文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月22日
Description: This is a herbaceous perennial plant about 2½–5' tall. At its base, there is a rosette of arching basal leaves. These basal leaves are 10-20" long and ½–1¼" across; they are medium green to yellowish green, glabrous, linear in shape, entire (toothless) along their margins, and often folded upward along their midveins. Leaf venation is parallel. A few alternate leaves occur along the central stem of this plant; they are similar to the basal leaves, except smaller in size. The central stem is light green, terete, relatively stout, and unbranched; it is usually glabrous below and pubescent with curly hairs above. The central stem terminates in a panicle of flowers about ¾–2' long and about one-half as much across. The lateral primary branches of this inflorescence are ascending, but not erect; they are somewhat longer toward the bottom and center of the inflorescence. Similar to the upper central stem, these floral branches are light green, terete, relatively stout, and pubescent with curly hairs.
At the base of each floral branch (including the pedicels), there is a linear-lanceolate bract up to ½" long that darkens and withers away with age. The pedicels (basal stalklets) of the flowers are about ¼–¾" long. Individual flowers are about ¾–1" across. Each flower has a white corolla with 6 spreading tepals, 6 stamens with white filaments, 3 white styles, and a light greenish yellow ovary. Individual tepals are lanceolate-oblong in shape, although they taper abruptly above their narrow bases. Just above their narrow bases, the tepals have 2 conspicuous glands that are yellow, green, or yellowish green. These glands secrete nectar. With age, the corollas become green or brownish purple. The flowers are replaced by ovoid-lanceoloid seed capsules up to 18 mm. (2/3") long. These capsules divide into 3 parts to release their seeds; each capsule contains 12 or more seeds. Individual seeds are 5-8 mm. long and about one-half as much across; they are straw-colored and somewhat irregular in shape. The root system is fibrous, short-rhizomatous, and relatively shallow. Clonal offsets can develop from the short rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, wet to moist conditions, and fertile soil. Some standing water is tolerated if it is temporary. Several years of development are required before individual plants begin to flower.
Range & Habitat: The native Virginia Bunch-Flower occurs primarily in west-central Illinois, where it is rare and state-listed as 'threatened' (see Distribution Map). At one time, this plant was more common, but habitat destruction has resulted in population losses in several counties. In Illinois, habitats consist of damp prairies, especially along railroads, and wet ground along the bases of bluffs (these are often seeps). Outside of Illinois, Virginia Bunch-Flower has been found in open bottomland woodlands, damp meadows, swamps, marshes, fens, floating bogs, and roadside ditches. This conservative species is largely restricted to high quality habitats. To maintain populations of this plant within the state, cultivated plants should be used in prairie restorations.
Faunal Associations: Mostly flies and beetles visit the flowers of this plant, where they feed on the easy-to-access nectar, although some insect species may also feed on pollen. These floral visitors include Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, blow flies (Lucilia spp.), Muscid flies, Anthomyiid flies, weevils, tumbling flower beetles, and flower scarab beetles. Some bees and wasps may also visit the flowers (Robertson, 1929). Because the foliage and roots of Virginia Bunch-Flower contain highly toxic alkaloids, they are not normally eaten by mammalian herbivores. This plant is especially poisonous to horses (Georgia, 1913).
Photographic Location: A prairie or sedge meadow at a nature preserve in Fayette County, Illinois. The photographs were taken by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2016).
Comments: Another species in the same genus, Melanthium woodii (Wood's Bunch-Flower), is a woodland species with wider leaves and reddish brown (maroon) flowers. The tepals of its flowers do not abruptly contract near their bases. Because of these differences, it is relatively easy to distinguish Wood's Bunch-Flower from Virginia Bunch-Flower. While there are other white-flowered Melanthium spp., they do not occur in Illinois. Some taxonomists prefer to merge the Melanthium genus with the Veratrum genus. When this happens, Virginia Bunchflower is referred to as Veratrum virginicum. Some taxonomists have divided the Lily family (Liliaceae) into several families, assigning the Melanthium genus to the Bunchflower family (Melanthiaceae). When it is in full bloom, Virginia Bunchflower is very showy and attractive.
At the base of each floral branch (including the pedicels), there is a linear-lanceolate bract up to ½" long that darkens and withers away with age. The pedicels (basal stalklets) of the flowers are about ¼–¾" long. Individual flowers are about ¾–1" across. Each flower has a white corolla with 6 spreading tepals, 6 stamens with white filaments, 3 white styles, and a light greenish yellow ovary. Individual tepals are lanceolate-oblong in shape, although they taper abruptly above their narrow bases. Just above their narrow bases, the tepals have 2 conspicuous glands that are yellow, green, or yellowish green. These glands secrete nectar. With age, the corollas become green or brownish purple. The flowers are replaced by ovoid-lanceoloid seed capsules up to 18 mm. (2/3") long. These capsules divide into 3 parts to release their seeds; each capsule contains 12 or more seeds. Individual seeds are 5-8 mm. long and about one-half as much across; they are straw-colored and somewhat irregular in shape. The root system is fibrous, short-rhizomatous, and relatively shallow. Clonal offsets can develop from the short rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, wet to moist conditions, and fertile soil. Some standing water is tolerated if it is temporary. Several years of development are required before individual plants begin to flower.
Range & Habitat: The native Virginia Bunch-Flower occurs primarily in west-central Illinois, where it is rare and state-listed as 'threatened' (see Distribution Map). At one time, this plant was more common, but habitat destruction has resulted in population losses in several counties. In Illinois, habitats consist of damp prairies, especially along railroads, and wet ground along the bases of bluffs (these are often seeps). Outside of Illinois, Virginia Bunch-Flower has been found in open bottomland woodlands, damp meadows, swamps, marshes, fens, floating bogs, and roadside ditches. This conservative species is largely restricted to high quality habitats. To maintain populations of this plant within the state, cultivated plants should be used in prairie restorations.
Faunal Associations: Mostly flies and beetles visit the flowers of this plant, where they feed on the easy-to-access nectar, although some insect species may also feed on pollen. These floral visitors include Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, blow flies (Lucilia spp.), Muscid flies, Anthomyiid flies, weevils, tumbling flower beetles, and flower scarab beetles. Some bees and wasps may also visit the flowers (Robertson, 1929). Because the foliage and roots of Virginia Bunch-Flower contain highly toxic alkaloids, they are not normally eaten by mammalian herbivores. This plant is especially poisonous to horses (Georgia, 1913).
Photographic Location: A prairie or sedge meadow at a nature preserve in Fayette County, Illinois. The photographs were taken by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2016).
Comments: Another species in the same genus, Melanthium woodii (Wood's Bunch-Flower), is a woodland species with wider leaves and reddish brown (maroon) flowers. The tepals of its flowers do not abruptly contract near their bases. Because of these differences, it is relatively easy to distinguish Wood's Bunch-Flower from Virginia Bunch-Flower. While there are other white-flowered Melanthium spp., they do not occur in Illinois. Some taxonomists prefer to merge the Melanthium genus with the Veratrum genus. When this happens, Virginia Bunchflower is referred to as Veratrum virginicum. Some taxonomists have divided the Lily family (Liliaceae) into several families, assigning the Melanthium genus to the Bunchflower family (Melanthiaceae). When it is in full bloom, Virginia Bunchflower is very showy and attractive.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月22日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 1-2' tall and more or less erect. Initially, it consists of a rosette of leaves that are rather angular and orbicular. Later, a central stem develops that is 4-angled and smooth. The opposite leaves are up to 5" long and ¾" across. They are lanceolate or narrowly ovate, and often fold upward along the length of the central vein. Their margins are usually smooth (although sometimes ciliate), and there are no hairs, except toward the base of each leaf. These leaves are sessile against the stem, or they have short petioles with a few coarse hairs. The uppermost leaves at the top of a plant are usually whorled. The underside of each leaf is light or whitish green, but eventually becomes darker with age. There are a few short side stems in the upper half of the plant. From 1-4 nodding flowers develop from the upper axils of the leaves, each with its own pedicel. Each flower is about ¾" across, with 5 narrowly triangular green sepals, 5 yellow petals, and 5 yellowish orange stamens. The petals are well-rounded, but their outer edges are often ragged and may have conspicuous tips. Toward the center of the flower, there is a patch of orange surrounding the upper portion of the pistil. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer and lasts about a month. There is no noticeable fragrance. The flowers are replaced by spheroid capsules with slender spike-like tips. A fully developed capsule is about the same heighth as the surrounding sepals. The root system consists of a taproot and rhizomes that form little plantlets. This plant often forms small colonies by means of vegetative reproduction.
Cultivation: The preference is partial to full sun, and moist to mesic conditions. This plant usually grows in a loam or clay-loam soil, but it can tolerate soil with sandy or rocky material as well. The foliage is rarely bothered by disease; occasionally insects nibble the edges of the leaves.
Range & Habitat: The native Lance-Leaved Loosestrife occurs in most areas of Illinois, except for a few north-central counties and scattered counties elsewhere (see Distribution Map). Although widely distributed, it is an occasional plant. Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, open woodlands, thickets, swamps, gravelly seeps, limestone glades, and old fields with hardpan clay or sandy soil.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of the Lysimachia spp. (Yellow-Flowered Loosestrifes) are unusual in that they produce a floral oil, rather than nectar. Because of this, they attract the short-tongued Melittid bee, Macropsis steironematis. This oligolectic bee collects both the floral oil and pollen and forms a pollen-ball that becomes the food of its developing bee-larvae. Otherwise, the flowers attract few insects, except for the occasional visitor seeking pollen from the anthers. Information about Lance-Leaved Loosestrife's relation to birds and mammals does not appear to be readily accessible at the present time.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the Prospect Cemetery Prairie in Ford County, Illinois, where there was a small colony of plants growing in mesic black soil prairie.
Comments: This plant would be more attractive to humans if the flowers did not hang downward. The nodding characteristic of some flowers is often a sign that the primary pollinators are bees, which are more willing to hang upside down on the protruding structures of a flower in order to obtain whatever food source they are seeking. This characteristic may also protect the nectar or floral oil from rainfall. Lance-Leaved Loosestrife can be distinguished from other loosestrifes primarily by its opposite leaves, which are sessile or have very short petioles. The height of the mature seed capsules is about the same as the height of the surrounding calyx segments, while in other Lysimachia spp. they are often unequal. The species Lysimachia hybrida, which used to be considered a variety of Lance-Leaved Loosestrife, has a similar appearance. However, Lysimachia hybrida is supposed to have somewhat longer petioles, somewhat broader leaves, and the undersides of its leaves are green rather than light or whitish green, even in younger leaves.
Cultivation: The preference is partial to full sun, and moist to mesic conditions. This plant usually grows in a loam or clay-loam soil, but it can tolerate soil with sandy or rocky material as well. The foliage is rarely bothered by disease; occasionally insects nibble the edges of the leaves.
Range & Habitat: The native Lance-Leaved Loosestrife occurs in most areas of Illinois, except for a few north-central counties and scattered counties elsewhere (see Distribution Map). Although widely distributed, it is an occasional plant. Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, open woodlands, thickets, swamps, gravelly seeps, limestone glades, and old fields with hardpan clay or sandy soil.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of the Lysimachia spp. (Yellow-Flowered Loosestrifes) are unusual in that they produce a floral oil, rather than nectar. Because of this, they attract the short-tongued Melittid bee, Macropsis steironematis. This oligolectic bee collects both the floral oil and pollen and forms a pollen-ball that becomes the food of its developing bee-larvae. Otherwise, the flowers attract few insects, except for the occasional visitor seeking pollen from the anthers. Information about Lance-Leaved Loosestrife's relation to birds and mammals does not appear to be readily accessible at the present time.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the Prospect Cemetery Prairie in Ford County, Illinois, where there was a small colony of plants growing in mesic black soil prairie.
Comments: This plant would be more attractive to humans if the flowers did not hang downward. The nodding characteristic of some flowers is often a sign that the primary pollinators are bees, which are more willing to hang upside down on the protruding structures of a flower in order to obtain whatever food source they are seeking. This characteristic may also protect the nectar or floral oil from rainfall. Lance-Leaved Loosestrife can be distinguished from other loosestrifes primarily by its opposite leaves, which are sessile or have very short petioles. The height of the mature seed capsules is about the same as the height of the surrounding calyx segments, while in other Lysimachia spp. they are often unequal. The species Lysimachia hybrida, which used to be considered a variety of Lance-Leaved Loosestrife, has a similar appearance. However, Lysimachia hybrida is supposed to have somewhat longer petioles, somewhat broader leaves, and the undersides of its leaves are green rather than light or whitish green, even in younger leaves.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月22日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 1-2½' tall and compactly branched. The stems are light green to reddish green, angular or terete, and canescent-hairy. Alternate compound leaves occur along the stems; individual leaves are palmate with 7-11 leaflets. Individual leaflets are 1-2½" long and oblanceolate in shape; their margins are smooth and ciliate. The upper surface of the leaflets is medium green and hairless, while the lower surface is pale green. Each compound leaf has a long ascending petiole about 1-4" long that is light green to reddish green. The stems, petioles, and leaf undersides are sparsely to moderately canescent-hairy. The upper stems terminate in narrow racemes of flowers about 4-10" long. The flowering stalks are light green to reddish purple. Individual flowers are about ¾" long, consisting of 5 blue-violet petals (rarely white or pink), a tubular calyx with large lobes, several stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The petals have a pea-like floral structure, consisting of a large upper banner and 2 wings that project forward to enclose the keel. The lateral edges of the banner fold backward from its center; as a flower ages, the center of the banner becomes more white. The calyx is light green to reddish purple. The slender pedicels of the flowers are up to ½" long. The flowering stalks, calyces, and pedicels are sparsely to moderately canescent-hairy. At the base of each flower, there is a linear-lanceolate floral bract that soon withers away.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 1 month for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by elongated seedpods about 1¼-2" long and canescent-hairy. Each seedpod contains about 7 seeds, which can be ejected several feet away from the mother plant. The root system consists of a taproot with rhizomes. Reproduction is by seed and vegetative clones from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic soil containing sand or sandy loam. The root system can fix nitrogen into the soil. The seeds should be scarified to facilitate germination. Individual plants can be short-lived or long-lived, depending on environmental conditions.
Range & Habitat: Wild Lupine is an uncommon native wildflower that is found in NE Illinois and other northern areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Because of habitat destruction and fire suppression, populations of this wildflower have declined. Habitats include sand prairies, openings in sandy woodlands, sandy savannas, edges of sandy woodlands, stabilized sand dunes, and powerline clearances in sandy areas. Dominant canopy trees in some of these habitats are either oaks (especially Black Oak) or pines.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by honeybees, bumblebees, digger bees (Synhalonia spp.), Mason bees (Osmia spp.), and other long-tongued bees. Other floral visitors include Halictid bees and bee flies. Only pollen is available as a floral reward, which is forcibly ejected into the faces of such insect visitors. Occasionally, the Karner Blue and other butterflies visit the flowers, searching in vain for nectar. Several insects feed on the foliage and other parts of Wild Lupine. These insect feeders include caterpillars of the butterflies Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue) and Callophrys irus (Frosted Elfin), and caterpillars of the skippers Erynnis baptisiae (Wild Indigo Duskywing) and Erynnis persius (Persius Duskywing). The caterpillars of several moths also feed on Wild Lupine: Caenurgina crassiuscula (Clover Looper), Grammia phyllira (Phyllira Tiger Moth), Grammia placentia (Placentia Tiger Moth), Utetheisa bella (Bella Moth), and Walshia miscecolorella (Sweet Clover Root Borer). Other insects feeders include Empoasca fabae (Potato Leafhopper), Hadronema militaris (Military Plant Bug), and seed-eating larvae of the weevil Apion minor. The foliage is toxic to sheep and horses, however deer, rabbits, and woodchucks occasionally browse on Wild Lupine.
Photographic Location: A wooded sand dune at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: This is the only lupine that is native to Illinois; species in this genus are more abundant in the western United States. Wild Lupine is readily distinguished from Baptisia spp. (Wild Indigos) and other similar species in the Bean family by the abundant leaflets of its palmate leaves (7-11 per leaf). Other similar species in Illinois have either trifoliate leaves (3 leaflets per compound leaf) or pinnate compound leaves. Both the flowers and foliage of Wild Lupine are quite attractive. Another common name of this species is Sundial Lupine, because the palmate leaves orient themselves in the direction of the sun.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 1 month for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by elongated seedpods about 1¼-2" long and canescent-hairy. Each seedpod contains about 7 seeds, which can be ejected several feet away from the mother plant. The root system consists of a taproot with rhizomes. Reproduction is by seed and vegetative clones from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic soil containing sand or sandy loam. The root system can fix nitrogen into the soil. The seeds should be scarified to facilitate germination. Individual plants can be short-lived or long-lived, depending on environmental conditions.
Range & Habitat: Wild Lupine is an uncommon native wildflower that is found in NE Illinois and other northern areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Because of habitat destruction and fire suppression, populations of this wildflower have declined. Habitats include sand prairies, openings in sandy woodlands, sandy savannas, edges of sandy woodlands, stabilized sand dunes, and powerline clearances in sandy areas. Dominant canopy trees in some of these habitats are either oaks (especially Black Oak) or pines.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by honeybees, bumblebees, digger bees (Synhalonia spp.), Mason bees (Osmia spp.), and other long-tongued bees. Other floral visitors include Halictid bees and bee flies. Only pollen is available as a floral reward, which is forcibly ejected into the faces of such insect visitors. Occasionally, the Karner Blue and other butterflies visit the flowers, searching in vain for nectar. Several insects feed on the foliage and other parts of Wild Lupine. These insect feeders include caterpillars of the butterflies Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue) and Callophrys irus (Frosted Elfin), and caterpillars of the skippers Erynnis baptisiae (Wild Indigo Duskywing) and Erynnis persius (Persius Duskywing). The caterpillars of several moths also feed on Wild Lupine: Caenurgina crassiuscula (Clover Looper), Grammia phyllira (Phyllira Tiger Moth), Grammia placentia (Placentia Tiger Moth), Utetheisa bella (Bella Moth), and Walshia miscecolorella (Sweet Clover Root Borer). Other insects feeders include Empoasca fabae (Potato Leafhopper), Hadronema militaris (Military Plant Bug), and seed-eating larvae of the weevil Apion minor. The foliage is toxic to sheep and horses, however deer, rabbits, and woodchucks occasionally browse on Wild Lupine.
Photographic Location: A wooded sand dune at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: This is the only lupine that is native to Illinois; species in this genus are more abundant in the western United States. Wild Lupine is readily distinguished from Baptisia spp. (Wild Indigos) and other similar species in the Bean family by the abundant leaflets of its palmate leaves (7-11 per leaf). Other similar species in Illinois have either trifoliate leaves (3 leaflets per compound leaf) or pinnate compound leaves. Both the flowers and foliage of Wild Lupine are quite attractive. Another common name of this species is Sundial Lupine, because the palmate leaves orient themselves in the direction of the sun.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月22日
Description: This perennial plant is ¾–2¼' tall and unbranched. It tends to be short-lived. The central stem is often ridged or angular near the inflorescence. The sessile alternate leaves occur primarily along the lower half of the stem, and are up to 3½" long and 1" across. They are usually lanceolate or narrowly ovate, but are sometimes wider at the tip than the base. Their margins often have widely spaced teeth, but are sometimes smooth. The inflorescence consists of a long spike of flowers about 3-12" in length. The flowers are light blue or white, and about 1/3" (8 mm.) across. Each flower has a smaller upper lip that is divided into 2 lobes, and a larger lower lip that is divided into 3 lobes. There is a purple or dark blue stigma that is strongly exerted from the upper part of the corolla tube, and bends downward at its tip. The base of the flower consists of a tubular calyx with 5 teeth. Sometimes tiny appendages (0-4 mm. in length) occur between the teeth of the calyx. The blooming period occurs during mid-summer and lasts about a month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Later in the year, the flowers are replaced by seedpods. The latter split open at the top, exposing numerous tiny seeds that are easily carried by occasional gusts of wind. The root system consists of a central taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun and moist to slightly dry conditions. Growth is best when the soil is rich and loamy, but it can also be somewhat rocky. Some of the lower leaves may turn yellow and fall off the stem during a drought. There is also a tendency for this plant to flop over if it is spoiled with too much water or fertilizer and lacks adequate support from adajacent plants. It is necessary to keep the soil consistently moist in order to keep the small seedlings alive.
Range & Habitat: The native Pale-Spiked Lobelia occurs occasionally in the majority of counties in Illinois, but it is less common or absent in the SE portion of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, typical savannas and sandy savannas, moist meadows in woodlands or near rivers, thickets, bluffs, limestone glades, and abandoned fields. This is usually an understory plant whose inflorescence appears among the taller grasses and forbs.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract long-tongued bees primarily, including little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), miner bees (Melissodes spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.), and leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.). Small butterflies and skippers also visit the flowers occasionally, which are probably less effective at pollination. All of these insects seek nectar. The leaves and stems contain a watery white latex that is toxic, therefore most mammalian herbivores are less likely to eat this plant than others. However, deer appear to be somewhat immune to the effects of the toxins in the foliage. The seeds are too small to be of any interest to birds.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Loda Cemetery Prairie in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: With its smaller pale flowers, Pale-Spiked Lobelia is less showy than some of its better known relatives, such as Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) and Lobelia siphilitica (Great Blue Lobelia), but it has better resistance to dry conditions after becoming established. The flowers of these species all share a similar structure, but vary considerably in their size and color. Another species in this genus with small flowers, Lobelia kalmii (Kalm's Lobelia), has more narrow leaves than Pale-Spiked Lobelia. Across different populations of Pale-Spike Lobelia, there is some variability in the color of the flowers, hairiness of the foliage, and the length of the tiny appendages between the calyx teeth.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun and moist to slightly dry conditions. Growth is best when the soil is rich and loamy, but it can also be somewhat rocky. Some of the lower leaves may turn yellow and fall off the stem during a drought. There is also a tendency for this plant to flop over if it is spoiled with too much water or fertilizer and lacks adequate support from adajacent plants. It is necessary to keep the soil consistently moist in order to keep the small seedlings alive.
Range & Habitat: The native Pale-Spiked Lobelia occurs occasionally in the majority of counties in Illinois, but it is less common or absent in the SE portion of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, typical savannas and sandy savannas, moist meadows in woodlands or near rivers, thickets, bluffs, limestone glades, and abandoned fields. This is usually an understory plant whose inflorescence appears among the taller grasses and forbs.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract long-tongued bees primarily, including little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), miner bees (Melissodes spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.), and leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.). Small butterflies and skippers also visit the flowers occasionally, which are probably less effective at pollination. All of these insects seek nectar. The leaves and stems contain a watery white latex that is toxic, therefore most mammalian herbivores are less likely to eat this plant than others. However, deer appear to be somewhat immune to the effects of the toxins in the foliage. The seeds are too small to be of any interest to birds.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Loda Cemetery Prairie in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: With its smaller pale flowers, Pale-Spiked Lobelia is less showy than some of its better known relatives, such as Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) and Lobelia siphilitica (Great Blue Lobelia), but it has better resistance to dry conditions after becoming established. The flowers of these species all share a similar structure, but vary considerably in their size and color. Another species in this genus with small flowers, Lobelia kalmii (Kalm's Lobelia), has more narrow leaves than Pale-Spiked Lobelia. Across different populations of Pale-Spike Lobelia, there is some variability in the color of the flowers, hairiness of the foliage, and the length of the tiny appendages between the calyx teeth.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月22日
野姜花又名姜花,是姜科野姜花属的淡水草本植物,高1-2米,花序为穗状,花萼管状,叶序互生,叶片长狭,两端尖,叶面秃,叶背略带薄毛。不耐寒,喜冬季温暖、夏季湿润环境,抗旱能力差,生长初期宜半阴,生长旺盛期需充足阳光。土壤宜肥沃,保湿力强。野姜花有清新的香味,放于室内可作天然的空气清新器。色泽圆融,一般为白色花朵。盆栽可供观赏,白色花卉如蝴蝶,所以又称蝴蝶姜、白蝴蝶花等。原产亚洲热带,印度和马来西亚的热带地区,大概在清代传入中国。另外,野姜花是古巴和尼加拉瓜的国花。
一、野姜花的生长习性
野姜花是一种淡水草本植物,花朵清新优雅,香气芬芳,是一种十分优良的天然空气清新剂,同时也能作为观赏花卉培育。由于野姜花原产自热带地区,因此比较喜欢高温、高湿的环境,不耐寒。
二、野姜花的养殖方法
1.温度和土壤
因为野姜花本身喜好高温以及高湿的环境,所以要保证生长环境的温度,一般冬天的温度只保持在10℃以上即可。
野姜花对于土壤的要求就是要选择疏松性、排水性良好的肥沃砂质土壤才可以保证其生长所需的营养。
2.水分
野姜花是一种不耐旱的植株,所以在夏季干旱炎热的时候要保持湿润的环境,也要土壤要保持湿润,还要经常往叶子上喷洒水分,保持叶子的湿度。
3.施肥
野姜花在种植的时候就要施基肥,这时可选择一些有生物菌肥,机肥以及磷肥等肥料当作基肥,再施到盆里;等到生长期要适当的进行追肥,大概每隔10天进行一次追肥即可,也要经常在阴雨天向叶面喷洒叶面肥。
三、野姜花养殖的注意事项
1.冬季温度
冬季的时候要注意温度要保持在10℃以上,以免冻伤。平时也要保证高温多湿。
2.光照强度
野姜花喜好温暖,所以在生长期可以保持足够的光照,使野姜花能够更好的生长。
3.施肥频率
野姜花的施肥频率主要是要注意生长期的施肥时间和次数,生长期通常每10天施一次肥,时间一般选择在晴朗的早晨为宜。
以上就是为大家带来的野姜花的养殖方法和注意事项的介绍,野姜花除了能净化空气外,它的根茎果实还是一种良好的中药材,野姜花本身又是一种良好的观赏花卉,还能在插花中作为切花使用,更是一种绿色保健的食用蔬菜,可谓一花多用,喜欢的朋友不妨在家中种上几朵哟!
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Miss Chen
2018年01月21日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 1-2½' tall and usually unbranched, except toward the apex where the flowers occur. Often a cluster of leafy stems originate from the same taproot. The rather stout stems are light green, very hairy, and either terete or shallowly grooved. Along each stem, there are 12 or more alternate leaves that are ascending to widely spreading. Individual leaves are 1½-3" long, ¼-¾" across, pale green to dark green, and sessile; they are narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate with margins that are toothless and ciliate. Both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves are hairy.
The upper stems terminate in curved racemes of flowers, forming together a flat-headed cluster of flowers. Each flower is about ¾" across, consisting of a yellow to orange-yellow corolla with 5 large rounded lobes, a green hairy calyx with 5 linear-lanceolate teeth, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with an inserted style. The tubular corolla has a narrow throat with widely spreading lobes; it is minutely hairy just below the opening of the throat. On some plants, the flowers have long stamens and short styles, while the flowers of other plants have short stamens and long styles. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 4 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, each flower is replaced by 4 shiny white nutlets (or sometimes fewer) that are visible from above. They are distributed by gravity and usually remain near the mother plant. The root system consists of a short stout taproot that is red to reddish purple. This wildflower reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, dry-mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil. Because the nutlets are difficult to germinate and transplants often fail, this wildflower is not widely available from nurseries, and as a result it is rarely cultivated.
Range & Habitat: The native Hairy Puccoon is occasional in sandy areas of central and northern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open sandy woodlands, sandy savannas, upland sand prairies, sandy hill prairies, sand dunes along Lake Michigan, and sandy embankments along roads and railroads. Occasional disturbance from wildfires and other sources is beneficial if it reduces competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The showy flowers are cross-pollinated by such butterflies and skippers as Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue) and Poanes hobomok (Hobomok Skipper). The larvae of a long-horned beetle, Hemierana marginata ardens, feed on native Lithospermum spp. (puccoons), probably by boring through the stems or roots. The adults of this beetle mimic fireflies (Lampyridae), probably because of the latter's unpalatability to birds and other predators. The caterpillars of Ethmia longimaculella (Streaked Ethmia Moth) and Ethmia fuscipedella (Gray Ethmia Moth) are known to feed on native puccoons as well. The latter moth is also referred to as Ethmia monticola fuscipedella. White-Tailed Deer occasionally browse on Hairy Puccoon.
Photographic Location: A sandy savanna at the Oak Openings Nature Preserve in NW Ohio, and a stabilized sand dune with scattered oak trees at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: The flowers of this wildflower are very showy and brilliantly colored – they can be seen from a considerable distance. Hairy Puccoon is one of three native puccoons (Lithospermum spp.) in Illinois. It can be distinguished from Hoary Puccoon (Lithospermum canescens) by its larger flowers, rough hairs on its foliage, and somewhat greater height. Hoary Puccoon has an abundance of hairs on its foliage, but they have a softer texture. The remaining native species, Fringed Puccoon (Lithospermum incisum), has flowers with fringed lobes, rather than rounded lobes. This latter species also has more narrow leaves. There are some Lithospermum spp. from Eurasia in Illinois, but none of them have the showy yellow to orange-yellow flowers of the native puccoons. Sometimes the scientific name of Hairy Puccoon is spelled Lithospermum carolinense. The specimens of Hairy Puccoon in Illinois (and Ohio) are considered examples of a northern variety of this species, Lithospermum caroliniense croceum. Some authors (e.g., Mohlenbrock, 2014) prefer to treat this variety as a distinct species, Lithospermum croceum, but this viewpoint is not widely accepted at the present time.
The upper stems terminate in curved racemes of flowers, forming together a flat-headed cluster of flowers. Each flower is about ¾" across, consisting of a yellow to orange-yellow corolla with 5 large rounded lobes, a green hairy calyx with 5 linear-lanceolate teeth, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with an inserted style. The tubular corolla has a narrow throat with widely spreading lobes; it is minutely hairy just below the opening of the throat. On some plants, the flowers have long stamens and short styles, while the flowers of other plants have short stamens and long styles. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 4 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, each flower is replaced by 4 shiny white nutlets (or sometimes fewer) that are visible from above. They are distributed by gravity and usually remain near the mother plant. The root system consists of a short stout taproot that is red to reddish purple. This wildflower reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, dry-mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil. Because the nutlets are difficult to germinate and transplants often fail, this wildflower is not widely available from nurseries, and as a result it is rarely cultivated.
Range & Habitat: The native Hairy Puccoon is occasional in sandy areas of central and northern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open sandy woodlands, sandy savannas, upland sand prairies, sandy hill prairies, sand dunes along Lake Michigan, and sandy embankments along roads and railroads. Occasional disturbance from wildfires and other sources is beneficial if it reduces competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The showy flowers are cross-pollinated by such butterflies and skippers as Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue) and Poanes hobomok (Hobomok Skipper). The larvae of a long-horned beetle, Hemierana marginata ardens, feed on native Lithospermum spp. (puccoons), probably by boring through the stems or roots. The adults of this beetle mimic fireflies (Lampyridae), probably because of the latter's unpalatability to birds and other predators. The caterpillars of Ethmia longimaculella (Streaked Ethmia Moth) and Ethmia fuscipedella (Gray Ethmia Moth) are known to feed on native puccoons as well. The latter moth is also referred to as Ethmia monticola fuscipedella. White-Tailed Deer occasionally browse on Hairy Puccoon.
Photographic Location: A sandy savanna at the Oak Openings Nature Preserve in NW Ohio, and a stabilized sand dune with scattered oak trees at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: The flowers of this wildflower are very showy and brilliantly colored – they can be seen from a considerable distance. Hairy Puccoon is one of three native puccoons (Lithospermum spp.) in Illinois. It can be distinguished from Hoary Puccoon (Lithospermum canescens) by its larger flowers, rough hairs on its foliage, and somewhat greater height. Hoary Puccoon has an abundance of hairs on its foliage, but they have a softer texture. The remaining native species, Fringed Puccoon (Lithospermum incisum), has flowers with fringed lobes, rather than rounded lobes. This latter species also has more narrow leaves. There are some Lithospermum spp. from Eurasia in Illinois, but none of them have the showy yellow to orange-yellow flowers of the native puccoons. Sometimes the scientific name of Hairy Puccoon is spelled Lithospermum carolinense. The specimens of Hairy Puccoon in Illinois (and Ohio) are considered examples of a northern variety of this species, Lithospermum caroliniense croceum. Some authors (e.g., Mohlenbrock, 2014) prefer to treat this variety as a distinct species, Lithospermum croceum, but this viewpoint is not widely accepted at the present time.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月21日
Description: This annual herbaceous plant is ½–2' tall. It is usually unbranched below, becoming branched above, especially where the inflorescence occurs. The central stem and any lateral stems are light to medium green, terete, shallowly furrowed, and minutely hairy along the narrow ridges between the furrows. Toward the bottom of the central stem there are usually pairs of opposite leaves, while the central stem and any lateral stems have alternate leaves above. Relative to the orientation of the central stem and any lateral stems, the blades of these leaves are ascending to erect. In addition, the leaves are ¼–1" (6-25 mm.) long and 1-3 mm. (equal to or less than 1/8" across) wide; they are linear or linear-oblong in shape, toothless along their margins, and sessile. At the base of most leaves, there is a pair of glands that resemble a pair of tiny brown dots. The upper and lower surfaces of the leaves are light to medium green and hairless; sometimes they are also glaucous, especially on their lower surface. The central stem and any lateral stems terminate in panicles of flowers with ascending primary and secondary branches. These branches are similar to the stems, except they are sometimes more angular. The pedicels of the flowers are 1-5 mm. long and similar to the branches of the inflorescence, except they are shorter and more slender. Where the branches and pedicels diverge, there are often scale-like bracts up to 5 mm. long that are green and lanceolate in shape with hair-like teeth along their margins.
Individual flowers occur at the tips of the pedicels; usually only one or a few flowers bloom at the same time. Each flower is about ½" (13 mm.) across and ½" (13 mm.) long, consisting of 5 yellow petals, 5 green sepals, 5 stamens with yellow anthers, and an ovary with 5 styles that are joined together below. The petals are oblanceolate or obovate in shape with several fine translucent veins that originate from the throat of the flower; the petals are strongly ascending below and widely spreading above when they are fully open. The sepals are lanceolate in shape with hair-like glandular teeth along their margins; each sepal has a pale green longitudinal band in the middle and narrow pale green margins, otherwise it is medium green. The sepals are about one-third as long as the petals. The blooming period occurs during the summer for 1-2 months. Each flower remains in bloom for a single day, after which the petals fall off. The flowers are replaced by ovoid-globoid seed capsules that become dark brown at maturity; these capsules are surrounded by the persistant sepals. Individuals capsules split open later in the year into 10 sections to release their seeds (there is a single seed per section). The seeds are about 1.5–2 mm. long, reddish brown, ellipsoid in shape, and somewhat flattened. The root system consists of a slender taproot with secondary fibrous roots. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and a barren soil containing gravelly clay or sand. Plants that are spoiled with fertile soil and too much water may topple over as they mature.
Range & Habitat: In Illinois, the native Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum) occurs primarily in northern and western Illinois, where it is uncommon, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). This plant occurs primarily in the Midwestern area of the United States, although widely scattered populations also occur further to the east and southeast. Habitats include gravel hill prairies, gravel prairies, gravelly slopes along rivers, loess hill prairies, sandy hill prairies, upland sand prairies, and limestone glades. Depending on the time of year, occasional wildfires can be beneficial in maintaining populations of this species. Grooved Yellow Flax occurs in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract bumblebees, long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), and metallic wood-boring beetles (Acmaeodera spp.); see Smith et al. (2012) and MacRae (1991) for more information. These insects probably feed on nectar and/or pollen. Like many other Flax species (Linum spp.), the foliage and seeds of Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum) contain toxic cyanogenic compounds that deter their consumption by herbivores. Sheep are thought to be especially susceptible to these toxic compounds (Ninnescah Life, 2017).
Photographic Location: A gravel hill prairie at Lake in the Hills Fen Nature Preserve in McHenry County, Illinois.
Comments: Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum) is the only native Flax (Linum) in Illinois that is an annual; other species are perennials. Unlike the blue-flowered Flax species that are not native to the state, all of the native Flax species have yellow flowers and they are similar in appearance. Grooved Yellow Flax can be distinguished by the pair of glandular brown dots that appear at the base of most leaves; other native species of Flax lack them. Similarly, the stems of this species have shallow longitudinal grooves that are separated by narrow ridges with minute whitish hairs; other native Flax species have simple terete stems. In addition, the sepals of the flowers of Grooved Yellow Flax have hair-like glandular teeth along their margins, while the sepals of other native species of Flax are toothless. The sepals of Grooved Yellow Flax also persist around the seed capsules, even when the latter are mature. In contrast, the sepals of other native Flax species fall from the flowers before their seed capsules become mature. Grooved Yellow Flax also prefers dry barren habitats, such as gravel hill prairies and sandy hill prairies, to a greater extent than other native Flax species.
Individual flowers occur at the tips of the pedicels; usually only one or a few flowers bloom at the same time. Each flower is about ½" (13 mm.) across and ½" (13 mm.) long, consisting of 5 yellow petals, 5 green sepals, 5 stamens with yellow anthers, and an ovary with 5 styles that are joined together below. The petals are oblanceolate or obovate in shape with several fine translucent veins that originate from the throat of the flower; the petals are strongly ascending below and widely spreading above when they are fully open. The sepals are lanceolate in shape with hair-like glandular teeth along their margins; each sepal has a pale green longitudinal band in the middle and narrow pale green margins, otherwise it is medium green. The sepals are about one-third as long as the petals. The blooming period occurs during the summer for 1-2 months. Each flower remains in bloom for a single day, after which the petals fall off. The flowers are replaced by ovoid-globoid seed capsules that become dark brown at maturity; these capsules are surrounded by the persistant sepals. Individuals capsules split open later in the year into 10 sections to release their seeds (there is a single seed per section). The seeds are about 1.5–2 mm. long, reddish brown, ellipsoid in shape, and somewhat flattened. The root system consists of a slender taproot with secondary fibrous roots. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and a barren soil containing gravelly clay or sand. Plants that are spoiled with fertile soil and too much water may topple over as they mature.
Range & Habitat: In Illinois, the native Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum) occurs primarily in northern and western Illinois, where it is uncommon, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). This plant occurs primarily in the Midwestern area of the United States, although widely scattered populations also occur further to the east and southeast. Habitats include gravel hill prairies, gravel prairies, gravelly slopes along rivers, loess hill prairies, sandy hill prairies, upland sand prairies, and limestone glades. Depending on the time of year, occasional wildfires can be beneficial in maintaining populations of this species. Grooved Yellow Flax occurs in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract bumblebees, long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), and metallic wood-boring beetles (Acmaeodera spp.); see Smith et al. (2012) and MacRae (1991) for more information. These insects probably feed on nectar and/or pollen. Like many other Flax species (Linum spp.), the foliage and seeds of Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum) contain toxic cyanogenic compounds that deter their consumption by herbivores. Sheep are thought to be especially susceptible to these toxic compounds (Ninnescah Life, 2017).
Photographic Location: A gravel hill prairie at Lake in the Hills Fen Nature Preserve in McHenry County, Illinois.
Comments: Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum) is the only native Flax (Linum) in Illinois that is an annual; other species are perennials. Unlike the blue-flowered Flax species that are not native to the state, all of the native Flax species have yellow flowers and they are similar in appearance. Grooved Yellow Flax can be distinguished by the pair of glandular brown dots that appear at the base of most leaves; other native species of Flax lack them. Similarly, the stems of this species have shallow longitudinal grooves that are separated by narrow ridges with minute whitish hairs; other native Flax species have simple terete stems. In addition, the sepals of the flowers of Grooved Yellow Flax have hair-like glandular teeth along their margins, while the sepals of other native species of Flax are toothless. The sepals of Grooved Yellow Flax also persist around the seed capsules, even when the latter are mature. In contrast, the sepals of other native Flax species fall from the flowers before their seed capsules become mature. Grooved Yellow Flax also prefers dry barren habitats, such as gravel hill prairies and sandy hill prairies, to a greater extent than other native Flax species.
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