文章
权问薇
2018年02月04日
1、及时的把它移栽室内
到了冬天以后，大家都知道，温度就会慢慢开始越来越低，所以这时候我们一定要将玉树及时的移到室内，并且还要把温度维持在7到10度，这样才不会把它冻伤了。
如果有哪一天，外面的天气非常暖和，阳光也很好，我们就可以在中午的时候，将它移动到室外，让它享受一下光照，这样可以让它的叶子进行一定的光合作用，以便于植株更好生长，之后等到夜晚的时候，再把它移回到房间里。
2、控制好盆土的干湿度
在冬天的时候，土壤的湿度也需要我们的关注，一般在这个时候尽量少浇一点水，让盆土稍微干燥一点，并经常用一些细喷雾往它的叶子上喷一喷，这样就可以很好的给它补水。所以一般情况下，是无需给它浇水的。
3、移到暖棚里保温
到了冬天的时候，有一些人会选择把它移到室内，但是有时候温度不好控制，所以有条件的，可以把它移到暖棚里面，这样保温效果更好。如果没有条件的，也不要怕，我们可以找一些薄膜给它罩起来，但是要注意里面的湿度，如果发现湿度太大的话，一定要及时的把薄膜揭开，让它通一下风，换下气，防止它叶子腐烂。
4、正确处理冻伤植株
在冬天的时候，有一些植株免不了会出现冻害，而我们就会以为它死掉了，然后就会将它们丢掉，其实这样是不对的。如果发现冻伤的植株，我们只需要将它冻死的叶子、枝条给清理掉，把主茎保存起来就好了，等到下年春天到来的时候，给它施加一定的肥料，它依旧可以很快的长出来新的枝叶，一般过上1到2年，就可以长成一棵新的玉树了。
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文章
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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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月30日
Description: This biennial plant can be 7' tall, although it is often shorter. There is usually a central stem with alternate leaves, but sometimes there will be multiple stems in open areas, creating a bushy appearance. The stems are light green or red, and are covered with white hairs. The light or olive green leaves are up to 8" long and 2" wide, but usually smaller. They are lanceolate and resemble willow leaves. The margins of the leaves are smooth or slightly dentate, and are nearly hairless. Smaller secondary leaves often appear at the axils of major leaves on the central stem. A panicle of pale yellow flowers occurs at the apex of the plant (or at the ends of major stems, if the plant is bushy). Each flower is about 1" across when fully open, with 4 petals and prominent stamens, and a long green calyx. The flowers remain open from evening to early morning, but will remain open longer on cloudy days. They have a mild lemony scent, and bloom from mid-summer to fall on mature plants. Long narrow seedpods develop, which split open from the top to release many tiny, irregular brown seeds. They are small enough to be dispersed by the wind, and can remain viable in the soil after 70 years. The root system consists of a fleshy taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, average moisture, and a soil that is somewhat sandy, but other growing conditions are acceptable. This plant forms a stubby rosette during the first year, but becomes tall during the second year, at which time it flowers, sets seed, and dies. Common Evening Primrose is easy to grow, but often becomes rather unsightly as the season progresses. Disease can cause small brown spots to form on the leaves, while drought causes the lower leaves to turn yellow and fall off the plant.
Range & Habitat: Common Evening Primrose occurs in every county of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. This common plant is particularly conspicuous during late summer or fall. Disturbed areas are favored in both natural and developed habitats, including mesic to dry black soil prairies, sand prairies, thickets, glades, lakeshore dunes, abandoned fields, roadsides and railroads, slopes of drainage ditches, vacant lots, etc. Sometimes this plant is cultivated in wildflower gardens, from which it may escape.
Faunal Associations: Moths pollinate the flowers, particularly Sphinx moths. Other occasional visitors include the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, honeybees, bumblebees, and Anthedonia compta (Primrose Miner Bee), the latter being an oligolege. These insects seek nectar, although some of the bees collect pollen. The caterpillars of several moths feed on the foliage. This includes Endryas unio (Pearly Wood Nymph), Desmia funeralis (Grape Leaffolder Moth), Hyles lineata (White-Lined Sphinx), and Mompha eloisella (Momphid Moth; bores through stems). Various beetles feed on the foliage, including Popillia japonica (Japanese Beetle), Grahops pubescens (Leaf Beetle sp.), Altica fusconenea (Flea Beetle sp.), and several Curculio beetles. The seeds are eaten by goldfinches.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a flower garden in Urbana, Illinois, and at Meadowbrook Park in the same city.
Comments: During the first year of growth, the roots can be cooked and eaten. This is by far the most common evening primrose (Oenothera) in Illinois. Although it favors disturbed weedy areas, this species is sometimes found in prairies and other natural areas. Common Evening Primrose can be distinguished from other Oenothera spp. on the basis of its tallness (often exceeding 3' in length), the shape of its seed capsules (rounded edges, rather than sharply angular), the shape of its leaves, and the size of its flowers. There is significant variation in the hairiness of individual plants. For more information about these distinctions, see Mohlenbrock (2002).
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, average moisture, and a soil that is somewhat sandy, but other growing conditions are acceptable. This plant forms a stubby rosette during the first year, but becomes tall during the second year, at which time it flowers, sets seed, and dies. Common Evening Primrose is easy to grow, but often becomes rather unsightly as the season progresses. Disease can cause small brown spots to form on the leaves, while drought causes the lower leaves to turn yellow and fall off the plant.
Range & Habitat: Common Evening Primrose occurs in every county of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. This common plant is particularly conspicuous during late summer or fall. Disturbed areas are favored in both natural and developed habitats, including mesic to dry black soil prairies, sand prairies, thickets, glades, lakeshore dunes, abandoned fields, roadsides and railroads, slopes of drainage ditches, vacant lots, etc. Sometimes this plant is cultivated in wildflower gardens, from which it may escape.
Faunal Associations: Moths pollinate the flowers, particularly Sphinx moths. Other occasional visitors include the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, honeybees, bumblebees, and Anthedonia compta (Primrose Miner Bee), the latter being an oligolege. These insects seek nectar, although some of the bees collect pollen. The caterpillars of several moths feed on the foliage. This includes Endryas unio (Pearly Wood Nymph), Desmia funeralis (Grape Leaffolder Moth), Hyles lineata (White-Lined Sphinx), and Mompha eloisella (Momphid Moth; bores through stems). Various beetles feed on the foliage, including Popillia japonica (Japanese Beetle), Grahops pubescens (Leaf Beetle sp.), Altica fusconenea (Flea Beetle sp.), and several Curculio beetles. The seeds are eaten by goldfinches.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a flower garden in Urbana, Illinois, and at Meadowbrook Park in the same city.
Comments: During the first year of growth, the roots can be cooked and eaten. This is by far the most common evening primrose (Oenothera) in Illinois. Although it favors disturbed weedy areas, this species is sometimes found in prairies and other natural areas. Common Evening Primrose can be distinguished from other Oenothera spp. on the basis of its tallness (often exceeding 3' in length), the shape of its seed capsules (rounded edges, rather than sharply angular), the shape of its leaves, and the size of its flowers. There is significant variation in the hairiness of individual plants. For more information about these distinctions, see Mohlenbrock (2002).
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月22日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 1-2½' tall and compactly branched. The stems are light green to reddish green, angular or terete, and canescent-hairy. Alternate compound leaves occur along the stems; individual leaves are palmate with 7-11 leaflets. Individual leaflets are 1-2½" long and oblanceolate in shape; their margins are smooth and ciliate. The upper surface of the leaflets is medium green and hairless, while the lower surface is pale green. Each compound leaf has a long ascending petiole about 1-4" long that is light green to reddish green. The stems, petioles, and leaf undersides are sparsely to moderately canescent-hairy. The upper stems terminate in narrow racemes of flowers about 4-10" long. The flowering stalks are light green to reddish purple. Individual flowers are about ¾" long, consisting of 5 blue-violet petals (rarely white or pink), a tubular calyx with large lobes, several stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The petals have a pea-like floral structure, consisting of a large upper banner and 2 wings that project forward to enclose the keel. The lateral edges of the banner fold backward from its center; as a flower ages, the center of the banner becomes more white. The calyx is light green to reddish purple. The slender pedicels of the flowers are up to ½" long. The flowering stalks, calyces, and pedicels are sparsely to moderately canescent-hairy. At the base of each flower, there is a linear-lanceolate floral bract that soon withers away.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 1 month for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by elongated seedpods about 1¼-2" long and canescent-hairy. Each seedpod contains about 7 seeds, which can be ejected several feet away from the mother plant. The root system consists of a taproot with rhizomes. Reproduction is by seed and vegetative clones from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic soil containing sand or sandy loam. The root system can fix nitrogen into the soil. The seeds should be scarified to facilitate germination. Individual plants can be short-lived or long-lived, depending on environmental conditions.
Range & Habitat: Wild Lupine is an uncommon native wildflower that is found in NE Illinois and other northern areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Because of habitat destruction and fire suppression, populations of this wildflower have declined. Habitats include sand prairies, openings in sandy woodlands, sandy savannas, edges of sandy woodlands, stabilized sand dunes, and powerline clearances in sandy areas. Dominant canopy trees in some of these habitats are either oaks (especially Black Oak) or pines.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by honeybees, bumblebees, digger bees (Synhalonia spp.), Mason bees (Osmia spp.), and other long-tongued bees. Other floral visitors include Halictid bees and bee flies. Only pollen is available as a floral reward, which is forcibly ejected into the faces of such insect visitors. Occasionally, the Karner Blue and other butterflies visit the flowers, searching in vain for nectar. Several insects feed on the foliage and other parts of Wild Lupine. These insect feeders include caterpillars of the butterflies Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue) and Callophrys irus (Frosted Elfin), and caterpillars of the skippers Erynnis baptisiae (Wild Indigo Duskywing) and Erynnis persius (Persius Duskywing). The caterpillars of several moths also feed on Wild Lupine: Caenurgina crassiuscula (Clover Looper), Grammia phyllira (Phyllira Tiger Moth), Grammia placentia (Placentia Tiger Moth), Utetheisa bella (Bella Moth), and Walshia miscecolorella (Sweet Clover Root Borer). Other insects feeders include Empoasca fabae (Potato Leafhopper), Hadronema militaris (Military Plant Bug), and seed-eating larvae of the weevil Apion minor. The foliage is toxic to sheep and horses, however deer, rabbits, and woodchucks occasionally browse on Wild Lupine.
Photographic Location: A wooded sand dune at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: This is the only lupine that is native to Illinois; species in this genus are more abundant in the western United States. Wild Lupine is readily distinguished from Baptisia spp. (Wild Indigos) and other similar species in the Bean family by the abundant leaflets of its palmate leaves (7-11 per leaf). Other similar species in Illinois have either trifoliate leaves (3 leaflets per compound leaf) or pinnate compound leaves. Both the flowers and foliage of Wild Lupine are quite attractive. Another common name of this species is Sundial Lupine, because the palmate leaves orient themselves in the direction of the sun.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 1 month for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by elongated seedpods about 1¼-2" long and canescent-hairy. Each seedpod contains about 7 seeds, which can be ejected several feet away from the mother plant. The root system consists of a taproot with rhizomes. Reproduction is by seed and vegetative clones from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic soil containing sand or sandy loam. The root system can fix nitrogen into the soil. The seeds should be scarified to facilitate germination. Individual plants can be short-lived or long-lived, depending on environmental conditions.
Range & Habitat: Wild Lupine is an uncommon native wildflower that is found in NE Illinois and other northern areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Because of habitat destruction and fire suppression, populations of this wildflower have declined. Habitats include sand prairies, openings in sandy woodlands, sandy savannas, edges of sandy woodlands, stabilized sand dunes, and powerline clearances in sandy areas. Dominant canopy trees in some of these habitats are either oaks (especially Black Oak) or pines.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by honeybees, bumblebees, digger bees (Synhalonia spp.), Mason bees (Osmia spp.), and other long-tongued bees. Other floral visitors include Halictid bees and bee flies. Only pollen is available as a floral reward, which is forcibly ejected into the faces of such insect visitors. Occasionally, the Karner Blue and other butterflies visit the flowers, searching in vain for nectar. Several insects feed on the foliage and other parts of Wild Lupine. These insect feeders include caterpillars of the butterflies Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue) and Callophrys irus (Frosted Elfin), and caterpillars of the skippers Erynnis baptisiae (Wild Indigo Duskywing) and Erynnis persius (Persius Duskywing). The caterpillars of several moths also feed on Wild Lupine: Caenurgina crassiuscula (Clover Looper), Grammia phyllira (Phyllira Tiger Moth), Grammia placentia (Placentia Tiger Moth), Utetheisa bella (Bella Moth), and Walshia miscecolorella (Sweet Clover Root Borer). Other insects feeders include Empoasca fabae (Potato Leafhopper), Hadronema militaris (Military Plant Bug), and seed-eating larvae of the weevil Apion minor. The foliage is toxic to sheep and horses, however deer, rabbits, and woodchucks occasionally browse on Wild Lupine.
Photographic Location: A wooded sand dune at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: This is the only lupine that is native to Illinois; species in this genus are more abundant in the western United States. Wild Lupine is readily distinguished from Baptisia spp. (Wild Indigos) and other similar species in the Bean family by the abundant leaflets of its palmate leaves (7-11 per leaf). Other similar species in Illinois have either trifoliate leaves (3 leaflets per compound leaf) or pinnate compound leaves. Both the flowers and foliage of Wild Lupine are quite attractive. Another common name of this species is Sundial Lupine, because the palmate leaves orient themselves in the direction of the sun.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月19日
Description: This perennial plant is 1½–4' tall, more or less erect, and unbranched. The central stem is light to medium green, terete, glabrous, and sometimes glaucous. The leaves usually occur in whorls of 3-7 along the stem, although some of the upper leaves may occur in pairs or they may alternate individually. Individual leaves are 2½–5" long and ¼–¾" across; they are elliptic in shape, smooth (entire) along their margins, and sessile or nearly so. Leaf venation is parallel. The upper leaf surface is medium green and glabrous, while the lower leaf surface is light-medium or whitish green, glabrous, and sometimes glaucous. Above the terminal leaves of the central stem, there are 1-6 nodding flowers on stalks about 4-8" long (one flower per stalk). These stalks are erect or ascending; they are light to medium green, terete, glabrous, and sometimes glaucous. Each showy flower is about 2-3" long and similarly across, consisting of 6 tepals, 6 stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The tepals are yellow-orange to orange-red, purple-spotted, lanceolate in shape, and strongly recurved; the tips of the tepals are located near the base of the flower. The stamens are strongly exserted and slightly spreading; their filaments are light green to nearly white, while their anthers are reddish brown, oblongoid or ellipsoid in shape, and less than ½" in length. The style is strongly exserted and curved slightly upward; it is light yellow to nearly white, except toward the slightly swollen tip, where it is tinted yellow to orange-red.
The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer, lasting about 1 month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by seedpods. These seedpods are about 1½" long, oblongoid in shape, 3-celled, and glabrous; they split open into 3 parts to release their seeds. Mature seeds are brown, flattened, ovate-deltate in shape, and strongly winged along their margins. The thin papery wings enable the seeds to be carried some distance by gusts of wind. The root system consists of a yellow bulb with fibrous roots below, from which clonal offsets with new bulbs may form.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun, loamy soil or sandy loam, and moist conditions. An established plant, however, can withstand some drought. Cultivation from seed is slow and difficult, while cultivation from bulbs or transplants is somewhat faster and easier. Plants that are spoiled with too much fertilizer and watering may flop over.
Range & Habitat: The native Michigan Lily occurs in scattered counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is uncommon. Habitats include moist black soil prairies, openings in deciduous woodlands, typical thickets and sandy thickets, Bur Oak savannas, moist sandy meadows along rivers, swamps, fens, and prairie remnants along railroads. Michigan Lily is found in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Cross-pollination is required for fertile seeds. The large showy flowers appear to be designed to attract hummingbirds and larger day-flying insects, such as Sphinx moths, Hummingbird moths (Hemaris spp.), and the larger butterflies. Robertson (1929) observed such butterflies as the Monarch (Danaus plexippus), Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele), and Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) visiting the flowers for nectar. Other insects feed destructively on lilies (Lilium spp.). These species include the Lily Leaf Beetle (Lilioceris lilii), stem-boring larvae of the Burdock Borer Moth (Papaipema cataphracta), stem-boring larvae of the Golden Borer Moth (Papaipema cerina), larvae of the Narcissus Bulb Fly (Merodon equestris), the Crescent-marked Lily Aphid (Aulacorthum circumflexum), and the Tulip Bulb Aphid (Dysaphis tulipae); see Marshall (2006), Covell (1984/2005), Panzer et al. (2006), Cranshaw (2004), and Blackman & Eastop (2013). Deer, rabbits, horses, cattle, and other livestock occasionally browse on the foliage, while voles sometimes eat the bulbs.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois, and a wildflower garden at the Anita Purves Nature Center of the same city.
Comments: This is an attractive plant that can be cultivated in flower gardens. For many years, the Michigan Lily (Lilium michiganense) was not distinguished from the Turk's Cap Lily (Lilium superbum), even though there are several characteristics that can be used to distinguish them, including the following: 1) the Michigan Lily has a more northern distribution in Illinois than the latter, 2) the anthers of Michigan Lily are less than ½" in length, while the anthers of the latter species are ½" or longer and they are more slender in shape, 3) the tepals of Michigan Lily curve backward so that their tips are located near the base of the flower, while the tepals of Turk's Cap Lily curve backward so that their tips are located behind the base of the flower, 4) the Michigan Lily usually has yellow bulbs, while the latter lily usually has white bulbs, 5) Turk's Cap Lily sometimes has a 6-pointed green star on the throats of its flowers, while the flowers of Michigan Lily never have this characteristic, and 6) the Turk Cap's Lily is usually taller and it blooms less reliably than the Michigan Lily, at least in Illinois.
The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer, lasting about 1 month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by seedpods. These seedpods are about 1½" long, oblongoid in shape, 3-celled, and glabrous; they split open into 3 parts to release their seeds. Mature seeds are brown, flattened, ovate-deltate in shape, and strongly winged along their margins. The thin papery wings enable the seeds to be carried some distance by gusts of wind. The root system consists of a yellow bulb with fibrous roots below, from which clonal offsets with new bulbs may form.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun, loamy soil or sandy loam, and moist conditions. An established plant, however, can withstand some drought. Cultivation from seed is slow and difficult, while cultivation from bulbs or transplants is somewhat faster and easier. Plants that are spoiled with too much fertilizer and watering may flop over.
Range & Habitat: The native Michigan Lily occurs in scattered counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is uncommon. Habitats include moist black soil prairies, openings in deciduous woodlands, typical thickets and sandy thickets, Bur Oak savannas, moist sandy meadows along rivers, swamps, fens, and prairie remnants along railroads. Michigan Lily is found in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Cross-pollination is required for fertile seeds. The large showy flowers appear to be designed to attract hummingbirds and larger day-flying insects, such as Sphinx moths, Hummingbird moths (Hemaris spp.), and the larger butterflies. Robertson (1929) observed such butterflies as the Monarch (Danaus plexippus), Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele), and Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) visiting the flowers for nectar. Other insects feed destructively on lilies (Lilium spp.). These species include the Lily Leaf Beetle (Lilioceris lilii), stem-boring larvae of the Burdock Borer Moth (Papaipema cataphracta), stem-boring larvae of the Golden Borer Moth (Papaipema cerina), larvae of the Narcissus Bulb Fly (Merodon equestris), the Crescent-marked Lily Aphid (Aulacorthum circumflexum), and the Tulip Bulb Aphid (Dysaphis tulipae); see Marshall (2006), Covell (1984/2005), Panzer et al. (2006), Cranshaw (2004), and Blackman & Eastop (2013). Deer, rabbits, horses, cattle, and other livestock occasionally browse on the foliage, while voles sometimes eat the bulbs.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois, and a wildflower garden at the Anita Purves Nature Center of the same city.
Comments: This is an attractive plant that can be cultivated in flower gardens. For many years, the Michigan Lily (Lilium michiganense) was not distinguished from the Turk's Cap Lily (Lilium superbum), even though there are several characteristics that can be used to distinguish them, including the following: 1) the Michigan Lily has a more northern distribution in Illinois than the latter, 2) the anthers of Michigan Lily are less than ½" in length, while the anthers of the latter species are ½" or longer and they are more slender in shape, 3) the tepals of Michigan Lily curve backward so that their tips are located near the base of the flower, while the tepals of Turk's Cap Lily curve backward so that their tips are located behind the base of the flower, 4) the Michigan Lily usually has yellow bulbs, while the latter lily usually has white bulbs, 5) Turk's Cap Lily sometimes has a 6-pointed green star on the throats of its flowers, while the flowers of Michigan Lily never have this characteristic, and 6) the Turk Cap's Lily is usually taller and it blooms less reliably than the Michigan Lily, at least in Illinois.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月17日
Description: This annual plant is a twining vine about 3-7' long. The stems are slightly pubescent, or have scattered white hairs. The larger alternate leaves are usually cordate, although leaves with 3 acute lobes are sometimes observed; smaller leaves are usually ovate. These leaves are 2-4" long and about half as much across. Their margins are smooth, while the upper leaf surface has scattered white hairs. The petioles are long, slender, and more or less pubescent.
From the base of these petioles, develops 1-3 white funnelform flowers from a short stalk. These flowers are up to 1" long and ¾" across. They are shallowly lobed. At the throat of each flower, is a single white stigma with a knobby head, which is closely surrounded by several white stamens with purple or white anthers. Rarely, a flower will have two knobby stigmata. There are 5 light green sepals that are lanceolate, pubsecent or hairy, and about 1/3" long. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer through the fall, and lasts about 2-3 months. Flowers bloom primarily during the morning; there is no noticeable floral scent. They are replaced by 2-valved seed capsules that are spherical and often hairy; these capsules are surrounded by 5 acute bracts. The large seeds are dark brown or black, with an irregular oblong shape and shiny surface. They rely primarily on the vining habit of the plant for their dispersal. The root system consists of a taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and moist to mesic conditions; this plant also tolerates drier locations. The soil can contain significant amounts of loam, clay, or gravelly material. The stems will climb fences and taller plants if given a chance; in open areas, they sprawl about haphazardly.
Range & Habitat: The native Small White Morning Glory occurs primarily in southern and western Illinois, where it is occasional. In the NE and extreme northern Illinois, this plant is apparently absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, thickets, gravelly bars of streams and banks of lakes, moist meadows near rivers or woodlands, abandoned fields, areas along roadsides and railroads, and miscellaneous waste areas. This plant favors disturbed habitats.
Faunal Associations: Primarily long-tongued bees visit the flowers for nectar, including bumblebees and Little Carpenter bees, and such oligoleges as Melitoma taurea (Mallow Bee), Peponapis pruinosa pruinosa (Squash & Gourd Bee), and Cemolobus ipomoea (Morning Glory Bee). Some insects feed on the foliage of this plant, including the caterpillars of Emmelina monodictyla (Common Plume Moth) and several species of Tortoise Beetles. The seeds, as large as they are, are consumed by only a few upland gamebirds to a limited extent; this includes the Bobwhite and Ring-Necked Pheasant. Mammalian herbivores don't feed on this plant because the foliage is somewhat toxic and has a slightly rank smell.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken along a railroad in Savoy, Illinois.
Comments: The flowers of this plant are smaller in size than other Morning Glories and Bindweeds. While the flowers of Convolvulus arvensis (Field Bindweed) have about the same length, they are broader when fully open (1" or more). There is some variability across local populations of Small White Morning Glory, particularly with regard to the hairiness of the plant. On rare occasions, the flowers may be pink or light purple. This plant will continue to bloom sporadically until late in the fall, when it is killed by frost.
From the base of these petioles, develops 1-3 white funnelform flowers from a short stalk. These flowers are up to 1" long and ¾" across. They are shallowly lobed. At the throat of each flower, is a single white stigma with a knobby head, which is closely surrounded by several white stamens with purple or white anthers. Rarely, a flower will have two knobby stigmata. There are 5 light green sepals that are lanceolate, pubsecent or hairy, and about 1/3" long. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer through the fall, and lasts about 2-3 months. Flowers bloom primarily during the morning; there is no noticeable floral scent. They are replaced by 2-valved seed capsules that are spherical and often hairy; these capsules are surrounded by 5 acute bracts. The large seeds are dark brown or black, with an irregular oblong shape and shiny surface. They rely primarily on the vining habit of the plant for their dispersal. The root system consists of a taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and moist to mesic conditions; this plant also tolerates drier locations. The soil can contain significant amounts of loam, clay, or gravelly material. The stems will climb fences and taller plants if given a chance; in open areas, they sprawl about haphazardly.
Range & Habitat: The native Small White Morning Glory occurs primarily in southern and western Illinois, where it is occasional. In the NE and extreme northern Illinois, this plant is apparently absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, thickets, gravelly bars of streams and banks of lakes, moist meadows near rivers or woodlands, abandoned fields, areas along roadsides and railroads, and miscellaneous waste areas. This plant favors disturbed habitats.
Faunal Associations: Primarily long-tongued bees visit the flowers for nectar, including bumblebees and Little Carpenter bees, and such oligoleges as Melitoma taurea (Mallow Bee), Peponapis pruinosa pruinosa (Squash & Gourd Bee), and Cemolobus ipomoea (Morning Glory Bee). Some insects feed on the foliage of this plant, including the caterpillars of Emmelina monodictyla (Common Plume Moth) and several species of Tortoise Beetles. The seeds, as large as they are, are consumed by only a few upland gamebirds to a limited extent; this includes the Bobwhite and Ring-Necked Pheasant. Mammalian herbivores don't feed on this plant because the foliage is somewhat toxic and has a slightly rank smell.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken along a railroad in Savoy, Illinois.
Comments: The flowers of this plant are smaller in size than other Morning Glories and Bindweeds. While the flowers of Convolvulus arvensis (Field Bindweed) have about the same length, they are broader when fully open (1" or more). There is some variability across local populations of Small White Morning Glory, particularly with regard to the hairiness of the plant. On rare occasions, the flowers may be pink or light purple. This plant will continue to bloom sporadically until late in the fall, when it is killed by frost.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月11日
Description: This perennial wildflower consists of a rosette of basal leaves up to 1½' across, from which a flowering stalk develops that is 2-4' tall. The blades of the basal leaves are 2-7" long and 1-3" across; they are oval to ovate in shape and their margins are smooth (entire) or serrulate with sparse small teeth. The blades of basal leaves usually have rounded bottom and blunt tips. Their upper blade surfaces are medium green and rough-textured, while their lower surfaces are light green. In addition to their central veins, the basal leaves have 1-2 pairs of lateral veins that originate from the bases of their blades. The slender petioles of the basal leaves are 1-4" long and light green. The flowering stalk is light green to greenish red and glabrous to hairy; it is mostly naked, except for 1-2 pairs of opposite leaves below and a few alternate leaves above. The blades of opposite or alternate leaves are 1-3" long and ¼-¾" across; they are lanceolate or elliptic in shape and usually smooth (entire) along their margins. The blades surfaces of these leaves are similar to those of the basal leaves, while their petioles are either absent or up to ½" long.
The flowering stalk terminates in 1-12 flowerheads that are usually arranged in a panicle. The peduncles of these flowerheads are ½-6" long. Individual flowerheads are 1½-2½" across, consisting of 8-22 ray florets that surround numerous disk florets. The petaloid rays are yellow and oblong to elliptic in shape. The tiny disk florets have tubular corollas that are yellow and 5-lobed. Around the base of each flowerhead, there are several overlapping phyllaries (floral bracts). These phyllaries are 5-7 mm. long, light green, linear-lanceolate in shape, and ciliate along their margins. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall, lasting about 1 month for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the fertile disk florets are replaced by achenes about 3-4 mm. in length. These achenes are broadly oblongoid and somewhat flattened in shape; they have a pair of scale-like awns that are early-deciduous. The root system consists of a narrow taproot with shallow rhizomes. Vegetative colonies of plants are sometimes produced from these rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil. This wildflower will also adapt to partial sun and rocky soil. On deep fertile soil, it is not competitive with other species of plants. This is one of the less aggressive Helianthus spp. (sunflowers).
Range & Habitat: The native Western Sunflower is occasional in the northern half of Illinois, while in the southern section of the state it is uncommon or absent. Habitats include upland sand prairies, sandy hill prairies, upland sandy savannas, limestone and sandstone glades, sandy areas along railroads, and sandy abandoned fields. This sunflower is usually found in higher quality habitats where the original ground flora is still intact.
Faunal Associations: The pollinators of Western Sunflower are probably similar to those of other sunflowers that grow in relatively open areas. This includes such insects and long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, miscellaneous flies, and occasional butterflies. The following bees are oligoleges (specialist pollinators) of sunflowers (Helianthus spp.): Dufourea marginata, Andrena accepta, Andrena helianthi, Andrena aliciae, Melissodes agilis, and Pseudopanurgus rugosus. Other insects feed on the foliage, bore through the stems, feed on the florets and seeds, or suck plant juices from sunflowers. These species include: the leafhoppers Mesamia straminea and Mesamia nigridorsum; the aphids Uroleucon illini and Uroleucon rudbeckiae; the plant bugs Ilnacora stalii and Plagiognathus nigronitens; Haplorhynchities aeneus (Sunflower Head-Clipping Weevil) and Cylindrocopturus adspersus (Sunflower Stem Weevil); the leaf beetles Physonota helianthi and Trirhabda adela; Contarinia schulzi (Sunflower Midge) and Neotephritis finalis (Sunflower Seed Maggot); Melanoplus packardii (Packard's Grasshopper) and Sparagemon collare (Mottled Sand Grasshopper); and the flower thrips Heterothrips auranticornis (see Insect Table for a more complete listing of these species). In addition to these insects, the caterpillars of such butterflies as Chlosyne gorgone (Gorgone Checkerspot), Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot), and Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady) feed on sunflowers, as do the caterpillars of many moths (see Moth Table).
The seeds of wild sunflowers are a nutritious source of food for many birds, including the Mourning Dove, Eastern Goldfinch, White-Winged Crossbill, Bobwhite Quail, and several species of sparrows (see Bird Table). The seeds are also eaten by the Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel, mice, and voles. White-Tailed Deer and other hoofed mammalian herbivores browse on the flowering stalks and leaves of sunflowers. Because the Plains Pocket Gopher prefers many of the same habitats as the Western Sunflower in Illinois (open sandy habitats that are well-drained), it likely feeds on the roots, foliage, and seeds of this sunflower in some areas of the state.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois. Because of a hot dry summer, the foliage of the photographed plant was unusually yellow.
Comments: Because of its prominent basal leaves and nearly naked flowering stalks, the Western Sunflower has a very distinct appearance among Helianthus spp. (sunflowers). It resembles a petite Silphium terebinthinaceum (Prairie Dock), however the seeds of this latter wildflower are produced by the ray florets, rather than the disk florets. Also, the basal leaves of this latter wildflower are more toothed along their margins, more erect, and much larger in size. In spite of its distinct appearance, the Western Sunflower can form both natural and artificial hybrids with several species of sunflowers. One of these hybrids, Helianthus × cinereus, has Helianthus mollis (Downy Sunflower) as the other parent. The common name of this species, Western Sunflower, is somewhat misleading, because it isn't native to the western United States. Instead, its distribution is centered in the upper Midwest.
The flowering stalk terminates in 1-12 flowerheads that are usually arranged in a panicle. The peduncles of these flowerheads are ½-6" long. Individual flowerheads are 1½-2½" across, consisting of 8-22 ray florets that surround numerous disk florets. The petaloid rays are yellow and oblong to elliptic in shape. The tiny disk florets have tubular corollas that are yellow and 5-lobed. Around the base of each flowerhead, there are several overlapping phyllaries (floral bracts). These phyllaries are 5-7 mm. long, light green, linear-lanceolate in shape, and ciliate along their margins. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall, lasting about 1 month for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the fertile disk florets are replaced by achenes about 3-4 mm. in length. These achenes are broadly oblongoid and somewhat flattened in shape; they have a pair of scale-like awns that are early-deciduous. The root system consists of a narrow taproot with shallow rhizomes. Vegetative colonies of plants are sometimes produced from these rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil. This wildflower will also adapt to partial sun and rocky soil. On deep fertile soil, it is not competitive with other species of plants. This is one of the less aggressive Helianthus spp. (sunflowers).
Range & Habitat: The native Western Sunflower is occasional in the northern half of Illinois, while in the southern section of the state it is uncommon or absent. Habitats include upland sand prairies, sandy hill prairies, upland sandy savannas, limestone and sandstone glades, sandy areas along railroads, and sandy abandoned fields. This sunflower is usually found in higher quality habitats where the original ground flora is still intact.
Faunal Associations: The pollinators of Western Sunflower are probably similar to those of other sunflowers that grow in relatively open areas. This includes such insects and long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, miscellaneous flies, and occasional butterflies. The following bees are oligoleges (specialist pollinators) of sunflowers (Helianthus spp.): Dufourea marginata, Andrena accepta, Andrena helianthi, Andrena aliciae, Melissodes agilis, and Pseudopanurgus rugosus. Other insects feed on the foliage, bore through the stems, feed on the florets and seeds, or suck plant juices from sunflowers. These species include: the leafhoppers Mesamia straminea and Mesamia nigridorsum; the aphids Uroleucon illini and Uroleucon rudbeckiae; the plant bugs Ilnacora stalii and Plagiognathus nigronitens; Haplorhynchities aeneus (Sunflower Head-Clipping Weevil) and Cylindrocopturus adspersus (Sunflower Stem Weevil); the leaf beetles Physonota helianthi and Trirhabda adela; Contarinia schulzi (Sunflower Midge) and Neotephritis finalis (Sunflower Seed Maggot); Melanoplus packardii (Packard's Grasshopper) and Sparagemon collare (Mottled Sand Grasshopper); and the flower thrips Heterothrips auranticornis (see Insect Table for a more complete listing of these species). In addition to these insects, the caterpillars of such butterflies as Chlosyne gorgone (Gorgone Checkerspot), Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot), and Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady) feed on sunflowers, as do the caterpillars of many moths (see Moth Table).
The seeds of wild sunflowers are a nutritious source of food for many birds, including the Mourning Dove, Eastern Goldfinch, White-Winged Crossbill, Bobwhite Quail, and several species of sparrows (see Bird Table). The seeds are also eaten by the Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel, mice, and voles. White-Tailed Deer and other hoofed mammalian herbivores browse on the flowering stalks and leaves of sunflowers. Because the Plains Pocket Gopher prefers many of the same habitats as the Western Sunflower in Illinois (open sandy habitats that are well-drained), it likely feeds on the roots, foliage, and seeds of this sunflower in some areas of the state.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois. Because of a hot dry summer, the foliage of the photographed plant was unusually yellow.
Comments: Because of its prominent basal leaves and nearly naked flowering stalks, the Western Sunflower has a very distinct appearance among Helianthus spp. (sunflowers). It resembles a petite Silphium terebinthinaceum (Prairie Dock), however the seeds of this latter wildflower are produced by the ray florets, rather than the disk florets. Also, the basal leaves of this latter wildflower are more toothed along their margins, more erect, and much larger in size. In spite of its distinct appearance, the Western Sunflower can form both natural and artificial hybrids with several species of sunflowers. One of these hybrids, Helianthus × cinereus, has Helianthus mollis (Downy Sunflower) as the other parent. The common name of this species, Western Sunflower, is somewhat misleading, because it isn't native to the western United States. Instead, its distribution is centered in the upper Midwest.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月09日
Gladiolas, familiarly known as "glads," grow from bulb-like structures called corms. The corms are cold tender and won't tolerate winters in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 7 and below. Although some gardeners prefer to grow glads as annuals and plant fresh bulbs every year, it isn't difficult to preserve the bulbs by digging them every autumn.
Digging Corms
Dig gladiolus corms before the first hard freeze in autumn, but not until the foliage dies down after a light frost. Leave the corms in the ground as long as possible, as the green foliage absorbs sunlight, which provides energy and food to produce next year's blooms. Without the foliage, flower production will be weakened. Use a spade or garden shovel to loosen the soil around the clump, then hold the tops and pull the plant carefully from the ground. Shake the clump to remove excess soil from the corms.
Preparing for Storage
Use garden shears to cut the foliage 1 to 2 inches above the corm. Spread the corms on a newspaper, not touching, in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place to cure for two to three weeks. After the corms have cured, last year's corms will be noticeably dry and shriveled. Remove the old corms by twisting them, then discard them. Save the new corms with husks intact.
Storing Corms
Place the gladiolus corms in cloth bags, mesh onion bags, paper sacks or in the legs of old nylon pantyhose. Store the corms in a dark, dry, cold, well-ventilated place such as a shed, garage or basement. Although temperatures should be cold, the corms should never be allowed to freeze. The storage room should be between 35 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Replant the corms between May and mid-June.
Protection in Warmer Climates
Although it isn't necessary to dig gladiolus corms in the milder winter climates of zone 7 and above, a 3- to 4-inch layer of loose mulch such as straw, dry leaves or pine needles will keep the soil moist throughout the winter as it offers protection from light frosts or temperature fluctuations. Remove the mulch when the weather warms in spring.
Digging Corms
Dig gladiolus corms before the first hard freeze in autumn, but not until the foliage dies down after a light frost. Leave the corms in the ground as long as possible, as the green foliage absorbs sunlight, which provides energy and food to produce next year's blooms. Without the foliage, flower production will be weakened. Use a spade or garden shovel to loosen the soil around the clump, then hold the tops and pull the plant carefully from the ground. Shake the clump to remove excess soil from the corms.
Preparing for Storage
Use garden shears to cut the foliage 1 to 2 inches above the corm. Spread the corms on a newspaper, not touching, in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place to cure for two to three weeks. After the corms have cured, last year's corms will be noticeably dry and shriveled. Remove the old corms by twisting them, then discard them. Save the new corms with husks intact.
Storing Corms
Place the gladiolus corms in cloth bags, mesh onion bags, paper sacks or in the legs of old nylon pantyhose. Store the corms in a dark, dry, cold, well-ventilated place such as a shed, garage or basement. Although temperatures should be cold, the corms should never be allowed to freeze. The storage room should be between 35 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Replant the corms between May and mid-June.
Protection in Warmer Climates
Although it isn't necessary to dig gladiolus corms in the milder winter climates of zone 7 and above, a 3- to 4-inch layer of loose mulch such as straw, dry leaves or pine needles will keep the soil moist throughout the winter as it offers protection from light frosts or temperature fluctuations. Remove the mulch when the weather warms in spring.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月07日
Gladiolus is an easy-to-grow flower noted for its tall flower spikes. The gladiolus or gladiola typically is grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 7 through 10. Called the sword lily for its upright, flower-studded stalk, the gladiolus is a fair weather plant. The flower bulbs, also called corms, are not winter-hardy. The flowers bloom from mid-summer through the first frost.
Features
The gladiolus blooms on tall stems with narrow, blade-shaped leaves. Because glads mature in a season, you can plant corms in spring and enjoy flowers by mid-summer, when a series of trumpet-shaped florets opens along the stem. Plant the corms in well-drained, organic soil with moderate moisture. Encourage prolific blooms by planting gladioli away from shrubs or other tall flowers. The plants produce strong stems and healthier flowers with open exposure to sunlight. When the plants die back in late autumn, corms remain in the ground in temperate climates and put out new foliage and flowers in spring. Dig up corms in cold zones and store in a well-ventilated, protected area at 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit until spring.
Types
Glads range from miniatures, growing under 3 feet tall with 2-1/2-inch flowers, to giants, growing 4 to 6 feet tall with 5-inch blooms. Glads flower in almost every color shade from white through dark purple. Some cultivars yield bi-color flowers, such as white with brown centers. Other hybrids offer green flowers that blend with the tall leaves. Miniatures fit well as cut flowers in small bouquets. Glads make spectacular vase arrangements with or without other cut flowers.
Staking
Keep flowers upright by staking gladioli. In wind or rain, glads may topple, uprooting the bulbs. Flower weight makes some glad stems bend or break. Protect stems by staking each individually or staking a row of glads. Stake individual flowers by tapping a 1-inch square wood support into the ground and tying each stem to its stake. Support a row of glads by tapping in 2-inch square posts and weaving twine between the posts. Tie the glads to the twine network. Some gardeners plant rows of glads in front of lattice so that tipsy glads are easily anchored to the decorative lattice grid.
Considerations
Select cultivars that bloom at different times for an ever-changing summer display. By planting corms in succession every two weeks from spring through early summer, the glads bloom continuously into autumn. For variety, choose a different color or height for each planting.
Features
The gladiolus blooms on tall stems with narrow, blade-shaped leaves. Because glads mature in a season, you can plant corms in spring and enjoy flowers by mid-summer, when a series of trumpet-shaped florets opens along the stem. Plant the corms in well-drained, organic soil with moderate moisture. Encourage prolific blooms by planting gladioli away from shrubs or other tall flowers. The plants produce strong stems and healthier flowers with open exposure to sunlight. When the plants die back in late autumn, corms remain in the ground in temperate climates and put out new foliage and flowers in spring. Dig up corms in cold zones and store in a well-ventilated, protected area at 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit until spring.
Types
Glads range from miniatures, growing under 3 feet tall with 2-1/2-inch flowers, to giants, growing 4 to 6 feet tall with 5-inch blooms. Glads flower in almost every color shade from white through dark purple. Some cultivars yield bi-color flowers, such as white with brown centers. Other hybrids offer green flowers that blend with the tall leaves. Miniatures fit well as cut flowers in small bouquets. Glads make spectacular vase arrangements with or without other cut flowers.
Staking
Keep flowers upright by staking gladioli. In wind or rain, glads may topple, uprooting the bulbs. Flower weight makes some glad stems bend or break. Protect stems by staking each individually or staking a row of glads. Stake individual flowers by tapping a 1-inch square wood support into the ground and tying each stem to its stake. Support a row of glads by tapping in 2-inch square posts and weaving twine between the posts. Tie the glads to the twine network. Some gardeners plant rows of glads in front of lattice so that tipsy glads are easily anchored to the decorative lattice grid.
Considerations
Select cultivars that bloom at different times for an ever-changing summer display. By planting corms in succession every two weeks from spring through early summer, the glads bloom continuously into autumn. For variety, choose a different color or height for each planting.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月05日
Description: During the first year, this plant develops a rosette of basal leaves. During the second year, this biennial plant bolts to become 3-7' tall at maturity, branching above. The stems are light green, angular or terete, and moderately to densely covered with spreading white hairs. Alternate leaves occur along these stems that have ascending blades; they are sessile or short-petiolate. The leaf blades are up to 7" long and 1" across, although they are usually about one-half of the maximum size. The leaves are narrowly lanceolate or elliptic in shape, while their margins are entire (toothless) or slightly dentate. The leaf surfaces are yellowish green or medium green and glabrous to slightly pubescent (usually becoming more glabrous with age). However, during the autumn, the leaves often become reddish in response to cold weather. The upper stems terminate in open panicles of floral spikes that are up to 2½' long and across. In each spike, the sessile flowers bloom gradually from the bottom to the top with flower buds above and developing seed capsules below.
Each flower is about ½" long and across, consisting of 4 white to pink petals, a narrow calyx tube with 4 green to red sepals at its apex, 8 long-exserted stamens, and an inferior ovary with a long-exserted style. The petals are oblanceolate in shape, tapering to narrow clawed bases; they are arranged in a semi-circle above the reproductive organs. The sepals are linear-lanceolate, short-pubescent, and strongly recurved or deflexed (bent downward or away from the petals). The stamens have white filaments and slender yellow anthers. The slender style is white; it has a 4-lobed stigma at its apex. The branches of the inflorescence are light green or reddish green, angular or terete, and short-pubescent. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to mid-autumn, lasting about 1-2 months. The flowers are replaced by seed capsules that are 6-8 mm. long, fusiform (spindle-shaped), slightly 4-ribbed, and short-pubescent. Each capsule contains a few seeds.
Cultivation: This biennial plant prefers full sunlight and more or less mesic conditions. It tolerates many kinds of soil, include those that contain loam, clay, gravel, or sand.
Range & Habitat: The native Biennial Gaura occurs in most counties of Illinois, where it is occasional to locally common (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic prairies, meadows in wooded areas, limestone glades, abandoned fields, gravelly banks along rivers, roadside embankments, areas along railroads, and waste areas. Biennial Gaura prefers disturbed areas where there is reduced competition from other plants, although it is occasionally found in higher quality habitats.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by long-tongued bees (especially bumblebees) and nectar-seeking moths, including the Northern Corn Earworm Moth (Heliothis zea). Other insects feed destructively on the foliage, flowers, developing seed capsules, and plant sap of Biennial Gaura. Insects in this latter group include aphids (Macrosiphum gaurae, Macrosiphum pseudorosae), leaf-mining larvae of a Momphid moth (Mompha argentimaculella), gall-forming larvae of a a Momphid moth (Mompha rufocristatella), and larvae of the Primrose Moth (Schinia florida) and Gaura Moth (Schinia gaura). Larvae of the latter two moths feed on the flowers and developing seed capsules. The adults of these two moths often hide near the flowers of Biennial Gaura during the day; they are well-camouflaged because of their pinkish or reddish colors. This plant's relationships with vertebrate animals is currently unavailable.
Photographic Location: The photographs of plants were taken along a railroad in Champaign, Illinois, and at a prairie of Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: During late summer when this tall plant is in full bloom, its lanky stems and flowering spikes have a tendency to sway with each passing breeze. Biennial Gaura (Gaura biennis) has not received much attention because of its untidy appearance and slightly weedy nature. However, it provides attractive flowers during the hot and dreary month of August, when other plants are usually dormant. Biennial Gaura closely resembles Large-flowered Gaura (Gaura longiflora), except this latter species has short appressed hairs along its stems, rather than long and widely spreading hairs. Large-flowered Gaura has a more western distribution than Biennial Gaura, and it is less common in Illinois. Another species with a more western distribution, Small-flowered Gaura (Gaura parviflora), has more densely pubescent leaves, a less branched inflorescence, and smaller flowers than Biennial Gaura. Small-flowered Gaura is uncommon in Illinois, where it is adventive.
Each flower is about ½" long and across, consisting of 4 white to pink petals, a narrow calyx tube with 4 green to red sepals at its apex, 8 long-exserted stamens, and an inferior ovary with a long-exserted style. The petals are oblanceolate in shape, tapering to narrow clawed bases; they are arranged in a semi-circle above the reproductive organs. The sepals are linear-lanceolate, short-pubescent, and strongly recurved or deflexed (bent downward or away from the petals). The stamens have white filaments and slender yellow anthers. The slender style is white; it has a 4-lobed stigma at its apex. The branches of the inflorescence are light green or reddish green, angular or terete, and short-pubescent. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to mid-autumn, lasting about 1-2 months. The flowers are replaced by seed capsules that are 6-8 mm. long, fusiform (spindle-shaped), slightly 4-ribbed, and short-pubescent. Each capsule contains a few seeds.
Cultivation: This biennial plant prefers full sunlight and more or less mesic conditions. It tolerates many kinds of soil, include those that contain loam, clay, gravel, or sand.
Range & Habitat: The native Biennial Gaura occurs in most counties of Illinois, where it is occasional to locally common (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic prairies, meadows in wooded areas, limestone glades, abandoned fields, gravelly banks along rivers, roadside embankments, areas along railroads, and waste areas. Biennial Gaura prefers disturbed areas where there is reduced competition from other plants, although it is occasionally found in higher quality habitats.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by long-tongued bees (especially bumblebees) and nectar-seeking moths, including the Northern Corn Earworm Moth (Heliothis zea). Other insects feed destructively on the foliage, flowers, developing seed capsules, and plant sap of Biennial Gaura. Insects in this latter group include aphids (Macrosiphum gaurae, Macrosiphum pseudorosae), leaf-mining larvae of a Momphid moth (Mompha argentimaculella), gall-forming larvae of a a Momphid moth (Mompha rufocristatella), and larvae of the Primrose Moth (Schinia florida) and Gaura Moth (Schinia gaura). Larvae of the latter two moths feed on the flowers and developing seed capsules. The adults of these two moths often hide near the flowers of Biennial Gaura during the day; they are well-camouflaged because of their pinkish or reddish colors. This plant's relationships with vertebrate animals is currently unavailable.
Photographic Location: The photographs of plants were taken along a railroad in Champaign, Illinois, and at a prairie of Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: During late summer when this tall plant is in full bloom, its lanky stems and flowering spikes have a tendency to sway with each passing breeze. Biennial Gaura (Gaura biennis) has not received much attention because of its untidy appearance and slightly weedy nature. However, it provides attractive flowers during the hot and dreary month of August, when other plants are usually dormant. Biennial Gaura closely resembles Large-flowered Gaura (Gaura longiflora), except this latter species has short appressed hairs along its stems, rather than long and widely spreading hairs. Large-flowered Gaura has a more western distribution than Biennial Gaura, and it is less common in Illinois. Another species with a more western distribution, Small-flowered Gaura (Gaura parviflora), has more densely pubescent leaves, a less branched inflorescence, and smaller flowers than Biennial Gaura. Small-flowered Gaura is uncommon in Illinois, where it is adventive.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月03日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 4-7" tall, consisting of several basal leaves and one or more inflorescences. The basal leaves are trifoliate. The leaflets are up to 2½" long and 1½" across; they are obovate or oval in shape and coarsely toothed along their middle to outer margins. The tips of leaflets are rounded, while their bottoms are either wedge-shaped or rounded. The upper leaflet surface is medium to dark green and glabrous. The lower leaflet surface is variably hairy; fine hairs are most likely to occur along the bases of central veins, but they may occur elsewhere along the lower surface. Leaflet venation is pinnate and conspicuous. The petiolules (basal stalklets) of leaflets are light green, hairy, and very short (about 1 mm. in length). The petioles of basal leaves are up to 6" long; they are light green to light reddish green, terete, and hairy. One or more umbel-like clusters of flowers are produced from long peduncles up to 5" long. These peduncles are light green to light reddish green, terete, and hairy. Each umbel-like cluster has about 4-6 flowers on pedicels up to ¾" long. These pedicels are light green to light reddish green, terete, and hairy. At the base of these pedicels, there are several bracts up to ¼" long that are light green to dark red, lanceolate in shape, and hairy.
Individual flowers are about ½–¾" across when they are fully open; they can be pistillate, staminate, or perfect (staminate flowers are the least common). Each flower has 5 white petals, 5 green sepals, and 5 green sepal-like bracts. The petals are oval to orbicular in shape; they are longer than either the sepals or sepal-like bracts. The sepals are lanceolate in shape and hairy, while the sepal-like bracts are linear-lanceolate and hairy; both sepals and sepal-like bracts are joined together at the base of the flower. Each pistillate flower has a dome-shaped cluster of pistils at its center that is greenish yellow or pale yellow. Each staminate flower has 20-35 stamens with pale yellow filaments and yellow anthers. Each perfect flower has a dome-shaped cluster of pistils at its center and a ring of surrounding stamens. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by fruits when growing conditions are favorable, otherwise they abort. These fruits are up to ½" long and across; they are globoid or globoid-ovoid in shape, becoming bright red at maturity. Small seeds are scattered across the surface of these fruits in sunken pits; the persistent sepals and sepal-like bracts are appressed to the upper surface of these fruits. The fleshy interior of these fruits has a sweet-tart flavor; they are edible. The root system consists of a shallow crown with fibrous roots. After the production of flowers and fruits, hairy above-ground stolons up to 2' long may develop from the crown. When the tips of these stolons touch the ground, they often form plantlets that take root. In this manner, clonal colonies of plants often develop.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and fertile soil containing loam or clay-loam. Wild Strawberry is a cool-season plant that grows actively during the spring and fall, but it often becomes dormant after setting fruit during the hot summer months. This plant is easy to cultivate, and it will spread to form a loose ground cover in open areas. The foliage is more resistant to foliar disease than most cultivated strawberries. While flowers are produced reliably every spring where there is adequate sunlight, the fruits may or may not develop, depending on the weather and environmental conditions. Watering plants during dry spells in late spring and early summer probably encourages fruits to develop. These fruits are much smaller in size than those of cultivated strawberries.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Strawberry is common in most areas of Illinois, although in parts of NW and southern Illinois it is occasional or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include black soil prairies, hill prairies, bluegrass meadows, small meadows in wooded areas, open woodlands, woodland borders, savannas, limestone glades, roadsides, and areas along railroads. Wild Strawberry is able to tolerate competition from taller plants because it develops early in the spring, and it is able to tolerate some shade later in the year. This plant occurs in both degraded and high quality habitats, often not far from wooded areas.
Faunal Associations: The ecological value of Wild Strawberry to various insects, birds, and animals is high. The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.), Halictid bees (including green metallic bees), Halictid cuckoo bees (Sphecodes spp.), Andrenid bees, Syrphid flies, thick-headed flies (Conopidae), Tachinid flies, bottle flies (Lucilia spp.), flesh flies (Sarcophagidae), small butterflies, and skippers (see Robertson, 1929, & others). These floral visitors are beneficial because they cross-pollinate the flowers. Other insects feed destructively on the foliage and other parts of Wild Strawberry. Caterpillars of the Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaurae wyandot) feed on this plant. Other insect feeders include larvae of such moths as the Strawberry Crown Borer (Synanthedon bibionipennis), Strawberry Leafroller Moth (Ancylis comptana fragariae), and Wild Strawberry Seed Borer (Grapholita angleseana). The Moth Table has a more complete list of moth species that feed on this plant.
Other insect feeders include the Strawberry Flea Beetle (Altica ignita) and other leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae), the Strawberry Sap Beetle (Stelidota gemmata), the Strawberry Root Weevil (Otiorhynchus ovatus) and other weevils (Curculionidae), larvae of the Strawberry Reniform Gall Midge (Cecidomyia reniformis), larvae of the Strawberry Cylindrical Gall Wasp (Diastrophus fragariae), larvae of the Curled Rose Sawfly (Allantus cinctus) and other sawflies, the Strawberry Aphid (Chaetosiphon fragaefolii) and other aphids, and flower thrips. The Insect Table has a more complete list of insect species that feed on this plant. Various vertebrate animals eat the fruits and foliage of Wild Strawberry. Many upland gamebirds and songbirds eat the fruits, including the Ring-necked Pheasant, Greater Prairie Chicken, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Towhee, and American Robin. Some mammals, including the Opossum, Eastern Skunk, Franklin Ground Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk, and White-footed Mouse, also eat the fruits, as do the Eastern Box Turtle, Ornate Box Turtle, and Wood Turtle. By eating the fruits, these animals spread the seeds to new locations. The foliage of Wild Strawberry is a source of food for the Cottontail Rabbit, White-tailed Deer, Groundhog, and Meadow Vole. The foliage is also browsed by horses, cattle, sheep, and goats. The Wildlife Table has a more complete list of vertebrate animals that feed on this plant.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken along a roadside near Urbana, Illinois; at Dave Monk's postage stamp prairie in Champaign, Illinois; and at the wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is one of the parent plants for the cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa). The other parent plant of the cultivated strawberry is the Coastal Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis). This latter species is found along the Pacific Coast in both North and South America. The cultivated strawberry inherited the superior flavor of the Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) and the larger fruit size of the Coastal Strawberry. The Wild Strawberry produces attractive white flowers during the spring and small red fruits during the early summer. It is similar in appearance to another native species, the Hillside Strawberry (Fragaria vesca americana). The fruits of Hillside Strawberry have sepals and sepal-like bracts that are spreading to reflexed, rather than appressed. The fruits of Hillside Strawberry also have seeds scattered on top of their surfaces, rather than enclosed in shallow pits. This strawberry species is found in northern Illinois, where it is uncommon. It is closely related to the Alpine Strawberry (Fragaria vesca vesca), which is found in Europe.
Individual flowers are about ½–¾" across when they are fully open; they can be pistillate, staminate, or perfect (staminate flowers are the least common). Each flower has 5 white petals, 5 green sepals, and 5 green sepal-like bracts. The petals are oval to orbicular in shape; they are longer than either the sepals or sepal-like bracts. The sepals are lanceolate in shape and hairy, while the sepal-like bracts are linear-lanceolate and hairy; both sepals and sepal-like bracts are joined together at the base of the flower. Each pistillate flower has a dome-shaped cluster of pistils at its center that is greenish yellow or pale yellow. Each staminate flower has 20-35 stamens with pale yellow filaments and yellow anthers. Each perfect flower has a dome-shaped cluster of pistils at its center and a ring of surrounding stamens. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by fruits when growing conditions are favorable, otherwise they abort. These fruits are up to ½" long and across; they are globoid or globoid-ovoid in shape, becoming bright red at maturity. Small seeds are scattered across the surface of these fruits in sunken pits; the persistent sepals and sepal-like bracts are appressed to the upper surface of these fruits. The fleshy interior of these fruits has a sweet-tart flavor; they are edible. The root system consists of a shallow crown with fibrous roots. After the production of flowers and fruits, hairy above-ground stolons up to 2' long may develop from the crown. When the tips of these stolons touch the ground, they often form plantlets that take root. In this manner, clonal colonies of plants often develop.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and fertile soil containing loam or clay-loam. Wild Strawberry is a cool-season plant that grows actively during the spring and fall, but it often becomes dormant after setting fruit during the hot summer months. This plant is easy to cultivate, and it will spread to form a loose ground cover in open areas. The foliage is more resistant to foliar disease than most cultivated strawberries. While flowers are produced reliably every spring where there is adequate sunlight, the fruits may or may not develop, depending on the weather and environmental conditions. Watering plants during dry spells in late spring and early summer probably encourages fruits to develop. These fruits are much smaller in size than those of cultivated strawberries.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Strawberry is common in most areas of Illinois, although in parts of NW and southern Illinois it is occasional or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include black soil prairies, hill prairies, bluegrass meadows, small meadows in wooded areas, open woodlands, woodland borders, savannas, limestone glades, roadsides, and areas along railroads. Wild Strawberry is able to tolerate competition from taller plants because it develops early in the spring, and it is able to tolerate some shade later in the year. This plant occurs in both degraded and high quality habitats, often not far from wooded areas.
Faunal Associations: The ecological value of Wild Strawberry to various insects, birds, and animals is high. The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.), Halictid bees (including green metallic bees), Halictid cuckoo bees (Sphecodes spp.), Andrenid bees, Syrphid flies, thick-headed flies (Conopidae), Tachinid flies, bottle flies (Lucilia spp.), flesh flies (Sarcophagidae), small butterflies, and skippers (see Robertson, 1929, & others). These floral visitors are beneficial because they cross-pollinate the flowers. Other insects feed destructively on the foliage and other parts of Wild Strawberry. Caterpillars of the Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaurae wyandot) feed on this plant. Other insect feeders include larvae of such moths as the Strawberry Crown Borer (Synanthedon bibionipennis), Strawberry Leafroller Moth (Ancylis comptana fragariae), and Wild Strawberry Seed Borer (Grapholita angleseana). The Moth Table has a more complete list of moth species that feed on this plant.
Other insect feeders include the Strawberry Flea Beetle (Altica ignita) and other leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae), the Strawberry Sap Beetle (Stelidota gemmata), the Strawberry Root Weevil (Otiorhynchus ovatus) and other weevils (Curculionidae), larvae of the Strawberry Reniform Gall Midge (Cecidomyia reniformis), larvae of the Strawberry Cylindrical Gall Wasp (Diastrophus fragariae), larvae of the Curled Rose Sawfly (Allantus cinctus) and other sawflies, the Strawberry Aphid (Chaetosiphon fragaefolii) and other aphids, and flower thrips. The Insect Table has a more complete list of insect species that feed on this plant. Various vertebrate animals eat the fruits and foliage of Wild Strawberry. Many upland gamebirds and songbirds eat the fruits, including the Ring-necked Pheasant, Greater Prairie Chicken, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Towhee, and American Robin. Some mammals, including the Opossum, Eastern Skunk, Franklin Ground Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk, and White-footed Mouse, also eat the fruits, as do the Eastern Box Turtle, Ornate Box Turtle, and Wood Turtle. By eating the fruits, these animals spread the seeds to new locations. The foliage of Wild Strawberry is a source of food for the Cottontail Rabbit, White-tailed Deer, Groundhog, and Meadow Vole. The foliage is also browsed by horses, cattle, sheep, and goats. The Wildlife Table has a more complete list of vertebrate animals that feed on this plant.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken along a roadside near Urbana, Illinois; at Dave Monk's postage stamp prairie in Champaign, Illinois; and at the wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is one of the parent plants for the cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa). The other parent plant of the cultivated strawberry is the Coastal Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis). This latter species is found along the Pacific Coast in both North and South America. The cultivated strawberry inherited the superior flavor of the Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) and the larger fruit size of the Coastal Strawberry. The Wild Strawberry produces attractive white flowers during the spring and small red fruits during the early summer. It is similar in appearance to another native species, the Hillside Strawberry (Fragaria vesca americana). The fruits of Hillside Strawberry have sepals and sepal-like bracts that are spreading to reflexed, rather than appressed. The fruits of Hillside Strawberry also have seeds scattered on top of their surfaces, rather than enclosed in shallow pits. This strawberry species is found in northern Illinois, where it is uncommon. It is closely related to the Alpine Strawberry (Fragaria vesca vesca), which is found in Europe.
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