文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月05日
Description: This perennial herbaceous plant is up to 3½' tall, but it is usually only 1¼–2½' tall. Smooth Ground Cherry branches frequently, creating a bushy appearance. Some of the lower branches may sprawl along the ground, otherwise they are ascending. The stems are light green or light purplish green, more or less angular, and glabrous to sparsely short-pubescent. Leaves occur throughout the length of these stems; they are alternate to nearly opposite. The leaves are up to 5" long and 3" across, although they are usually closer to one-half of this size; they are yellowish green to dark green and broadly lanceolate to oval-ovate in shape. The leaf margins are entire (toothless) and often slightly undulate; sometimes they have 1-2 shallow rounded lobes. The leaf bases are rounded and often oblique (one-half of a leaf base extending lower than the other). The upper leaf surface is glabrous or nearly so. The lower leaf surface is also glabrous or nearly so, except along the undersides of the major veins, where it is short-pubescent. Leaf venation is pinnate with slightly incurved lateral veins. The petioles are ¼–¾" long, light green, and glabrous to sparsely short-pubescent. Solitary drooping flowers develop from the axils of the middle to upper leaves, especially where the stems dichotomously branch. The slender pedicels of these flowers are ¾–1" long, light green to light purplish green, and sparsely short-pubescent.
Each flower is about ¾" long and similarly across when it is fully open, consisting of a pale yellow corolla with 5 very shallow lobes, a green calyx with 5 deltate-cordate teeth, 5 stamens with yellow or purplish yellow anthers, and a pistil. The interior of the corolla has 5 purplish brown patches that surround the reproductive organs. The calyx has 5 vertical ridges that are sparsely short-pubescent, otherwise it is glabrous. Each lobe of the corolla is slightly pointed in the middle. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 1½ months. Buds, flowers, and fruits can be found simultaneously on mature plants. The flowers are replaced by husked fruits that are about 1" long, 1" across or a little less, and obcordoid-globoid in shape. The husks of these fruits are initially light green, but they later become tan-colored and papery; each husk has 10 fine vertical ridges that are light green to purple. The husks are rounded and slightly indented where they join the pedicels, while their tips are pointed. Each husk contains a single berry. At maturity, the berries are about ½" across, yellow, smooth, and globoid in shape; they have fleshy interiors that contain many seeds. The small flattened seeds are 1.5–2 mm. long and a little less across; they are pale yellow and short-reniform in shape. The root system is rhizomatous, from which clonal offsets develop.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and soil consisting of fertile loam. The lower leaves may turn yellow, or the entire plant may droop, in conditions that are too dry. This weedy species is easy to grow and sometimes it becomes aggressive.
Range & Habitat: The native Smooth Ground Cherry is common in most counties of Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent in parts of southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include disturbed areas of black soil prairies, weedy meadows, disturbed open woodlands, thickets, areas along railroads, roadsides, abandoned fields and pastures, gardens and yards, and waste ground. Areas with a history of disturbance are preferred.
Faunal Associations: Halictid bees (including green metallic bees), plasterer bees (Colletes spp.) and other short-tongued bees visit the flowers for nectar and pollen (Robertson, 1929). Some of these bees are specialist pollinators (oligoleges) of ground cherries (Physalis spp.); they include two plasterer bees, Colletes latitarsis and Colletes willistoni, and a dagger bee, Perdita halictoides. Other insects feed destructively on these plants. These insect feeders consist primarily of various leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae), including Lemma daturaphila (Three-lined Potato Beetle), Lema trivittata (Three-striped Potato Beetle), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Colorado Potato Beetle), Leptinotarsa juncta (False Potato Beetle), Plagiometriona clavata (Clavate Tortoise Beetle), Epitrix cucumeris (Potato Flea Beetle), Epitrix fuscula (Eggplant Flea Beetle), Epitrix hirtipennis (Tobacco Flea Beetle), and other Epitrix spp. (flea beetles) that are attracted to the Solanaceae (Clark et al., 2004). Generally, the adults of these beetles feed on foliage, while the larvae feed on either roots or foliage. The larvae of some moths also feed on ground cherries. The larvae of a Noctuid moth, Heliothis subflexus (Subflexus Straw), feed on the fruits of these plants, while the larvae of Heliothis virescens (Tobacco Budworm) feed on the buds, flowers, and fruits. The larvae of two Sphinx moths, Manduca quinquemaculata (Tomato Hornworm) and Manduca sexta (Tobacco Hornworm), feed primarily on the foliage of these plants, while the larvae of a Gelechiid moth, Aristotelia physaliella, are leaf-miners (Covell, 1984/2005; Wagner, 2005; Needham et al., 1928). Some vertebrate animals eat the fruits of ground cherries, helping to spread the seeds of these plants to new locations. These fruit-eating animals include the Bobwhite Quail, Wild Turkey, Opossum, Striped Skunk, Spotted Skunk, Pine Mouse, White-footed Mouse, Eastern Box Turtle, and Ornate Box Turtle (Martin et al., 1951/1961; Ernst et al., 1994). Like other species in the Nightshade family (Solanaceae), ground cherries have foliage that is bitter-tasting and toxic. As a result, mammalian herbivores avoid its consumption.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's apartment complex in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The various ground cherries (Physalis spp.) can be difficult to distinguish and their taxonomy is somewhat unstable. Smooth Ground Cherry (Physalis subglabrata) is sometimes classified as a distinct species (Mohlenbrock, 2002), and sometimes it is classified as a variety of Physalis virginiana or Physalis longifolia (usually the latter). Compared to other ground cherries, Smooth Ground Cherry has wider leaves that are not significantly lobed and it tends to be a larger plant. It also has less hairy leaves and stems than many ground cherries. After their husks have been removed, the berries of wild ground cherries resemble cherry tomatoes that are yellow or red. One species, the Tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica), is sometimes cultivated as an ingredient in Mexican cuisine. In Illinois, this annual species is sometimes cultivated in gardens, from which it rarely escapes and naturalizes into uncultivated areas. Compared to Smooth Ground Cherry, Tomatillo has slightly larger and showier flowers; the anthers of Tomatillo's flowers are purplish white, rather than yellow or purplish yellow. In addition, the leaves of Tomatillo usually have sharply pointed lobes, while those of Smooth Ground Cherry either lack lobes or their lobes are rounded and shallow.
Each flower is about ¾" long and similarly across when it is fully open, consisting of a pale yellow corolla with 5 very shallow lobes, a green calyx with 5 deltate-cordate teeth, 5 stamens with yellow or purplish yellow anthers, and a pistil. The interior of the corolla has 5 purplish brown patches that surround the reproductive organs. The calyx has 5 vertical ridges that are sparsely short-pubescent, otherwise it is glabrous. Each lobe of the corolla is slightly pointed in the middle. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 1½ months. Buds, flowers, and fruits can be found simultaneously on mature plants. The flowers are replaced by husked fruits that are about 1" long, 1" across or a little less, and obcordoid-globoid in shape. The husks of these fruits are initially light green, but they later become tan-colored and papery; each husk has 10 fine vertical ridges that are light green to purple. The husks are rounded and slightly indented where they join the pedicels, while their tips are pointed. Each husk contains a single berry. At maturity, the berries are about ½" across, yellow, smooth, and globoid in shape; they have fleshy interiors that contain many seeds. The small flattened seeds are 1.5–2 mm. long and a little less across; they are pale yellow and short-reniform in shape. The root system is rhizomatous, from which clonal offsets develop.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and soil consisting of fertile loam. The lower leaves may turn yellow, or the entire plant may droop, in conditions that are too dry. This weedy species is easy to grow and sometimes it becomes aggressive.
Range & Habitat: The native Smooth Ground Cherry is common in most counties of Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent in parts of southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include disturbed areas of black soil prairies, weedy meadows, disturbed open woodlands, thickets, areas along railroads, roadsides, abandoned fields and pastures, gardens and yards, and waste ground. Areas with a history of disturbance are preferred.
Faunal Associations: Halictid bees (including green metallic bees), plasterer bees (Colletes spp.) and other short-tongued bees visit the flowers for nectar and pollen (Robertson, 1929). Some of these bees are specialist pollinators (oligoleges) of ground cherries (Physalis spp.); they include two plasterer bees, Colletes latitarsis and Colletes willistoni, and a dagger bee, Perdita halictoides. Other insects feed destructively on these plants. These insect feeders consist primarily of various leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae), including Lemma daturaphila (Three-lined Potato Beetle), Lema trivittata (Three-striped Potato Beetle), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Colorado Potato Beetle), Leptinotarsa juncta (False Potato Beetle), Plagiometriona clavata (Clavate Tortoise Beetle), Epitrix cucumeris (Potato Flea Beetle), Epitrix fuscula (Eggplant Flea Beetle), Epitrix hirtipennis (Tobacco Flea Beetle), and other Epitrix spp. (flea beetles) that are attracted to the Solanaceae (Clark et al., 2004). Generally, the adults of these beetles feed on foliage, while the larvae feed on either roots or foliage. The larvae of some moths also feed on ground cherries. The larvae of a Noctuid moth, Heliothis subflexus (Subflexus Straw), feed on the fruits of these plants, while the larvae of Heliothis virescens (Tobacco Budworm) feed on the buds, flowers, and fruits. The larvae of two Sphinx moths, Manduca quinquemaculata (Tomato Hornworm) and Manduca sexta (Tobacco Hornworm), feed primarily on the foliage of these plants, while the larvae of a Gelechiid moth, Aristotelia physaliella, are leaf-miners (Covell, 1984/2005; Wagner, 2005; Needham et al., 1928). Some vertebrate animals eat the fruits of ground cherries, helping to spread the seeds of these plants to new locations. These fruit-eating animals include the Bobwhite Quail, Wild Turkey, Opossum, Striped Skunk, Spotted Skunk, Pine Mouse, White-footed Mouse, Eastern Box Turtle, and Ornate Box Turtle (Martin et al., 1951/1961; Ernst et al., 1994). Like other species in the Nightshade family (Solanaceae), ground cherries have foliage that is bitter-tasting and toxic. As a result, mammalian herbivores avoid its consumption.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's apartment complex in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The various ground cherries (Physalis spp.) can be difficult to distinguish and their taxonomy is somewhat unstable. Smooth Ground Cherry (Physalis subglabrata) is sometimes classified as a distinct species (Mohlenbrock, 2002), and sometimes it is classified as a variety of Physalis virginiana or Physalis longifolia (usually the latter). Compared to other ground cherries, Smooth Ground Cherry has wider leaves that are not significantly lobed and it tends to be a larger plant. It also has less hairy leaves and stems than many ground cherries. After their husks have been removed, the berries of wild ground cherries resemble cherry tomatoes that are yellow or red. One species, the Tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica), is sometimes cultivated as an ingredient in Mexican cuisine. In Illinois, this annual species is sometimes cultivated in gardens, from which it rarely escapes and naturalizes into uncultivated areas. Compared to Smooth Ground Cherry, Tomatillo has slightly larger and showier flowers; the anthers of Tomatillo's flowers are purplish white, rather than yellow or purplish yellow. In addition, the leaves of Tomatillo usually have sharply pointed lobes, while those of Smooth Ground Cherry either lack lobes or their lobes are rounded and shallow.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月05日
Description: This perennial plant is 1½–2½' tall, branching frequently. The stems are usually round and covered with white hairs. The alternate leaves are whitish or yellowish green, and up to 4" long and 3" across. They are cordate or broadly lanceolate, with a well-rounded base. The leaf margins are horizontally wavy and irregular, and often undulate vertically as well. Both the leaves and their petioles are covered with fine white hairs, and have a rather soft texture. These hairs are sometimes glandular. A single drooping flower appears at the juncture of two divergent stems. It is up to ¾" across, and consists of a spreading tubular corolla that is pale yellow and divided into 5 very shallow lobes. There are 5 brownish purple splotches near the base of the corolla and 5 prominent dull yellow anthers. The pedicels of the flowers exceed 1/5" when fully developed, while the calyx has triangular teeth; they are both covered with fine white hairs. Later, the flowers are replaced by heart-shaped husks that are up to ¾" long, each containing a single fruit. The husk of the fruit is initially green, but later turns brown, and is indented at the base. The spherical fruit is about ½" across and becomes yellow when mature. It contains numerous light brown seeds that are elliptical and granular. On a typical mature plant during the summer, there are several buds, flowers, and husked fruit in all stages of development. The blooming period occurs during the summer and lasts about 2 months. The root system consists of deep fleshy rhizomes, which spread the plant vegetatively.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and slightly moist to dry conditions. The soil can contain substantial portions of loam, sand, or gravel. This plant often thrives in sterile soil, or disturbed areas with rich soil, because this reduces competition from taller, more aggressive plants. It is fairly drought tolerant.
Range & Habitat: Clammy Ground Cherry occurs throughout most of Illinois, except some of the south-central and north-central counties (see Distribution Map). This plant is native to Illinois. It can be found occasionally in mesic to dry black soil prairies, especially in disturbed areas. This plant also occurs in openings of rocky or sandy upland forests, sand prairies, abandoned fields and pastures, areas along roadsides and railroads, and various waste areas.
Faunal Associations: Short-tongued bees collect pollen or suck nectar at the flowers. This includes the Plasterer bees Colletes latitarsis and Colletes willistoni, and some Halictine and Panurgine bees. The caterpillars of the moth Heliothis subflexus (Subflexus Straw) eat the fruit of this plant, while other insects feed on or suck juices from the foliage, including Paratrioza cockerellii (Potato Psyllid), Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Potato Aphid), and Lema trilineata (Leaf Beetle sp.). Mammalian herbivores usually don't eat this plant because the poisonous leaves and unripe fruit contain significant amounts of solanum. There has been cases of cattle being poisoned by this species and other ground cherries. Various upland gamebirds and small mammals eat the mature fruit and help to distribute the seeds, including the Bobwhite Quail, Ring-Necked Pheasant, Wild Turkey, Eastern Striped Skunk, and White-Footed Mouse
Photographic Location: The above photographs were taken at the edge of a prairie remnant near a cultivated field in Champaign County, Illinois. This prairie remnant occurred along a railroad.
Comments: This plant has a very different appearance from Physalis subglabrata (Smooth Ground Cherry). The most striking features of Clammy Ground Cherry are the abundance of fine white hairs on the foliage and the irregular shape of the rather large leaves. Different varieties of this species have been described. It is probably one of the two most common ground cherries in Illinois, preferring areas that are sunny and on the dry side. The mature yellow fruit is edible to humans.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and slightly moist to dry conditions. The soil can contain substantial portions of loam, sand, or gravel. This plant often thrives in sterile soil, or disturbed areas with rich soil, because this reduces competition from taller, more aggressive plants. It is fairly drought tolerant.
Range & Habitat: Clammy Ground Cherry occurs throughout most of Illinois, except some of the south-central and north-central counties (see Distribution Map). This plant is native to Illinois. It can be found occasionally in mesic to dry black soil prairies, especially in disturbed areas. This plant also occurs in openings of rocky or sandy upland forests, sand prairies, abandoned fields and pastures, areas along roadsides and railroads, and various waste areas.
Faunal Associations: Short-tongued bees collect pollen or suck nectar at the flowers. This includes the Plasterer bees Colletes latitarsis and Colletes willistoni, and some Halictine and Panurgine bees. The caterpillars of the moth Heliothis subflexus (Subflexus Straw) eat the fruit of this plant, while other insects feed on or suck juices from the foliage, including Paratrioza cockerellii (Potato Psyllid), Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Potato Aphid), and Lema trilineata (Leaf Beetle sp.). Mammalian herbivores usually don't eat this plant because the poisonous leaves and unripe fruit contain significant amounts of solanum. There has been cases of cattle being poisoned by this species and other ground cherries. Various upland gamebirds and small mammals eat the mature fruit and help to distribute the seeds, including the Bobwhite Quail, Ring-Necked Pheasant, Wild Turkey, Eastern Striped Skunk, and White-Footed Mouse
Photographic Location: The above photographs were taken at the edge of a prairie remnant near a cultivated field in Champaign County, Illinois. This prairie remnant occurred along a railroad.
Comments: This plant has a very different appearance from Physalis subglabrata (Smooth Ground Cherry). The most striking features of Clammy Ground Cherry are the abundance of fine white hairs on the foliage and the irregular shape of the rather large leaves. Different varieties of this species have been described. It is probably one of the two most common ground cherries in Illinois, preferring areas that are sunny and on the dry side. The mature yellow fruit is edible to humans.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月05日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is up to 2' tall and unbranched. The stem is covered with fine white hairs. The opposite leaves are up to 3½" long and ½" across, and sparsely distributed along the stem. They are linear to narrowly lanceolate, sessile, and have smooth, but slightly ciliate margins. Their surface often has a fine pubescence. The lower leaves tend to turn yellow and drop off the stem when the plant becomes stressed out. There is a cluster of flowers at the apex of the plant on short hairy stalks. Each flower is about ½" across, and has 5 lobes that flare abruptly outward from a long narrow tubular corolla. These lobes are rather angular and become considerably more narrow toward the base of the corolla. The calyx has long slender sepals that are green and hairy. The flowers may be white, pink, or lavender, and have a mild pleasant fragrance. The base of the corolla often has lines of deeper color than the lobes. Prairie Phlox typically blooms during late spring or early summer for about 1–1½ months. This plant has a taproot, and occasionally tillers at the base, sending up multiple stems. The small seeds are distributed by the wind to some extent.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and moist to mesic conditions. The soil can consist of rich loam, clay loam, sandy loam, or have some rocky material. Foliar disease doesn't bother this phlox to any significant extent. It is difficult to start plants from seeds, but somewhat easier from transplants. Sometimes, Prairie Phlox can be temperamental and short-lived if a site doesn't suit its requirements.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Phlox occurs occasionally in most of Illinois, but is uncommon or absent in west central and southeastern Illinois (see Distribution Map). At high quality sites, it may be locally common. Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, rocky open forests, Bur Oak savannas, sandy Black Oak savannas, limestone glades, thickets, abandoned fields, and prairie remnants along railroads. Prairie Phlox appears to benefit from the removal of excess debris by wildfires occurring during early spring or the fall.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts primarily long-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers. Other visitors include moths and bee flies. Among the bee visitors are bumblebees, Anthophorine bees, Miner bees, and Nomadine Cuckoo bees. Butterfly and skipper visitors include the American Painted Lady, Sulfurs, Swallowtails, and Cloudywings. The caterpillars of the moth Heliothis phloxiphagus (Spotted Straw) eat the flowers, while the caterpillars of the moth Olive Arches eat the leaves. Other insects feeding on this phlox and others include Lopidea davis (Phlox Scarlet Plant Bug) and Poecilocapsus lineatus (Four-Lined Plant Bug). Mammalian herbivores readily consume Prairie Phlox, including rabbits, deer, groundhogs, and livestock. It may be difficult to establish this plant where there is an overpopulation of these animals.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The flower structure of the Phlox genus is a classical example of a butterfly flower. Such flowers feature flared petals that function as a landing pad for these insects, and a long narrow tube that is accessible to the long proboscis of butterflies, as well as skippers and moths. Such flowers typically occur in loose, rounded clusters, and are often fragrant. The flowers of Prairie Phlox have all of these characteristics. A very rare variety of Prairie Phlox that occurs within the Sangamon river basin in Sangamon and Champaign counties is Phlox pilosa var. sangamonensis (Sangamon Phlox). It is distinguished primarily by its hairless stems, flowering stalks, and leaves, and is listed as an endangered species in the state of Illinois.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and moist to mesic conditions. The soil can consist of rich loam, clay loam, sandy loam, or have some rocky material. Foliar disease doesn't bother this phlox to any significant extent. It is difficult to start plants from seeds, but somewhat easier from transplants. Sometimes, Prairie Phlox can be temperamental and short-lived if a site doesn't suit its requirements.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Phlox occurs occasionally in most of Illinois, but is uncommon or absent in west central and southeastern Illinois (see Distribution Map). At high quality sites, it may be locally common. Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, rocky open forests, Bur Oak savannas, sandy Black Oak savannas, limestone glades, thickets, abandoned fields, and prairie remnants along railroads. Prairie Phlox appears to benefit from the removal of excess debris by wildfires occurring during early spring or the fall.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts primarily long-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers. Other visitors include moths and bee flies. Among the bee visitors are bumblebees, Anthophorine bees, Miner bees, and Nomadine Cuckoo bees. Butterfly and skipper visitors include the American Painted Lady, Sulfurs, Swallowtails, and Cloudywings. The caterpillars of the moth Heliothis phloxiphagus (Spotted Straw) eat the flowers, while the caterpillars of the moth Olive Arches eat the leaves. Other insects feeding on this phlox and others include Lopidea davis (Phlox Scarlet Plant Bug) and Poecilocapsus lineatus (Four-Lined Plant Bug). Mammalian herbivores readily consume Prairie Phlox, including rabbits, deer, groundhogs, and livestock. It may be difficult to establish this plant where there is an overpopulation of these animals.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The flower structure of the Phlox genus is a classical example of a butterfly flower. Such flowers feature flared petals that function as a landing pad for these insects, and a long narrow tube that is accessible to the long proboscis of butterflies, as well as skippers and moths. Such flowers typically occur in loose, rounded clusters, and are often fragrant. The flowers of Prairie Phlox have all of these characteristics. A very rare variety of Prairie Phlox that occurs within the Sangamon river basin in Sangamon and Champaign counties is Phlox pilosa var. sangamonensis (Sangamon Phlox). It is distinguished primarily by its hairless stems, flowering stalks, and leaves, and is listed as an endangered species in the state of Illinois.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月05日
Description: This perennial plant is 1-3' tall and usually unbranched. The central stem is terete, smooth, and usually glabrous; it also has numerous purple spots or streaks. The opposite leaves are medium to dark green, often with a shiny upper surface, and they are sessile against the stem or nearly so. They are about 2½-4" long and ½-¾" across. The leaves are narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate in shape and smooth along their margins; they are widest near their bases, while their tips are long and slender. Both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves are glabrous. The central stem terminates in a panicle of flowers that is about 3-8" in length and longer than it is wide. The panicle of the typical subspecies (ssp. maculata) is cylindrical in shape (see Panicle Photo), while the panicle of spp. pyramidalis is pyramidal in shape (broader at the base than toward the apex). Individual flowers are about ¾" across, consisting of a pink, purple, or white corolla with 5 petal-like lobes, a green to purplish green calyx with 5 linear lobes (about ¼" in length), and the reproductive organs. The base of the corolla is narrowly tubular, while its petal-like lobes are obovate in shape. The calyx is shorter than the corolla and usually glabrous. The slender pedicels of the flowers are short (less than ½" in length). The blooming period occurs during the summer, lasting about 1-2 months. After the flowers wither away, they are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about 1/3" (8 mm.) in length. These capsules are 3-celled, and each cell of a capsule contains one or more seeds. The small seeds are distributed by the wind to a limited extent. The root system consists of a taproot.
Cultivation: Preferred habitat consists of full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and soil containing silt, loam, or sandy loam. There should be sufficient organic material to retain moisture. After flowering, this plant tends to die down. If conditions are not right, it can be short-lived.
Range & Habitat: The native Speckled Phlox occurs in scattered counties in the northern half of Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is an uncommon plant in the wild. Some populations may be plants that have escaped cultivation, as it is a popular garden plant. Habitats include bottomland woodlands, woodland openings, moist meadows along rivers, banks of rivers, fens, roadsides in wooded areas, and abandoned fields. Speckled Phlox typically occurs near woodlands or sources of water, rather than open prairie.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by nectar-seeking butterflies, skippers, and moths. Small Syrphid flies may eat the pollen of the flowers, but they are non-pollinating. Caterpillars of the moth Heliothis turbatus (Spotted Straw) feed destructively on the flowers and buds, while caterpillars of the moth Lacinipolia olivacea (Olive Arches) feed on the foliage. Some plant bugs suck the juices of Speckled Phlox and other Phlox spp., including Lopidea davisi (Phlox Scarlet Plant Bug) and Poecilocapsus lineatus (Four-Lined Plant Bug). The larvae of a long-horned beetle, Oberea flavipes, bore through the stems. Mammalian herbivores readily consume Speckled Phlox, including rabbits, groundhogs, and deer. It can be difficult to maintain populations of this uncommon plant when these animals are abundant.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a flower garden along a sidewalk in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is another lovely Phlox species (Phlox sp.) that is uncommonly encountered in the wild. Wild plants with white flowers, in particular, are quite rare. Speckled Phlox can be distinguished from other Phlox spp. in Illinois by its purple-spotted stems and elongated panicles of flowers. Unlike Speckled Phlox, other Phlox spp. within the state have panicles of flowers that are wider than they are tall. The photographed plant is a cultivar with white flowers, but it has features that are typical of wild plants. Its cylindrical panicle of flowers is a key characteristic of the typical subspecies, Phlox maculata maculata. Other common names of this plant include Spotted Phlox, Meadow Phlox, and Wild Sweet William.
Cultivation: Preferred habitat consists of full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and soil containing silt, loam, or sandy loam. There should be sufficient organic material to retain moisture. After flowering, this plant tends to die down. If conditions are not right, it can be short-lived.
Range & Habitat: The native Speckled Phlox occurs in scattered counties in the northern half of Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is an uncommon plant in the wild. Some populations may be plants that have escaped cultivation, as it is a popular garden plant. Habitats include bottomland woodlands, woodland openings, moist meadows along rivers, banks of rivers, fens, roadsides in wooded areas, and abandoned fields. Speckled Phlox typically occurs near woodlands or sources of water, rather than open prairie.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by nectar-seeking butterflies, skippers, and moths. Small Syrphid flies may eat the pollen of the flowers, but they are non-pollinating. Caterpillars of the moth Heliothis turbatus (Spotted Straw) feed destructively on the flowers and buds, while caterpillars of the moth Lacinipolia olivacea (Olive Arches) feed on the foliage. Some plant bugs suck the juices of Speckled Phlox and other Phlox spp., including Lopidea davisi (Phlox Scarlet Plant Bug) and Poecilocapsus lineatus (Four-Lined Plant Bug). The larvae of a long-horned beetle, Oberea flavipes, bore through the stems. Mammalian herbivores readily consume Speckled Phlox, including rabbits, groundhogs, and deer. It can be difficult to maintain populations of this uncommon plant when these animals are abundant.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a flower garden along a sidewalk in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is another lovely Phlox species (Phlox sp.) that is uncommonly encountered in the wild. Wild plants with white flowers, in particular, are quite rare. Speckled Phlox can be distinguished from other Phlox spp. in Illinois by its purple-spotted stems and elongated panicles of flowers. Unlike Speckled Phlox, other Phlox spp. within the state have panicles of flowers that are wider than they are tall. The photographed plant is a cultivar with white flowers, but it has features that are typical of wild plants. Its cylindrical panicle of flowers is a key characteristic of the typical subspecies, Phlox maculata maculata. Other common names of this plant include Spotted Phlox, Meadow Phlox, and Wild Sweet William.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月05日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 1¼–2½' tall. It is unbranched, unless the central stem is broken off, in which case 2-3 lateral stems will develop. The central stem is green, slender, and hairless – it is without purple streaks or spots. The opposite leaves are medium green, linear-lanceolate to linear in shape, smooth (entire) along their margins, and hairless. Each leaf has a prominent central vein. The lower leaves are either sessile or they clasp the stem, while the upper leaves are sessile.
At the apex of the central stem, there occurs a small cluster of 3-20 flowers with pink or lavender corollas. The flower cluster is slightly dome-shaped, rather than flat-topped or elongated. Individual flowers are about ¾" across or slightly larger. Each flower has 5 petal-like lobes that spread outward from the throat of a corolla that is narrowly tubular below. These lobes are obovate to obcordate in shape with either rounded or slightly notched tips. The calyx is deeply divided into 5 slender lobes that are linear to linear-lanceolate; it is green to purple and hairless. The calyx is shorter than the tubular base of the corolla. The reproductive organs are inserted within the corolla and inconspicuous. The flowers are fragrant. The blooming period can occur from late spring to late summer, lasting about 1-2 months. The flowers are replaced by narrow seed capsules; each capsule contains many small seeds. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preferred situation consists of full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and a fertile loam or sandy loam with decaying organic material. Young plants can be killed by summer heat and drought, particularly in locations that lack adequate moisture. There is a tendency to sprawl, unless this plant is supported by grass and other kinds of vegetation. Foliar disease isn't a significant problem.
Range & Habitat: The native Smooth Phlox occurs occasionally in the eastern two-thirds of Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent in western Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist black soil prairies, moist sand prairies, cemetery prairies, prairie remnants along railroads, openings in bottomland woodlands, thickets, acidic gravelly seeps, and abandoned fields. This is an indicator plant of higher quality prairie remnants – the showy flowers can be spotted from some distance away, facilitating the discovery of new sites.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Smooth Phlox are visited by butterflies, skippers, and moths for nectar. Butterfly visitors include Monarchs, Swallowtails, and Sulfurs. Occasionally, small Syrphid flies may feed on the pollen, but they are non-pollinating. The larvae of a long-horned beetle, Oberea flavipes, bore through the stems. The caterpillars of the moth Heliothis turbatus (Spotted Straw) eat the flowers, while the caterpillars of the moth Lacinipolia olivacea (Olive Arches) eat the foliage. Some plant bugs suck on the juices of the this plant, including Lopidea davisi (Phlox Scarlet Plant Bug) and Poecilocapsus lineatus (Four-Lined Plant Bug). Rabbits, groundhogs, deer, and probably other mammalian herbivores readily consume Smooth Phlox.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a moist prairie remnant along an abandoned railroad in Champaign County, Illinois.
Comments: This plant has attractive foliage and flowers. Some authors from the eastern coast of the United States report the size of Smooth Phlox as up to 4-5' tall, but such huge plants apparently don't occur in Illinois. Smooth Phlox resembles Phlox pilosa (Prairie Phlox), except the latter species typically has hairy stems and calyces, and it tends to be shorter and blooms earlier. Smooth Phlox even more closely resembles the hairless Phlox pilosa sangamonensis (Sangamon Phlox), but the petal-like lobes of the latter species are less rounded and more angular (rhombic) in shape, while the bases of its petal-like lobes are more narrow and wedge-shaped. Another similar species, Phlox maculata (Meadow Phlox), has stems with purple spots or streaks, wider leaves, and a more elongated inflorescence. Smooth Phlox can be rather variable across different populations, possibly because of some hybridization with other Phlox spp. If a site is sufficiently moist, both Smooth Phlox and Meadow Phlox are found occasionally with Prairie Phlox.
At the apex of the central stem, there occurs a small cluster of 3-20 flowers with pink or lavender corollas. The flower cluster is slightly dome-shaped, rather than flat-topped or elongated. Individual flowers are about ¾" across or slightly larger. Each flower has 5 petal-like lobes that spread outward from the throat of a corolla that is narrowly tubular below. These lobes are obovate to obcordate in shape with either rounded or slightly notched tips. The calyx is deeply divided into 5 slender lobes that are linear to linear-lanceolate; it is green to purple and hairless. The calyx is shorter than the tubular base of the corolla. The reproductive organs are inserted within the corolla and inconspicuous. The flowers are fragrant. The blooming period can occur from late spring to late summer, lasting about 1-2 months. The flowers are replaced by narrow seed capsules; each capsule contains many small seeds. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preferred situation consists of full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and a fertile loam or sandy loam with decaying organic material. Young plants can be killed by summer heat and drought, particularly in locations that lack adequate moisture. There is a tendency to sprawl, unless this plant is supported by grass and other kinds of vegetation. Foliar disease isn't a significant problem.
Range & Habitat: The native Smooth Phlox occurs occasionally in the eastern two-thirds of Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent in western Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist black soil prairies, moist sand prairies, cemetery prairies, prairie remnants along railroads, openings in bottomland woodlands, thickets, acidic gravelly seeps, and abandoned fields. This is an indicator plant of higher quality prairie remnants – the showy flowers can be spotted from some distance away, facilitating the discovery of new sites.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Smooth Phlox are visited by butterflies, skippers, and moths for nectar. Butterfly visitors include Monarchs, Swallowtails, and Sulfurs. Occasionally, small Syrphid flies may feed on the pollen, but they are non-pollinating. The larvae of a long-horned beetle, Oberea flavipes, bore through the stems. The caterpillars of the moth Heliothis turbatus (Spotted Straw) eat the flowers, while the caterpillars of the moth Lacinipolia olivacea (Olive Arches) eat the foliage. Some plant bugs suck on the juices of the this plant, including Lopidea davisi (Phlox Scarlet Plant Bug) and Poecilocapsus lineatus (Four-Lined Plant Bug). Rabbits, groundhogs, deer, and probably other mammalian herbivores readily consume Smooth Phlox.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a moist prairie remnant along an abandoned railroad in Champaign County, Illinois.
Comments: This plant has attractive foliage and flowers. Some authors from the eastern coast of the United States report the size of Smooth Phlox as up to 4-5' tall, but such huge plants apparently don't occur in Illinois. Smooth Phlox resembles Phlox pilosa (Prairie Phlox), except the latter species typically has hairy stems and calyces, and it tends to be shorter and blooms earlier. Smooth Phlox even more closely resembles the hairless Phlox pilosa sangamonensis (Sangamon Phlox), but the petal-like lobes of the latter species are less rounded and more angular (rhombic) in shape, while the bases of its petal-like lobes are more narrow and wedge-shaped. Another similar species, Phlox maculata (Meadow Phlox), has stems with purple spots or streaks, wider leaves, and a more elongated inflorescence. Smooth Phlox can be rather variable across different populations, possibly because of some hybridization with other Phlox spp. If a site is sufficiently moist, both Smooth Phlox and Meadow Phlox are found occasionally with Prairie Phlox.
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文章
权问薇
2018年02月04日
绿萝
操作方法：
1、剪下一段绿萝枝条，最好挑选带有气生根的，这样绿萝更容易生根，成活率也高。
2、把剪下的绿萝再分成小段，每段保留一片叶就行。
3、把绿萝插到准备好的花盆里，土不要覆盖的太厚。然后浇一次水，放在通风的位置养护。
4、等到绿萝开始生长，长出新叶的时候，可以把绿萝搬到南阳台，晒一晒太阳，用不了两个月，就能长成一盆全新的绿萝！
长寿花
操作方法:
1、剪下长寿花的枝条，分成小段，每段只留一对叶子就可以，否则叶片多了会增加养分流失，影响生根速度。
2、把剪好的长寿枝条插到土里，长寿花扦插对土壤要求不高，用普通园土加点沙子就行。
3、等到长寿花长出新叶之后，就可以搬到阳台，多晒太阳，每周浇1次水，很快就能长成一盆大长寿花了！
发财树
操作方法：
1、剪下比较健壮的发财树枝，最好是一年以上的木质枝条，每个扦插的枝条保留2~4片叶子就可以。
2、把发财树枝条插到准备好的沙子里，浇一遍水，放在阴凉的地方养护，之后每天都喷喷水，保持河沙湿润。
3、大概一个月以后，发财树就能生根了，这时候再移栽到花盆里就可以了。
天竺葵
操作方法：
1、把天竺葵枝条剪成小段，每段10厘米左右，留1~2片叶子就足够了。剪下来不要 急着插，先放到阴凉的地方晾1天。
2、一天后，准备好河沙，把天竺葵枝条插到沙子里，浇水浇透，然后每天给天竺葵喷喷水。
3、大概15~20天，天竺葵就能长出新根了，生根后移栽到大花盆里养护就可以了。
月季
操作方法：
1、扦插月季最好选生长1年以上的枝条，用剪刀分成5~8厘米的小段，剪掉残花，保留叶子。
2、把月季花枝条放进塑料瓶里，瓶底倒点水，不需要太多，0.5~1厘米左右就可以了。
3、把塑料瓶放在窗台上，接受光照，注意保持瓶底始终有水。这样大概2周后就能生根了，生根后就可以移栽到花盆里了！
各种常见花的扦插技巧就说到这了，是不是很容易操作呢？家里比较暖和的花友现在就可以试试！
操作方法：
1、剪下一段绿萝枝条，最好挑选带有气生根的，这样绿萝更容易生根，成活率也高。
2、把剪下的绿萝再分成小段，每段保留一片叶就行。
3、把绿萝插到准备好的花盆里，土不要覆盖的太厚。然后浇一次水，放在通风的位置养护。
4、等到绿萝开始生长，长出新叶的时候，可以把绿萝搬到南阳台，晒一晒太阳，用不了两个月，就能长成一盆全新的绿萝！
长寿花
操作方法:
1、剪下长寿花的枝条，分成小段，每段只留一对叶子就可以，否则叶片多了会增加养分流失，影响生根速度。
2、把剪好的长寿枝条插到土里，长寿花扦插对土壤要求不高，用普通园土加点沙子就行。
3、等到长寿花长出新叶之后，就可以搬到阳台，多晒太阳，每周浇1次水，很快就能长成一盆大长寿花了！
发财树
操作方法：
1、剪下比较健壮的发财树枝，最好是一年以上的木质枝条，每个扦插的枝条保留2~4片叶子就可以。
2、把发财树枝条插到准备好的沙子里，浇一遍水，放在阴凉的地方养护，之后每天都喷喷水，保持河沙湿润。
3、大概一个月以后，发财树就能生根了，这时候再移栽到花盆里就可以了。
天竺葵
操作方法：
1、把天竺葵枝条剪成小段，每段10厘米左右，留1~2片叶子就足够了。剪下来不要 急着插，先放到阴凉的地方晾1天。
2、一天后，准备好河沙，把天竺葵枝条插到沙子里，浇水浇透，然后每天给天竺葵喷喷水。
3、大概15~20天，天竺葵就能长出新根了，生根后移栽到大花盆里养护就可以了。
月季
操作方法：
1、扦插月季最好选生长1年以上的枝条，用剪刀分成5~8厘米的小段，剪掉残花，保留叶子。
2、把月季花枝条放进塑料瓶里，瓶底倒点水，不需要太多，0.5~1厘米左右就可以了。
3、把塑料瓶放在窗台上，接受光照，注意保持瓶底始终有水。这样大概2周后就能生根了，生根后就可以移栽到花盆里了！
各种常见花的扦插技巧就说到这了，是不是很容易操作呢？家里比较暖和的花友现在就可以试试！
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月04日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 2-3½' tall, branching sparingly. The slender stems are round and hairless. The alternate compound leaves occur sparingly along the stems; they are doubly pinnate, and about 8" long and half as wide. The slender leaflets are up to 1/8" (3 mm.) across. They often have 1-3 lobes, but their margins are smooth. The upper stems terminate in compound umbels with small white flowers. A typical umbel is about 6" across and has about 12 umbellets; these umbellets are loosely arranged, rather than compressed together. An umbellet is about 1" across and has 7-21 flowers.
Each flower is about 1/8" (3 mm.) across, with 5 white petals that are notched in the middle, and 5 green sepals that are small and triangular. There are also up to 5 white stamens with 5 white anthers that are potentially observable; frequently, there appears to be fewer than 5 of these reproductive structures because they are fragile and short-lived. The blooming period occurs during early summer and lasts about 2 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. The root system is tuberous, which enables this plant to develop quickly during the spring and early summer. After blooming, it quickly fades away and becomes dormant for the rest of the year.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to full sun, and moist to slightly dry conditions. Wild Dill often grows in soil that is rich and loamy; it also tolerates some clay or rocky material. This plant should be cultivated more often in wildflower gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Dill occurs occasionally in NE and central Illinois, but it is rare or absent elsewhere (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic black soil prairies, openings or edges near woodlands, areas along woodland paths, thickets, limestone glades, and bluffs. It often grows in grassy areas, but is easy to overlook, except during the short blooming period. This plant is more typical of high quality habitats than disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts many small bees, wasps, flies, and beetles. Among the flies, are such visitors as biting midges, Syrphid flies, thick-headed flies, Tachinid flies, flesh flies, bottle flies, Muscid flies, Chloropid flies, and others. Among the wasps, are such unusual visitors as cuckoo wasps and various parasitoid wasps, including the Chalcid, Perilampid, Eucoilid, Figitid, and Ichneumonid wasps. Little is known about this plant's relationship to mammalian herbivores; because the foliage is not known to be toxic, it is probably consumed by them occasionally.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois, and at Prospect Cemetery Prairie in Ford County, Illinois.
Comments: This is an ethereal plant that is lovely while in bloom; unfortunately, this doesn't last very long. From a distance, Wild Dill may appear to be an early blooming Daucus carota (Wild Carrot), but closer inspection of the foliage and flowers will reveal significant differences between these two plants. What sets Wild Dill apart from many other white-flowered members of the Carrot family is the season of bloom (early summer) and the slender, delicate leaves (not wider than 1/8" across). Also, it should not be confused with Anethum graveolens (Cultivated Dill); this familiar annual herb from the Old World has yellow flowers. Another common name for Perideridia americana is 'Thicket Parsley.'
Each flower is about 1/8" (3 mm.) across, with 5 white petals that are notched in the middle, and 5 green sepals that are small and triangular. There are also up to 5 white stamens with 5 white anthers that are potentially observable; frequently, there appears to be fewer than 5 of these reproductive structures because they are fragile and short-lived. The blooming period occurs during early summer and lasts about 2 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. The root system is tuberous, which enables this plant to develop quickly during the spring and early summer. After blooming, it quickly fades away and becomes dormant for the rest of the year.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to full sun, and moist to slightly dry conditions. Wild Dill often grows in soil that is rich and loamy; it also tolerates some clay or rocky material. This plant should be cultivated more often in wildflower gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Dill occurs occasionally in NE and central Illinois, but it is rare or absent elsewhere (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic black soil prairies, openings or edges near woodlands, areas along woodland paths, thickets, limestone glades, and bluffs. It often grows in grassy areas, but is easy to overlook, except during the short blooming period. This plant is more typical of high quality habitats than disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts many small bees, wasps, flies, and beetles. Among the flies, are such visitors as biting midges, Syrphid flies, thick-headed flies, Tachinid flies, flesh flies, bottle flies, Muscid flies, Chloropid flies, and others. Among the wasps, are such unusual visitors as cuckoo wasps and various parasitoid wasps, including the Chalcid, Perilampid, Eucoilid, Figitid, and Ichneumonid wasps. Little is known about this plant's relationship to mammalian herbivores; because the foliage is not known to be toxic, it is probably consumed by them occasionally.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois, and at Prospect Cemetery Prairie in Ford County, Illinois.
Comments: This is an ethereal plant that is lovely while in bloom; unfortunately, this doesn't last very long. From a distance, Wild Dill may appear to be an early blooming Daucus carota (Wild Carrot), but closer inspection of the foliage and flowers will reveal significant differences between these two plants. What sets Wild Dill apart from many other white-flowered members of the Carrot family is the season of bloom (early summer) and the slender, delicate leaves (not wider than 1/8" across). Also, it should not be confused with Anethum graveolens (Cultivated Dill); this familiar annual herb from the Old World has yellow flowers. Another common name for Perideridia americana is 'Thicket Parsley.'
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月04日
Description: This perennial plant is 2-3' tall, forming one or more unbranched flowering stalks. The central stem is light green, glabrous, and terete. Pairs of opposite leaves develop along the lower half of this stem; they are up to 5" long and 2" across, deltate-ovate to oblong-lanceolate in shape, and smooth to slightly toothed along their margins. Between the leaves on the lower stem and the inflorescence, the central stem is usually naked; sometimes pairs of small narrow leaves (1" long or less) can be found along the upper stem that resemble bracts. The upper surface of the leaves is medium to dark green and glabrous, while the lower surface is pale green and glabrous.
Two Plants in Bloom
The inflorescence consists of a cylindrical panicle of flowers about ½-1½' in length. Within this inflorescence, the flowers are clustered together at intervals in pseudo-whorls (about 6-12 flowers per pseudo-whorl). Individual flowers are about ¾-1" long and across, consisting of a funnel-shaped white corolla that flares outward into 5 rounded lobes, a small green calyx with 5 ovate teeth, 5 stamens (one of them sterile), and a pistil with a single style. Tiny glandular hairs occur along the outside and inside of the corolla. The peduncles and pedicels of the flowers are either glabrous or glandular-hairy. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 3 weeks. The flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about 1/3" long; the latter eventually split open to release numerous small seeds. The root system consists of a crown with fibrous roots. Low basal leaves are usually present during winter dormancy.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and loamy or rocky soil. Well-drained conditions are required to prevent root rot.
Range & Habitat: Trumpet Penstemon is uncommon in southern Illinois, and rare or absent in the rest of the state (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies near the northeast range-limit of this species. Habitats include meadows and openings in upland woodlands, oak savannas, thinly wooded bluffs, prairies, limestone glades, and prairie remnants along railroads.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract long-tongued bees primarily: bumblebees, Anthophorine bees (Anthophora spp.), a Mason bee (Osmia distincta), and a wasp (Pseudomasaris occidentalis). The last two insects are oligoleges of Penstemon spp. (Penstemons). Other floral visitors include Green Metallic bees (collect pollen only) Swallowtail butterflies (suck nectar only), and the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (suck nectar only). Moth caterpillars that feed on Penstemons include Elaphria chalcedonia (Chalcedony Midget), Oncocnemis saudersiana (Saunder's Oncocnemis), and Pyrrhia exprimens (Purple-Lined Sallow). Mammalian herbivores apparently make little use of the foliage as a food source.
Photographic Location: A prairie in Fayette County, Illinois. The photographs were taken by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2010).
Comments: Trumpet Penstemon is an elegant wildflower with an unusually long and slender inflorescence. In addition to these characteristics of its inflorescence, it differs from other Penstemon spp. (Penstemons) by the shape of its flowers (narrow and funnel-shaped at the base, rather than swollen), the large size and similarity of its corolla lobes, the lack of conspicuous leaves between the inflorescence and the leaves of the lower stem, the presence of tiny glandular hairs within its corolla, and the lack of hairs on its leaves and central stalk. Sometimes the scientific name of this species is spelled Penstemon tubiflorus (see Britton & Brown, 1913/1970).
Two Plants in Bloom
The inflorescence consists of a cylindrical panicle of flowers about ½-1½' in length. Within this inflorescence, the flowers are clustered together at intervals in pseudo-whorls (about 6-12 flowers per pseudo-whorl). Individual flowers are about ¾-1" long and across, consisting of a funnel-shaped white corolla that flares outward into 5 rounded lobes, a small green calyx with 5 ovate teeth, 5 stamens (one of them sterile), and a pistil with a single style. Tiny glandular hairs occur along the outside and inside of the corolla. The peduncles and pedicels of the flowers are either glabrous or glandular-hairy. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 3 weeks. The flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about 1/3" long; the latter eventually split open to release numerous small seeds. The root system consists of a crown with fibrous roots. Low basal leaves are usually present during winter dormancy.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and loamy or rocky soil. Well-drained conditions are required to prevent root rot.
Range & Habitat: Trumpet Penstemon is uncommon in southern Illinois, and rare or absent in the rest of the state (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies near the northeast range-limit of this species. Habitats include meadows and openings in upland woodlands, oak savannas, thinly wooded bluffs, prairies, limestone glades, and prairie remnants along railroads.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract long-tongued bees primarily: bumblebees, Anthophorine bees (Anthophora spp.), a Mason bee (Osmia distincta), and a wasp (Pseudomasaris occidentalis). The last two insects are oligoleges of Penstemon spp. (Penstemons). Other floral visitors include Green Metallic bees (collect pollen only) Swallowtail butterflies (suck nectar only), and the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (suck nectar only). Moth caterpillars that feed on Penstemons include Elaphria chalcedonia (Chalcedony Midget), Oncocnemis saudersiana (Saunder's Oncocnemis), and Pyrrhia exprimens (Purple-Lined Sallow). Mammalian herbivores apparently make little use of the foliage as a food source.
Photographic Location: A prairie in Fayette County, Illinois. The photographs were taken by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2010).
Comments: Trumpet Penstemon is an elegant wildflower with an unusually long and slender inflorescence. In addition to these characteristics of its inflorescence, it differs from other Penstemon spp. (Penstemons) by the shape of its flowers (narrow and funnel-shaped at the base, rather than swollen), the large size and similarity of its corolla lobes, the lack of conspicuous leaves between the inflorescence and the leaves of the lower stem, the presence of tiny glandular hairs within its corolla, and the lack of hairs on its leaves and central stalk. Sometimes the scientific name of this species is spelled Penstemon tubiflorus (see Britton & Brown, 1913/1970).
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月03日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 1–2½' tall and unbranched. The erect central stem is pale green and terete; it is covered with short pubescence and scattered long hairs. The opposite leaves are up to 3¼" long and ¾" across; they are linear-lanceolate or lanceolate-oblong, pale green, and entire (toothless) to slightly dentate along their margins (if teeth are present, they are small and widely spaced). Both the lower and upper surfaces of the leaves are short-pubescent. The central stem terminates in a panicle of flowers that is 4-10" long; this panicle is taller than it is wide. Individual flowers are about ¾" long, consisting of a white corolla, a short calyx with 5 teeth, 4 stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The corolla is tubular-trumpet shaped, becoming broader toward its upper and lower lips. The upper lip has 2 short rounded lobes, while the lower lip has 3 short rounded lobes. The lower lip projects outward to a greater extent than the upper lip.
Panicle of Flowers
Along the bottom of the corolla's interior, there are 3 faint purple veins and a pair of low ridges. Toward the throat of the corolla on the bottom, there is a narrow patch of yellow hairs. The exterior of the corolla is slightly pubescent. The calyx is light green and pubescent. The stalks of the inflorescence and pedicels of the flowers are also light green (sometimes with purplish tints) and pubescent. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks for a colony of plants. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about ¼" long or slightly longer. Each capsule contains numerous tiny seeds. Individual seeds are about 0.5 mm. in length or a little longer, triangular-ovoid and somewhat flattened in shape, and dark brown or black. Eventually, the capsules split in two to release their seeds; these seeds are small enough to be carried about by the wind. The root system consists of a crown with fibrous roots or a taproot.
Cultivation: Full to partial sun and mesic to dry conditions are preferred. Different kinds of soil are tolerated, including those containing clay-loam, sand, or rocky material. Reduced soil fertility is beneficial, because this reduces competition from taller and more aggressive plants.
Range & Habitat: The native Pale Penstemon is occasional throughout Illinois, except in east-central and some northern areas of the state, where it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include dry rocky woodlands, hill prairies, dry-mesic railroad prairies, sandstone and limestone glades, upland savannas, thinly wooded bluffs, rocky cliffs, and abandoned fields. Occasional wildfires are beneficial in maintaining populations of this species, particularly in wooded habitats.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Pale Penstemon are cross-pollinated primarily by long-tongued bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), and mason bees (Hoplitis spp., Osmia spp.); see Crosswhite & Crosswhite (1966) and Clinebell & Bernhardt (1998). A mason bee, Osmia distincta, is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Penstemon spp. These insects obtain nectar and/or pollen from the flowers. Short-tongued Halictid bees also visit the flowers for pollen. Other insects feed destructively on the foliage, flowers, or fruits of Penstemon spp. These species include the caterpillars of such moths as the Chalcedony Midget (Elaphria chalcedonia), Saunder's Sallow Moth (Sympistis saundersiana), and a stem-gall forming Gracillariid moth (Caloptilia murtfeldtella); see Covell (1984/2005), Panzer et al. (2006), and the Microleps website (2010). A polyphagous aphid, Abstrusomyzus phloxae, sucks sap from these plants (Blackman & Eastop, 2013). Generally, most mammalian herbivores appear to avoid the consumption of the foliage of these plants. For example, Georgia (1913) has stated that the foliage of Foxglove Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis) is rejected by cattle because it is unwholesome and bitter-tasting. However, Lindroth & Batzli (1984) have found that the young shoots of this same plant are readily eaten by the Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) in prairies.
Photographic Location: A small meadow at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Pale Penstemon is a reasonably attractive wildflower that blooms a little earlier than other Penstemon spp. It can be distinguished from these other species by its evenly pubescent foliage and the following characteristics of its corolla: 1) the lower interior surface is distinctively ridged, rather than flat or concave, 2) the lower lip extends significantly beyond the upper lip, and 3) the exterior is white, rather than pale rose-purple. Overall, Pale Penstemon is more dainty in appearance than its taller and more aggressive cousin, Foxglove Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis). Another common name of Penstemon pallidus is Pale Beardtongue (or Beardstongue), which refers to the yellow hairs that line the throat of the corolla.
Panicle of Flowers
Along the bottom of the corolla's interior, there are 3 faint purple veins and a pair of low ridges. Toward the throat of the corolla on the bottom, there is a narrow patch of yellow hairs. The exterior of the corolla is slightly pubescent. The calyx is light green and pubescent. The stalks of the inflorescence and pedicels of the flowers are also light green (sometimes with purplish tints) and pubescent. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks for a colony of plants. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about ¼" long or slightly longer. Each capsule contains numerous tiny seeds. Individual seeds are about 0.5 mm. in length or a little longer, triangular-ovoid and somewhat flattened in shape, and dark brown or black. Eventually, the capsules split in two to release their seeds; these seeds are small enough to be carried about by the wind. The root system consists of a crown with fibrous roots or a taproot.
Cultivation: Full to partial sun and mesic to dry conditions are preferred. Different kinds of soil are tolerated, including those containing clay-loam, sand, or rocky material. Reduced soil fertility is beneficial, because this reduces competition from taller and more aggressive plants.
Range & Habitat: The native Pale Penstemon is occasional throughout Illinois, except in east-central and some northern areas of the state, where it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include dry rocky woodlands, hill prairies, dry-mesic railroad prairies, sandstone and limestone glades, upland savannas, thinly wooded bluffs, rocky cliffs, and abandoned fields. Occasional wildfires are beneficial in maintaining populations of this species, particularly in wooded habitats.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Pale Penstemon are cross-pollinated primarily by long-tongued bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), and mason bees (Hoplitis spp., Osmia spp.); see Crosswhite & Crosswhite (1966) and Clinebell & Bernhardt (1998). A mason bee, Osmia distincta, is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Penstemon spp. These insects obtain nectar and/or pollen from the flowers. Short-tongued Halictid bees also visit the flowers for pollen. Other insects feed destructively on the foliage, flowers, or fruits of Penstemon spp. These species include the caterpillars of such moths as the Chalcedony Midget (Elaphria chalcedonia), Saunder's Sallow Moth (Sympistis saundersiana), and a stem-gall forming Gracillariid moth (Caloptilia murtfeldtella); see Covell (1984/2005), Panzer et al. (2006), and the Microleps website (2010). A polyphagous aphid, Abstrusomyzus phloxae, sucks sap from these plants (Blackman & Eastop, 2013). Generally, most mammalian herbivores appear to avoid the consumption of the foliage of these plants. For example, Georgia (1913) has stated that the foliage of Foxglove Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis) is rejected by cattle because it is unwholesome and bitter-tasting. However, Lindroth & Batzli (1984) have found that the young shoots of this same plant are readily eaten by the Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) in prairies.
Photographic Location: A small meadow at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Pale Penstemon is a reasonably attractive wildflower that blooms a little earlier than other Penstemon spp. It can be distinguished from these other species by its evenly pubescent foliage and the following characteristics of its corolla: 1) the lower interior surface is distinctively ridged, rather than flat or concave, 2) the lower lip extends significantly beyond the upper lip, and 3) the exterior is white, rather than pale rose-purple. Overall, Pale Penstemon is more dainty in appearance than its taller and more aggressive cousin, Foxglove Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis). Another common name of Penstemon pallidus is Pale Beardtongue (or Beardstongue), which refers to the yellow hairs that line the throat of the corolla.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月03日
Description: This is a short-lived perennial plant that forms a basal rosette during its first year, after which it produces one or more flowering stalks about 1-3½' tall from a thick rootstock. The basal leaves (2-5" long and 1-3" across) are pale grayish green or bluish green, ovate to obovate in shape, smooth along their margins, and glabrous, tapering either gradually or abruptly into petioles. They have a rather succulent texture. The stems of flowering plants are whitish green to pale red, terete (circular in cross-section), glabrous, and somewhat glaucous. The leaves along these stems are arranged oppositely; they are 2-4" in length and 1-2½" across. These latter leaves are pale grayish green to bluish green, ovate to ovate-cordate in shape, smooth along their margins, and glabrous; their tips are blunt. The leaves of each lower stem are sessile, while the smaller upper leaves often clasp the stem. Like the basal leaves, the opposite leaves have a rather succulent texture. From the axils of opposite leafy bracts (up to 1¼" long and ¾" across), there develops pairs of 1-3 flowers on short slender pedicels, forming a narrow raceme about ½-1½' long. Each flower has a pinkish lavender corolla up to 2" long, a pale grayish green or bluish green calyx with 5 teeth, a pistil with a single white style, and 5 stamens. The corolla is tubular-trumpet shaped and slightly flattened; it has an upper lip with two rounded lobes and a lower lip with 3 rounded lobes. Within the throat of the corolla, there are fine purple veins that function as nectar guides. Along the upper outer surface of the corolla, there is a slender longitudinal ridge. The glabrous calyx is less than ½" in length; its teeth are lanceolate. The tip of the white style, where the stigma occurs, is slightly swollen. The leafy bracts of the flowers are similar in appearance to the opposite leaves, except they are smaller in size. Similar to the upper leaves, their bases clasp the stem. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. Each flower remains in bloom for only a short time. There is no floral scent. The flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules that are a little longer than the toothed calyx. Each capsule contains numerous small seeds. The seeds are distributed to a limited extent by the wind when the stems of flowering plants sway back and forth. The root system consists of a stout taproot with coarse secondary roots. This taproot extends deep into the soil.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and poor soil containing rocky material or sand. This plant is easy to grow in locations that are sunny and well-drained, but it is rather short-lived. However, its seeds are fairly easy to germinate. Foliar disease is rarely troublesome; the biggest threat is root rot from poorly drained soil. Sometimes spider mites can be found on the foliage, but they appear to cause little damage. This plant has excellent drought resistance.
Range & Habitat: The native Large-Flowered Penstemon occurs in only a few northern or NW counties in Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is rare and state-listed as 'endangered.' This plant is more common in states that are located to the west of the Mississippi River. Habitats include dry sand prairies, dolomite prairies, and gravelly hill prairies. Because of the showy flowers, Large-Flowered Penstemon is more often found in flower gardens, from where it rarely escapes. Fire is supposed to be harmful to the ecological success of this plant because its growing buds remain above ground. In its natural habitat, significant wildfires rarely occur because of the sparse vegetative cover.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by bumblebees and other long-tongued bees, including Osmia distincta and Synhalonia dubitata. These latter two bees appear to prefer the flowers of Penstemon spp. over other species. One long-tongued bee, Xylocopa virginica (Large Carpenter Bee), perforates the base of the corolla from the outside to rob nectar from Large-Flowered Penstemon. An unusual wasp, Pseudomaris occidentalis, is a specialist pollinator (oligolege) of Penstemon spp. Like many bees, this wasp uses nectar and pollen to feed its larvae. While the more western range of this wasp overlaps with the range of Large-Flowered Penstemon, it has not been observed in Illinois. Other floral visitors include pollen-seeking Halictid bees, masked bees (Hylaeus spp.), and Syrphid flies. Insects that feed destructively on the foliage and other parts of Penstemon spp. are uncommon, but they include the caterpillars of a moth, Elaphria chalcedonia (Chalcedony Midget), and Spharagemon collare (Mottled Sand Grasshopper). At the present time, information about the relationships between Large-Flowered Penstemon and vertebrate animals is unavailable.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois. The plants are an Illinois ecotype of this species from nursery-grown material.
Comments: Both the foliage and flowers of Large-Flowered Penstemon are beautiful and distinctive. Unfortunately, the blooming period of the flowers is rather short, but you can't have everything. Because of its distinctive bluish foliage and large flowers (up to 2" in length), this species is easy to distinguish from other Penstemon spp. that are native to Illinois. However, a non-native species from the west, Penstemon cobaea (Showy Penstemon), is somewhat similar in appearance and its flowers are equally large in size. Unlike Large-Flowered Penstemon, this latter species has pubescent stems, while its upper leaves and bracts have bases that are sessile, rather than clasping. Showy Penstemon has naturalized in Kane County, Illinois.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and poor soil containing rocky material or sand. This plant is easy to grow in locations that are sunny and well-drained, but it is rather short-lived. However, its seeds are fairly easy to germinate. Foliar disease is rarely troublesome; the biggest threat is root rot from poorly drained soil. Sometimes spider mites can be found on the foliage, but they appear to cause little damage. This plant has excellent drought resistance.
Range & Habitat: The native Large-Flowered Penstemon occurs in only a few northern or NW counties in Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is rare and state-listed as 'endangered.' This plant is more common in states that are located to the west of the Mississippi River. Habitats include dry sand prairies, dolomite prairies, and gravelly hill prairies. Because of the showy flowers, Large-Flowered Penstemon is more often found in flower gardens, from where it rarely escapes. Fire is supposed to be harmful to the ecological success of this plant because its growing buds remain above ground. In its natural habitat, significant wildfires rarely occur because of the sparse vegetative cover.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by bumblebees and other long-tongued bees, including Osmia distincta and Synhalonia dubitata. These latter two bees appear to prefer the flowers of Penstemon spp. over other species. One long-tongued bee, Xylocopa virginica (Large Carpenter Bee), perforates the base of the corolla from the outside to rob nectar from Large-Flowered Penstemon. An unusual wasp, Pseudomaris occidentalis, is a specialist pollinator (oligolege) of Penstemon spp. Like many bees, this wasp uses nectar and pollen to feed its larvae. While the more western range of this wasp overlaps with the range of Large-Flowered Penstemon, it has not been observed in Illinois. Other floral visitors include pollen-seeking Halictid bees, masked bees (Hylaeus spp.), and Syrphid flies. Insects that feed destructively on the foliage and other parts of Penstemon spp. are uncommon, but they include the caterpillars of a moth, Elaphria chalcedonia (Chalcedony Midget), and Spharagemon collare (Mottled Sand Grasshopper). At the present time, information about the relationships between Large-Flowered Penstemon and vertebrate animals is unavailable.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois. The plants are an Illinois ecotype of this species from nursery-grown material.
Comments: Both the foliage and flowers of Large-Flowered Penstemon are beautiful and distinctive. Unfortunately, the blooming period of the flowers is rather short, but you can't have everything. Because of its distinctive bluish foliage and large flowers (up to 2" in length), this species is easy to distinguish from other Penstemon spp. that are native to Illinois. However, a non-native species from the west, Penstemon cobaea (Showy Penstemon), is somewhat similar in appearance and its flowers are equally large in size. Unlike Large-Flowered Penstemon, this latter species has pubescent stems, while its upper leaves and bracts have bases that are sessile, rather than clasping. Showy Penstemon has naturalized in Kane County, Illinois.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月03日
Description: This perennial plant is about 2-3' tall while in flower. There is a rosette of basal leaves up to 6" long and 4" wide on long petioles. They are medium green, sandpapery in texture, coarsely serrated along the margins, and broadly lanceolate, ovate, or cordate. From the middle of this rosette, a stout flowering stalk develops, which has smaller alternate leaves on short petioles. Usually there are erect side stems that each develop an inflorescence. An inflorescence consists of flat-headed clusters of small white flowerheads; usually, there are several of them bunched loosely together on the same plant. Each flowerhead is about 1/3" (8 mm.) across, consisting primarily of numerous disk florets, while the few ray florets are greatly reduced in size and barely perceptible. The overall effect is similar to a head of cauliflower. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, and lasts about 2 months. There is no noticeable floral scent. Eventually, the flowerheads turn brown, and the achenes develop without tufts of hair. The central taproot is quite thickened and somewhat tuberous in appearance, while rhizomes promote the vegetative spread of this plant.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and mesic conditions. However, a small amount of shade is tolerated, and the soil can vary from moist to slightly dry. A fertile loamy soil is preferred, although the presence of some sand or rocky material is tolerated. While established plants are fairly easy to grow, recent transplants can be temperamental. It is important to put the transplants into the ground after danger of hard frost has passed, but before the period of active growth occurs during the late spring and early summer. Foliar disease isn't a significant problem. During a drought, some of the lower leaves may turn yellow and wither away.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Quinine occurs occasionally in the majority of counties in Illinois, however it is uncommon or absent in many areas of western and SE Illinois (see Distribution Map). In high quality habitats, Wild Quinine can be locally common, while in disturbed areas it is uncommon, possibly because of the limited dispersion of its seeds. Habitats include mesic black soil prairies, sand prairies, openings in rocky upland forests, savannas, scrubby barrens, limestone glades, and thickets.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract Halictine bees, wasps, flies, beetles, and plant bugs. The beetles usually feed on pollen, while the other insects seek nectar primarily. The fly visitors include Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, Flesh flies, Muscid flies, Anthomyiid flies, and others. Wasp visitors include Crabronine wasps, Eumenine wasps, Cuckoo wasps, Braconid wasps, and others. Mammalian herbivores appear to ignore this plant as a food source because the leaves are sandpapery in texture and bitter-tasting.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a remnant prairie along an abandoned railroad in Champaign County, Illinois, and the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Don't be put off by the lack of conspicuous ray florets on the flowerheads – they are still quite showy, resembling small white pearls from a distance. The leaves are admittedly rather coarse, but they possess characteristics that help this plant to survive in the prairie (as well as one's flower garden). Because of the unique flowerheads, this plant can be confused with no other species in Illinois; there are some close relatives that occur in other states, however. Wild Quinine was used as a substitute for the bark of the Cinchona tree during World War I, when the supply of the latter was disrupted; this was an attempt to maintain the supply of quinine to treat malaria.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and mesic conditions. However, a small amount of shade is tolerated, and the soil can vary from moist to slightly dry. A fertile loamy soil is preferred, although the presence of some sand or rocky material is tolerated. While established plants are fairly easy to grow, recent transplants can be temperamental. It is important to put the transplants into the ground after danger of hard frost has passed, but before the period of active growth occurs during the late spring and early summer. Foliar disease isn't a significant problem. During a drought, some of the lower leaves may turn yellow and wither away.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Quinine occurs occasionally in the majority of counties in Illinois, however it is uncommon or absent in many areas of western and SE Illinois (see Distribution Map). In high quality habitats, Wild Quinine can be locally common, while in disturbed areas it is uncommon, possibly because of the limited dispersion of its seeds. Habitats include mesic black soil prairies, sand prairies, openings in rocky upland forests, savannas, scrubby barrens, limestone glades, and thickets.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract Halictine bees, wasps, flies, beetles, and plant bugs. The beetles usually feed on pollen, while the other insects seek nectar primarily. The fly visitors include Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, Flesh flies, Muscid flies, Anthomyiid flies, and others. Wasp visitors include Crabronine wasps, Eumenine wasps, Cuckoo wasps, Braconid wasps, and others. Mammalian herbivores appear to ignore this plant as a food source because the leaves are sandpapery in texture and bitter-tasting.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a remnant prairie along an abandoned railroad in Champaign County, Illinois, and the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Don't be put off by the lack of conspicuous ray florets on the flowerheads – they are still quite showy, resembling small white pearls from a distance. The leaves are admittedly rather coarse, but they possess characteristics that help this plant to survive in the prairie (as well as one's flower garden). Because of the unique flowerheads, this plant can be confused with no other species in Illinois; there are some close relatives that occur in other states, however. Wild Quinine was used as a substitute for the bark of the Cinchona tree during World War I, when the supply of the latter was disrupted; this was an attempt to maintain the supply of quinine to treat malaria.
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权问薇
2018年02月02日
1、扦插的时间
在扦插的时候，首先要把时间确定好，如果你是用硬枝去扦插的话，时间一般就是在3到4月之间最好，如果你是用它的嫩枝去扦插的话，时间就是在6到7月之间最好了。由此看来扦插的时间是按照你用的插条决定的。
2、扦插的基质
在扦插之前，我们要先把基质给准备好，适合的基质会更加利于它的成活。一般来讲，六月雪对基质的要求并不怎么严格，但是用腐殖土和河沙混合在一起最好，这样才能满足它最基本的生长需求。基质配置好之后，我们把它放在水泥地上晒上1到2天，这样就给基质起到一个很好的杀毒作用，防止里面存有病虫害给植株带来影响。基质晒好了之后，我们就可以将它装到容器里面去等待扦插了。
3、扦插
我们先找来一棵较为健壮的母株，然后从它的上面剪下来一段6到8厘米长的插穗，之后等到切口处的伤口晾干之后，我们就可以将它插在准备好的基质里面了，插的时候，要注意插条插进去的深度，不可太深也不可以太浅了，适中就行。之后就可以等待插条生根了。另外如果有的人嫌麻烦，我们可以多剪取一些插条，然后合并在一起扦插在基质里面，这样等到10到11月的时候就可以给它们上盆了。
4、扦插之后的养护
扦插结束之后，后期的养护也是很重要的。初期的时候，插条是很害怕受到太阳照射的，所以我们就要及时的给它搭棚遮阴，然后还要注意浇水，让基质时刻是湿润的，这样子才能让插条更容易成活。等到插条成活之后，就可以让它正常的享受一些光照了，但是要注意光线不能太强了。
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Miss Chen
2018年02月02日
Description: This perennial wildflower consists of a small rosette of basal leaves spanning 2-4" across, from which there develops a single stalk of flowerheads about 6-14" tall. The basal leaves are 1½-3" long and ½-¾" across (at least twice as long as across); they are oblong-elliptic to oblong-lanceolate in shape and crenate-serrate along their margins. The teeth along the margins have blunt tips and they vary in size from large and coarse to small and fine. The upper and lower surfaces of the basal leaves are medium green and glabrous (or nearly so); young basal leaves are sometimes sparsely hairy or white-mealy. The petioles of the basal leaves are about one-half the length of the blades and relatively narrow; they are light green to pale purple and glabrous. The central stalk is light green to purple and glabrous (or nearly so); sometimes it has sparse cobwebby hairs toward the bottom. Along this stalk, there are 2-4 alternate leaves; they are up to 2½" long and ½" across, becoming smaller as they ascend the stalk. The alternate leaves are narrowly lanceolate-oblong, pinnatifid with cleft lobes, and/or coarsely dentate along their margins; they are sessile. The upper and lower surfaces of the alternate leaves are medium green and glabrous.
The central stalk terminates in a flat-headed panicle of 5-30 flowerheads. Each daisy-like flowerhead spans about ½-¾" across, consisting of 40 or more disk florets and 8-13 ray florets (rarely none); the disk and ray florets are both perfect and fertile. The corollas of the disk florets are deep golden yellow, cylindrical in shape, and 5-lobed. The petaloid extensions of the ray florets are yellow and linear-oblong in shape. Around the base of each flowerhead, there are several phyllaries (floral bracts) in a single series; they are about ¼" long. These phyllaries are linear in shape, glabrous, and mostly light green, except toward their tips, where they become pale purple. The branches and peduncles of the inflorescence are light green to pale purple and glabrous; there are often tiny bractlets where they diverge. These bractlets are scale-like and purple. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. Afterwards, the florets are replaced by small achenes with sessile tufts of white hair. These achenes are 1-2 mm. long and bullet-shaped. The root system consists of a short crown of fibrous roots and occasional rhizomes or stolons. Occasionally, clonal colonies of plants are produced from the rhizomes or stolons.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and soil containing loam, sandy loam, or rocky material. Most growth and development occurs during the spring. The basal leaves persist throughout the warmer months into winter.
Range & Habitat: The native Balsam Ragwort is occasional in the northern half of Illinois, becoming rare or absent in the southern half of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist sand prairies, prairie remnants along railroads, sedge meadows, streambanks, moist sandy savannas, open woodlands, and abandoned fields. Areas with low ground vegetation and some history of disturbance are preferred.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract a variety of small to medium-sized insects, including cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), Halictid bees, Andrenid bees, Syrphid flies, small butterflies and skippers, and miscellaneous beetles. An Andrenid bee, Andrena gardineri, is a specialist pollinator (oligolege) of Packera spp. (ragworts). Some insects feed on the foliage or seeds of ragworts. These species include caterpillars of the moth Agonopterix canadensis (Canadian Agonopterix) and the seed bug Neacoryphus bicrucis. The foliage of ragworts is toxic to most mammalian herbivores, causing liver damage.
Photographic Location: Along a bike path through a sand prairie at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in NW Indiana.
Comments: As compared to the similar Prairie Ragwort (Packera plattensis), this ragwort prefers habitats that are more moist. Balsam Ragwort differs from the former species by its glabrous foliage and more narrow basal leaves. The basal leaves of other perennial ragworts (Packera spp.) in Illinois have basal leaves that are more broad. However, across its range, Balsam Ragwort is rather variable, possibly because of hybridization with similar species. The perennial ragworts in Illinois all bloom during the spring or early summer and they have showy yellow flowerheads. The annual and biennial ragworts in Illinois are mostly from Eurasia and they have less showy flowerheads. An exception is the native Butterweed (Packera glabella). This latter species is usually taller than the perennial ragworts and it lacks their conspicuous basal leaves during the blooming period. A scientific synonym of Balsam Ragwort is Senecio pauperculus; another common name of this species is Northern Ragwort.
The central stalk terminates in a flat-headed panicle of 5-30 flowerheads. Each daisy-like flowerhead spans about ½-¾" across, consisting of 40 or more disk florets and 8-13 ray florets (rarely none); the disk and ray florets are both perfect and fertile. The corollas of the disk florets are deep golden yellow, cylindrical in shape, and 5-lobed. The petaloid extensions of the ray florets are yellow and linear-oblong in shape. Around the base of each flowerhead, there are several phyllaries (floral bracts) in a single series; they are about ¼" long. These phyllaries are linear in shape, glabrous, and mostly light green, except toward their tips, where they become pale purple. The branches and peduncles of the inflorescence are light green to pale purple and glabrous; there are often tiny bractlets where they diverge. These bractlets are scale-like and purple. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. Afterwards, the florets are replaced by small achenes with sessile tufts of white hair. These achenes are 1-2 mm. long and bullet-shaped. The root system consists of a short crown of fibrous roots and occasional rhizomes or stolons. Occasionally, clonal colonies of plants are produced from the rhizomes or stolons.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and soil containing loam, sandy loam, or rocky material. Most growth and development occurs during the spring. The basal leaves persist throughout the warmer months into winter.
Range & Habitat: The native Balsam Ragwort is occasional in the northern half of Illinois, becoming rare or absent in the southern half of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist sand prairies, prairie remnants along railroads, sedge meadows, streambanks, moist sandy savannas, open woodlands, and abandoned fields. Areas with low ground vegetation and some history of disturbance are preferred.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract a variety of small to medium-sized insects, including cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), Halictid bees, Andrenid bees, Syrphid flies, small butterflies and skippers, and miscellaneous beetles. An Andrenid bee, Andrena gardineri, is a specialist pollinator (oligolege) of Packera spp. (ragworts). Some insects feed on the foliage or seeds of ragworts. These species include caterpillars of the moth Agonopterix canadensis (Canadian Agonopterix) and the seed bug Neacoryphus bicrucis. The foliage of ragworts is toxic to most mammalian herbivores, causing liver damage.
Photographic Location: Along a bike path through a sand prairie at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in NW Indiana.
Comments: As compared to the similar Prairie Ragwort (Packera plattensis), this ragwort prefers habitats that are more moist. Balsam Ragwort differs from the former species by its glabrous foliage and more narrow basal leaves. The basal leaves of other perennial ragworts (Packera spp.) in Illinois have basal leaves that are more broad. However, across its range, Balsam Ragwort is rather variable, possibly because of hybridization with similar species. The perennial ragworts in Illinois all bloom during the spring or early summer and they have showy yellow flowerheads. The annual and biennial ragworts in Illinois are mostly from Eurasia and they have less showy flowerheads. An exception is the native Butterweed (Packera glabella). This latter species is usually taller than the perennial ragworts and it lacks their conspicuous basal leaves during the blooming period. A scientific synonym of Balsam Ragwort is Senecio pauperculus; another common name of this species is Northern Ragwort.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月02日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 2-3½' tall and either unbranched or sparingly branched. The central stem and any lateral stems are medium green, terete, and sparsely short-pubescent. The alternate leaves are trifoliate; their petioles are 2-6" long, somewhat angular, medium green, and sparsely short-pubescent. At the base of each petiole, there is a pair of stipules about 8 mm. (0.3") long; they are linear-lanceolate in shape and early-deciduous. The leaflets of the trifoliate leaves are 2-4' long and 1-2" across; they are lanceolate-ovate to ovate in shape, while their margins are smooth (entire) and slightly ciliate. The bases of these leaflets are rounded, while their tips are rather slender and pointed. The upper leaflet surface is medium green and sparsely short-pubescent to glabrous, while the lower leaflet surface is pale to medium green and sparsely short-pubescent. Leaflet venation is pinnate. The terminal leaflets have petiolules (basal stalklets) about ½-1" long, while the petiolules of the lateral leaflets are less than 1/8" in length.
Both axillary and terminal racemes of flowers are produced on peduncles about 2-8" in length. These racemes are 2-6" long and spike-like in appearance; the density of flowers along each raceme is intermediate. The central stalk of each raceme is pale green and sparsely covered with short fine pubescence. Each flower is about ¼" long and relatively narrow in shape, consisting of 5 blue, purple, or nearly white petals, a short-tubular calyx with 5 teeth, and the reproductive organs. The petals form an upright banner, a pair of forward-projecting wings, and a small keel that is largely hidden by the wings. At the base of the banner, there is a small patch of yellow with fine purple veins. The calyx is pale green to pale purplish yellow and sparsely short-pubescent. The pedicels of the flowers are very short (less than 1/8" in length). The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 1 month. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by short seedpods about 8-12 mm. long. These seedpods are obovoid, somewhat compressed (flattened), and asymmetric (more curved on one sideLeaflet Underside than the other); they are single-seeded. Individual seeds are 4-6 mm. long, reniform (kidney-shaped), and somewhat compressed, becoming dark brown at maturity. The root system is rhizomatous, often forming clonal colonies of plants.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and loamy soil. This wildflower can be propagated by seed or division of its rhizomes.
Range & Habitat: The native French Grass is uncommon to occasional in central Illinois, becoming rare or absent in the southern and northern sections of the state (see Distribution Map). It is found primarily in the lower Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and eastern Missouri). Habitats include black soil prairies, pioneer cemetery prairies, lower slopes of hill prairies, riverbanks, upland open woodlands, poorly maintained embankments along country roads, and fallow fields. French Grass is found in both high quality habitats (mostly prairie remnants) and more disturbed habitats that have a history of neglect.
Faunal Associations: Aside from flower-visiting insects, very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. Robertson (1929) observed honeybees, bumblebees, cuckoo bees (Coelioxys spp.), leaf-cutter bees (Megachile spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.) Halictid bees, plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, bee flies (Bombyliidae), thick-headed flies (Conopidae), butterflies, skippers, and moths visiting the flowers for nectar. Some of the bees also collected pollen from the flowers. Robertson also observed an uncommon carder bee, Anthidium psoralaeae, visiting the flowers of French Grass. This latter bee is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of some prairie species (Orbexilum spp., Psoralidium spp., etc.) in the Bean family. There is also a newly discovered, but still unnamed, moth caterpillar (Schinia sp.) that feeds on French Grass in the lower Midwest. This caterpillar is pale yellowish green with pairs of large black dots along its sides.
Photographic Location: An overgrown embankment along a gravelly road in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: In spite of the common name, this species is a legume in the Bean family, rather than a grass. The foliage of French Grass has a striking similarity to the foliage of cultivated Soybeans (Glycine max). However, both the inflorescences and seeds of these two species bear little resemblance to each other. French Grass appears to be a species that is often neglected in prairie and savanna restorations, even though it is probably not difficult to cultivate. Another species that is native to Illinois, Orbexilum pedunculatum (Sampson's Snakeroot), is a smaller plant with more narrow leaves and its flowers are usually more white or pinkish white than those of French Grass. Sometimes 'Sanfoin' is used as a common name for Orbexilum onobrychis. A scientific synonym of this species is Psoralea onobrychis.
Both axillary and terminal racemes of flowers are produced on peduncles about 2-8" in length. These racemes are 2-6" long and spike-like in appearance; the density of flowers along each raceme is intermediate. The central stalk of each raceme is pale green and sparsely covered with short fine pubescence. Each flower is about ¼" long and relatively narrow in shape, consisting of 5 blue, purple, or nearly white petals, a short-tubular calyx with 5 teeth, and the reproductive organs. The petals form an upright banner, a pair of forward-projecting wings, and a small keel that is largely hidden by the wings. At the base of the banner, there is a small patch of yellow with fine purple veins. The calyx is pale green to pale purplish yellow and sparsely short-pubescent. The pedicels of the flowers are very short (less than 1/8" in length). The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 1 month. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by short seedpods about 8-12 mm. long. These seedpods are obovoid, somewhat compressed (flattened), and asymmetric (more curved on one sideLeaflet Underside than the other); they are single-seeded. Individual seeds are 4-6 mm. long, reniform (kidney-shaped), and somewhat compressed, becoming dark brown at maturity. The root system is rhizomatous, often forming clonal colonies of plants.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and loamy soil. This wildflower can be propagated by seed or division of its rhizomes.
Range & Habitat: The native French Grass is uncommon to occasional in central Illinois, becoming rare or absent in the southern and northern sections of the state (see Distribution Map). It is found primarily in the lower Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and eastern Missouri). Habitats include black soil prairies, pioneer cemetery prairies, lower slopes of hill prairies, riverbanks, upland open woodlands, poorly maintained embankments along country roads, and fallow fields. French Grass is found in both high quality habitats (mostly prairie remnants) and more disturbed habitats that have a history of neglect.
Faunal Associations: Aside from flower-visiting insects, very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. Robertson (1929) observed honeybees, bumblebees, cuckoo bees (Coelioxys spp.), leaf-cutter bees (Megachile spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.) Halictid bees, plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, bee flies (Bombyliidae), thick-headed flies (Conopidae), butterflies, skippers, and moths visiting the flowers for nectar. Some of the bees also collected pollen from the flowers. Robertson also observed an uncommon carder bee, Anthidium psoralaeae, visiting the flowers of French Grass. This latter bee is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of some prairie species (Orbexilum spp., Psoralidium spp., etc.) in the Bean family. There is also a newly discovered, but still unnamed, moth caterpillar (Schinia sp.) that feeds on French Grass in the lower Midwest. This caterpillar is pale yellowish green with pairs of large black dots along its sides.
Photographic Location: An overgrown embankment along a gravelly road in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: In spite of the common name, this species is a legume in the Bean family, rather than a grass. The foliage of French Grass has a striking similarity to the foliage of cultivated Soybeans (Glycine max). However, both the inflorescences and seeds of these two species bear little resemblance to each other. French Grass appears to be a species that is often neglected in prairie and savanna restorations, even though it is probably not difficult to cultivate. Another species that is native to Illinois, Orbexilum pedunculatum (Sampson's Snakeroot), is a smaller plant with more narrow leaves and its flowers are usually more white or pinkish white than those of French Grass. Sometimes 'Sanfoin' is used as a common name for Orbexilum onobrychis. A scientific synonym of this species is Psoralea onobrychis.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月01日
Description: This perennial plant is 1-3' tall, producing multiple erect to spreading shoots from the root system. The stems are whitish green, terete, densely appressed-pubescent, and moderately hairy; they are either unbranched, sparingly branched, or occasionally branched. Spreading alternate leaves occur along these stems that are 1½–3½" long and ½–1" across. These leaves are elliptic, broadly elliptic, or lanceolate-elliptic in shape, while their margins are toothless and ciliate; they are usually sessile. The upper leaf surface is medium green or grayish green; it is sparsely to moderately covered with appressed to ascending hairs. The lower leaf surface is light green and appressed-pubescent; it also has spreading hairs along the major veins. The uppermost leaves are usually more hairy than the remaining leaves. Individual leaves have 3-7 primary veins that are more or less parallel to each other; they are very conspicuous on both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. The central stem (and upper lateral stems, if present) terminates in a coiled raceme of flowers up to 1' long. The flowers occur along only one side of the raceme, facing more or less downward while they are in bloom.
Each flower has a white corolla that is ½–¾" long, a hairy green calyx with 5 slender lobes, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with a strongly exerted white style. The corolla is cylindrical-angular in shape, becoming slightly and gradually wider toward its tip. At the tip of the corolla, there are 5 triangular lobes that extend outward and inward, effectively closing off the opening of the corolla, except for the exerted style. These lobes are often tinted green or yellow. The outer sides of the corolla are densely canescent, except where its lobes occur; the latter are hairy throughout. The lobes of the calyx are linear-lanceolate to linear-oblong in shape. Including its lobes, the calyx is about two-thirds as long as the corolla. The pedicels of the flowers are up to ¼" long (rarely longer); they are whitish green, terete, appressed-pubescent, and covered with appressed to slightly spreading hairs. At the bases of these pedicels, there are solitary bracts up to 1" long that resemble the leaves. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 3 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the raceme uncoils itself and becomes more straight and erect; each flower is replaced by 0-4 nutlets (often, there is only a single nutlet per flower). Mature nutlets are 3.5–4.5 mm. long, 2.5–3.5 mm. across, and ovoid in shape; their tips are bluntly acute, while their bottoms are more or less truncate and discolored. There is no ring-like constriction near the base of each nutlet. The sides of these nutlets are pale brown to white and either dull or shiny; they are usually devoid of small pits, although sometimes a few scattered pits may occur. The nutlets are also quite hard. The root system consists of a deep taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing gravel, sand, or rocky material. While this plant readily adapts to more fertile loamy soil, it is typically found on more barren ground because of the reduced competition from other kinds of ground vegetation. Most growth and development occurs during the spring and the first half of summer; this plant has a C3 metabolism. The hard seeds may lie in the ground for several years before they germinate.
Range & Habitat: Western Marbleseed is found in the western half of Illinois and at the Shawnee Hills in the southern section of the state (see Distribution Map). It is native to the state and uncommon. Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this species. Western Marbleseed has a rather large range that extends across the Great Plains and into some of the western states. In Illinois, habitats for this species includes upland sand prairies, upland gravel prairies, hill prairies, upland savannas, rocky glades, and upland pastures. This plant is normally found in high quality natural areas, although it appears to thrive better when there are occasional wildfires or cattle grazing.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by bumblebees. Other insect visitors of the flowers include honeybees, Halictid bees, ants, and true bugs (Williams, 1998). Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. Other insects feed on the foliage, stems, sap, and other parts of Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle). Adult flea beetles (Epitrix spp., Longitarsus spp.) feed on the leaves, while their larvae feed on the roots. One species, the Marbleseed Flea Beetle (Longitarsus subrufus), is oligophagous on Marbleseed. Other insect feeders include polyphagous stink bugs that feed on the sap of the stems, stem-boring larvae of gall flies (Neolasioptera spp.), and pollen-feeding larvae of a sap beetle (Afrogethes saevus). Species that feed on sap from the leaves include the Two-striped Planthopper (Acanalonia bivittata), Meadow Spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius), and Girdled Leafhopper (Aphrodes bicincta). The larvae of a moth, the Marbleseed Leafminer (Acrocercops pnosmodiella), is oligophagous on marbleseed. Larvae of another moth, the Streaked Ethmia Moth (Ethmia longimaculella longimaculella), feed on the leaves of marbleseed and puccoons (Lithospermum spp.). Larvae of some polyphagous tiger moths and larvae of a polyphagous butterfly, the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), also feed on the leaves marbleseed. For more information, see Williams (1998), Powell (1973), and Needham et al. (1928). The foliage of marbleseed is not a preferred source of food for mammalian herbivores because of its bristly hairs. This plant usually becomes more abundant in upland pastures that are occasionally grazed by cattle (Williams, 1997). Like other species in the Borage family, the foliage of marbleseed may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to the liver.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Western Marbleseed is another plant that is native to Illinois prairies. Its flowers are somewhat odd-looking because of their closed corollas. The taxonomy of marbleseed (Onosmodium) has been unstable and the different species, subspecies, and/or varieties can be difficult to distinguish from each other, especially when their nutlets are unavailable for observation. For example, Western Marbleseed has been classified as Onosmodium occidentale, Onosmodium molle occidentale, Onosmodium bejariense occidentale, and even Lithospermum occidentale. Another marbleseed that has been reported from Illinois, Rough Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle hispidissimum), has a more eastern distribution and its nutlets have conspicuous ring-like constrictions near their bases, unlike Western Marbleseed. The typical variety, Soft-haired Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle molle), apparently doesn't occur in Illinois. It has softer foliage than the preceding varieties of this species, and its nutlets are conspicuously pitted. Another variety of this species, Bexar Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle bejariense), has corolla lobes with longer and more tapered tips than the preceding varieties. This variety is native to Texas. According to Mackenzie (1905), Bexar Marbleseed has smaller nutlets (about 3 mm. in length) that have slight to strong ring-like constrictions near their bases. Yet another variety, Glabrous-stemmed Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle subsetosus), has stems that are glabrous to sparsely hairy. It is found in a few states in the south-central region of the United States.
Each flower has a white corolla that is ½–¾" long, a hairy green calyx with 5 slender lobes, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with a strongly exerted white style. The corolla is cylindrical-angular in shape, becoming slightly and gradually wider toward its tip. At the tip of the corolla, there are 5 triangular lobes that extend outward and inward, effectively closing off the opening of the corolla, except for the exerted style. These lobes are often tinted green or yellow. The outer sides of the corolla are densely canescent, except where its lobes occur; the latter are hairy throughout. The lobes of the calyx are linear-lanceolate to linear-oblong in shape. Including its lobes, the calyx is about two-thirds as long as the corolla. The pedicels of the flowers are up to ¼" long (rarely longer); they are whitish green, terete, appressed-pubescent, and covered with appressed to slightly spreading hairs. At the bases of these pedicels, there are solitary bracts up to 1" long that resemble the leaves. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 3 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the raceme uncoils itself and becomes more straight and erect; each flower is replaced by 0-4 nutlets (often, there is only a single nutlet per flower). Mature nutlets are 3.5–4.5 mm. long, 2.5–3.5 mm. across, and ovoid in shape; their tips are bluntly acute, while their bottoms are more or less truncate and discolored. There is no ring-like constriction near the base of each nutlet. The sides of these nutlets are pale brown to white and either dull or shiny; they are usually devoid of small pits, although sometimes a few scattered pits may occur. The nutlets are also quite hard. The root system consists of a deep taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing gravel, sand, or rocky material. While this plant readily adapts to more fertile loamy soil, it is typically found on more barren ground because of the reduced competition from other kinds of ground vegetation. Most growth and development occurs during the spring and the first half of summer; this plant has a C3 metabolism. The hard seeds may lie in the ground for several years before they germinate.
Range & Habitat: Western Marbleseed is found in the western half of Illinois and at the Shawnee Hills in the southern section of the state (see Distribution Map). It is native to the state and uncommon. Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this species. Western Marbleseed has a rather large range that extends across the Great Plains and into some of the western states. In Illinois, habitats for this species includes upland sand prairies, upland gravel prairies, hill prairies, upland savannas, rocky glades, and upland pastures. This plant is normally found in high quality natural areas, although it appears to thrive better when there are occasional wildfires or cattle grazing.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by bumblebees. Other insect visitors of the flowers include honeybees, Halictid bees, ants, and true bugs (Williams, 1998). Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. Other insects feed on the foliage, stems, sap, and other parts of Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle). Adult flea beetles (Epitrix spp., Longitarsus spp.) feed on the leaves, while their larvae feed on the roots. One species, the Marbleseed Flea Beetle (Longitarsus subrufus), is oligophagous on Marbleseed. Other insect feeders include polyphagous stink bugs that feed on the sap of the stems, stem-boring larvae of gall flies (Neolasioptera spp.), and pollen-feeding larvae of a sap beetle (Afrogethes saevus). Species that feed on sap from the leaves include the Two-striped Planthopper (Acanalonia bivittata), Meadow Spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius), and Girdled Leafhopper (Aphrodes bicincta). The larvae of a moth, the Marbleseed Leafminer (Acrocercops pnosmodiella), is oligophagous on marbleseed. Larvae of another moth, the Streaked Ethmia Moth (Ethmia longimaculella longimaculella), feed on the leaves of marbleseed and puccoons (Lithospermum spp.). Larvae of some polyphagous tiger moths and larvae of a polyphagous butterfly, the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), also feed on the leaves marbleseed. For more information, see Williams (1998), Powell (1973), and Needham et al. (1928). The foliage of marbleseed is not a preferred source of food for mammalian herbivores because of its bristly hairs. This plant usually becomes more abundant in upland pastures that are occasionally grazed by cattle (Williams, 1997). Like other species in the Borage family, the foliage of marbleseed may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to the liver.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Western Marbleseed is another plant that is native to Illinois prairies. Its flowers are somewhat odd-looking because of their closed corollas. The taxonomy of marbleseed (Onosmodium) has been unstable and the different species, subspecies, and/or varieties can be difficult to distinguish from each other, especially when their nutlets are unavailable for observation. For example, Western Marbleseed has been classified as Onosmodium occidentale, Onosmodium molle occidentale, Onosmodium bejariense occidentale, and even Lithospermum occidentale. Another marbleseed that has been reported from Illinois, Rough Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle hispidissimum), has a more eastern distribution and its nutlets have conspicuous ring-like constrictions near their bases, unlike Western Marbleseed. The typical variety, Soft-haired Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle molle), apparently doesn't occur in Illinois. It has softer foliage than the preceding varieties of this species, and its nutlets are conspicuously pitted. Another variety of this species, Bexar Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle bejariense), has corolla lobes with longer and more tapered tips than the preceding varieties. This variety is native to Texas. According to Mackenzie (1905), Bexar Marbleseed has smaller nutlets (about 3 mm. in length) that have slight to strong ring-like constrictions near their bases. Yet another variety, Glabrous-stemmed Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle subsetosus), has stems that are glabrous to sparsely hairy. It is found in a few states in the south-central region of the United States.
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