文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月01日
Description: This perennial plant is 2-5" (5-12 cm.) tall, eventually forming sprawling mats of cactus pads. An individual plant typically consists of 2-6 pads (modified fleshy stem-segments) that form either branched or unbranched chains (usually the former). These pads can become detached from each other easily, especially the uppermost and youngest pads. The pads are ascending to widely spreading. Individual pads are 1-2.5" (2.5-6 cm.) long, ½-1" (1.2-2.5 cm.) across, and slightly to moderately flattened; mature pads are ellipsoid, broadly ellipsoid, or obovoid in shape. Pad surfaces are medium green and glabrous; they often shrivel and become wrinkled during the dormant stage of winter, while remaining green. Scattered across the pads in diagonal rows are areoles (air pores) about 2-3 mm. across; they are initially white-woolly. The areoles contain inconspicuous glochids (fine spiny bristles) about 1-2 mm. long that are yellowish or brownish. In addition, clusters of 2-6 divergent spines develop from the areoles. These spines are ¼-1¼" (5-30 mm.) long, light gray or brown, straight, terete, and barbed at their tips. With age, some of the spines become detached from the pads. On young developing pads, scale-like leaves develop near the areoles that are 1-3 mm. long, green to reddish green, and lanceolate in shape; they are early-deciduous.
While most plants fail to bloom during a given year, usually a small minority of plants in a colony will produce 1-2 flowers each. Each flower is about 1½-2" (4-5 cm.) across when it is fully open, consisting of several rounded yellow tepals, numerous stamens, and a pistil with a single slender style. Sometimes the inner tepals are reddish or greenish at their bases. The filaments of the stamens are yellow or reddish brown, while their anthers are yellow. The style is whitish yellow with a cluster of 4-10 green stigmata at its tip. For a colony of plants, the blooming period occurs during mid-summer for about 1-2 weeks; each diurnal flower lasts only a single day. Sometimes there is a slight floral fragrance. Most flowers fail to set fruit. Among those that do, their fruits are ½-¾" (12-20 mm.) long and ovoid in shape. Immature fruits are green to reddish green, while mature fruits are tan to brown and bur-like in appearance. Like the pads, the fruits have areoles with glochids and barbed spines; the spines are more common toward the apex of each fruit. The interior of mature fruits is dry and seedy. These fruits are easily detached from their pads. Individual seeds are 4-6 mm. across, bone-colored to grayish brown, and hairless; they are rather chunky and irregular in shape. The root system is shallow and fibrous. This plant can reproduce vegetatively whenever detached pads have contact with the ground surface, as they willDistribution Map form new roots. This is the primary method of reproduction. It is not uncommon for little-disturbed plants to form sprawling colonies at favorable sites.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and open barren ground that is rocky, gravelly, or sandy. However, this cactus will adapt to ordinary garden soil if other plants are kept away from it. Under these conditions, it is not difficult to cultivate, however flowers and fruits are uncommonly produced in most geographical areas where this cactus occurs. This dwarf cactus is a good candidate for a sunny rock garden. It is the most winter-hardy cactus in North America.
Range & Habitat: The native Brittle Prickly Pear is found in only the NW corner of Illinois, where it is rare and state-listed as 'endangered.' Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this cactus; it is more common in areas further to the west, especially in the northern plains region of the United States. In Illinois, Brittle Prickly Pear occurs on a dry sand prairie of an abandoned army base that is in the process of being restored. Outside of the state, this cactus can be found in open grassy prairies, sandy hills, and rocky outcrops containing granite, limestone, or quartzite. In Illinois, this cactus is found in a higher quality natural area, while toward the center of its range, it sometimes occurs in disturbed areas (e.g., cattle pastures).
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily bees, including Halictid bees. Insects that feed destructively on Brittle Prickly Pear and other Opuntia spp. include the Coreid bug, Chelinidea vittiger, which sucks juices from the cactus pads and fruits; the stink bugs, Chlorochroa uhleri and Chlorochroa persimilis, which also suck juices from the cactus pads and fruits; larvae of the Syrphid fly, Copestylum vittatum, which bore into the cactus pads; and larvae of the Pyralid moths, Melitara dentata and Melitara prodenialis, which also bore into the cactus pads. The sharp spines and bristly glochids provide the cactus pads and fruits with some protection from browsing by vertebrate herbivores. Nonetheless, in some areas the Brittle Prickly Pear is eaten by the Plains Pocket Gopher, and its seeds are an important source of food for the Harris Ground Squirrel and many species of birds (Ribbens, 2007). Among cacti, the Brittle Prickly Pear is unusual in having individual pads and fruits that are designed to attach themselves to the fur of mammals, such as the American Bison; they also become attached to the clothing and skin of humans. By such means, new clonal plants and seeds can be transported across long distances.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: In Illinois, Brittle Prickly Pear can be distinguished from other Opuntia spp. (Prickly Pears) by its small size and dry bur-like fruits. Like many other cacti, it produces large showy flowers that are short-lived. The detachable pads make this cactus difficult to handle while transplanting as they readily cling to fingers, hands, or gloves, thanks to its barbed spines. In particular, the inconspicuous glochids (fine sharp bristles of the areoles) can embed themselves underneath the surface of the skin and are difficult to remove. So its wise to exercise considerable care while handling this plant. Not only can the pads become detached by the movements of animals or people, even heavy rainfall, blowing snow, or a strong gust wind sometimes dislodge them. Each one of these detached pads has the potential to become another clonal plant, forming low mats of sprawling plants over time.
While most plants fail to bloom during a given year, usually a small minority of plants in a colony will produce 1-2 flowers each. Each flower is about 1½-2" (4-5 cm.) across when it is fully open, consisting of several rounded yellow tepals, numerous stamens, and a pistil with a single slender style. Sometimes the inner tepals are reddish or greenish at their bases. The filaments of the stamens are yellow or reddish brown, while their anthers are yellow. The style is whitish yellow with a cluster of 4-10 green stigmata at its tip. For a colony of plants, the blooming period occurs during mid-summer for about 1-2 weeks; each diurnal flower lasts only a single day. Sometimes there is a slight floral fragrance. Most flowers fail to set fruit. Among those that do, their fruits are ½-¾" (12-20 mm.) long and ovoid in shape. Immature fruits are green to reddish green, while mature fruits are tan to brown and bur-like in appearance. Like the pads, the fruits have areoles with glochids and barbed spines; the spines are more common toward the apex of each fruit. The interior of mature fruits is dry and seedy. These fruits are easily detached from their pads. Individual seeds are 4-6 mm. across, bone-colored to grayish brown, and hairless; they are rather chunky and irregular in shape. The root system is shallow and fibrous. This plant can reproduce vegetatively whenever detached pads have contact with the ground surface, as they willDistribution Map form new roots. This is the primary method of reproduction. It is not uncommon for little-disturbed plants to form sprawling colonies at favorable sites.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and open barren ground that is rocky, gravelly, or sandy. However, this cactus will adapt to ordinary garden soil if other plants are kept away from it. Under these conditions, it is not difficult to cultivate, however flowers and fruits are uncommonly produced in most geographical areas where this cactus occurs. This dwarf cactus is a good candidate for a sunny rock garden. It is the most winter-hardy cactus in North America.
Range & Habitat: The native Brittle Prickly Pear is found in only the NW corner of Illinois, where it is rare and state-listed as 'endangered.' Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this cactus; it is more common in areas further to the west, especially in the northern plains region of the United States. In Illinois, Brittle Prickly Pear occurs on a dry sand prairie of an abandoned army base that is in the process of being restored. Outside of the state, this cactus can be found in open grassy prairies, sandy hills, and rocky outcrops containing granite, limestone, or quartzite. In Illinois, this cactus is found in a higher quality natural area, while toward the center of its range, it sometimes occurs in disturbed areas (e.g., cattle pastures).
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily bees, including Halictid bees. Insects that feed destructively on Brittle Prickly Pear and other Opuntia spp. include the Coreid bug, Chelinidea vittiger, which sucks juices from the cactus pads and fruits; the stink bugs, Chlorochroa uhleri and Chlorochroa persimilis, which also suck juices from the cactus pads and fruits; larvae of the Syrphid fly, Copestylum vittatum, which bore into the cactus pads; and larvae of the Pyralid moths, Melitara dentata and Melitara prodenialis, which also bore into the cactus pads. The sharp spines and bristly glochids provide the cactus pads and fruits with some protection from browsing by vertebrate herbivores. Nonetheless, in some areas the Brittle Prickly Pear is eaten by the Plains Pocket Gopher, and its seeds are an important source of food for the Harris Ground Squirrel and many species of birds (Ribbens, 2007). Among cacti, the Brittle Prickly Pear is unusual in having individual pads and fruits that are designed to attach themselves to the fur of mammals, such as the American Bison; they also become attached to the clothing and skin of humans. By such means, new clonal plants and seeds can be transported across long distances.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: In Illinois, Brittle Prickly Pear can be distinguished from other Opuntia spp. (Prickly Pears) by its small size and dry bur-like fruits. Like many other cacti, it produces large showy flowers that are short-lived. The detachable pads make this cactus difficult to handle while transplanting as they readily cling to fingers, hands, or gloves, thanks to its barbed spines. In particular, the inconspicuous glochids (fine sharp bristles of the areoles) can embed themselves underneath the surface of the skin and are difficult to remove. So its wise to exercise considerable care while handling this plant. Not only can the pads become detached by the movements of animals or people, even heavy rainfall, blowing snow, or a strong gust wind sometimes dislodge them. Each one of these detached pads has the potential to become another clonal plant, forming low mats of sprawling plants over time.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月31日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is up to 1½' tall, and unbranched or sparingly so. The short stems are more or less erect. The alternate leaves are up to 6" long and 1" across; they are rather densely crowded along the stems. Their margins are smooth, or slightly dentate with widely spaced teeth; they often curve upward. The leaves are narrowly lanceolate or oblanceolate, with white veins; the upper surface of young leaves is often shiny. Lower leaves have petioles up to 1" long, while upper leaves are often sessile.
The large flowers develop singly from the upper axils of the leaves. Each flower has a winged capsule containing the ovaries that is 1½–2" long; it is located adjacent to the leaf axil. A calyx tube from 2-6" connects the capsule to the rest of the flower. At the apex of the calyx tube, the flower has 4 yellow petals; it spans about 5" across. These petals are subtended by a division of the calyx into lanceolate tips that curve downward; these are purple-spotted. At the throat of the flower, are 8 stamens with linear anthers, and a long style with a stigma that is cleft into a cross-like shape. These reproductive parts are yellow. The flower buds are about 1-4" long, depending on their maturity, and quite conspicuous. They are purple-spotted and orbicular, tapering at both ends. The flowers open during the evening and close the following morning, each one lasting a single day. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer, and lasts about 2 months. There is a mild floral fragrance. The seeds are irregularly shaped and crested. The root system consists of a deep taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and lean soil that is either rocky or sandy. Most growth occurs during the first half of the year, afterwhich it forms seeds and becomes dormant (although it doesn't necessarily die down). This plant will grow in more fertile soil if it is well-drained, but has difficulty competing with taller plants.
Range & Habitat: In Illinois, the native Missouri Evening Primrose has been observed in natural habitat in only St. Clair county, where it may be extirpated (see Distribution Map). Habitats include hill prairies and limestone glades. Outside of the state, this plant is also observed in dry prairies and barrens with sparse vegetation; these habitats often have gravelly or sandy soil. Missouri Evening Primrose is often grown in flower gardens.
Faunal Associations: Sphinx moths pollinate the flowers while seeking nectar. Various bees may visit the flowers to collect pollen during the early morning or evening, but they are too small to be effective pollinators. Little information is available about this plant's relationships to birds or mammals.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Missouri Evening Primrose has striking flowers that are quite large for the size of the plant. It can be confused with no other plant that occurs (or used to occur) in the natural habitats of Illinois.
The large flowers develop singly from the upper axils of the leaves. Each flower has a winged capsule containing the ovaries that is 1½–2" long; it is located adjacent to the leaf axil. A calyx tube from 2-6" connects the capsule to the rest of the flower. At the apex of the calyx tube, the flower has 4 yellow petals; it spans about 5" across. These petals are subtended by a division of the calyx into lanceolate tips that curve downward; these are purple-spotted. At the throat of the flower, are 8 stamens with linear anthers, and a long style with a stigma that is cleft into a cross-like shape. These reproductive parts are yellow. The flower buds are about 1-4" long, depending on their maturity, and quite conspicuous. They are purple-spotted and orbicular, tapering at both ends. The flowers open during the evening and close the following morning, each one lasting a single day. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer, and lasts about 2 months. There is a mild floral fragrance. The seeds are irregularly shaped and crested. The root system consists of a deep taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and lean soil that is either rocky or sandy. Most growth occurs during the first half of the year, afterwhich it forms seeds and becomes dormant (although it doesn't necessarily die down). This plant will grow in more fertile soil if it is well-drained, but has difficulty competing with taller plants.
Range & Habitat: In Illinois, the native Missouri Evening Primrose has been observed in natural habitat in only St. Clair county, where it may be extirpated (see Distribution Map). Habitats include hill prairies and limestone glades. Outside of the state, this plant is also observed in dry prairies and barrens with sparse vegetation; these habitats often have gravelly or sandy soil. Missouri Evening Primrose is often grown in flower gardens.
Faunal Associations: Sphinx moths pollinate the flowers while seeking nectar. Various bees may visit the flowers to collect pollen during the early morning or evening, but they are too small to be effective pollinators. Little information is available about this plant's relationships to birds or mammals.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Missouri Evening Primrose has striking flowers that are quite large for the size of the plant. It can be confused with no other plant that occurs (or used to occur) in the natural habitats of Illinois.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月30日
Description: This annual or biennial wildflower initially forms a low rosette of basal leaves spanning 3-6" across. It later bolts, developing little-branched flowering stalks about 1-2' tall (less often, up to 3' tall). The light green stems are densely covered with appressed white hairs. The alternate leaves are up to 2½" long and ½" across; they are ascending to widely spreading. Most leaves are sessile, although some lower leaves have short petioles. The leaf blades are linear-lanceolate, lanceolate, or oblong in shape; their margins are smooth or remotely dentate with barely perceptible teeth. Upper leaf surfaces are medium green and sparsely covered with appressed white hairs, while lower leaf surfaces are pale green and more densely covered with appressed white hairs.
The central stem terminates in a leafy spike of flowers about 3-9" long; secondary spikes of flowers may be produced from lower lateral stems. Like the central stem, the flowering stalk is light green and densely covered with appressed white hairs. Flowers and developing seed capsules are densely arranged around the stalk. Individual flowers span ½–1¼" across when they are fully open. Each flower has 4 yellow pointed petals, 4 linear sepals, a narrowly cylindrical calyx tube, 8 stamens, a central style (actually 4 united styles) with a cross-shaped stigma, and a sessile ovary. Individual petals and sepals are 1/4–5/8" (6-15 mm.) long; they are both deciduous. Pale thin lines radiate across the petals from the center of the flower – these function as nectar guides. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall and lasts about 1½–3 months. The flowers bloom during the night and also on cloudy days. After individual flowers bloom, their ovaries begin to swell in size and become seed capsules. Individual seed capsules are up to ¾" long with a slightly curved and cylindrical shape; they are 4-celled and bluntly 4-lobed. The surface of each capsule is either glabrous or sparsely covered with appressed white hairs. Two rows of small seeds are contained in each cell of the capsule. Individual seeds are obovoid in shape. The root system consists of a taproot. This wildflower reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry-mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Cleland's Evening Primrose is occasional in sandy areas of northern and west-central Illinois, while elsewhere in the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). The distribution map doesn't distinguish between Cleland's Evening Primrose and the more western Sand Evening Primrose (Oenothera rhombipetala); most observations are the former species. Habitats include upland sand prairies, sandy hill prairies, sand dunes, upland sandy savannas, abandoned sandy fields, areas along sandy paths, and areas along railroads. Slightly disturbed areas are preferred; occasional wildfires are beneficial in reducing the encroachment of woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The nocturnal flowers are pollinated by Sphinx moths; they are also visited by the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird and various long-tongued bees, including the oligolectic bees Lasioglossum oenotherae and Anthedonia compta. These visitors seek mostly nectar from the flowers, although some bees also collect pollen for their larvae. Various insects feed on the leaves, seed capsules, or plant juices of Cleland's Evening Primrose and similar species. These insect feeders include the caterpillars of several moths: Hyles lineata (White-Lined Sphinx), Proserpinus juanita (Green-Banded Day Sphinx), Schinia florida (Primrose Moth), Eudryas unio (Pearly Wood Nymph), Phtheochroa oenotherana (Tortricid Moth sp.), and two Mompha spp. (Momphid Moths). Other insect feeders include several flea beetles (Altica spp.), weevils (Tyloderma spp., Chalcoderma collaris, Acanthoscelidius acephalus), and aphids (Anoecia spp., Aphis oestlundi). White-Tailed Deer chomp off the flowering stalks of this wildflower (causing it to branch), while the Common Goldfinch eats the seeds to a minor extent. The foliage is also edible to cattle and other hoofed mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A sandy hill prairie at Hooper Branch Savanna Nature Preserve in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: On cloudy days, this can be a very showy wildflower. The petals of its flowers are unusual because they are bluntly pointed, rather than well-rounded. Cleland's Evening Primrose is very similar to the more western Oenothera rhombipetala (Sand Evening Primrose). Until recently, these two wildflowers were regarded as the same species. Sand Evening Primrose is more robust and its flowers are larger in size (1¼–2" across). However, some field specimens with mixed characteristics may be difficult to classify as one species or the other. Another common name for either of these two species is Four-Point Evening Primrose.
The central stem terminates in a leafy spike of flowers about 3-9" long; secondary spikes of flowers may be produced from lower lateral stems. Like the central stem, the flowering stalk is light green and densely covered with appressed white hairs. Flowers and developing seed capsules are densely arranged around the stalk. Individual flowers span ½–1¼" across when they are fully open. Each flower has 4 yellow pointed petals, 4 linear sepals, a narrowly cylindrical calyx tube, 8 stamens, a central style (actually 4 united styles) with a cross-shaped stigma, and a sessile ovary. Individual petals and sepals are 1/4–5/8" (6-15 mm.) long; they are both deciduous. Pale thin lines radiate across the petals from the center of the flower – these function as nectar guides. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall and lasts about 1½–3 months. The flowers bloom during the night and also on cloudy days. After individual flowers bloom, their ovaries begin to swell in size and become seed capsules. Individual seed capsules are up to ¾" long with a slightly curved and cylindrical shape; they are 4-celled and bluntly 4-lobed. The surface of each capsule is either glabrous or sparsely covered with appressed white hairs. Two rows of small seeds are contained in each cell of the capsule. Individual seeds are obovoid in shape. The root system consists of a taproot. This wildflower reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry-mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Cleland's Evening Primrose is occasional in sandy areas of northern and west-central Illinois, while elsewhere in the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). The distribution map doesn't distinguish between Cleland's Evening Primrose and the more western Sand Evening Primrose (Oenothera rhombipetala); most observations are the former species. Habitats include upland sand prairies, sandy hill prairies, sand dunes, upland sandy savannas, abandoned sandy fields, areas along sandy paths, and areas along railroads. Slightly disturbed areas are preferred; occasional wildfires are beneficial in reducing the encroachment of woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The nocturnal flowers are pollinated by Sphinx moths; they are also visited by the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird and various long-tongued bees, including the oligolectic bees Lasioglossum oenotherae and Anthedonia compta. These visitors seek mostly nectar from the flowers, although some bees also collect pollen for their larvae. Various insects feed on the leaves, seed capsules, or plant juices of Cleland's Evening Primrose and similar species. These insect feeders include the caterpillars of several moths: Hyles lineata (White-Lined Sphinx), Proserpinus juanita (Green-Banded Day Sphinx), Schinia florida (Primrose Moth), Eudryas unio (Pearly Wood Nymph), Phtheochroa oenotherana (Tortricid Moth sp.), and two Mompha spp. (Momphid Moths). Other insect feeders include several flea beetles (Altica spp.), weevils (Tyloderma spp., Chalcoderma collaris, Acanthoscelidius acephalus), and aphids (Anoecia spp., Aphis oestlundi). White-Tailed Deer chomp off the flowering stalks of this wildflower (causing it to branch), while the Common Goldfinch eats the seeds to a minor extent. The foliage is also edible to cattle and other hoofed mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A sandy hill prairie at Hooper Branch Savanna Nature Preserve in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: On cloudy days, this can be a very showy wildflower. The petals of its flowers are unusual because they are bluntly pointed, rather than well-rounded. Cleland's Evening Primrose is very similar to the more western Oenothera rhombipetala (Sand Evening Primrose). Until recently, these two wildflowers were regarded as the same species. Sand Evening Primrose is more robust and its flowers are larger in size (1¼–2" across). However, some field specimens with mixed characteristics may be difficult to classify as one species or the other. Another common name for either of these two species is Four-Point Evening Primrose.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月30日
Description: This perennial plant consists of a loose rosette of basal leaves up to 10" across. Each basal leaf is about 4-6" long and ¼" across, although occasionally a larger size is achieved. The basal leaves are semi-erect, linear in shape, and light to medium green; their margins are finely crisped and often downy white. There is a prominent central vein along the length of each basal leaf. From the center of each rosette, there develops one or more leafless stalks about 6-8" tall. These stalks are light green and terete; sometimes they have shallow vertical grooves. Both the basal leaves and flowering stalks are glabrous to slightly pubescent; they contain a white milky latex. Each stalk terminates in a single flowerhead that is about 1-2" across when it is fully open.
Each flowerhead consists of numerous spreading ray florets and no disk florets. The overlapping petaloid rays of each flowerhead are yellow to golden yellow and linear-oblong in shape; their tips are truncated and 5-toothed. The floral bracts (phyllaries) surrounding the base of each flowerhead are arranged in a single overlapping series, where they are appressed together. These bracts are light green, lanceolate in shape, glabrous, and membranous along their margins. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring and lasts about a month. A single plant may produce several flowerheads in succession. The achenes are bullet-shaped with tufts of white hair at their apices. They are distributed by the wind. The root system consists of a stout taproot that is quite large for the size of the plant. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and dry conditions. The soil should be gritty in texture and well-drained, otherwise crown rot may infect the taproot and the plant will die. Taller and more aggressive plant species should be prevented from overcrowding this plant, which normally grows on rocky hilltops and slopes where there is scant ground vegetation.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Dandelion is a rare plant that occurs in the northern half of Illinois, especially in the NW quarter of the state (see Distribution Map). It is state-listed as an endangered species. Some local populations that have been observed in the past are probably extirpated as a result of habitat destruction. Illinois lies at the eastern limit of its distribution; the Prairie Dandelion is more common in states further to the west. Habitats include dry upland areas of prairies, hill prairies, and rocky slopes. This conservative species does not normally occur in disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: Little is known about the floral-faunal relationships of this rare plant. Various kinds of bees (especially bumblebees) are undoubtedly the most important pollinators of the flowers, where they seek nectar and pollen. Moure & Hurd (1987) list a Halictid bee, Halictus rubicundus, as a floral visitor. A polyphagous aphid, Abstrusomyzus phloxae, feeds on the closely related Mountain Dandelions (Agoseris spp.) and probably Prairie Dandelion as well. Rabbits may eat the foliage, although I have not observed this. Early pioneers ate the roots as a source of emergency food, even though they were undoubtedly bitter-tasting.
Photographic Location: The webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is one of many species in the Chicory tribe of the Aster family that have dandelion-like flowerheads and foliage with a milky latex. The most familiar member of this group is the introduced Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion), which is a common lawn weed. The Prairie Dandelion can be distinguished from similar species by considering the following characteristics: 1) this is a perennial plant, rather than a biennial or annual, 2) stems with cauline leaves are never produced, 3) there is only one flowerhead per leafless stalk, 4) the flowerheads are at least 1" across, 5) the basal leaves are linear in shape, and 6) the margins of the leaves are usually finely crisped and/or downy white. Other members of the Chicory tribe in Illinois usually lack one or more of these features. The closely related Agoseris spp. (Mountain Dandelions) of the western states have many of these features, but their achenes are conspicuously constricted below their apices. The achenes of the Prairie Dandelion are unconstricted or only slightly constricted below their apices. Other scientific names are occasionally used to refer to the Prairie Dandelion, including Agoseris cuspidata and Microseris cuspidata.
Each flowerhead consists of numerous spreading ray florets and no disk florets. The overlapping petaloid rays of each flowerhead are yellow to golden yellow and linear-oblong in shape; their tips are truncated and 5-toothed. The floral bracts (phyllaries) surrounding the base of each flowerhead are arranged in a single overlapping series, where they are appressed together. These bracts are light green, lanceolate in shape, glabrous, and membranous along their margins. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring and lasts about a month. A single plant may produce several flowerheads in succession. The achenes are bullet-shaped with tufts of white hair at their apices. They are distributed by the wind. The root system consists of a stout taproot that is quite large for the size of the plant. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and dry conditions. The soil should be gritty in texture and well-drained, otherwise crown rot may infect the taproot and the plant will die. Taller and more aggressive plant species should be prevented from overcrowding this plant, which normally grows on rocky hilltops and slopes where there is scant ground vegetation.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Dandelion is a rare plant that occurs in the northern half of Illinois, especially in the NW quarter of the state (see Distribution Map). It is state-listed as an endangered species. Some local populations that have been observed in the past are probably extirpated as a result of habitat destruction. Illinois lies at the eastern limit of its distribution; the Prairie Dandelion is more common in states further to the west. Habitats include dry upland areas of prairies, hill prairies, and rocky slopes. This conservative species does not normally occur in disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: Little is known about the floral-faunal relationships of this rare plant. Various kinds of bees (especially bumblebees) are undoubtedly the most important pollinators of the flowers, where they seek nectar and pollen. Moure & Hurd (1987) list a Halictid bee, Halictus rubicundus, as a floral visitor. A polyphagous aphid, Abstrusomyzus phloxae, feeds on the closely related Mountain Dandelions (Agoseris spp.) and probably Prairie Dandelion as well. Rabbits may eat the foliage, although I have not observed this. Early pioneers ate the roots as a source of emergency food, even though they were undoubtedly bitter-tasting.
Photographic Location: The webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is one of many species in the Chicory tribe of the Aster family that have dandelion-like flowerheads and foliage with a milky latex. The most familiar member of this group is the introduced Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion), which is a common lawn weed. The Prairie Dandelion can be distinguished from similar species by considering the following characteristics: 1) this is a perennial plant, rather than a biennial or annual, 2) stems with cauline leaves are never produced, 3) there is only one flowerhead per leafless stalk, 4) the flowerheads are at least 1" across, 5) the basal leaves are linear in shape, and 6) the margins of the leaves are usually finely crisped and/or downy white. Other members of the Chicory tribe in Illinois usually lack one or more of these features. The closely related Agoseris spp. (Mountain Dandelions) of the western states have many of these features, but their achenes are conspicuously constricted below their apices. The achenes of the Prairie Dandelion are unconstricted or only slightly constricted below their apices. Other scientific names are occasionally used to refer to the Prairie Dandelion, including Agoseris cuspidata and Microseris cuspidata.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月18日
Description: This is a biennial plant that becomes 2-5' tall during its second year. During the first year, a rosette of spreading to ascending basal leaves develops that is up to 1' across. Individual basal leaves are up to 6" long and 2" across; they are elliptic-oblanceolate to obovate in shape, while their margins are unlobed to shallowly pinnatifid, occasionally sinuous (horizontally wavy), and dentate-prickly. During the second year, this plant develops an erect central stem that is unbranched below, while branching occasionally above. The stems are light green, terete, glabrous, and often glaucous. Alternate leaves occur along the entire length of these stems, becoming gradually smaller above; their blades are widely spreading to ascending. The blades of these alternate leaves are up to 8" long and 2" across; they are elliptic-oblanceolate to oblanceolate in shape, while their margins are unlobed to moderately pinnatifid, occasionally sinuous, and dentate-prickly.
The upper surface of both basal and alternate leaves is yellowish green to medium green, glabrous and sometimes glaucous, while their lower surface is light green, glabrous, and sometimes glaucous. In addition, abundant prickles occur along the central vein of the lower leaf surface, while sparse prickles sometimes occur along the major lateral veins. The bases of alternate leaves clasp their stems with short rounded auricles (ear-like basal lobes) that are dentate-prickly and occasionally sinuous. The tips of these leaves are bluntly angled to acute. Both the stems and leaves of this plant contain a brown latex. The central stem and sometimes upper lateral stems terminate in panicles of flowerheads; these panicles are variable in size, but on larger plants they become up to 1½' long and 1' across. The branches of each inflorescence are more slender than the stems, otherwise they share similar characteristics. Small bractlets occur where these branches divide. The flowerheads often fail to open, but they are self-fertile. Those flowerheads that do open (on bright sunny days during the morning), can vary considerably in size, depending on the local ecotype; their diameter varies from 4-6 mm. in some areas to 12-18 mm. in other areas. Each flowerhead has 20-55 widely spreading ray florets and no disk florets. The petaloid rays of the flowerhead are narrowly oblong in shape; their tips are truncate and 5-toothed. The petaloid rays are usually light blue, but sometimes they are white to yellow. The tips of the petaloid rays, where the teeth occur, are often pale bronze.
The bases of flowerheads (involucres) are up to 15-20 mm. long and cylindrical-lanceoloid to lanceoloid in shape; they achieve their maximum size shortly after blooming. Around the base of each flowerhead, the floral bracts (involucral bracts) are arranged in several series; inner floral bracts are longer than outer floral bracts. They are linear-lanceolate in shape (upper-inner bracts) to ovate in shape (lower-outer bracts) and appressed together; these bracts are light green with white to purplish red margins, and they are glabrous. The blooming period occurs during the summer and early autumn, lasting 1½–3 months. Afterwards, the flowerheads are replaced by dense clusters of achenes. Mature achenes are about 4 mm. long, broadly ellipsoid-flattened in shape, and black mottled with brown; each side of an achene has a single central rib (less often 2-3 ribs). At the apex of each achene, there is a white thread-like beak about 4 mm. long, and attached to the apex of this beak is a tuft of white hairs spanning about 15-20 mm. across (individual hairs are 7-10 mm. long). These achenes are distributed by the wind. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing sandy loam, loam, clay-loam, or loess. First-year rosettes of basal leaves may die down during winter, but new leaves are regenerated from the taproot during the spring. Open ground with exposed topsoil facilitates germination of the seed. Cultivation of this plant is not difficult, but it is rather weedy-looking and its flowerheads often fail to open.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Lettuce is rare in Illinois and state-listed as 'endangered.' It has been found primarily in the northern and west-central sections of the state (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this species; it is more common in many areas of central and western United States. Populations of Prairie Lettuce have declined in Illinois, where it is found in such habitats as mesic to dry prairies and hill prairies. Disturbed areas of high quality natural habitats (mainly prairies) are preferred. This wildflower probably benefits from the disturbance provided by occasional wildfires and grazing by American Bison; this animal prefers to graze on grasses rather than forbs.
Faunal Associations: Little is known specifically about the relationships of Prairie Lettuce to various fauna. The flowerheads of this plant are probably cross-pollinated by various long-tongued and short-tongued bees. Insects that feed destructively on both cultivated and various species of wild lettuce (Lactuca spp.) consist primarily of aphids and larvae of polyphagous moths. The webmaster observed unidentified blackish aphids feeding on the upper stems and inflorescence branches of Prairie Lettuce. Both White-tailed Deer and the Cottontail Rabbit occasionally browse on the foliage of this plant; the latter animal fed on some of the basal leaves of Prairie Lettuce while it was being cultivated in a garden by the webmaster.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: There are several native and non-native lettuce species (Lactuca spp.) that exist as wildflowers in Illinois. Most of these species are similar in appearance and they can be difficult to distinguish; the presence of both flowerheads and achenes are often required for correct identification. Prairie Lettuce (Lactuca ludoviciana) can be distinguished from many lettuce species by the brown latex of its foliage (rather than white latex). The rays of its flowerheads are often blue, rather than yellow, and the involucres (bract-covered bases) of these flowerheads are usually larger in size (up to 15-20 mm. long). The achenes of Prairie Lettuce have single-ribbed sides (less often 2-3 ribbed) and they have long thread-like beaks that are attached to relatively large tufts of hair (15-20 mm. across). A common Eurasian species, Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola), differs from Prairie Lettuce by having flowerheads with pale yellow rays only (never blue), shorter involucres (up to 10-12 mm. long), and achenes with 5-7 ribs per side, to which are attached smaller tufts of white hair (only 7-10 mm. across).
A common native species, Lactuca canadensis (Wild Lettuce), differs by having leaves that lack stiff prickles along their margins, flowerheads with yellow to orange-yellow rays (never blue), shorter involucres (up to 10-15 mm. long), and achenes with smaller tufts of white hair (10-14 mm. across). Another native species, Lactuca biennis (Tall Blue Lettuce), has shorter involucres (up to 8-10 mm. long), achenes with 5-6 ribs per side, very short or no beaks on the achenes, and smaller tufts of hair (10-12 mm. across) that are light brown, rather than white. Another native species, Lactuca florida (Woodland Blue Lettuce), differs by having leaves with triangular-shaped terminal lobes, shorter involucres (up to 10-12 mm. long), achenes with 5-6 ribs per side, very short or no beaks on its achenes, and smaller tufts of white hair (8-10 mm. across). An uncommon native species, Lactuca hirsuta (Hairy Wild Lettuce), differs from Prairie Lettuce by having hairy stems, hairy leaves with ciliate margins, and flowerheads that sometimes have reddish rays, rather than yellow.
The upper surface of both basal and alternate leaves is yellowish green to medium green, glabrous and sometimes glaucous, while their lower surface is light green, glabrous, and sometimes glaucous. In addition, abundant prickles occur along the central vein of the lower leaf surface, while sparse prickles sometimes occur along the major lateral veins. The bases of alternate leaves clasp their stems with short rounded auricles (ear-like basal lobes) that are dentate-prickly and occasionally sinuous. The tips of these leaves are bluntly angled to acute. Both the stems and leaves of this plant contain a brown latex. The central stem and sometimes upper lateral stems terminate in panicles of flowerheads; these panicles are variable in size, but on larger plants they become up to 1½' long and 1' across. The branches of each inflorescence are more slender than the stems, otherwise they share similar characteristics. Small bractlets occur where these branches divide. The flowerheads often fail to open, but they are self-fertile. Those flowerheads that do open (on bright sunny days during the morning), can vary considerably in size, depending on the local ecotype; their diameter varies from 4-6 mm. in some areas to 12-18 mm. in other areas. Each flowerhead has 20-55 widely spreading ray florets and no disk florets. The petaloid rays of the flowerhead are narrowly oblong in shape; their tips are truncate and 5-toothed. The petaloid rays are usually light blue, but sometimes they are white to yellow. The tips of the petaloid rays, where the teeth occur, are often pale bronze.
The bases of flowerheads (involucres) are up to 15-20 mm. long and cylindrical-lanceoloid to lanceoloid in shape; they achieve their maximum size shortly after blooming. Around the base of each flowerhead, the floral bracts (involucral bracts) are arranged in several series; inner floral bracts are longer than outer floral bracts. They are linear-lanceolate in shape (upper-inner bracts) to ovate in shape (lower-outer bracts) and appressed together; these bracts are light green with white to purplish red margins, and they are glabrous. The blooming period occurs during the summer and early autumn, lasting 1½–3 months. Afterwards, the flowerheads are replaced by dense clusters of achenes. Mature achenes are about 4 mm. long, broadly ellipsoid-flattened in shape, and black mottled with brown; each side of an achene has a single central rib (less often 2-3 ribs). At the apex of each achene, there is a white thread-like beak about 4 mm. long, and attached to the apex of this beak is a tuft of white hairs spanning about 15-20 mm. across (individual hairs are 7-10 mm. long). These achenes are distributed by the wind. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing sandy loam, loam, clay-loam, or loess. First-year rosettes of basal leaves may die down during winter, but new leaves are regenerated from the taproot during the spring. Open ground with exposed topsoil facilitates germination of the seed. Cultivation of this plant is not difficult, but it is rather weedy-looking and its flowerheads often fail to open.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Lettuce is rare in Illinois and state-listed as 'endangered.' It has been found primarily in the northern and west-central sections of the state (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this species; it is more common in many areas of central and western United States. Populations of Prairie Lettuce have declined in Illinois, where it is found in such habitats as mesic to dry prairies and hill prairies. Disturbed areas of high quality natural habitats (mainly prairies) are preferred. This wildflower probably benefits from the disturbance provided by occasional wildfires and grazing by American Bison; this animal prefers to graze on grasses rather than forbs.
Faunal Associations: Little is known specifically about the relationships of Prairie Lettuce to various fauna. The flowerheads of this plant are probably cross-pollinated by various long-tongued and short-tongued bees. Insects that feed destructively on both cultivated and various species of wild lettuce (Lactuca spp.) consist primarily of aphids and larvae of polyphagous moths. The webmaster observed unidentified blackish aphids feeding on the upper stems and inflorescence branches of Prairie Lettuce. Both White-tailed Deer and the Cottontail Rabbit occasionally browse on the foliage of this plant; the latter animal fed on some of the basal leaves of Prairie Lettuce while it was being cultivated in a garden by the webmaster.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: There are several native and non-native lettuce species (Lactuca spp.) that exist as wildflowers in Illinois. Most of these species are similar in appearance and they can be difficult to distinguish; the presence of both flowerheads and achenes are often required for correct identification. Prairie Lettuce (Lactuca ludoviciana) can be distinguished from many lettuce species by the brown latex of its foliage (rather than white latex). The rays of its flowerheads are often blue, rather than yellow, and the involucres (bract-covered bases) of these flowerheads are usually larger in size (up to 15-20 mm. long). The achenes of Prairie Lettuce have single-ribbed sides (less often 2-3 ribbed) and they have long thread-like beaks that are attached to relatively large tufts of hair (15-20 mm. across). A common Eurasian species, Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola), differs from Prairie Lettuce by having flowerheads with pale yellow rays only (never blue), shorter involucres (up to 10-12 mm. long), and achenes with 5-7 ribs per side, to which are attached smaller tufts of white hair (only 7-10 mm. across).
A common native species, Lactuca canadensis (Wild Lettuce), differs by having leaves that lack stiff prickles along their margins, flowerheads with yellow to orange-yellow rays (never blue), shorter involucres (up to 10-15 mm. long), and achenes with smaller tufts of white hair (10-14 mm. across). Another native species, Lactuca biennis (Tall Blue Lettuce), has shorter involucres (up to 8-10 mm. long), achenes with 5-6 ribs per side, very short or no beaks on the achenes, and smaller tufts of hair (10-12 mm. across) that are light brown, rather than white. Another native species, Lactuca florida (Woodland Blue Lettuce), differs by having leaves with triangular-shaped terminal lobes, shorter involucres (up to 10-12 mm. long), achenes with 5-6 ribs per side, very short or no beaks on its achenes, and smaller tufts of white hair (8-10 mm. across). An uncommon native species, Lactuca hirsuta (Hairy Wild Lettuce), differs from Prairie Lettuce by having hairy stems, hairy leaves with ciliate margins, and flowerheads that sometimes have reddish rays, rather than yellow.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月18日
Description: This plant is a spring annual, consisting of a small rosette of leaves up to 6" across and one or more flowering stalks up to 18" tall. Individual plants can bloom while they are a remarkably small size (only 2" across). The basal leaves are up to 3" long and ¾" across. They are light green, oblanceolate, and often pinnatifid with shallow lobes that are pointed at their tips. Their margins are often ciliate, slightly undulate, and sparingly dentate. Each flowering stalk is unbranched and devoid of leaves; it is largely hairless, although there may be a few scattered hairs along its length, especially near the top. Both the basal leaves and flowering stalks contain a white latex.
Each stalk terminates in a flowerhead about ½" across. This flowerhead consists of several spreading ray florets that are truncate with 5 teeth at their tips; these florets are bright golden yellow. The base of each flowerhead consists of 9-18 floral bracts in a single series; these bracts are lanceolate and about ¼" in length. They are erect while the flowerhead is blooming, but eventually become reflexed when the achenes mature. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to mid-summer and lasts about 2-3 months for a colony of plants. The small achenes are bullet-shaped (tapered at the base, but truncate at the top). Each achene has 5 small scales and a tuft of 5 hairs at its apex; the hairs are longer than the scales. These achenes are distributed by the wind. The root system consists of a tuft of fibrous roots. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic sandy soil. Thin rocky soil is also acceptable if it doesn't consist of limestone.
Range & Habitat: The native Dwarf Dandelion occurs occasionally in sandy areas in the northern half of Illinois, otherwise it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic to dry sand prairies, sandy savannas, sand dunes, sandy fields, sandy areas along paths and roadsides, and rocky glades without limestone. Occasional wildfires and other kinds of disturbance are probably beneficial in maintaining populations of this plant.
Faunal Associations: Information about floral-faunal relationships for this species is limited. It seems likely that the flowers are visited by various kinds of bees for nectar and pollen; they may attract butterflies and skippers as well.
Photographic Location: Along a sandy path in a burnt-over savanna in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: Dwarf Dandelion is an adorable little plant that superficially resembles the common lawn weed, Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion). However, the Dwarf Dandelion has smaller flowerheads and light green basal leaves. There are several other Krigia spp. in Illinois; some differ from the Dwarf Dandelion by their flowering stalks, which can be branched with a few cauline leaves. The Dwarf Dandelion has unbranched flowering stalks that are without leaves. A species that doesn't occur in Illinois, Krigia occidentalis (Western Dwarf Dandelion), has the same kind of flowering stalks, but it has only 5-8 floral bracts at the base of each flowerhead. Another useful characteristic to consider are the number of hairs on the achenes: Dwarf Dandelion has only 5 hairs (or bristles) at the apex of each achene, while other Krigia spp. in Illinois have 20 or more hairs on the apex of their achenes. An exception is Krigia caespitosa (Opposite-Leaved Dwarf Dandelion), which has achenes without tufts of hair. Identifying the numerous species in Chicory Tribe of the Aster family can be tricky; most of these species have flowerheads with yellow ray florets and rosettes of basal leaves that appear similar to each other.
Each stalk terminates in a flowerhead about ½" across. This flowerhead consists of several spreading ray florets that are truncate with 5 teeth at their tips; these florets are bright golden yellow. The base of each flowerhead consists of 9-18 floral bracts in a single series; these bracts are lanceolate and about ¼" in length. They are erect while the flowerhead is blooming, but eventually become reflexed when the achenes mature. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to mid-summer and lasts about 2-3 months for a colony of plants. The small achenes are bullet-shaped (tapered at the base, but truncate at the top). Each achene has 5 small scales and a tuft of 5 hairs at its apex; the hairs are longer than the scales. These achenes are distributed by the wind. The root system consists of a tuft of fibrous roots. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic sandy soil. Thin rocky soil is also acceptable if it doesn't consist of limestone.
Range & Habitat: The native Dwarf Dandelion occurs occasionally in sandy areas in the northern half of Illinois, otherwise it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic to dry sand prairies, sandy savannas, sand dunes, sandy fields, sandy areas along paths and roadsides, and rocky glades without limestone. Occasional wildfires and other kinds of disturbance are probably beneficial in maintaining populations of this plant.
Faunal Associations: Information about floral-faunal relationships for this species is limited. It seems likely that the flowers are visited by various kinds of bees for nectar and pollen; they may attract butterflies and skippers as well.
Photographic Location: Along a sandy path in a burnt-over savanna in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: Dwarf Dandelion is an adorable little plant that superficially resembles the common lawn weed, Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion). However, the Dwarf Dandelion has smaller flowerheads and light green basal leaves. There are several other Krigia spp. in Illinois; some differ from the Dwarf Dandelion by their flowering stalks, which can be branched with a few cauline leaves. The Dwarf Dandelion has unbranched flowering stalks that are without leaves. A species that doesn't occur in Illinois, Krigia occidentalis (Western Dwarf Dandelion), has the same kind of flowering stalks, but it has only 5-8 floral bracts at the base of each flowerhead. Another useful characteristic to consider are the number of hairs on the achenes: Dwarf Dandelion has only 5 hairs (or bristles) at the apex of each achene, while other Krigia spp. in Illinois have 20 or more hairs on the apex of their achenes. An exception is Krigia caespitosa (Opposite-Leaved Dwarf Dandelion), which has achenes without tufts of hair. Identifying the numerous species in Chicory Tribe of the Aster family can be tricky; most of these species have flowerheads with yellow ray florets and rosettes of basal leaves that appear similar to each other.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月12日
Description: This small perennial wildflower is about 3-6" tall, consisting of a rosette of basal leaves and one or more flowering stems with opposite leaves. The basal leaves are about ½" long, medium green, elliptic or oblanceolate in shape, glabrous, and smooth along their margins. The unbranched stems are light green, 4-angled, glabrous, and more or less erect. The opposite leaves, which are widely spaced along each stem, are ¼" long or less, medium green, linear-elliptic in shape, glabrous, sessile, and smooth along their margins. Each stem terminates in 1-2 flowers (usually only one). The flowers have slender pedicels that are light green and glabrous. Individual flowers are 3/8" (10 mm.) across, consisting of a light green tubular calyx with 4 linear lobes, a narrowly tubular corolla with 4 petal-like lobes, 4 stamens, and a pistil with a single style that is bifurcated at its tip. The petal-like lobes of the corolla are pale blue-violet (rarely white), ovate in shape, and widely spreading. At the base of the lobes, the corolla is yellow.
Two types of flowers are produced: those with long stamens and a short style, and those with short stamens and a long style. Regardless of the flower type, both stamens and style are inserted within the corolla or barely visible at its mouth. The blooming period occurs during the late spring and lasts about 3 weeks. The flowers are replaced by 2-lobed seed-capsules about 1/8" (3 mm.) across. The capsule contains several small seeds with minute pebbly surfaces (when viewed under magnification). This wildflower has shallow fibrous roots and slender rhizomes, forming tufts of flowering plants.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and either sandy or thin rocky soil that is somewhat acidic. Most growth and development occurs during the spring. This wildflower will adapt to rock gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native Quaker Ladies is found along the easternmost tier of counties and scattered areas of southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is an uncommon species in this state. Habitats include sand prairies, sandy savannas, sandy paths in wooded areas, sandstone glades and ledges, and damp rocky areas along upland streams. This wildflower occurs in higher quality habitats with sparse ground vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Quaker Ladies attract Little Carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), Green Metallic bees and other Halictid bees, bee flies (Bombyliidae), and small butterflies. Blanchon (1901) observed the butterfly Boloria bellona (Meadow Fritillary) as a frequent visitor of the flowers. Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. According to Covell (1984/2005), Houstonia spp. (Bluets) are host plants for caterpillars of the moth Thyris maculata (Spotted Thyris). It is doubtful that mammalian herbivores make much use of the foliage of Quaker Ladies, considering its low stature and sparseness.
Photographic Location: A mossy path in a sandy woodland in NW Ohio near the Oak Openings region.
Comments: This wildflower is dainty, delicate, and wonderful. It is perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing of the small wildflowers in its genus. In Illinois, Quaker Ladies can be distinguished from other Bluets (Houstonia spp.) by the patch of yellow at the center of its corolla. In addition, the opening of its corolla is more narrow than most Bluets and the lobes of its corolla are relatively larger in size and more widely spreading. A species that does not occur within the state, Mountain Bluets (Houstonia serpyllifolia), shares these characteristics with Quaker Ladies. Mountain Bluets differs by having oval-shaped basal leaves that creep across the ground. This latter species is found primarily in the Appalachian mountains. Other common names of Houstonia caerulea are Azure Bluets and Innocence.
Two types of flowers are produced: those with long stamens and a short style, and those with short stamens and a long style. Regardless of the flower type, both stamens and style are inserted within the corolla or barely visible at its mouth. The blooming period occurs during the late spring and lasts about 3 weeks. The flowers are replaced by 2-lobed seed-capsules about 1/8" (3 mm.) across. The capsule contains several small seeds with minute pebbly surfaces (when viewed under magnification). This wildflower has shallow fibrous roots and slender rhizomes, forming tufts of flowering plants.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and either sandy or thin rocky soil that is somewhat acidic. Most growth and development occurs during the spring. This wildflower will adapt to rock gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native Quaker Ladies is found along the easternmost tier of counties and scattered areas of southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is an uncommon species in this state. Habitats include sand prairies, sandy savannas, sandy paths in wooded areas, sandstone glades and ledges, and damp rocky areas along upland streams. This wildflower occurs in higher quality habitats with sparse ground vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Quaker Ladies attract Little Carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), Green Metallic bees and other Halictid bees, bee flies (Bombyliidae), and small butterflies. Blanchon (1901) observed the butterfly Boloria bellona (Meadow Fritillary) as a frequent visitor of the flowers. Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. According to Covell (1984/2005), Houstonia spp. (Bluets) are host plants for caterpillars of the moth Thyris maculata (Spotted Thyris). It is doubtful that mammalian herbivores make much use of the foliage of Quaker Ladies, considering its low stature and sparseness.
Photographic Location: A mossy path in a sandy woodland in NW Ohio near the Oak Openings region.
Comments: This wildflower is dainty, delicate, and wonderful. It is perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing of the small wildflowers in its genus. In Illinois, Quaker Ladies can be distinguished from other Bluets (Houstonia spp.) by the patch of yellow at the center of its corolla. In addition, the opening of its corolla is more narrow than most Bluets and the lobes of its corolla are relatively larger in size and more widely spreading. A species that does not occur within the state, Mountain Bluets (Houstonia serpyllifolia), shares these characteristics with Quaker Ladies. Mountain Bluets differs by having oval-shaped basal leaves that creep across the ground. This latter species is found primarily in the Appalachian mountains. Other common names of Houstonia caerulea are Azure Bluets and Innocence.
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