not usually affected by many pests or diseases. Possible pests may include pomegranate butterfly, thrips, scale, mealy bugs and white flies. Deer will sometimes eat the leaves, and occasionally gophers will chew on the roots. Diseases include leaf spot, fruit spot, twig dieback, dry rot and soft rot.
Additional Facts
Some believe that the fruit in the Garden of Eden was really a pomegranate.
In Greek mythology, Persephone was kidnapped and taken to the Underworld to be Hades’ (God of Underworld) bride. She was rescued and allowed to leave on condition that she had not eaten anything down there.
However, she had eaten part of a pomegranate while she was down there, so she spent eternity living among the mortal for half of the year and the Underworld for the other half.
The Pomegranate can range from a dwarf shrub of 3 feet (90 cm) to a small tree of 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 m). The average size of a standard Pomegranate shrub is 12 to 16 feet (3.6 to 4.8 m) tall with a round shape. If you want a short version, choose the ‘Nana’ variety. The leaves are glossy and have a narrow, lance shape. In most places they are deciduous, but in the warmer climates may be evergreen. The flowers are tube shaped and over 1 inch (2.5 cm) long. They are a brilliant scarlet red, and are very attractive to hummingbirds. The flowers are self-pollinating, though fertility is improved through cross pollination. The Pomegranate fruit is approximately 2.5 to 5 inches (6 to 13 cm) wide. It has a red, leathery rind. Each seed is encased in pulp and sectioned off by walls.
Harvest when the color has developed and makes a metallic sound when tapped. Use a pair of pruning shears to cut the stem above the fruit instead of pulling it off. They can be stored for a long time if kept around 32 to 40 ºF (0 to 4.5 ºC).
Growing Conditions
Light: Pomegranate shrubs may be grown in part shade as necessary, but ideally should be placed somewhere with as much sun and warmth as possible.
Water: The Pomegranate is drought tolerant, though irrigation is needed for proper fruit production, per the California Rare Fruit Growers. Water every 2 to 4 weeks during the dry season when you are establishing new shrubs.
Hardiness Zones: The optimal areas for this fruit are USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10. It is thought to come from Iran initially.
Soil: The Pomegranate does best in well-drained soil, though it is able to thrive in a wide variety of soils from acid loam to alkaline soil.
Fertilizer: Fertilize in November and March for the first two years. Otherwise, not much fertilizer is usually needed in subsequent years.
Design Tips
The Pomegranate shrub is somewhat drought tolerant and also salt tolerant. It is perfect for the sunniest and warmest locations in the yard that might scorch other plants. Pomegranate flowers can be used along with other annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees that attract hummingbirds. The pomegranate is a popular choice for bonsai. The bark is a red-brown color, and branches may have spines.
Propagation
Propagation is through cuttings taken in winter and air layering. Seeds may be used, but varieties may not stay true.
Pruning
Pomegranates are prone to producing suckers, so remove them as they appear.
Pruning procedures: Cut the pomegranate back once it is 2 feet (60 cm) high. Allow 4 to 5 shoots to develop about 1 feet (30 cm) above ground. For the first three years keep shortening the branches to encourage shoot development. Fruit only develops where there is new growth. After 3 years, just prune away dead, damaged or diseased branches.
Pests and Diseases
Pomegranate shrubs are one of the easier fruits to work with since they are not usually affected by many pests or diseases. Possible pests may include pomegranate butterfly, thrips, scale, mealy bugs and white flies. Deer will sometimes eat the leaves, and occasionally gophers will chew on the roots. Diseases include leaf spot, fruit spot, twig dieback, dry rot and soft rot.
Additional Facts
Some believe that the fruit in the Garden of Eden was really a pomegranate.
In Greek mythology, Persephone was kidnapped and taken to the Underworld to be Hades’ (God of Underworld) bride. She was rescued and allowed to leave on condition that she had not eaten anything down there.
However, she had eaten part of a pomegranate while she was down there, so she spent eternity living among the mortal for half of the year and the Underworld for the other half.
1
2
