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Miss Chen
2018年03月31日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is about 1-3' tall and unbranched, except for a few flowering stems near the apex. The central stem may have fine white hairs, otherwise it is glabrous. The opposite leaves are up to 5" long and 2" across, becoming smaller as they ascend the stem. They are yellowish green to medium-dark green, ovate to lanceolate-oblong, devoid of hairs, and have widely spaced teeth along their margins. The leaves are sessile or they clasp the stem; sometimes they are slightly cordate at the base.
An elongated panicle of flowers occurs at the apex of the central stem, and smaller panicles of flowers may occur on upper side stems. The stems of each inflorescence (peduncles and pedicels) are usually covered with fine white hairs. Each tubular flower is about 1" long, with 2 upper lobes and 3 lower lobes; the lower lobes do not project outward any further than the upper lobes. On the outer surface, the corolla is light violet or purple and covered with fine hairs, while the inner surface is white. The lower inner surface of the corolla is smooth and lacks ridges. The anthers and style are inserted within the corolla. The calyx of this penstemon is divided into rather long linear-lanceolate segments that are about 1/3" (8 mm.) long. The blooming period occurs during late spring or early summer and lasts about a month. There is no floral scent. The flowers are replaced by small capsules containing numerous seeds. These small seeds can be carried several feet by gusts of wind. The root system consists of a taproot. The flowering stalk dies down after the blooming period, although it is replaced by low basal leaves that persist until the spring of the following year.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun, rich loamy soil, and moist to mesic conditions. Like other penstemons, this species rarely has problems with foliar disease.
Close-up of Leaf
Range & Habitat: The native Long-Sepal Penstemon occurs occasionally in eastern and southern Illinois, but it is rare or absent in northwestern areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open rocky woodlands, woodland borders, oak savannas, moist meadows within woodlands, pastures, black soil prairies, and edges of old cemeteries. This species appears in both high quality habitats and more disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees are the most important pollinators of the flowers, including honeybees, bumblebees, Anthophorine bees, digger bees, mason bees, and leaf-cutting bees, which seek nectar primarily. Less important visitors include Halictid bees, Sphinx moths, and hummingbirds. The caterpillars of the moth Elaphria chalcedonia (Chalcedony Midget) may feed on the foliage of this penstemon. The foliage of penstemons is not a preferred food source for most mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: The photograph of the flowers was taken at Prospect Cemetery Prairie in Ford County, Illinois, while the photograph of the leaf was taken in Vermilion County, Illinois, at the edge of an old cemetery in a wooded area.
Comments: This species has reasonably attractive flowers, and it should be cultivated in wildflower gardens more often. Long-Sepal Penstemon resembles Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove Penstemon) somewhat, but it is usually a little smaller and has light violet or purple flowers, while Foxglove Penstemon has white flowers that are at most tinged with violet. Long-Sepal Penstemon also has longer sepals. Another native penstemon, Penstemon hirsutus (Hairy Penstemon), also has pinkish flowers, but the corolla of its flowers is more constricted at the mouth and its stems are more hairy. Other features to consider while identifying a penstemon species include the presence or absence of ridges on the lower inner surface of the corolla, the presence or absence of hairs on the leaves, and whether or not the lower lip of the corolla extends further forward than the upper lip.
An elongated panicle of flowers occurs at the apex of the central stem, and smaller panicles of flowers may occur on upper side stems. The stems of each inflorescence (peduncles and pedicels) are usually covered with fine white hairs. Each tubular flower is about 1" long, with 2 upper lobes and 3 lower lobes; the lower lobes do not project outward any further than the upper lobes. On the outer surface, the corolla is light violet or purple and covered with fine hairs, while the inner surface is white. The lower inner surface of the corolla is smooth and lacks ridges. The anthers and style are inserted within the corolla. The calyx of this penstemon is divided into rather long linear-lanceolate segments that are about 1/3" (8 mm.) long. The blooming period occurs during late spring or early summer and lasts about a month. There is no floral scent. The flowers are replaced by small capsules containing numerous seeds. These small seeds can be carried several feet by gusts of wind. The root system consists of a taproot. The flowering stalk dies down after the blooming period, although it is replaced by low basal leaves that persist until the spring of the following year.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun, rich loamy soil, and moist to mesic conditions. Like other penstemons, this species rarely has problems with foliar disease.
Close-up of Leaf
Range & Habitat: The native Long-Sepal Penstemon occurs occasionally in eastern and southern Illinois, but it is rare or absent in northwestern areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open rocky woodlands, woodland borders, oak savannas, moist meadows within woodlands, pastures, black soil prairies, and edges of old cemeteries. This species appears in both high quality habitats and more disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees are the most important pollinators of the flowers, including honeybees, bumblebees, Anthophorine bees, digger bees, mason bees, and leaf-cutting bees, which seek nectar primarily. Less important visitors include Halictid bees, Sphinx moths, and hummingbirds. The caterpillars of the moth Elaphria chalcedonia (Chalcedony Midget) may feed on the foliage of this penstemon. The foliage of penstemons is not a preferred food source for most mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: The photograph of the flowers was taken at Prospect Cemetery Prairie in Ford County, Illinois, while the photograph of the leaf was taken in Vermilion County, Illinois, at the edge of an old cemetery in a wooded area.
Comments: This species has reasonably attractive flowers, and it should be cultivated in wildflower gardens more often. Long-Sepal Penstemon resembles Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove Penstemon) somewhat, but it is usually a little smaller and has light violet or purple flowers, while Foxglove Penstemon has white flowers that are at most tinged with violet. Long-Sepal Penstemon also has longer sepals. Another native penstemon, Penstemon hirsutus (Hairy Penstemon), also has pinkish flowers, but the corolla of its flowers is more constricted at the mouth and its stems are more hairy. Other features to consider while identifying a penstemon species include the presence or absence of ridges on the lower inner surface of the corolla, the presence or absence of hairs on the leaves, and whether or not the lower lip of the corolla extends further forward than the upper lip.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月31日
Description: This perennial wildflower consists of a rosette of basal leaves spanning ½-1' across and a more or less erect flowering stalk about ¾-2' tall. The basal leaves are 3-6" long (including the petioles). The leaf blades are oval, obovate, or orbicular in shape with dentate-crenate margins; they are medium green and glabrous. The petioles are light green to dull purple and as long as the blades; sometimes they are slightly winged and/or cobwebby-pubescent. The flowering stalk is light green to dull purple and terete; it may have some cobwebby pubescence toward the base, otherwise it is glabrous. About 2-3 alternate leaves occur along the stalk that are up ¾-2½" long; they are usually elliptic-pinnatifid or oblong-pinnatifid in shape with ragged lobes. The stalk terminates in a flat-headed panicle (or compound corymb) of flowerheads. Individual flowerheads are ½-¾" across. Each flowerhead has 8-16 ray florets that surround numerous disk florets in the center. The petaloid extensions of the ray florets are yellow, while the disk florets are orange-yellow. At the base of each flowerhead, there are light green bracts (phyllaries) in a single series that are linear-lanceolate. The blooming period occurs during late spring and lasts about 3 weeks. During the summer, both ray and disk florets are replaced by bullet-shaped achenes (about 2-3 mm. in length) with tufts of white hair. The achenes are distributed by the wind. The root system is fibrous, producing vegetative offsets from either rhizomes or stolons. At favorable sites, small colonies of plants occasionally develop.
Cultivation: The preference is moist to dry-mesic conditions, full to partial sunlight, and soil containing loam, sand, or rocky material.
Range & Habitat: The native Spoon-Leaved Ragwort is found in east-central Illinois and scattered areas elsewhere within the state, where it is rare (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the western range-limit for this species; it is more common further to the east. Habitats include rocky upland woodlands, edges of bluffs, limestone glades, loamy savannas, and sandy savannas. Occasional disturbance is beneficial if it reduces competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), Halictid bees (Augochlorella spp., Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, and miscellaneous beetles. One bee species, Andrena gardineri, is a specialist pollinator (oligolege) of Packera spp. (ragworts). Another insect, Neacoryphus bicrucis (White-Crossed Seed Bug), feeds on the seeds of these plants, while the caterpillars of an uncommon butterfly, Calephelis borealis (Northern Metalmark), feed on the foliage of Spoon-Leaved Ragwort in particular. The foliage of this and other ragworts is toxic to many mammalian herbivores, although sheep are more tolerant of it (Georgia, 1913).
Photographic Location: A wildflower garden at Kitty Todd Nature Preserve in NW Ohio.
Comments: The different species of ragwort are distinguished from each other by the shape of their basal leaves and hairiness of individual plants. Spoon-Leaved Ragwort (Packera obovata) resembles Golden Ragwort (Packera aurea), except its leaves are not indented (cordate) where the petioles join the blades. It is also more likely to have narrowly winged petioles than the latter species. Spoon-Leaved Ragwort also resembles Prairie Ragwort (Packera plattensis), except it lacks the abundant cobwebby and mealy hairs of the latter during the blooming period. Spoon-Leaved Ragwort often has some cobwebby hairs toward the base of its stems and along its petioles, but not to the same extent as Prairie Ragwort. In addition, plants of the latter species are usually smaller in size. A scientific synonym of Spoon-leaved Ragwort is Senecio obovatus.
Cultivation: The preference is moist to dry-mesic conditions, full to partial sunlight, and soil containing loam, sand, or rocky material.
Range & Habitat: The native Spoon-Leaved Ragwort is found in east-central Illinois and scattered areas elsewhere within the state, where it is rare (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the western range-limit for this species; it is more common further to the east. Habitats include rocky upland woodlands, edges of bluffs, limestone glades, loamy savannas, and sandy savannas. Occasional disturbance is beneficial if it reduces competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), Halictid bees (Augochlorella spp., Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, and miscellaneous beetles. One bee species, Andrena gardineri, is a specialist pollinator (oligolege) of Packera spp. (ragworts). Another insect, Neacoryphus bicrucis (White-Crossed Seed Bug), feeds on the seeds of these plants, while the caterpillars of an uncommon butterfly, Calephelis borealis (Northern Metalmark), feed on the foliage of Spoon-Leaved Ragwort in particular. The foliage of this and other ragworts is toxic to many mammalian herbivores, although sheep are more tolerant of it (Georgia, 1913).
Photographic Location: A wildflower garden at Kitty Todd Nature Preserve in NW Ohio.
Comments: The different species of ragwort are distinguished from each other by the shape of their basal leaves and hairiness of individual plants. Spoon-Leaved Ragwort (Packera obovata) resembles Golden Ragwort (Packera aurea), except its leaves are not indented (cordate) where the petioles join the blades. It is also more likely to have narrowly winged petioles than the latter species. Spoon-Leaved Ragwort also resembles Prairie Ragwort (Packera plattensis), except it lacks the abundant cobwebby and mealy hairs of the latter during the blooming period. Spoon-Leaved Ragwort often has some cobwebby hairs toward the base of its stems and along its petioles, but not to the same extent as Prairie Ragwort. In addition, plants of the latter species are usually smaller in size. A scientific synonym of Spoon-leaved Ragwort is Senecio obovatus.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月31日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 1-2' tall, branching occasionally. The stems are sharply 4-angled and usually glabrous, although scattered hairs may occur along the ridges on relatively new growth. The opposite leaves are up to 3½" long and 2" across. They are sessile against the stem, or have very short petioles. The leaves are broadly lanceolate or ovate, with serrate margins that are often ciliate. The upper surface of each leaf is often finely pubescent, while a few hairs may occur along the major veins on the lower surface. The upper surface is green or yellowish green, sometimes with scattered purple spots or a purplish tint along the margin. The upper stems terminate in dome-shaped flowerheads (a single flowerhead per stem). These flowerheads are about 1½–3" across. A small wreath of flowers first appears toward the center of the flowerhead, and spreads gradually towards the outer edge of the flowerhead.
Each narrow flower is about 1" long, and has a corolla that is deeply divided into prominent upper and lower lips. The upper lip is nearly tubular and contains the exerted stamens, while the lower lip is somewhat wider and has a narrow lobe at its tip that curls downward. The corolla is white or pink, with purple dots on the lower lip, and white hairs on the upper lip. The calyx of each flower is tubular and hairy, with 5 pointed lobes at its tip. Immediately beneath each flowerhead are 5 leafy bracts that are triangular-shaped. These bracts often have ciliate margins, and they are often colored faded pink or purple. The blooming period occurs during the late spring or early summer and lasts about a month. There is no floral scent, although the foliage exudes an oregano scent. The nutlets are dispersed to some extent by the wind. The root system produces abundant rhizomes, enabling vegetative reproduction.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun and somewhat dry conditions. This species often grows in soil that is somewhat thin and rocky, which reduces competition from other species of plants. The lower leaves will fall off the stems during drought; in stressed-out plants, the foliage may become discolored and diseased.
Range & Habitat: The native Bradbury's Bee Balm occurs occasionally in the southern half of Illinois, while elsewhere within the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include rocky upland forests, savannas, thickets, limestone or sandstone glades, bluffs, meadows in wooded areas, pastures, and roadsides. This species probably benefits from occasional wildfires to create clearings in woodland areas.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees (especially bumblebees), butterflies, skippers, Hummingbird moths, beeflies, and hummingbirds visit the flowers for nectar. The small black bee Doufourea monardae is a specialist pollinator of Monarda spp. Short-tongued Halictid bees may visit the flowers to collect pollen; they are unable to reach the nectar. Caterpillars of the moths Sphinx eremitus (Hermit Sphinx), Anterastria teratophora (Gray Marvel), Pyrausta orphisalis (Pyralid Moth sp.), and Pyrausta signatalis (Pyralid Moth sp.) feed destructively on Monarda spp. (Bee Balms). Other insect feeders include the scentless plant bug Arhyssus nigristernum, the leaf-footed bug Euthochtha galeator, the aphid Hyalomyzus monardae, and the leaf beetle Physonota unipunctata. Mammalian herbivores usually avoid consumption of Monarda spp. – it is possible that the oregano scent of the foliage deters them.
Photographic Location: An upland savanna at Warbler Woods in Coles County, Illinois, and a restored prairie at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Bradbury's Bee Balm is fairly easy to identify. Like other Monarda spp., the large flowers have a distinctive appearance that is showy and attractive. Bradbury' Bee Balm differs from other Monarda spp. in Illinois by its sessile or nearly sessile leaves, and the purple dots on the lower lip of the corolla. It is also shorter in stature and blooms earlier. The species Monarda russeliana of some authors is probably the same species as Monarda bradburiana.
Each narrow flower is about 1" long, and has a corolla that is deeply divided into prominent upper and lower lips. The upper lip is nearly tubular and contains the exerted stamens, while the lower lip is somewhat wider and has a narrow lobe at its tip that curls downward. The corolla is white or pink, with purple dots on the lower lip, and white hairs on the upper lip. The calyx of each flower is tubular and hairy, with 5 pointed lobes at its tip. Immediately beneath each flowerhead are 5 leafy bracts that are triangular-shaped. These bracts often have ciliate margins, and they are often colored faded pink or purple. The blooming period occurs during the late spring or early summer and lasts about a month. There is no floral scent, although the foliage exudes an oregano scent. The nutlets are dispersed to some extent by the wind. The root system produces abundant rhizomes, enabling vegetative reproduction.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun and somewhat dry conditions. This species often grows in soil that is somewhat thin and rocky, which reduces competition from other species of plants. The lower leaves will fall off the stems during drought; in stressed-out plants, the foliage may become discolored and diseased.
Range & Habitat: The native Bradbury's Bee Balm occurs occasionally in the southern half of Illinois, while elsewhere within the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include rocky upland forests, savannas, thickets, limestone or sandstone glades, bluffs, meadows in wooded areas, pastures, and roadsides. This species probably benefits from occasional wildfires to create clearings in woodland areas.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees (especially bumblebees), butterflies, skippers, Hummingbird moths, beeflies, and hummingbirds visit the flowers for nectar. The small black bee Doufourea monardae is a specialist pollinator of Monarda spp. Short-tongued Halictid bees may visit the flowers to collect pollen; they are unable to reach the nectar. Caterpillars of the moths Sphinx eremitus (Hermit Sphinx), Anterastria teratophora (Gray Marvel), Pyrausta orphisalis (Pyralid Moth sp.), and Pyrausta signatalis (Pyralid Moth sp.) feed destructively on Monarda spp. (Bee Balms). Other insect feeders include the scentless plant bug Arhyssus nigristernum, the leaf-footed bug Euthochtha galeator, the aphid Hyalomyzus monardae, and the leaf beetle Physonota unipunctata. Mammalian herbivores usually avoid consumption of Monarda spp. – it is possible that the oregano scent of the foliage deters them.
Photographic Location: An upland savanna at Warbler Woods in Coles County, Illinois, and a restored prairie at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Bradbury's Bee Balm is fairly easy to identify. Like other Monarda spp., the large flowers have a distinctive appearance that is showy and attractive. Bradbury' Bee Balm differs from other Monarda spp. in Illinois by its sessile or nearly sessile leaves, and the purple dots on the lower lip of the corolla. It is also shorter in stature and blooms earlier. The species Monarda russeliana of some authors is probably the same species as Monarda bradburiana.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月30日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 2-4' tall and unbranched, except near the apex where the flowers occur. The central stem is light green, terete, glabrous, and often glaucous. At intervals along this stem, there are whorls of 3-8 leaves; 1 or 2 alternate leaves may occur along the upper portion of the stem. These leaves are up to 6" long and 1" across, narrowly ovate, smooth along the margins, and sessile. The upper surface of each leaf is medium to dark green and glabrous, while the lower surface is a lighter shade of green with finely short-pubescent hairs along the veins (a 10x hand lens may be necessary to see these minute hairs). The veins of the leaves are parallel. The upper stem terminates in 1-5 (rarely up to 20) yellow-orange to red-orange flowers on long stalks. Each of these stalks nods downward at its apex. Some stalks may have 1 or 2 leafy bracts that resemble the leaves, except they are smaller in size. Each trumpet-shaped flower is about 2½" long and across, consisting of 6 tepals, 6 stamens with red anthers, and a central pistil. The throat of the flower becomes yellow and it has purple dots. The tips of the tepals curve backward, but they don't extend to the base of the flower. The anthers and style of each flower are exerted only slightly from the corolla (the 6 tepals). The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer and lasts about 3 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Each fertile flower is replaced by an oblongoid seed capsule that is about 2" long. Each seed capsule is divided into 3 cells; within each cell, there is a stack of large flattened seeds. The root system consists of a scaly corm with fibrous roots. This wildflower reproduces by seed or from offsets of the corms.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight or partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and a rich loamy or slightly sandy soil. The number of flowers on each plant is variable.
Range & Habitat: Canada Lily has not been found in Illinois as either a native plant or an escaped cultivated plant. However, it occurs as a native plant in Indiana, thus it is possible that this species may establish itself in Illinois in the future. In Indiana and other eastern states, Canada Lily is found in open woodlands, wooded slopes, savannas, woodland openings, and moist meadows. Like other Lilium spp. (lilies), it is cultivated in gardens because of the large showy flowers.
Faunal Associations: The floral nectar attracts large butterflies, particularly Speyeria cybele (Great Spangled Fritillary) and various Swallowtail butterflies. Halictid bees (e.g., Lasioglossum spp.) collect pollen from the flowers, but they are ineffective at cross-pollination because of their small size. The caterpillars of Papaipema nebris (Common Borer Moth), Papaipema cataphracta (Burdock Borer Moth), and Papaipema cerina (Golden Borer Moth) bore through the stems of native Lilium spp. (lilies). The last of these three species is oligophagous (specialist feeder). Other insects that feed on native lilies include Acrolepiopsis incertella (Carrion Flower Moth; caterpillars bore into corms or stems of lilies), Merodon equestris (Narcissus Bulb Fly; maggots feed on corms), and the introduced Lilioceris lilii (Lily Leaf Beetle; feeds on leaves). The Lily Leaf Beetle occurs in some northeastern states, but it has not been observed in Illinois thus far. Deer, rabbits, and other mammalian herbivores readily browse on the foliage of native Lilies, while voles and chipmunks eat the corms.
Photographic Location: A garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This attractive lily is similar to other lilies with orange flowers, including Lilium superbum (Turk's Cap Lily), Lilium michiganense (Michigan Lily), and the introduced Lilium lancifolium (Tiger Lily). Like the flowers of Canada Lily, the flowers of Michigan Lily and Turk's Cap Lily often nod downward. However, the tepal tips of Michigan Lily curve back to the base of the flower, while the tepal tips of Turk's Cap Lily curve back and extend behind the base of the flower. The tepal tips of Canada Lily, in contrast, curve back only a little and remain in front of the base of the flower. The introduced Tiger Lily, in contrast to these native lilies, has dark bulbets in the axils of its leaves along the central stem, and its leaves are alternate (rather than whorled). Other orange-flowered lilies, whether native or introduced, typically have erect flowers. Of these various species, you are most likely to encounter the Michigan Lily in the natural areas of Illinois, although the Tiger Lily has become increasingly common.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight or partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and a rich loamy or slightly sandy soil. The number of flowers on each plant is variable.
Range & Habitat: Canada Lily has not been found in Illinois as either a native plant or an escaped cultivated plant. However, it occurs as a native plant in Indiana, thus it is possible that this species may establish itself in Illinois in the future. In Indiana and other eastern states, Canada Lily is found in open woodlands, wooded slopes, savannas, woodland openings, and moist meadows. Like other Lilium spp. (lilies), it is cultivated in gardens because of the large showy flowers.
Faunal Associations: The floral nectar attracts large butterflies, particularly Speyeria cybele (Great Spangled Fritillary) and various Swallowtail butterflies. Halictid bees (e.g., Lasioglossum spp.) collect pollen from the flowers, but they are ineffective at cross-pollination because of their small size. The caterpillars of Papaipema nebris (Common Borer Moth), Papaipema cataphracta (Burdock Borer Moth), and Papaipema cerina (Golden Borer Moth) bore through the stems of native Lilium spp. (lilies). The last of these three species is oligophagous (specialist feeder). Other insects that feed on native lilies include Acrolepiopsis incertella (Carrion Flower Moth; caterpillars bore into corms or stems of lilies), Merodon equestris (Narcissus Bulb Fly; maggots feed on corms), and the introduced Lilioceris lilii (Lily Leaf Beetle; feeds on leaves). The Lily Leaf Beetle occurs in some northeastern states, but it has not been observed in Illinois thus far. Deer, rabbits, and other mammalian herbivores readily browse on the foliage of native Lilies, while voles and chipmunks eat the corms.
Photographic Location: A garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This attractive lily is similar to other lilies with orange flowers, including Lilium superbum (Turk's Cap Lily), Lilium michiganense (Michigan Lily), and the introduced Lilium lancifolium (Tiger Lily). Like the flowers of Canada Lily, the flowers of Michigan Lily and Turk's Cap Lily often nod downward. However, the tepal tips of Michigan Lily curve back to the base of the flower, while the tepal tips of Turk's Cap Lily curve back and extend behind the base of the flower. The tepal tips of Canada Lily, in contrast, curve back only a little and remain in front of the base of the flower. The introduced Tiger Lily, in contrast to these native lilies, has dark bulbets in the axils of its leaves along the central stem, and its leaves are alternate (rather than whorled). Other orange-flowered lilies, whether native or introduced, typically have erect flowers. Of these various species, you are most likely to encounter the Michigan Lily in the natural areas of Illinois, although the Tiger Lily has become increasingly common.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月29日
Description: This perennial plant is sparsely branched and up to 2½' tall. The stems have fine white hairs. The alternate compound leaves are trifoliate and have slender primary petioles about ¼–¾" long. The leaflets are up to 1½" long and ½" across. They have smooth margins and are oblong, except for a tiny point at the tip.
The flowers occur in crowded heads on short peduncles in the upper portions of the stems. The lower flowers are cleistogamous and inconspicuous; they are capable of forming fertile seeds without the pollination of insects. The upper flowers are about ¼" across and have a typical pea-like structure. This consists of a broad upper petal, and two smaller side petals that parallel a jutting lower lip. The petals of these flowers are pink, although the base of the upper petal is rose pink. These flowers remain clustered along the stems amid the leaves. The blooming period is late summer or early fall, and lasts about 3 weeks. There is no floral scent. The root system consists of a deep taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and mesic to dry conditions. This plant grows readily in soil that is loamy, rocky, or sandy. It has excellent drought resistance. It's easy to start plants from seeds or transplants, and foliar disease is rarely troublesome. Soil with below average pH is tolerated, if not actually preferred. Sometimes this plant has trouble competing against taller, more aggressive plants in fertile soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Slender Bush Clover is occasional in the southwestern section of Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent elsewhere (see Distribution Map). Habitats include drier areas of black soil and sandy prairies, hill prairies, rocky upland forests and sandy forests, savannas and sandy savannas, scrubby barrens with poor soil, limestone glades, bluffs, and banks along lakes. The woodland areas where this plant occurs are often dominated by oak trees.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are visited by long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, flies, small butterflies, and skippers. These insects seek nectar, although the bees also collect pollen. Among these visitors, bees are probably the most effective pollinators of the flowers. The caterpillars of some species of skippers feed on the foliage, including Thorybes bathyllus (Southern Cloudywing), Thorybes pylades (Northern Cloudywing), and Achalarus lyciades (Hoary Edge). The seeds are eaten by some upland gamebirds, particularly the Bobwhite, and occasionally the Wild Turkey. Mammalian herbivores of all kinds readily feed on Slender Bush Clover, including deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and livestock. An overpopulation of these animals can make the establishment of this plant difficult in some areas.
Photographic Location: The photograph was taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The flowers of Slender Bush Clover are attractive, but small-sized. This plant has a more delicate appearance than Lespedeza capitata (Round-Headed Bush Clover), with greener leaves and pinker flowers.
The flowers occur in crowded heads on short peduncles in the upper portions of the stems. The lower flowers are cleistogamous and inconspicuous; they are capable of forming fertile seeds without the pollination of insects. The upper flowers are about ¼" across and have a typical pea-like structure. This consists of a broad upper petal, and two smaller side petals that parallel a jutting lower lip. The petals of these flowers are pink, although the base of the upper petal is rose pink. These flowers remain clustered along the stems amid the leaves. The blooming period is late summer or early fall, and lasts about 3 weeks. There is no floral scent. The root system consists of a deep taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and mesic to dry conditions. This plant grows readily in soil that is loamy, rocky, or sandy. It has excellent drought resistance. It's easy to start plants from seeds or transplants, and foliar disease is rarely troublesome. Soil with below average pH is tolerated, if not actually preferred. Sometimes this plant has trouble competing against taller, more aggressive plants in fertile soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Slender Bush Clover is occasional in the southwestern section of Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent elsewhere (see Distribution Map). Habitats include drier areas of black soil and sandy prairies, hill prairies, rocky upland forests and sandy forests, savannas and sandy savannas, scrubby barrens with poor soil, limestone glades, bluffs, and banks along lakes. The woodland areas where this plant occurs are often dominated by oak trees.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are visited by long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, flies, small butterflies, and skippers. These insects seek nectar, although the bees also collect pollen. Among these visitors, bees are probably the most effective pollinators of the flowers. The caterpillars of some species of skippers feed on the foliage, including Thorybes bathyllus (Southern Cloudywing), Thorybes pylades (Northern Cloudywing), and Achalarus lyciades (Hoary Edge). The seeds are eaten by some upland gamebirds, particularly the Bobwhite, and occasionally the Wild Turkey. Mammalian herbivores of all kinds readily feed on Slender Bush Clover, including deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and livestock. An overpopulation of these animals can make the establishment of this plant difficult in some areas.
Photographic Location: The photograph was taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The flowers of Slender Bush Clover are attractive, but small-sized. This plant has a more delicate appearance than Lespedeza capitata (Round-Headed Bush Clover), with greener leaves and pinker flowers.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年03月29日
Description: This perennial plant is 1½–3' tall and largely unbranched, except for several flowering stems toward the apex. The stems are covered with long white hairs. The alternate compound leaves are trifoliate. Each compound leaf has a short hairy petiole with a pair of narrow stipules about 1/10" (2.5 mm.) long at its base. The individual leaflets are up to 2" long and 1½" across. They are oval, oval-orbiculate, or obovate, and have smooth margins. Their upper surface is finely pubescent, while their lower surface is softly hairy. The upper stems terminate in rather short spike-like racemes of flowers about 1-3" long. The hairy flowering stalks (peduncles) are often longer than either the leaflets or the inflorescence. The spike-like racemes have whorls of flowers that are densely crowded together. Each flower is about 1/3" (8 mm.) long and cream-colored, usually with a purple spot at the base. It has a typical pea-like flower structure, consisting of a standard and keel. The calyx lobes are longer than the flowers. They are hairy, narrow, and taper to a sharp point, turning brown with maturity. This species of bush clover rarely produces cleistogamous flowers. The blooming period occurs during the late summer and lasts about 3 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Each flower is replaced by a seedpod that is short, flat-sided, and pubescent, with its outer tip consisting of a short beak. This seedpod is about the same length or shorter than the calyx lobes. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acid soil containing sand or rocky material. Full sunlight or light shade, and more fertile soil are also tolerated. Hairy Bush Clover fixes nitrogen in the soil.
Range & Habitat: This species has an odd bifurcated distribution, occurring in NE and southern Illinois, but hardly anywhere else in the state (see Distribution Map). Hairy Bush Clover is an occasional plant in these areas, where it is native. Habitats include upland oak woodland that are rocky or sandy, oak savannas that are rocky or sandy, and sandstone glades. In NE Illinois, this species occurs in sandy areas that are dominated by Black Oaks, while in southern Illinois it occurs in areas that are hilly and rocky. Occasional wildfires are probably beneficial to this species as this opens up the forest canopy.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract bees primarily, including bumblebees, Leaf-Cutting bees, and Halictid bees. The short-tongued bee Calliopsis andreniformis often visits the flowers of Lespedeza spp. Butterflies may visit the flowers for nectar, but they are non-pollinating. The foliage is eaten by the caterpillars of various skippers and moths. This includes such skipper species as Thorybes pylades (Northern Cloudywing), Thorybes bathyllus (Southern Cloudywing), and Epargyreus clarus (Silver-Spotted Skipper), and such moth species as Utetheisa bella (Bella Moth), Ptichodis herbarum (Common Ptichodis), and Dasylopha anguina (Black-Spotted Prominent). The seeds are eaten by the Bobwhite Quail and Wild Turkey, while the foliage is eaten by the Cottontail Rabbit and White-Tailed Deer. The foliage is non-toxic and highly palatable to mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: The photos were taken at a sandy savanna and a sandy path of the Hooper Branch Savanna Nature Preserve in Iroquois County, Illinois. The dominant tree in this area is Quercus velutina (Black Oak).
Comments: Hairy Bush Clover is one of several Lespedeza spp. that occur in Oak woodlands or savannas. This species is not very showy as the small flowers are partially hidden by the long calyx lobes. It can be distinguished from these other species by its cream-colored flowers, unusually broad leaves, and very hairy stems. A distinguishing characteristic are the long peduncles, which are often longer than the leaflets and spike-like racemes. This can be readily observed in the photographs. Other bush clovers, such as Lespedeza capitata (Round-Headed Bush Clover), usually have shorter peduncles.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acid soil containing sand or rocky material. Full sunlight or light shade, and more fertile soil are also tolerated. Hairy Bush Clover fixes nitrogen in the soil.
Range & Habitat: This species has an odd bifurcated distribution, occurring in NE and southern Illinois, but hardly anywhere else in the state (see Distribution Map). Hairy Bush Clover is an occasional plant in these areas, where it is native. Habitats include upland oak woodland that are rocky or sandy, oak savannas that are rocky or sandy, and sandstone glades. In NE Illinois, this species occurs in sandy areas that are dominated by Black Oaks, while in southern Illinois it occurs in areas that are hilly and rocky. Occasional wildfires are probably beneficial to this species as this opens up the forest canopy.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract bees primarily, including bumblebees, Leaf-Cutting bees, and Halictid bees. The short-tongued bee Calliopsis andreniformis often visits the flowers of Lespedeza spp. Butterflies may visit the flowers for nectar, but they are non-pollinating. The foliage is eaten by the caterpillars of various skippers and moths. This includes such skipper species as Thorybes pylades (Northern Cloudywing), Thorybes bathyllus (Southern Cloudywing), and Epargyreus clarus (Silver-Spotted Skipper), and such moth species as Utetheisa bella (Bella Moth), Ptichodis herbarum (Common Ptichodis), and Dasylopha anguina (Black-Spotted Prominent). The seeds are eaten by the Bobwhite Quail and Wild Turkey, while the foliage is eaten by the Cottontail Rabbit and White-Tailed Deer. The foliage is non-toxic and highly palatable to mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: The photos were taken at a sandy savanna and a sandy path of the Hooper Branch Savanna Nature Preserve in Iroquois County, Illinois. The dominant tree in this area is Quercus velutina (Black Oak).
Comments: Hairy Bush Clover is one of several Lespedeza spp. that occur in Oak woodlands or savannas. This species is not very showy as the small flowers are partially hidden by the long calyx lobes. It can be distinguished from these other species by its cream-colored flowers, unusually broad leaves, and very hairy stems. A distinguishing characteristic are the long peduncles, which are often longer than the leaflets and spike-like racemes. This can be readily observed in the photographs. Other bush clovers, such as Lespedeza capitata (Round-Headed Bush Clover), usually have shorter peduncles.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年03月29日
Description: This perennial plant is ½–1½' tall and abundantly branched, particularly along the upper two-thirds of its length. The pale green stems are sparsely to moderately covered with white hairs that are upwardly appressed or ascending. Small leaves about 8-15 mm. (1/3–2/3") long and about one-third as much across occur along the stems: they are alternate,Seed Capsules & Leafy Bracts opposite, or whorled. The leaf blades are green (turning yellow during the fall), smooth and ciliate along their margins, and elliptic-oblong with blunt tips; the base of each leaf blade is sessile, or it is has a short petiole. The upper surfaces of the blades are hairless to sparsely hairy, while the lower surfaces of the blades are usually hairy, particularly along the midveins. Similar to the hairs on the stems, the hairs on the leaves are appressed or curve outward toward their tips. The middle to upper stems produce overlapping panicles of flowers. Individual panicles are longer than they are wide, and they produce leafy bracts that are similar to the leaves, except the former are smaller in size. The small flowers are borne individually on the secondary and tertiary branches of the panicles. Each flower is about 2 mm. long and a little less across, consisting of 5 persistent purplish red petals, 5 ascending green sepals (sometimes becoming red later), 3 or more stamens, and a 3-celled ovary with short stigmata at its apex (there are no filaments). Each flower has a short slender pedicel about 1 mm. long. The blooming period occurs during the late summer for about a month; only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. The flowers are probably cross-pollinated by wind, at least in part. Each flower is replaced by an ovoid seed capsule about 2 mm. long that typically contains 2-3 seeds; because of the persistent petals and sepals, it is purplish red or greenish red in appearance. The 2 outer sepals are the same length or longer than the seed capsule (2 mm. in length or more) and they are linear in shape. The 3 inner sepals are shorter than the seed capsule (less than 2 mm. in length) and they are ovate in shape. After the seed capsules open, the small seeds are dispersed primarily by gravity and usually fall only a short distance from the mother plant. During the late fall, the flowering plant withers away and it is replaced by a low rosette of little-branched stems with whorled or opposite leaves; this rosette spans about 3-4" across and usually survives the winter until it is replaced by a flowering plant during the next spring. The basal leaves are similar to the cauline leaves of the flowering plant, except they are more wide in shape (oval-ovate). The root system consists of a slender taproot with fibrous secondary roots; sometimes the taproot is barely distinguishable from these secondary roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry conditions, and either sandy or very rocky soil. The seeds are slow to germinate, often remaining dormant for several years.
Range & Habitat: The native Small Pinweed is an uncommon plant that is found in NE Illinois and scattered locations elsewhere in the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include sand prairies, openings and edges of sandy oak woodlands, sandy oak savannas, rocky bluffs and cliffs, partially wooded sand dunes near Lake Michigan, and edges of sandy marshes. In many areas, populations of Small Pinweed have declined as a result of habitat destruction from various development projects. Like other Lechea spp. (Pinweeds), it is adapted to occasional disturbance (wildfires, shifting dunes), but dislikes extreme orLower Stem & Leaves more frequent modifications of its environment.
Faunal Associations: In general, very little is known about the floral-fauna relationships of Lechea spp. (Pinweeds); they have not been studied adequately, thus some of the following information is speculative. The flowers offer no nectar to insect visitors; only pollen is available as a food reward. It is possible that various flies, small bees, and other small insects are minor pollinators of the flowers, which are self-fertile and probably cross-pollinated by the wind. It has been found that White-Tailed Deer preferentially browse on Lechea maritima (Beach Pinweed) in Virginia (see Keiper, 1990), and thus they may browse on other Pinweeds in other areas as well.
Photographic Location: Edge of a sandy oak woodland that is located near a wet sand prairie at the Iroquois County Conservation Area in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: In most of Illinois, Lechea spp. (Pinweeds) are restricted to sandy habitats, although in southern Illinois some species (including Small Pinweed) can be found along cliffs and upland woodlands that are rocky. The various species are very similar to each other in appearance and can be difficult to differentiate. The presence of mature fruits on a prospective plant greatly facilitates its identification and, to a lesser extent, the shape of the leaves and type of hairs on the stems facilitates species identification as well. Small Pinweed can be distinguished from other similar Pinweed species as follows: 1) it has wider leaves than some other species, which are more linear in shape, 2) the hairs on its stems are upwardly appressed or ascending, rather than widely spreading or absent, 3) the seed capsules are ovoid in shape, rather than globoid or subgloboid, and 4) the outer sepals of Small Pinweed are longer than the inner sepals and they are as long or longer than the seed capsules. The only other Pinweed in Illinois with the last characteristic is Lechea tenuifolia (Slender Pinweed), which differs by having linear leaves and it tends to be smaller in size. Another common name of Lechea minor is Thyme-Leaved Pinweed.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry conditions, and either sandy or very rocky soil. The seeds are slow to germinate, often remaining dormant for several years.
Range & Habitat: The native Small Pinweed is an uncommon plant that is found in NE Illinois and scattered locations elsewhere in the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include sand prairies, openings and edges of sandy oak woodlands, sandy oak savannas, rocky bluffs and cliffs, partially wooded sand dunes near Lake Michigan, and edges of sandy marshes. In many areas, populations of Small Pinweed have declined as a result of habitat destruction from various development projects. Like other Lechea spp. (Pinweeds), it is adapted to occasional disturbance (wildfires, shifting dunes), but dislikes extreme orLower Stem & Leaves more frequent modifications of its environment.
Faunal Associations: In general, very little is known about the floral-fauna relationships of Lechea spp. (Pinweeds); they have not been studied adequately, thus some of the following information is speculative. The flowers offer no nectar to insect visitors; only pollen is available as a food reward. It is possible that various flies, small bees, and other small insects are minor pollinators of the flowers, which are self-fertile and probably cross-pollinated by the wind. It has been found that White-Tailed Deer preferentially browse on Lechea maritima (Beach Pinweed) in Virginia (see Keiper, 1990), and thus they may browse on other Pinweeds in other areas as well.
Photographic Location: Edge of a sandy oak woodland that is located near a wet sand prairie at the Iroquois County Conservation Area in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: In most of Illinois, Lechea spp. (Pinweeds) are restricted to sandy habitats, although in southern Illinois some species (including Small Pinweed) can be found along cliffs and upland woodlands that are rocky. The various species are very similar to each other in appearance and can be difficult to differentiate. The presence of mature fruits on a prospective plant greatly facilitates its identification and, to a lesser extent, the shape of the leaves and type of hairs on the stems facilitates species identification as well. Small Pinweed can be distinguished from other similar Pinweed species as follows: 1) it has wider leaves than some other species, which are more linear in shape, 2) the hairs on its stems are upwardly appressed or ascending, rather than widely spreading or absent, 3) the seed capsules are ovoid in shape, rather than globoid or subgloboid, and 4) the outer sepals of Small Pinweed are longer than the inner sepals and they are as long or longer than the seed capsules. The only other Pinweed in Illinois with the last characteristic is Lechea tenuifolia (Slender Pinweed), which differs by having linear leaves and it tends to be smaller in size. Another common name of Lechea minor is Thyme-Leaved Pinweed.
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