文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月28日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 1-2½' tall, branching sparingly in the upper half of the plant. The stems are hairless and round, with light green lines that run vertically. The basal leaves are undivided, up to 4" long and 3" across, and have petioles about 2-3" long. They are usually cordate or broadly ovate in overall shape, but with blunt or rounded tips. Otherwise, the leaves alternate up the stem, having progressively shorter petioles and a smaller size. The upper leaves are often ternately compound, and sometimes each leaflet is divided into three lobes. The surface of these leaves are often shiny, while their margins are serrate or crenate. There may be a purplish spot where the petiole meets the base of a leaf.
Compound Umbels of Flowers
The upper stems produce compound umbels of tiny yellow flowers. A typical umbel spans about 2-3" across, and consists of about 7-15 umbellets, which in turn have about 10-20 flowers. These flowers have short pedicels, except the central flower of each umbellet, which is sessile. Each flower has 5 yellow petals that barely open, and is less than 1/8" across. The blooming period occurs during late spring and lasts about a month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Each flower is replaced by a small fruit with 5 angular ribs – however, this fruit is not winged. The root system consists of a central taproot.
Cultivation: This plant prefers light shade to full sun, and mesic to dry conditions. The soil can contain loam, clay-loam, or some rocky material. This plant is easy to grow, and not much troubled by foliar disease.
Range & Habitat: The native Heartleaf Golden Alexanders is restricted to NE Illinois, where it is an uncommon plant (see Distribution Map). It also occurs in Hardin county of SE Illinois. Habitats include moist to dry black soil prairies, hill prairies, rocky upland woodlands, limestone glades, bluffs, abandoned fields, and roadsides. Usually, this species occurs in drier locations than Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders).
Faunal Associations: Various kinds of insects visit the flowers primarily for nectar, especially small bees (Halictid, Andrenid, Nomadine) and flies (Chloropid, Tachinid, Muscid, Syrphid, etc.), as well as occasional beetles and plant bugs. The bees collect pollen as well, while some flies and beetles may feed on pollen. The caterpillars of Papilio polyxenes asterias (Black Swallowtail butterfly) feed on the foliage of this and other members of the Carrot family.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Heartleaf Golden Alexanders differs from its close relative, Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders), by its simple basal leaves, while the latter species has lower leaves that are compound. It also closely resembles Thaspium trifoliatum var. aureum (Meadow Parsnip), but differs from this species in two ways: 1) The central flower of each umbellet is sessile, and 2) the angular fruits enclosing the seeds lack wings. The central flower of each umbellet for the Meadow Parsnip, on the other hand, has a short pedicel like the other flowers, and its angular fruits are strongly winged and somewhat flattened. These latter characteristics provide the Meadow Parsnip with a slight advantage in the distribution of its seeds by wind.
Compound Umbels of Flowers
The upper stems produce compound umbels of tiny yellow flowers. A typical umbel spans about 2-3" across, and consists of about 7-15 umbellets, which in turn have about 10-20 flowers. These flowers have short pedicels, except the central flower of each umbellet, which is sessile. Each flower has 5 yellow petals that barely open, and is less than 1/8" across. The blooming period occurs during late spring and lasts about a month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Each flower is replaced by a small fruit with 5 angular ribs – however, this fruit is not winged. The root system consists of a central taproot.
Cultivation: This plant prefers light shade to full sun, and mesic to dry conditions. The soil can contain loam, clay-loam, or some rocky material. This plant is easy to grow, and not much troubled by foliar disease.
Range & Habitat: The native Heartleaf Golden Alexanders is restricted to NE Illinois, where it is an uncommon plant (see Distribution Map). It also occurs in Hardin county of SE Illinois. Habitats include moist to dry black soil prairies, hill prairies, rocky upland woodlands, limestone glades, bluffs, abandoned fields, and roadsides. Usually, this species occurs in drier locations than Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders).
Faunal Associations: Various kinds of insects visit the flowers primarily for nectar, especially small bees (Halictid, Andrenid, Nomadine) and flies (Chloropid, Tachinid, Muscid, Syrphid, etc.), as well as occasional beetles and plant bugs. The bees collect pollen as well, while some flies and beetles may feed on pollen. The caterpillars of Papilio polyxenes asterias (Black Swallowtail butterfly) feed on the foliage of this and other members of the Carrot family.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Heartleaf Golden Alexanders differs from its close relative, Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders), by its simple basal leaves, while the latter species has lower leaves that are compound. It also closely resembles Thaspium trifoliatum var. aureum (Meadow Parsnip), but differs from this species in two ways: 1) The central flower of each umbellet is sessile, and 2) the angular fruits enclosing the seeds lack wings. The central flower of each umbellet for the Meadow Parsnip, on the other hand, has a short pedicel like the other flowers, and its angular fruits are strongly winged and somewhat flattened. These latter characteristics provide the Meadow Parsnip with a slight advantage in the distribution of its seeds by wind.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月28日
Arrow-Leaved Violet
Viola sagittata
Violet family (Violaceae)
Description: This perennial wildflower consists of a rosette of basal leaves and flowering stalks up to 6" tall. The blades of the basal leaves are 1½-4" long and about one-third as much across; they are sagittate or hastate in shape, slightly crenate, and occasionally ciliate along their margins. At the bottom of each side of these blades, are small basal lobes. The upper blade surface is medium green and usually hairless, while the lower surface is pale green and either hairless or hairy along the veins. The petioles are light green to purplish green and hairless (or nearly so); they are usually a little shorter than the blades. From the center of a rosette of basal leaves, there develops one or more pedicels with individual flowers directly from the root stalk. The slender pedicels are light green to purplish green and hairless. Each pedicel curves downward at its apex, causing the flower to nod. Individual flowers are about ¾" across, consisting of 5 purple-violet petals, 5 light green sepals, and the reproductive organs. Near the center of each flower, the lateral petals have small tufts of white hair. At the base of the lowermost petal, there is a patch of white with prominent purple-violet veins. There is also a nectar spur that develops from behind the lowermost petal; it is rather short and slightly curved. The sepals are linear-lanceolate in shape and hairless; they are smaller than the petals.
The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer and lasts about 3-4 weeks. Later in the summer, fertilized flowers are replaced by light green seed capsules about 1/3" long that are oblongoid-ellipsoid in shape. At maturity, each capsule divides into 3 parts, ejecting its seeds. During the summer, cleistogamous (self-fertile) flowers are also produced that lack petals and remain inconspicuous; these flowers also develop into seed capsules that split open at maturity. The root system consists of a short narrow crown with fibrous roots; sometimes rhizomes also develop that form clonal offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, clay, rocky material, or sand.
Range & Habitat: The native Arrow-Leaved Violet is occasional in most areas of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include sand prairies, sandy shrub prairies, clay prairies, riverbanks, rocky upland woodlands, limestone or sandstone glades, and abandoned fields containing heavy clay soil. Arrow-Leaved Violet benefits from occasional disturbance that reduces the encroachment of woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Robertson (1929) observed two bees, Osmia pumila and Andrena violae, and a butterfly, Colias philodice (Clouded Sulfur), visiting the flowers of Arrow-Leaved Violet. These floral visitors were seeking either nectar or pollen. Other insects feed on the foliage, plant juices, and other parts of violets. The caterpillars of several Fritillary butterflies feed on violets: Boloria bellona (Meadow Fritillary), Boloria selene myrina (Silver-Bordered Fritillary), Euptoieta claudia (Variegated Fritillary), Speyeria aphrodite (Aphrodite Fritillary), Speyeria atlantis (Atlantis Fritillary), Speyeria cybele (Great Spangled Fritillary), and Speyeria idalia (Regal Fritillary). Other insect feeders include caterpillars of the moths Elaphria grata (Grateful Midget) and Eubaphe mendica (The Beggar), Aulacorthum circumflexum (Crescent-Marked Lily Aphid) and Neotoxoptera violae (Violet Aphid), the larvae of Ametastegia pallipes (Viola Sawfly), and the thrips Odontothrips pictipennis. Among vertebrate animals, the seeds of violets are eaten by such birds as the Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Bobwhite, and Mourning Dove. The White-Footed Mouse and probably other small rodents also eat small amounts of the seeds. The foliage is browsed to a limited extent by the Cottontail Rabbit and Wood Turtle (Clemmys insculpta).
Photographic Location: A sandy shrub prairie at Kitty Todd Nature Preserve in NW Ohio.
Comments: The leaves of this violet have a distinctive arrowhead shape, while its flowers resemble those of many other violets. Arrow-Leaved Violet is most similar to the Sand Violet (Viola fimbriatula), which is sometimes considered a variety of Arrow-Leaved Violet, or Viola sagittata ovata Unlike the Arrow-Leaved Violet, the Sand Violet has hairy petioles, hairy flowering stalks (pedicels), and its leaf blades tend to be more hairy as well. The leaf blades of Sand Violet are also shaped differently: they tend to have tips that are more blunt and less conspicuous basal lobes. In some areas, one may encounter plants that display some degree of hybridization between these two species (or varieties).
Viola sagittata
Violet family (Violaceae)
Description: This perennial wildflower consists of a rosette of basal leaves and flowering stalks up to 6" tall. The blades of the basal leaves are 1½-4" long and about one-third as much across; they are sagittate or hastate in shape, slightly crenate, and occasionally ciliate along their margins. At the bottom of each side of these blades, are small basal lobes. The upper blade surface is medium green and usually hairless, while the lower surface is pale green and either hairless or hairy along the veins. The petioles are light green to purplish green and hairless (or nearly so); they are usually a little shorter than the blades. From the center of a rosette of basal leaves, there develops one or more pedicels with individual flowers directly from the root stalk. The slender pedicels are light green to purplish green and hairless. Each pedicel curves downward at its apex, causing the flower to nod. Individual flowers are about ¾" across, consisting of 5 purple-violet petals, 5 light green sepals, and the reproductive organs. Near the center of each flower, the lateral petals have small tufts of white hair. At the base of the lowermost petal, there is a patch of white with prominent purple-violet veins. There is also a nectar spur that develops from behind the lowermost petal; it is rather short and slightly curved. The sepals are linear-lanceolate in shape and hairless; they are smaller than the petals.
The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer and lasts about 3-4 weeks. Later in the summer, fertilized flowers are replaced by light green seed capsules about 1/3" long that are oblongoid-ellipsoid in shape. At maturity, each capsule divides into 3 parts, ejecting its seeds. During the summer, cleistogamous (self-fertile) flowers are also produced that lack petals and remain inconspicuous; these flowers also develop into seed capsules that split open at maturity. The root system consists of a short narrow crown with fibrous roots; sometimes rhizomes also develop that form clonal offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, clay, rocky material, or sand.
Range & Habitat: The native Arrow-Leaved Violet is occasional in most areas of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include sand prairies, sandy shrub prairies, clay prairies, riverbanks, rocky upland woodlands, limestone or sandstone glades, and abandoned fields containing heavy clay soil. Arrow-Leaved Violet benefits from occasional disturbance that reduces the encroachment of woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Robertson (1929) observed two bees, Osmia pumila and Andrena violae, and a butterfly, Colias philodice (Clouded Sulfur), visiting the flowers of Arrow-Leaved Violet. These floral visitors were seeking either nectar or pollen. Other insects feed on the foliage, plant juices, and other parts of violets. The caterpillars of several Fritillary butterflies feed on violets: Boloria bellona (Meadow Fritillary), Boloria selene myrina (Silver-Bordered Fritillary), Euptoieta claudia (Variegated Fritillary), Speyeria aphrodite (Aphrodite Fritillary), Speyeria atlantis (Atlantis Fritillary), Speyeria cybele (Great Spangled Fritillary), and Speyeria idalia (Regal Fritillary). Other insect feeders include caterpillars of the moths Elaphria grata (Grateful Midget) and Eubaphe mendica (The Beggar), Aulacorthum circumflexum (Crescent-Marked Lily Aphid) and Neotoxoptera violae (Violet Aphid), the larvae of Ametastegia pallipes (Viola Sawfly), and the thrips Odontothrips pictipennis. Among vertebrate animals, the seeds of violets are eaten by such birds as the Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Bobwhite, and Mourning Dove. The White-Footed Mouse and probably other small rodents also eat small amounts of the seeds. The foliage is browsed to a limited extent by the Cottontail Rabbit and Wood Turtle (Clemmys insculpta).
Photographic Location: A sandy shrub prairie at Kitty Todd Nature Preserve in NW Ohio.
Comments: The leaves of this violet have a distinctive arrowhead shape, while its flowers resemble those of many other violets. Arrow-Leaved Violet is most similar to the Sand Violet (Viola fimbriatula), which is sometimes considered a variety of Arrow-Leaved Violet, or Viola sagittata ovata Unlike the Arrow-Leaved Violet, the Sand Violet has hairy petioles, hairy flowering stalks (pedicels), and its leaf blades tend to be more hairy as well. The leaf blades of Sand Violet are also shaped differently: they tend to have tips that are more blunt and less conspicuous basal lobes. In some areas, one may encounter plants that display some degree of hybridization between these two species (or varieties).
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月27日
Description: This perennial plant is up to 5' tall and unbranched, except near the inflorescence. The central stem is round and smooth. Scattered along this stem are 3-7 whorled leaves. These leaves are up to 6" long and 1½" across with serrated margins. They are ovate to narrowly ovate, and are either sessile or have short petioles. At the apex of the plant are several slender spikes of white flowers up to 8" long, resembling a candelabra. The narrow tubular flowers are about ¼" long, from which 2 yellow or brown stamens are exerted. These flowers are crowded together all around each spike, blooming from the bottom up. They have no scent.
The blooming period usually occurs from early to mid-summer, and lasts about a month. The tiny seeds can be carried several feet away from the mother plant by the wind. The root system consists of a central taproot and some rhizomes, which enable vegetative reproduction.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and moist to average conditions. Growth is best in rich loamy soil, although some sand or clay is tolerated. The leaves may turn yellowish green in bright sunlight or during a drought, otherwise they normally appear healthy and are not often bothered by disease. This plant has a tendency to flop over on slopes.
Range & Habitat: The native Culver's Root occurs throughout Illinois, except a few south-central counties (see Distribution Map). Although widely distributed, it is only occasionally seen. Culver's root occurs in moist to mesic black soil prairies, sand prairies, openings and edges of woodlands, thickets, savannas, and swampy meadows along rivers and ditches. This plant is not often seen in highly disturbed habitats.
Faunal Associations: The most common visitors to the flowers are long-tongued and short-tongued bees, which collect pollen or suck nectar. This includes honeybees, bumblebees, Mason bees, Green Metallic bees, Masked bees, and others. Other kinds of insect visitors include Sphecid wasps, butterflies, moths, and Syrphid flies. The latter include species that feed on pollen only and are non-pollinating. Culver's Root doesn't appear to be bothered by leaf-chewing insects or mammalian herbivores to the same extent as other plants. The seeds are too tiny to be of much interest to birds.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: While in bloom, this plant has an elegant appearance, although the pretty white flowers rapidly turn brown. Its common name refers to the medicinal usage of the bitter root, which has purgative properties. The surname 'Culver' probably refers to a pioneer physician who advocated the use of this plant for the treatment of various ailments.
The blooming period usually occurs from early to mid-summer, and lasts about a month. The tiny seeds can be carried several feet away from the mother plant by the wind. The root system consists of a central taproot and some rhizomes, which enable vegetative reproduction.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and moist to average conditions. Growth is best in rich loamy soil, although some sand or clay is tolerated. The leaves may turn yellowish green in bright sunlight or during a drought, otherwise they normally appear healthy and are not often bothered by disease. This plant has a tendency to flop over on slopes.
Range & Habitat: The native Culver's Root occurs throughout Illinois, except a few south-central counties (see Distribution Map). Although widely distributed, it is only occasionally seen. Culver's root occurs in moist to mesic black soil prairies, sand prairies, openings and edges of woodlands, thickets, savannas, and swampy meadows along rivers and ditches. This plant is not often seen in highly disturbed habitats.
Faunal Associations: The most common visitors to the flowers are long-tongued and short-tongued bees, which collect pollen or suck nectar. This includes honeybees, bumblebees, Mason bees, Green Metallic bees, Masked bees, and others. Other kinds of insect visitors include Sphecid wasps, butterflies, moths, and Syrphid flies. The latter include species that feed on pollen only and are non-pollinating. Culver's Root doesn't appear to be bothered by leaf-chewing insects or mammalian herbivores to the same extent as other plants. The seeds are too tiny to be of much interest to birds.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: While in bloom, this plant has an elegant appearance, although the pretty white flowers rapidly turn brown. Its common name refers to the medicinal usage of the bitter root, which has purgative properties. The surname 'Culver' probably refers to a pioneer physician who advocated the use of this plant for the treatment of various ailments.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月25日
Description: This is a herbaceous perennial plant about 2-4' tall and mostly unbranched, except toward the apex. The central stem is round, glabrous, and occasionally glaucous. The grey- or blue-green alternate leaves are up to 15" long and 1" across. They are linear, although wider at the base, where the leaves wrap around the stem in sheaths, than at the tip. They are also glabrous, with parallel venation and smooth margins, tending to bend downward towards the middle. The light violet to blue-violet flowers occur in small clusters on hairless flowering stems at the top of the plant. Underneath each inflorescence are 2 small bracts, each up to 3" long and less than ½" across. Each flower is about 1" across, with 3 rounded petals, 6 bright yellow anthers, and fine spidery violet hairs near the base. The flowers open up during the morning and close by the afternoon in sunny weather, but remain open longer on cloudy days. There is no floral scent.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, and lasts about 1½ months, during which time only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. The mature seed capsules split into 3 sections, each capsule releasing 3-6 oval to oblong, brown seeds. The root system is thick, fleshy, and fibrous, sending off occasional offshoots nearby.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and moist to slightly dry conditions. The soil can contain loam, clay, gravel, or sand – this plant is very adaptable. Sometimes the leaves develop brown blotches or turn yellow in response to harsh weather conditions, competition from other plants, or age.
Range & Habitat: The native Ohio Spiderwort is a common plant throughout Illinois, except in the SE, where it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). It is often found in moist to mesic black soil prairies and sand prairies. Other habitats include sandy black oak savannas, Bur Oak savannas, limestone glades, thickets and woodland borders, moist meadows near woods or rivers, roadside ditches, and areas along railroads (including the ballast). Plants are usually widely scattered, but sometimes appear in sizable colonies in disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: The most important pollinators of the flowers are long-tongued bees, especially bumblebees. Other visitors include Halictine bees and Syrphid flies. However, the Syrphid flies feed on stray pollen and are non-pollinating. Spiderwort is rarely bothered by insects, although Lema collaris (Leaf Beetle sp.) reportedly feeds on the foliage. Mammalian herbivores also eat the plant, including the White-Tailed Deer, Cottontail Rabbit, Box Turtles, and livestock. The foliage is non-toxic to these animals.
Photographic Location: The close-up photograph of the flowers was taken along a railroad in Champaign, Illinois, while the photographs of the flowering plant and close-up of the stem were taken at the wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois. Ohio Spiderwort is more resistant to the application of herbicides along railroads than most plants, which is one reason why it remains common in such areas.
Comments: This is probably the most common Spiderwort in Illinois. The flowers are short-lived, but beautiful, particularly when they are viewed close-up. Ohio Spiderwort can be readily distinguished from Virginia Spiderwort by the absence of conspicuous hairs on the flowering stems near the inflorescence, and the greyish or bluish appearance of the thin leaves. It also tends to be taller and more spindly in appearance than other species of Spiderwort, and has smaller bracts subtending the inflorescence. The leaves and stems are reported to be edible – fresh or cooked.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, and lasts about 1½ months, during which time only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. The mature seed capsules split into 3 sections, each capsule releasing 3-6 oval to oblong, brown seeds. The root system is thick, fleshy, and fibrous, sending off occasional offshoots nearby.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and moist to slightly dry conditions. The soil can contain loam, clay, gravel, or sand – this plant is very adaptable. Sometimes the leaves develop brown blotches or turn yellow in response to harsh weather conditions, competition from other plants, or age.
Range & Habitat: The native Ohio Spiderwort is a common plant throughout Illinois, except in the SE, where it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). It is often found in moist to mesic black soil prairies and sand prairies. Other habitats include sandy black oak savannas, Bur Oak savannas, limestone glades, thickets and woodland borders, moist meadows near woods or rivers, roadside ditches, and areas along railroads (including the ballast). Plants are usually widely scattered, but sometimes appear in sizable colonies in disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: The most important pollinators of the flowers are long-tongued bees, especially bumblebees. Other visitors include Halictine bees and Syrphid flies. However, the Syrphid flies feed on stray pollen and are non-pollinating. Spiderwort is rarely bothered by insects, although Lema collaris (Leaf Beetle sp.) reportedly feeds on the foliage. Mammalian herbivores also eat the plant, including the White-Tailed Deer, Cottontail Rabbit, Box Turtles, and livestock. The foliage is non-toxic to these animals.
Photographic Location: The close-up photograph of the flowers was taken along a railroad in Champaign, Illinois, while the photographs of the flowering plant and close-up of the stem were taken at the wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois. Ohio Spiderwort is more resistant to the application of herbicides along railroads than most plants, which is one reason why it remains common in such areas.
Comments: This is probably the most common Spiderwort in Illinois. The flowers are short-lived, but beautiful, particularly when they are viewed close-up. Ohio Spiderwort can be readily distinguished from Virginia Spiderwort by the absence of conspicuous hairs on the flowering stems near the inflorescence, and the greyish or bluish appearance of the thin leaves. It also tends to be taller and more spindly in appearance than other species of Spiderwort, and has smaller bracts subtending the inflorescence. The leaves and stems are reported to be edible – fresh or cooked.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月25日
Description: This perennial wildflower is ½-1½' tall. The erect central stem is light to medium green, terete, glabrous, and usually unbranched. Sheathed leaves with long floppy blades alternate along this stem. The leaf blades are 4-12" long and up to ¾" across; they are medium green, linear-lanceolate, parallel-veined, and mostly glabrous, except for occasional hairs where the blades emerge from the sheaths. The sheaths are glabrous with parallel veins; sometimes they have purple veins.
Flowering Plant
The central stem terminates in an umbel-like cyme of flowers and a pair of large leafy bracts. These bracts have the same characteristics as the alternate leaves, and they are similar in size. The slender pedicels of the flowers are about ½-1" in length; they are light green to purple, glandular-hairy, and rather floppy. Individual flowers are 1-1¼" across, consisting of 3 blue-violet or rose petals, 3 light green sepals with glandular-hairy exteriors, 6 stamens with hairy filaments and yellow anthers, and a pistil. The sepals are lanceolate-ovate, while the petals are ovate-oval; the petals are a little longer than the sepals. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer and lasts about 1½ months. Usually, only 1-2 flowers are in bloom at the same time. The flowers are usually open only in the morning, except on cloudy days, when they may remain open a little longer. Each flower lasts only a single day and there is no noticeable fragrance. The flowers are replaced by seed capsules about ¼" long that are 3-celled; they are oblongoid-ovoid or oblongoid-obovoid in shape. Eventually, each seed capsule splits open into 3 parts, releasing 2-6 seeds. The seeds are about 2-3 mm. in length, tan or gray, broadly oblongoid, and somewhat flattened; each seed has a heavily ridged outer margin and it is indented along one side with a point in the middle. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. This wildflower often spreads vegetatively by means of its rhizomes, forming colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry-mesic conditions, and sandy soil, although it readily adapts to other kinds of soil. On fertile ground, competition from taller plants is poorly tolerated.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Spiderwort is an uncommon plant that is found primarily in west-central Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is state-listed as 'threatened.' It is more common in areas further to the west. Habitats include upland sand prairies, hill prairies, barren areas along railroads, and roadside embankments. This wildflower can be found in both disturbed and high quality natural areas, especially where it is sandy.
Faunal Associations: The flowers offer only pollen as a reward to insect visitors. These floral visitors include honeybees, bumblebees, Halictid bees, and Syrphid flies. However, most Syrphid flies are too small to be effective at cross-pollination. The foliage, and sometimes the flowers, of Tradescantia spp. are eaten by such leaf beetles as Lema collaris, Lema longipennis, Oulema cornuta, and Oulema elongata. In sandy habitats, Spharagemon collare (Mottled Sand Grasshopper) also feeds on Prairie Spiderwort. The non-toxic foliage is readily eaten by rabbits and other mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Other common names of Tradescantia bracteata are Long-Bracted Spiderwort and Sticky Spiderwort. Prairie Spiderwort can be distinguished from other Tradescantia spp. in Illinois by its diminutive size (1½' tall or less) and the glandular hairs on its sepals and pedicels. The most similar species in Illinois is Virginia Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiensis). Virginia Spiderwort is slightly taller 1-2½' than Prairie Spiderwort, and the hairs on its sepals and pedicels are glandless. Another species in this genus, Ohio Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis), lacks hair on its sepals and pedicels, its foliage is more blue-gray, and it is significantly taller (2-3' tall).
Flowering Plant
The central stem terminates in an umbel-like cyme of flowers and a pair of large leafy bracts. These bracts have the same characteristics as the alternate leaves, and they are similar in size. The slender pedicels of the flowers are about ½-1" in length; they are light green to purple, glandular-hairy, and rather floppy. Individual flowers are 1-1¼" across, consisting of 3 blue-violet or rose petals, 3 light green sepals with glandular-hairy exteriors, 6 stamens with hairy filaments and yellow anthers, and a pistil. The sepals are lanceolate-ovate, while the petals are ovate-oval; the petals are a little longer than the sepals. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer and lasts about 1½ months. Usually, only 1-2 flowers are in bloom at the same time. The flowers are usually open only in the morning, except on cloudy days, when they may remain open a little longer. Each flower lasts only a single day and there is no noticeable fragrance. The flowers are replaced by seed capsules about ¼" long that are 3-celled; they are oblongoid-ovoid or oblongoid-obovoid in shape. Eventually, each seed capsule splits open into 3 parts, releasing 2-6 seeds. The seeds are about 2-3 mm. in length, tan or gray, broadly oblongoid, and somewhat flattened; each seed has a heavily ridged outer margin and it is indented along one side with a point in the middle. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. This wildflower often spreads vegetatively by means of its rhizomes, forming colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry-mesic conditions, and sandy soil, although it readily adapts to other kinds of soil. On fertile ground, competition from taller plants is poorly tolerated.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Spiderwort is an uncommon plant that is found primarily in west-central Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is state-listed as 'threatened.' It is more common in areas further to the west. Habitats include upland sand prairies, hill prairies, barren areas along railroads, and roadside embankments. This wildflower can be found in both disturbed and high quality natural areas, especially where it is sandy.
Faunal Associations: The flowers offer only pollen as a reward to insect visitors. These floral visitors include honeybees, bumblebees, Halictid bees, and Syrphid flies. However, most Syrphid flies are too small to be effective at cross-pollination. The foliage, and sometimes the flowers, of Tradescantia spp. are eaten by such leaf beetles as Lema collaris, Lema longipennis, Oulema cornuta, and Oulema elongata. In sandy habitats, Spharagemon collare (Mottled Sand Grasshopper) also feeds on Prairie Spiderwort. The non-toxic foliage is readily eaten by rabbits and other mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Other common names of Tradescantia bracteata are Long-Bracted Spiderwort and Sticky Spiderwort. Prairie Spiderwort can be distinguished from other Tradescantia spp. in Illinois by its diminutive size (1½' tall or less) and the glandular hairs on its sepals and pedicels. The most similar species in Illinois is Virginia Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiensis). Virginia Spiderwort is slightly taller 1-2½' than Prairie Spiderwort, and the hairs on its sepals and pedicels are glandless. Another species in this genus, Ohio Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis), lacks hair on its sepals and pedicels, its foliage is more blue-gray, and it is significantly taller (2-3' tall).
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