文章
Miss Chen
2018年05月22日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is about 3½-8' tall, branching occasionally. The stems are often 4-angled and furrowed; they are slightly hairy or glabrous. The opposite leaves are up to 7" long and 3½" across (excluding the petioles), becoming somewhat smaller as they ascend the stems. These leaves are medium to dark green, cordate-ovate to ovate in shape, serrated along their margins, thin-textured, and largely hairless, except for some short pubescence along the undersides of their veins. The slender petioles are up to 2½" long; they are light green to red and glabrous to slightly hairy. The upper stems terminate in elongated panicles of flowers up to 1' long. Each panicle is somewhat cylindrical in shape, consisting of an erect central stalk (rachis) with short lateral branches that are widely spreading to ascending. Both the central stalk and lateral branches are light green; the latter also have short glandular pubescence, and they are slender and wiry. There are individual bracts (green, linear in shape, and up to 1" in length) that become progressively smaller as the panicle branches.
Individual flowers are about 8 mm. (1/3") long and short-cylindrical in shape; each flower has a short-tubular green calyx with 5 blunt teeth and a corolla with 5 rounded lobes. The exterior of the corolla is dull green, while its interior is predominantly reddish brown. Each corolla has a pair of upper lobes that function as a hood, 2 short lateral lobes, and a lower lobe that curves downward. All of these lobes are reddish brown on the inside, except the lower lobe, which is greenish yellow. Appressed against the upper interior of this corolla, there is an infertile stamen that is reddish brown or purple. The 4 fertile stamens have yellow anthers; they are located toward the bottom of the corolla. The slender pedicels are a little longer than the flowers. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall, lasting about a month; only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. Each flower is replaced by a 2-celled capsule that contains numerous tiny seeds. The root system is rhizomatous and knotty-tuberous.
Cultivation: The preference is medium shade to partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and soil that is loose and loamy. The size of this plant can be highly variable, depending on its age, location, and environmental conditions.
Range & Habitat: Late Figwort (Scrophularia marilandica) is a fairly common plant that has been observed in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Habitats include mesic deciduous woodlands, sandy woodlands, savannas, edges of shaded hillside seeps, woodland borders, thickets, and fence rows that are overgrown with trees. This species tolerates minor to moderate levels of disturbance.
Faunal Associations: The small flowers contain abundant nectar, which attracts the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, honeybees, bumblebees, leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), a long-horned bee (Melissodes bimaculata), Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp., etc.), Vespid wasps (Polites spp., Vespula spp.), and various Eumenine wasps (Robertson, 1929). Halictid bees also collect pollen from the flowers. Insects that feed destructively on the leaves, plant juices, and other parts of Late Figwort and other figworts (Scrophularia spp.) include larvae of the gall fly Lestodiplosis scrophulariae, the stink bug Cosmopepla lintneriana, the aphid Myzus scrophulariae, the flea beetle Capraita thyamoides, and caterpillars of the moth Elaphria chalcedonia (Chalcedony Midget). Because the foliage is bitter and acrid, it is rarely browsed by mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois. A small colony of Late Figwort (Scrophularia marilandica) was growing in a mesic area of this deciduous woodlands.
Comments: The figworts (Scrophularia spp.) have weird little flowers that attract many wasps and bees. They are not grown in gardens very often because their flowers are not very showy (by human standards). The only other figwort that occurs in Illinois is Early Figwort (Scrophularia lanceolata). This species is less common than Late Figwort (Scrophularia marilandica); in Illinois, it is found only in the northern section of the state. Early Figwort blooms a little earlier than Late Figwort (hence their common names), although their respective blooming periods overlap to some extent. The flowers of Early Figwort have sterile stamens that are yellow, rather than reddish brown or purple (the sterile stamens of both species are located along the upper interior of their corollas).
Individual flowers are about 8 mm. (1/3") long and short-cylindrical in shape; each flower has a short-tubular green calyx with 5 blunt teeth and a corolla with 5 rounded lobes. The exterior of the corolla is dull green, while its interior is predominantly reddish brown. Each corolla has a pair of upper lobes that function as a hood, 2 short lateral lobes, and a lower lobe that curves downward. All of these lobes are reddish brown on the inside, except the lower lobe, which is greenish yellow. Appressed against the upper interior of this corolla, there is an infertile stamen that is reddish brown or purple. The 4 fertile stamens have yellow anthers; they are located toward the bottom of the corolla. The slender pedicels are a little longer than the flowers. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall, lasting about a month; only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. Each flower is replaced by a 2-celled capsule that contains numerous tiny seeds. The root system is rhizomatous and knotty-tuberous.
Cultivation: The preference is medium shade to partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and soil that is loose and loamy. The size of this plant can be highly variable, depending on its age, location, and environmental conditions.
Range & Habitat: Late Figwort (Scrophularia marilandica) is a fairly common plant that has been observed in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Habitats include mesic deciduous woodlands, sandy woodlands, savannas, edges of shaded hillside seeps, woodland borders, thickets, and fence rows that are overgrown with trees. This species tolerates minor to moderate levels of disturbance.
Faunal Associations: The small flowers contain abundant nectar, which attracts the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, honeybees, bumblebees, leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), a long-horned bee (Melissodes bimaculata), Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp., etc.), Vespid wasps (Polites spp., Vespula spp.), and various Eumenine wasps (Robertson, 1929). Halictid bees also collect pollen from the flowers. Insects that feed destructively on the leaves, plant juices, and other parts of Late Figwort and other figworts (Scrophularia spp.) include larvae of the gall fly Lestodiplosis scrophulariae, the stink bug Cosmopepla lintneriana, the aphid Myzus scrophulariae, the flea beetle Capraita thyamoides, and caterpillars of the moth Elaphria chalcedonia (Chalcedony Midget). Because the foliage is bitter and acrid, it is rarely browsed by mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois. A small colony of Late Figwort (Scrophularia marilandica) was growing in a mesic area of this deciduous woodlands.
Comments: The figworts (Scrophularia spp.) have weird little flowers that attract many wasps and bees. They are not grown in gardens very often because their flowers are not very showy (by human standards). The only other figwort that occurs in Illinois is Early Figwort (Scrophularia lanceolata). This species is less common than Late Figwort (Scrophularia marilandica); in Illinois, it is found only in the northern section of the state. Early Figwort blooms a little earlier than Late Figwort (hence their common names), although their respective blooming periods overlap to some extent. The flowers of Early Figwort have sterile stamens that are yellow, rather than reddish brown or purple (the sterile stamens of both species are located along the upper interior of their corollas).
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Miss Chen
2018年05月20日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 3-8" tall. It has an unbranched stem that terminates in a whorl of compound leaves and a single flowering stalk. The central stem is light green to dull red and hairless. The compound leaves are palmate with 3-5 leaflets. Individual leaflets are ¾-1½" long and about one-third as much across; they are oblanceolate or elliptic, serrated along their margins, and sessile (or nearly so). The upper surface of the leaves is medium green and hairless. The petioles of the compound leaves are ¾-2" long, light green to dull red, and hairless. The flowering stalk rises 1-3" above the leaves, terminating in a small umbel of white flowers about ¾" across. Like the central stem, it is light green to dull red and hairless. Individual flowers are about 1/8" (3 mm.) across, consisting of 5 white petals, a short white calyx, and 5 white stamens. The flowers of some plants are all staminate (male), while the flowers of other plants are perfect (male & female). Each staminate flower has a single non-functional style, while each perfect flower has 3 styles and a 3-celled ovary. Individual plants are capable of changing their gender from year-to-year. Like the flowers, the pedicels are also white.
The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring and lasts about 3 weeks. Umbels of perfect flowers are replaced by small clusters of berries. These berries are initially green, but they later become yellow; their texture is rather dry. Each berry contains 2-3 seeds. The white seeds are up to 3 mm. long and 2 mm. across; they are somewhat reniform in shape and their surfaces are reticulated. The root system consists of a globoid tuberous root about ½" across and it occasionally produces rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade, moist conditions, and a rich loam with abundant organic material. This wildflower develops quickly during the spring, but dies down during early summer.
Range & Habitat: Dwarf Ginseng is not known to occur in Illinois outside of cultivation (see Distribution Map), although it is native to both Wisconsin and Indiana in areas that are closest to the NE section of the state. Dwarf Ginseng is found in moist rich woodlands where deciduous trees are dominant and the original ground flora is still intact.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. The flowers are probably cross-pollinated by small bees and flies.
Photographic Location: A damp area of Goll Woods in NW Ohio.
Comments: It's a pity that Dwarf Ginseng has not been found in Illinois: it is a lovely wildflower. Its closest relative is probably Panax quinquefolius (American Ginseng), which is a larger plant that blooms later in the year. Unlike Dwarf Ginseng, American Ginseng has leaflets with significant petiolules (small basal stalks) and its berries are red, rather than yellow. While it is reportedly edible, the tuberous root of Dwarf Ginseng is not used in herbal medicine. The flavor of this root is supposed to be pungent.
The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring and lasts about 3 weeks. Umbels of perfect flowers are replaced by small clusters of berries. These berries are initially green, but they later become yellow; their texture is rather dry. Each berry contains 2-3 seeds. The white seeds are up to 3 mm. long and 2 mm. across; they are somewhat reniform in shape and their surfaces are reticulated. The root system consists of a globoid tuberous root about ½" across and it occasionally produces rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade, moist conditions, and a rich loam with abundant organic material. This wildflower develops quickly during the spring, but dies down during early summer.
Range & Habitat: Dwarf Ginseng is not known to occur in Illinois outside of cultivation (see Distribution Map), although it is native to both Wisconsin and Indiana in areas that are closest to the NE section of the state. Dwarf Ginseng is found in moist rich woodlands where deciduous trees are dominant and the original ground flora is still intact.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. The flowers are probably cross-pollinated by small bees and flies.
Photographic Location: A damp area of Goll Woods in NW Ohio.
Comments: It's a pity that Dwarf Ginseng has not been found in Illinois: it is a lovely wildflower. Its closest relative is probably Panax quinquefolius (American Ginseng), which is a larger plant that blooms later in the year. Unlike Dwarf Ginseng, American Ginseng has leaflets with significant petiolules (small basal stalks) and its berries are red, rather than yellow. While it is reportedly edible, the tuberous root of Dwarf Ginseng is not used in herbal medicine. The flavor of this root is supposed to be pungent.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月20日
Description: This perennial wildflower is ½–2' tall. At the base of each plant, there is a small rosette of basal leaves spanning about 6-8" across. The blades of the basal leaves are typically 2-3" long and 2" across; they are cordate-orbicular to cordate-oval in shape, crenate-dentate along their margins, and hairless. The slender petioles of the basal leaves are as long as the blades. A flowering stalk develops from the center of each rosette. Along this stalk, there are usually 2-3 alternate leaves. The alternate leaves are smaller in size than the basal leaves and pinnatifid in shape. Both the alternate leaves and the stalk are hairless during the blooming period and thereafter. The stalk terminates in a flat-headed panicle (or corymb) of flowerheads. The branches of this panicle are slender and hairless. Each daisy-like flowerhead is ½–¾" across; in the center there are numerous golden yellow disk florets, which are surrounded by 6-16 yellow ray florets. Both the disk and ray florets are fertile. Surrounding the base of the flowerhead, there are numerous linear green bracts in a single series. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring and lasts about 3 weeks. Each floret is replaced by a bullet-shaped achene with a small tuft of white hairs. The achenes are distributed by the wind. The short rootstock has spreading fibrous roots and it produces rhizomes (or stolons). Vegetative colonies of plants are often produced in favorable habitats.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, wet to mesic conditions, and soil with abundant organic matter to retain moisture. Plants that grow in sunlight require more moisture than plants growing in shade.
Range & Habitat: Golden Ragwort is occasional throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Habitats include wet to mesic deciduous woodlands, damp woodland openings, woodland borders, moist sandy savannas, sandy swamps, seeps and edges of springs, banks of rivers and lakes, slopes of rocky ravines, glades, moist meadows, roadside embankments, and abandoned fields. Golden Ragwort is more shade-tolerant than many other ragworts (Packera spp.) in the state.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract small bees and flies primarily. Among the bees, are such visitors as little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), and various Halictid bees. Among the flies, are such visitors as Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, and miscellaneous others. The caterpillars of a moth, Orthonama obstipata (The Gem), feed on ragworts (Packera spp.). The foliage is shunned by most mammalian herbivores because of its toxicity, although sheep are more tolerant and will eat it.
Photographic Location: An opening in a sandy swamp at the Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve in NW Ohio.
Comments: Goldenrod Ragwort (Packera aurea) is an attractive spring wildflower. In Illinois, the perennial Packera spp. (Ragworts) differ from each other by the shape of their basal leaves. Among these, Golden Ragwort has the most orbicular basal leaves; each basal blade is slightly to strongly indented at the base where it is joined by the petiole. Other perennial Ragworts have more slender basal leaves that are usually oval to elliptic in shape. One of them, Packera plattensis (Prairie Ragwort), has conspicuous hairs on its leaves and stems, while mature plants of Golden Ragwort are hairless. A scientific synonym of Golden Ragwort is Senecio aureus, and it is sometimes referred to as 'Heart-Leaved Ragwort' or 'Heart-Leaved Groundsel.'
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, wet to mesic conditions, and soil with abundant organic matter to retain moisture. Plants that grow in sunlight require more moisture than plants growing in shade.
Range & Habitat: Golden Ragwort is occasional throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Habitats include wet to mesic deciduous woodlands, damp woodland openings, woodland borders, moist sandy savannas, sandy swamps, seeps and edges of springs, banks of rivers and lakes, slopes of rocky ravines, glades, moist meadows, roadside embankments, and abandoned fields. Golden Ragwort is more shade-tolerant than many other ragworts (Packera spp.) in the state.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract small bees and flies primarily. Among the bees, are such visitors as little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), and various Halictid bees. Among the flies, are such visitors as Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, and miscellaneous others. The caterpillars of a moth, Orthonama obstipata (The Gem), feed on ragworts (Packera spp.). The foliage is shunned by most mammalian herbivores because of its toxicity, although sheep are more tolerant and will eat it.
Photographic Location: An opening in a sandy swamp at the Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve in NW Ohio.
Comments: Goldenrod Ragwort (Packera aurea) is an attractive spring wildflower. In Illinois, the perennial Packera spp. (Ragworts) differ from each other by the shape of their basal leaves. Among these, Golden Ragwort has the most orbicular basal leaves; each basal blade is slightly to strongly indented at the base where it is joined by the petiole. Other perennial Ragworts have more slender basal leaves that are usually oval to elliptic in shape. One of them, Packera plattensis (Prairie Ragwort), has conspicuous hairs on its leaves and stems, while mature plants of Golden Ragwort are hairless. A scientific synonym of Golden Ragwort is Senecio aureus, and it is sometimes referred to as 'Heart-Leaved Ragwort' or 'Heart-Leaved Groundsel.'
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Miss Chen
2018年05月19日
Colony of Flowering PlantsDescription: This wildflower is a perennial, producing 1-5 erect flowering stalks about 3-8" tall. The flowering stalks are produced by a scaly short stem that is 1" or less in length; this stem is usually underground and only the flowering stalks are visible above ground. The short scales along the stem are highly modified leaves; they are oval to ovate in shape and somewhat thick and succulent. The flowering stalks are usually pale gray or grayish tan, terete, and hairy. At the apex, each stalk produces a single nodding flower about ¾–1" long. This flower has a tubular corolla with 5 spreading lobes and a short hairy calyx with 5 lanceolate teeth; the teeth usually have slender tips. The coloration of the calyx is usually similar to the flowering stalk. The corolla is white to lilac or a blending of these two colors (rarely is it purple, at least in the Midwest); it is covered with short fine hairs. Along the lower throat of the corolla, there is usually a patch of bright yellow hairs, although sometimes these hairs are cream-colored or white. Inserted within the corolla, there is an ovary with a single style and 4 stamens. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 2-4 weeks. In the absence of cross-pollination by insects, the flowers are self-fertile. Each flower is replaced by an ovoid seed capsule, that splits open to release minute seeds. These seeds are small enough to be blown about by the wind and they eventually sink into the crevices of the soil and ground litter. The root system is parasitic, developing feeder roots (haustoria) that attach themselves to the roots of a suitable host plant. One-Flowered Broomrape is holoparasitic and lacks chlorophyll; it is dependent on the host plant for nutrients.
Cultivation: This wildflower is often found in moist rocky areas where there is some protection from the wind. However, it is also found in non-rocky soil. The presence of a suitable host plant is required before the seeds will germinate. The seeds germinate in response to the presence of chemicals in the soil that the developing host plant produces. In addition, a suitable fungus may be necessary to function as an intermediary between the seedling and host plant. Suitable host plants include Sedum spp. (Sedums), upland Saxifraga spp. (Saxifrage), Helianthus spp. (Sunflowers), Solidago spp. (Goldenrods), and probably other plant species. Transplanted specimens of One-Flowered Broomrape are unlikely to survive for very long.
Range & Habitat: One-Flowered Broomrape is occasional in Illinois, except in the SE section, where it is rare or absent. This is the most common Orobanche sp. (Broomrape) in the state; it is native. Habitats include upland woodlands, rocky cliffs where some seepage occurs, the base of bluffs, rocky glades, and thickets. This species is usually found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by bumblebees and possibly other long-tongued bees. Charles Robertson (1929) observed the bumblebee, Bombus pensylvanicus, visiting the flowers for nectar. Aside from this observation, very little appears to be known about floral-faunal relationships for this species.
Photographic Location: The photograph (Copyright © 2009) of Orobanche uniflora was taken by Lisa Culp in a wooded area of Somme Prairie Grove Nature Preserve in Cook County, Illinois.
Comments: This unusual wildflower has a reputation of appearing unexpectedly in one area, only to disappear and reappear in another area of the same habitat. Most likely, this intermittent pattern results from the underground stems producing flowering stalks during some years, but not others. Unlike some other species in this genus, One-Flowered Broomrape produces only a single flower per stalk, rather than a spike-like stalk with multiple flowers. Only one other species in Illinois, Orobanche fasciculata (Clustered Broomrape), shares this characteristic. Clustered Broomrape has a longer scaly stem (2-4") that is also underground, from which 4-12 flowering stalks develop above ground. There is a tendency for the lobes of its flowers to be less spreading or more divided into 2 lips; One-Flowered Broomrape has flowers with spreading lobes and poorly defined upper and lower lips. The common name of this genus, 'Broomrape,' derives from an Orobanche sp. in Europe that is parasitic on Broom (Cytisus sp.) as a host plant. Other common names of Orobanche uniflora are 'Naked Broomrape' and 'Ghost Pipes.'
Cultivation: This wildflower is often found in moist rocky areas where there is some protection from the wind. However, it is also found in non-rocky soil. The presence of a suitable host plant is required before the seeds will germinate. The seeds germinate in response to the presence of chemicals in the soil that the developing host plant produces. In addition, a suitable fungus may be necessary to function as an intermediary between the seedling and host plant. Suitable host plants include Sedum spp. (Sedums), upland Saxifraga spp. (Saxifrage), Helianthus spp. (Sunflowers), Solidago spp. (Goldenrods), and probably other plant species. Transplanted specimens of One-Flowered Broomrape are unlikely to survive for very long.
Range & Habitat: One-Flowered Broomrape is occasional in Illinois, except in the SE section, where it is rare or absent. This is the most common Orobanche sp. (Broomrape) in the state; it is native. Habitats include upland woodlands, rocky cliffs where some seepage occurs, the base of bluffs, rocky glades, and thickets. This species is usually found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by bumblebees and possibly other long-tongued bees. Charles Robertson (1929) observed the bumblebee, Bombus pensylvanicus, visiting the flowers for nectar. Aside from this observation, very little appears to be known about floral-faunal relationships for this species.
Photographic Location: The photograph (Copyright © 2009) of Orobanche uniflora was taken by Lisa Culp in a wooded area of Somme Prairie Grove Nature Preserve in Cook County, Illinois.
Comments: This unusual wildflower has a reputation of appearing unexpectedly in one area, only to disappear and reappear in another area of the same habitat. Most likely, this intermittent pattern results from the underground stems producing flowering stalks during some years, but not others. Unlike some other species in this genus, One-Flowered Broomrape produces only a single flower per stalk, rather than a spike-like stalk with multiple flowers. Only one other species in Illinois, Orobanche fasciculata (Clustered Broomrape), shares this characteristic. Clustered Broomrape has a longer scaly stem (2-4") that is also underground, from which 4-12 flowering stalks develop above ground. There is a tendency for the lobes of its flowers to be less spreading or more divided into 2 lips; One-Flowered Broomrape has flowers with spreading lobes and poorly defined upper and lower lips. The common name of this genus, 'Broomrape,' derives from an Orobanche sp. in Europe that is parasitic on Broom (Cytisus sp.) as a host plant. Other common names of Orobanche uniflora are 'Naked Broomrape' and 'Ghost Pipes.'
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Miss Chen
2018年05月19日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 2-8" tall. It is ascending to erect with either unbranched or sparingly branched stems. The slender stems are light green, terete, and usually short-pubescent. There are pairs of opposite leaves at intervals along these stems. The leaves are ½-1¼" long and about one-third as much across; they are medium green, glabrous above, and either glabrous or short-pubescent below. The leaves are oblong-elliptic to broadly oblong-elliptic in shape and smooth along their margins; they are either sessile or have short petioles (1 mm. in length). The stems terminate in small clusters of 2-5 flowers (less often individual flowers). In addition, axillary clusters of flowers may originate from the upper two pairs of leaves. Individual flowers are up to 1/3" across (8 mm.), consisting of 5 white petals, 5 light green sepals, a light green superior ovary with 3 styles, and 10 stamens. The widely spreading petals are oblong-elliptic in shape and about twice as long as the sepals. The sepals are lanceolate to ovate with blunt tips and either glabrous or short-pubescent. The very slender pedicels are up to 1" long and usually short-pubescent. The blooming period occurs during late spring to early summer and lasts about 1 month. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about ¼" long. Along the upper rim of a mature seed capsule, there are 6 recurved teeth. Each seed capsule contains only a few seeds that are about 1 mm. in length, reniform and somewhat flattened in shape, and smooth along their outer surfaces. Attached to each seed, there is a spongy food appendage (elaisome). The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Clonal offsets often develop from the rhizomes, forming small colonies of plants.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil that is loamy, gravelly, or sandy with decaying organic matter.
Range & Habitat: The native Grove Sandwort is uncommon in the northern half of Illinois, while in the southern half of the state it is absent (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the southern range limit of this species, which has a circumboreal distribution that includes North America, Europe, and Asia. Habitats consist primarily of open woodlands, sandy oak woodlands, woodland borders, and gravelly or rocky borders of streams in wooded areas. Less often, this wildflower occurs in meadows and prairies as an understory plant.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers probably attract small bees (Halictid, Andrenid) and flies (Syrphid). Otherwise, little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is a delicate and attractive small wildflower that can be easily overlooked. Across local populations of plants, there is some variability in hairiness of the foliage and width of the leaves. Grove Sandwort can be distinguished from similar species in the Pink family by the shape of its leaves, the characteristics of its flowers, and the number of teeth of its seed capsules. Unlike chickweeds (both Stellaria spp. & Cerastium spp.), Grove Sandwort has petals that are neither notched at their tips nor deeply bifurcated. Its flowers are similar to those of Minuartia spp. (Sandworts), but it has wider leaves than the latter and its seed capsules have 6 teeth, instead of 3. Grove Sandwort is also similar to Arenaria serpyllifolia (Thyme-Leaved Sandwort), but its leaves are more long and narrow in shape. Grove Sandwort differs from all of these species by the food appendages (elaisomes) that are attached to its seeds. This is a highly unusual characteristic for a species in the Pink family. A scientific synonym of Grove Sandwort is Arenaria lateriflora.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil that is loamy, gravelly, or sandy with decaying organic matter.
Range & Habitat: The native Grove Sandwort is uncommon in the northern half of Illinois, while in the southern half of the state it is absent (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the southern range limit of this species, which has a circumboreal distribution that includes North America, Europe, and Asia. Habitats consist primarily of open woodlands, sandy oak woodlands, woodland borders, and gravelly or rocky borders of streams in wooded areas. Less often, this wildflower occurs in meadows and prairies as an understory plant.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers probably attract small bees (Halictid, Andrenid) and flies (Syrphid). Otherwise, little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is a delicate and attractive small wildflower that can be easily overlooked. Across local populations of plants, there is some variability in hairiness of the foliage and width of the leaves. Grove Sandwort can be distinguished from similar species in the Pink family by the shape of its leaves, the characteristics of its flowers, and the number of teeth of its seed capsules. Unlike chickweeds (both Stellaria spp. & Cerastium spp.), Grove Sandwort has petals that are neither notched at their tips nor deeply bifurcated. Its flowers are similar to those of Minuartia spp. (Sandworts), but it has wider leaves than the latter and its seed capsules have 6 teeth, instead of 3. Grove Sandwort is also similar to Arenaria serpyllifolia (Thyme-Leaved Sandwort), but its leaves are more long and narrow in shape. Grove Sandwort differs from all of these species by the food appendages (elaisomes) that are attached to its seeds. This is a highly unusual characteristic for a species in the Pink family. A scientific synonym of Grove Sandwort is Arenaria lateriflora.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月18日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant has an erect flowering stalk about 8-16" tall. Toward the lower middle of this unbranched stalk, there is a single pair of opposite leaves. These leaves are nearly sessile, oval-cordate, coarsely crenate or dentate along the margins, and often shallowly 3-lobed; they are about 2" long and 1¼" across. The flowering stalk is slender, light green, and pubescent. At the base of the plant, there are basal leaves on long petioles. Except for their petioles, they resemble the pair of opposite leaves. The inflorescence is an erect raceme; each flower is widely spaced from the others along the stalk. The pedicels of these flowers are quite short. Each white flower is a less than than ¼" across; it consists of 5 white petals, 10 yellow stamens, a pair of styles, a greenish white calyx with 5 short lobes, and a single-celled ovary. The petals are deeply pinnatifid, which provides them with a fringed appearance. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring. After the blooming period, each flower is replaced by an open capsule that contains many small seeds. These seeds are distributed by raindrop logistics (raindrops striking the capsule cause it to bend and fling some of its seeds). The root system can produce vegetative colonies from rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight during the spring, otherwise shade is tolerated. Bishop's Cap is usually found in mesic to dry areas of woodlands where the soil contains abundant organic matter, often where there is rocky ground. Most growth and development occurs during the spring when the soil is normally moist.
Range & Habitat: The native Bishop's Cap occurs occasionally in northern, east-central, west-central, and hilly areas of southern Illinois; in many central and south-central areas of the state, it appears to be absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland woodlands, wooded slopes, rocky bluffs, and shady ravines. The substrate of the rocky woodlands where this species occurs can consist of either limestone or sandstone. This species is usually found in high quality woodlands.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated by Syrphid flies and small short-tongued bees (including Halictid bees and Little Carpenter bees). These insects suck nectar from the flowers; the Syrphid flies also feed on the pollen, while the short-tongued bees collect pollen for their larvae. Aside from these insect visitors, little appears to be known about floral-faunal relationships for this species.
Photographic Location: A rocky wooded slope at Shades State Park in west-central Indiana.
Comments: The small delicate flowers are very attractive and fairy-like. Bishop's Cap can be distinguished from other similar wildflowers by the fringed appearance of its flower petals and the pair of nearly sessile leaves on its flowering stalk.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight during the spring, otherwise shade is tolerated. Bishop's Cap is usually found in mesic to dry areas of woodlands where the soil contains abundant organic matter, often where there is rocky ground. Most growth and development occurs during the spring when the soil is normally moist.
Range & Habitat: The native Bishop's Cap occurs occasionally in northern, east-central, west-central, and hilly areas of southern Illinois; in many central and south-central areas of the state, it appears to be absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland woodlands, wooded slopes, rocky bluffs, and shady ravines. The substrate of the rocky woodlands where this species occurs can consist of either limestone or sandstone. This species is usually found in high quality woodlands.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated by Syrphid flies and small short-tongued bees (including Halictid bees and Little Carpenter bees). These insects suck nectar from the flowers; the Syrphid flies also feed on the pollen, while the short-tongued bees collect pollen for their larvae. Aside from these insect visitors, little appears to be known about floral-faunal relationships for this species.
Photographic Location: A rocky wooded slope at Shades State Park in west-central Indiana.
Comments: The small delicate flowers are very attractive and fairy-like. Bishop's Cap can be distinguished from other similar wildflowers by the fringed appearance of its flower petals and the pair of nearly sessile leaves on its flowering stalk.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月17日
Description: This herbaceous perennial wildflower is 3-8" tall. An infertile shoot usually consists of a single basal leaf, while a fertile shoot consists of a flowering stalk with 2 alternate leaves (less often, there are 3 leaves). Both basal and alternate leaves are similar in appearance, although the former have petioles up to 2" long. The leaves are up to 3" long and 2" across, smooth (entire) along their margins, and ovate-oblong to oval in shape. Leaf venation is parallel. The upper leaf surface is medium green and glabrous, while the lower leaf surface is pale green and finely pubescent. Unlike var. interius, the typical variety of Canada Mayflower has leaves without hairs. The base of each alternate leaf is clasping, sessile, or short-petioled. The central stalk is light to medium green, terete, and glabrous or hairy. At the apex of each flowering stalk, there is a short-cylindrical raceme of flowers about 1-2" long.
The flowers typically occur in pairs along the raceme on slender pedicels. Individual flowers have 4 white tepals, 4 stamens with white filaments and pale yellow anthers, and a white to greenish white pistil with a pair of knobby stigmata. The tepals are lanceolate and strongly recurved, fully exposing the reproductive organs. Each flower is a little less than ¼" (6 mm.) across. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer. The flowers are fragrant. During the summer, fertile flowers are replaced by globoid berries that are individually a little less than ¼" (6 mm.) across. At maturity, these berries are speckled pale red, and each berry typically contains 2 seeds. The root system is rhizomatous and fibrous. Vegetative colonies are often formed via the rhizomes. In a typical colony, infertile shoots usually outnumber flowering fertile shoots.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight to moderate shade, moist to slightly dry conditions, high humidity, and cool temperatures. This wildflower adapts to an acidic soil containing peat, sand, or rocky material (e.g., sandstone). It doesn't tolerate much competition from taller plants.
Range & Habitat: The native Canada Mayflower is uncommon in Illinois; it is restricted to the northern section of the state (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies at the southern range limit of this largely boreal species; it is more common further to the north in the Great Lakes region and further to the northeast in New England. The western variety of Canada Mayflower, var. interius, is far more common within the state than the more eastern typical variety. Habitats include sandy meadows, sandy thickets, sandy woodlands, north-facing wooded slopes, shaded bogs, and sandstone ledges along ravines in wooded areas. In Illinois, Canada Mayflower is associated with high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by small bees, flies, and beetles. These floral visitors include Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), Syrphid flies, bee flies (Bombylius spp.), and Anthomyiid flies. No nectar is available to floral visitors. The bees collect pollen, while the flies and beetles feed on pollen. The foliage is consumed by the introduced Lilioceris lilii (Lily Leaf Beetle), while the larvae of a fly, Dasineura toronotensis, cause fusiform galls to develop on the roots. The berries are eaten by the Ruffed Grouse, White-Footed Mouse, and Eastern Chipmunk; these animals (particularly the Ruffed Grouse) help to spread the seeds of this plant into new areas.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a sandstone ledge along a wooded ravine at the Fall Creek Gorge in west-central Indiana (also known as 'The Potholes'), and in a sandy thicket at the Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve in NW Ohio.
Comments: This dainty wildflower resembles a dwarf Smilacina racemosa (False Solomon's Seal) or a dwarf Smilacina stellata (Starry Solomon's Plume). Unlike the preceding species, flowering stalks of Canada Mayflower typically have only 2 leaves. Another common name is False Lily-of-the-Valley. Among species of the Lily family, Canada Mayflower is very unusual in having only 4 tepals and 4 stamens per flower – other plants in this family typically have flowers with 6 tepals and 6 stamens.
The flowers typically occur in pairs along the raceme on slender pedicels. Individual flowers have 4 white tepals, 4 stamens with white filaments and pale yellow anthers, and a white to greenish white pistil with a pair of knobby stigmata. The tepals are lanceolate and strongly recurved, fully exposing the reproductive organs. Each flower is a little less than ¼" (6 mm.) across. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer. The flowers are fragrant. During the summer, fertile flowers are replaced by globoid berries that are individually a little less than ¼" (6 mm.) across. At maturity, these berries are speckled pale red, and each berry typically contains 2 seeds. The root system is rhizomatous and fibrous. Vegetative colonies are often formed via the rhizomes. In a typical colony, infertile shoots usually outnumber flowering fertile shoots.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight to moderate shade, moist to slightly dry conditions, high humidity, and cool temperatures. This wildflower adapts to an acidic soil containing peat, sand, or rocky material (e.g., sandstone). It doesn't tolerate much competition from taller plants.
Range & Habitat: The native Canada Mayflower is uncommon in Illinois; it is restricted to the northern section of the state (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies at the southern range limit of this largely boreal species; it is more common further to the north in the Great Lakes region and further to the northeast in New England. The western variety of Canada Mayflower, var. interius, is far more common within the state than the more eastern typical variety. Habitats include sandy meadows, sandy thickets, sandy woodlands, north-facing wooded slopes, shaded bogs, and sandstone ledges along ravines in wooded areas. In Illinois, Canada Mayflower is associated with high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by small bees, flies, and beetles. These floral visitors include Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), Syrphid flies, bee flies (Bombylius spp.), and Anthomyiid flies. No nectar is available to floral visitors. The bees collect pollen, while the flies and beetles feed on pollen. The foliage is consumed by the introduced Lilioceris lilii (Lily Leaf Beetle), while the larvae of a fly, Dasineura toronotensis, cause fusiform galls to develop on the roots. The berries are eaten by the Ruffed Grouse, White-Footed Mouse, and Eastern Chipmunk; these animals (particularly the Ruffed Grouse) help to spread the seeds of this plant into new areas.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a sandstone ledge along a wooded ravine at the Fall Creek Gorge in west-central Indiana (also known as 'The Potholes'), and in a sandy thicket at the Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve in NW Ohio.
Comments: This dainty wildflower resembles a dwarf Smilacina racemosa (False Solomon's Seal) or a dwarf Smilacina stellata (Starry Solomon's Plume). Unlike the preceding species, flowering stalks of Canada Mayflower typically have only 2 leaves. Another common name is False Lily-of-the-Valley. Among species of the Lily family, Canada Mayflower is very unusual in having only 4 tepals and 4 stamens per flower – other plants in this family typically have flowers with 6 tepals and 6 stamens.
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权问薇
2018年05月17日
1.采收种子和处理种子
它的种子一般都是在8到10月份的时候开始成熟，如果我们要去采收的话，尽量选择一些树龄较高，并且健壮无病害的植株，因为这种植株的结种量非常多，而且质量也很好。
将果实采收下来后，我们要将它们及时的摊在阴凉的地放晾晒，几天之后，这些果实就会自然裂开，这时我们可以拿来一个棍子开始敲打，直至种子从里面出来，然后就可以用一些河沙跟它们混合，再进行贮藏。贮藏的时候，尽量选择一些阴凉通风的地方，而且沙土还不能太厚了，期间还要适当的翻动几次，并且还要及时额外加水维持潮湿。之后就可以等着去种了。
2.土壤的准备
准备土壤时，我们要选择一些土质较疏松、肥厚和透气的沙质壤土，之后再把它仔细的整理一遍，并且还要加入一些基肥，以便于前期营养的充分。基肥加好了之后，我们还要给土壤消一下毒，这样就可以让种子不容易受到病虫的伤害。
3.开始播种
我们一般都会选在深冬或者是初春的时候进行播种。首先我们将沙藏的种子取出来，然后纷纷的撒在准备好的土壤上，之后就可以在上面盖上一层土，然后开始浇水，让土壤含有一定的水分，水浇好之后，还要再在上面盖上一层稻草，这样可以起到保持温度的作用。基本上等个40天后，种子就会开始发芽出土了。
4.后期管理
种子出土了之后，我们就要及时的把上面的稻草给揭掉，改成拱形的地膜盖在上面，差不多等到50天之后，这些小苗就会开始长出来真叶了。3月下旬，小苗基本上都出齐了，这时候我们要根据天气情况给它进行适当遮阴。这样才能让小苗尽快移栽出去。
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Miss Chen
2018年05月13日
Description: This herbaceous plant is a biennial or short-lived perennial. During the first year, several basal leaves are produced, but thereafter this plant bolts to produce flowering stalks about 4-8' tall. The central stem is light green, stout, terete with vertical ridges, more or less covered with spreading white hairs, and usually unbranched. The interior of the this stem is hollow. Widely spreading alternate leaves are located primarily along the lower half of the central stem, becoming smaller in size above. The lower to middle alternate leaves are ternately compound (divided into 3 leaflets); they are 8-20" long and similarly across in outline. The leaflets are 4-12" long and ovate or orbicular in outline; they are shallowly to moderately cleft into 3-5 lobes and coarsely toothed. The lobes of leaflets are ovate in shape; they have broad acute tips. The upper leaflet surface is grayish green, medium green, or yellowish green and rough-textured, while the lower leaflet surface is slightly more pale and hairy along the primary and secondary veins. The petioles of lower to middle leaves are 3-10" long, light green, hairy, and relatively stout (especially at the base). The petiole bases are partially enclosed by a pair of hairy membranous sheaths. These sheaths are light green, purplish green, or nearly white from abundant hairs. Upper leaves are usually simple, ternately lobed, and coarsely toothed; they are up to 4" long and similarly across. The lobes of upper leaves are lanceolate with acute tips. The upper leaves have petioles up to 2" long.
The central stem terminates in a compound umbel up to 8" across. Additional compound umbels are produced from the axils of upper leaves on long peduncles (flowering stalks); these axillary umbels are up to 6" across. The compound umbels are more or less flat-headed. Each compound umbel has 8-30 rays that terminate in umbellets; each umbellet has 8-30 flowers. The rays of the compound umbels are 2-5" long, light green, and pubescent; the pedicels of the flowers are ¼–¾" long, light green, and pubescent. Individual flowers span a little less than ¼" across. Each flower has a light green calyx that is shaped like a saucer, 5 white petals, 5 stamens, and a whitish ovary with a pair of tiny styles. The petals are strongly incurved at their tips. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 1 month. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by fruits (schizocarps); each fruit consists of a pair of seeds. Individual immature fruits are about 8 mm. (1/3") in length, 6 mm. (1/4") across, and somewhat flattened; they are elliptic-obovoid in shape, light green with white margins, and there are 4 vertical dark green veins toward the center of each flattened side. Mature fruits become tan to dark brown, and their lateral margins become flattened into wings; they are distributed to a limited extent by the wind before dividing into seeds. The root system consists of a taproot or a cluster of thick roots. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and fertile soil containing loam, silty loam, or sandy loam. The size of individual plants can vary considerably. Some protection from strong wind is desirable. Because Cow Parsnip can irritate human skin, it is best to wear gloves while handling its foliage.
Range & Habitat: The native Cow Parsnip is occasional in central and northern Illinois, while in the southern section of the state it is uncommon (see Distribution Map). Habitats include bottomland woodlands, terraces of floodplain woodlands, borders of woodlands, woodland openings, meadows in wooded areas, riverside prairies, thickets, streambanks, and partially shaded roadsides. Cow Parsnip can be found in both high quality natural areas and disturbed habitats.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Cow Parsnip attract a large diversity of insects because of its easily accessed nectar and pollen. These floral visitors include honeybees, cuckoo bees (Nomada spp., Sphecodes spp.), plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), masked bees (Hylaeus spp.), Andrenid bees, Halictid bees, Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, spider wasps (Anoplius spp., etc.), Tiphiid wasps, Ichneumonid wasps, dark-winged fungus gnats (Sciara spp.), soldier flies (Stratiomys spp., etc.), Syrphid flies, dance flies (Empis spp., Rhamphomyia spp.), Tachinid flies, flesh flies (Ravinia spp., Sarcophaga spp., etc.), blow flies (Lucilia spp., etc.), Muscid flies, frit flies (Liohippelates spp., Olcella spp.), long-horned beetles (Strangalepta spp., Trigonarthris spp., etc.), tumbling flower beetles (Mordellidae), flower chafers (Trichiotinus spp., etc.), plant bugs (Miridae), and occasional butterflies (Robertson, 1929; Gosling, 1986). Some insects feed destructively on the foliage, fruit, and sap of cow parsnip. These insect feeders include the larvae of leaf-mining flies (Phytomyza spp., etc.), larvae of Euleia heraclei (Hogweed Picture-wing Fly), larvae of Depressaria pastinacella (Parsnip Webworm Moth), Orthops scutellatus (Carrot Plant Bug), Taeniothrips vulgatissima (Cow Parsnip Thrips), and such aphids as Aphis decepta, Cavariella aegopodii (Willow-Carrot Aphid), Cavariella pastinacae (Willow-Umbellifer Aphid), and Cavariella theobaldi (Willow-Parsnip Aphid); see Needham et al. (1928), Knight (1941), Stannard (1968), and Blackman & Eastop (2013). Some mammals feed on the flowers and foliage of Cow Parsnip, particularly in the western United States. There are records of bears, elk, deer, cattle, horses, and sheep feeding on this plant (Esser, 1995). However, when this plant is exposed to the ultraviolet radiation of sunlight, the foliage can become phytotoxic, causing blisters to form on the skin and possible irritation of the digestive tract (Georgia, 1913). This toxic side effect is the result of light-sensitive furanocoumarins. Cow Parsnip shares this characteristic with another species in the Carrot family, Pastinaca sativa (Parsnip).
Photographic Location: Border of a woodland along a road at Illinois Beach State Park in NE Illinois.
Comments: Because of the large size of its compound umbels, Cow Parsnip is one of the best sources of nectar and pollen for a wide variety of insects, especially small bees, wasps, flies, and beetles. This plant can be distinguished from other species in the Carrot family primarily by its large size (up to 8' tall or more), large ternately divided leaves, and hairy foliage. Other scientific names of Cow Parsnip include Heracleum lanatum and Heracleum sphondylium montanum. The latter scientific name, Heracleum sphondylium, refers to European Cow Parsnip. This plant species has compound leaves with 3-7 pinnately arranged leaflets, while the Cow Parsnip of North America, Heracleum maximum, has only 3 leaflets per compound leaf. Both plant species are about the same size. A third species that is native to Eurasia, but has naturalized in parts of North America, is Heracleum mantegazzianum, or Giant Hogweed. This is a much larger plant that becomes 6-18' tall at maturity. The compound leaves of Giant Hogweed are also larger in size than the preceding plant species in its genus; they are pinnate-pinnatifid or pinnate-bipinnatifid with narrowly acute lobes.
The central stem terminates in a compound umbel up to 8" across. Additional compound umbels are produced from the axils of upper leaves on long peduncles (flowering stalks); these axillary umbels are up to 6" across. The compound umbels are more or less flat-headed. Each compound umbel has 8-30 rays that terminate in umbellets; each umbellet has 8-30 flowers. The rays of the compound umbels are 2-5" long, light green, and pubescent; the pedicels of the flowers are ¼–¾" long, light green, and pubescent. Individual flowers span a little less than ¼" across. Each flower has a light green calyx that is shaped like a saucer, 5 white petals, 5 stamens, and a whitish ovary with a pair of tiny styles. The petals are strongly incurved at their tips. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 1 month. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by fruits (schizocarps); each fruit consists of a pair of seeds. Individual immature fruits are about 8 mm. (1/3") in length, 6 mm. (1/4") across, and somewhat flattened; they are elliptic-obovoid in shape, light green with white margins, and there are 4 vertical dark green veins toward the center of each flattened side. Mature fruits become tan to dark brown, and their lateral margins become flattened into wings; they are distributed to a limited extent by the wind before dividing into seeds. The root system consists of a taproot or a cluster of thick roots. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and fertile soil containing loam, silty loam, or sandy loam. The size of individual plants can vary considerably. Some protection from strong wind is desirable. Because Cow Parsnip can irritate human skin, it is best to wear gloves while handling its foliage.
Range & Habitat: The native Cow Parsnip is occasional in central and northern Illinois, while in the southern section of the state it is uncommon (see Distribution Map). Habitats include bottomland woodlands, terraces of floodplain woodlands, borders of woodlands, woodland openings, meadows in wooded areas, riverside prairies, thickets, streambanks, and partially shaded roadsides. Cow Parsnip can be found in both high quality natural areas and disturbed habitats.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Cow Parsnip attract a large diversity of insects because of its easily accessed nectar and pollen. These floral visitors include honeybees, cuckoo bees (Nomada spp., Sphecodes spp.), plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), masked bees (Hylaeus spp.), Andrenid bees, Halictid bees, Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, spider wasps (Anoplius spp., etc.), Tiphiid wasps, Ichneumonid wasps, dark-winged fungus gnats (Sciara spp.), soldier flies (Stratiomys spp., etc.), Syrphid flies, dance flies (Empis spp., Rhamphomyia spp.), Tachinid flies, flesh flies (Ravinia spp., Sarcophaga spp., etc.), blow flies (Lucilia spp., etc.), Muscid flies, frit flies (Liohippelates spp., Olcella spp.), long-horned beetles (Strangalepta spp., Trigonarthris spp., etc.), tumbling flower beetles (Mordellidae), flower chafers (Trichiotinus spp., etc.), plant bugs (Miridae), and occasional butterflies (Robertson, 1929; Gosling, 1986). Some insects feed destructively on the foliage, fruit, and sap of cow parsnip. These insect feeders include the larvae of leaf-mining flies (Phytomyza spp., etc.), larvae of Euleia heraclei (Hogweed Picture-wing Fly), larvae of Depressaria pastinacella (Parsnip Webworm Moth), Orthops scutellatus (Carrot Plant Bug), Taeniothrips vulgatissima (Cow Parsnip Thrips), and such aphids as Aphis decepta, Cavariella aegopodii (Willow-Carrot Aphid), Cavariella pastinacae (Willow-Umbellifer Aphid), and Cavariella theobaldi (Willow-Parsnip Aphid); see Needham et al. (1928), Knight (1941), Stannard (1968), and Blackman & Eastop (2013). Some mammals feed on the flowers and foliage of Cow Parsnip, particularly in the western United States. There are records of bears, elk, deer, cattle, horses, and sheep feeding on this plant (Esser, 1995). However, when this plant is exposed to the ultraviolet radiation of sunlight, the foliage can become phytotoxic, causing blisters to form on the skin and possible irritation of the digestive tract (Georgia, 1913). This toxic side effect is the result of light-sensitive furanocoumarins. Cow Parsnip shares this characteristic with another species in the Carrot family, Pastinaca sativa (Parsnip).
Photographic Location: Border of a woodland along a road at Illinois Beach State Park in NE Illinois.
Comments: Because of the large size of its compound umbels, Cow Parsnip is one of the best sources of nectar and pollen for a wide variety of insects, especially small bees, wasps, flies, and beetles. This plant can be distinguished from other species in the Carrot family primarily by its large size (up to 8' tall or more), large ternately divided leaves, and hairy foliage. Other scientific names of Cow Parsnip include Heracleum lanatum and Heracleum sphondylium montanum. The latter scientific name, Heracleum sphondylium, refers to European Cow Parsnip. This plant species has compound leaves with 3-7 pinnately arranged leaflets, while the Cow Parsnip of North America, Heracleum maximum, has only 3 leaflets per compound leaf. Both plant species are about the same size. A third species that is native to Eurasia, but has naturalized in parts of North America, is Heracleum mantegazzianum, or Giant Hogweed. This is a much larger plant that becomes 6-18' tall at maturity. The compound leaves of Giant Hogweed are also larger in size than the preceding plant species in its genus; they are pinnate-pinnatifid or pinnate-bipinnatifid with narrowly acute lobes.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月12日
Description: This sub-shrub is 3–8" (5–20 cm.) tall. It has ascending semi-woody stems that are sparingly branched. These stems are light green to bright red and more or less terete; they are sparsely to moderately covered with appressed white hairs. Alternate evergreen leaves occur along these stems. The leaves are ¾–2" (2–5 cm.) long and about one-third to one-half as much across; they are elliptic, ovate, obovate, or oval in shape. The margins of the leaves are sparsely serrated with bristly teeth. The upper leaf surface is medium to dark green, hairless, and shiny, while the lower leaf surface is light green, hairless to sparsely appressed-hairy, and dull. Leaf texture is somewhat stiff and leathery, while leaf venation is pinnate. The petioles of the leaves are light green to bright red and less than ¼" (6 mm.) long; they are sparsely to moderately covered with appressed white hairs. The foliage of this sub-shrub has a minty (or wintergreen) fragrance, especially when it is crushed. Either solitary or short racemes of 2-5 nodding flowers develop from the upper leaf axils.
Each flower is about 1/3" (8 mm.) in length, consisting of a white bell-shaped corolla (sometimes tinted pink) with 5 short outwardly curled lobes, a white calyx with 5 ovate-oval lobes, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with a single stout style. The calyx is much shorter than the corolla. At the base of each flower, there is a pair of tiny ovate to heart-shaped bracts; these bracts can be light green, white, or red, and they have membranous margins. The pedicels of the flowers are up to 1/3" (8 mm.) in length, light green to red, and more or less terete; they are sparsely to moderately covered with appressed white hairs. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer, lasting about 3 weeks. The flowers are reported to be fragrant. Afterwards, fertile flowers are replaced by berry-like fruits that become mature during late summer or early autumn. Mature fruits are about 1/3" (8 mm.) or slightly more across, bright red, and globoid in shape; they have a fleshy interior that is slightly sweet and minty (wintergreen) in flavor. Each fruit contains many tiny seeds. The root system has shallow rhizomes, from which clonal subshrubs develop. The evergreen foliage becomes reddish or purplish during the autumn.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions, relatively cool temperatures, and somewhat acidic soil containing either sand or loam with decaying organic matter. Growth and development are relatively slow. Flowers and fruits are more likely to be produced in brighter locations. The seeds are difficult to germinate.
Range & Habitat: Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) is native to northern Illinois, where it is rare and state-listed as 'endangered' (see Distribution Map). Elsewhere within the state, it is absent from natural areas. Wintergreen occurs primarily in the Great Lakes region, northeastern USA, and adjacent areas of Canada; it also occurs in the Appalachian mountains in high-altitude areas. In Illinois, the habitats of this sub-shrub are largely restricted to upland oak woodlands, wooded hillsides, forested bogs, and shrubby bogs. In more northern areas, it is often found in coniferous woodlands, mixed woodlands, and shrubby meadows. Wintergreen occurs in high quality natural areas in Illinois. It is easily topkilled by wildfires, although the thinning of the tree canopy and reduction of taller shrubs can cause populations of this sub-shrub to increase.
Faunal Associations: Bumblebees are the primary pollinators of the flowers. Other floral visitors include cuckoo bumblebees (Psithyrus spp.) and the honeybee. Nectar is the primary floral reward for these insect visitors (Mirick & Quin, 1981; Reader, 1977; Lovell, 1898). Other insects feed on the plant sap or foliage of Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens). These species include an aphid (Illinoia borealis) and larvae of two moths, Cameraria gaultheriella and Rhopobota naevana (Blackman & Eastop, 2013; Ferguson, 1975; Needham et al., 1928). Birds and mammals also use Wintergreen as a source of food. The Ruffed Grouse eats the buds, leaves, and fruits; the Bobwhite Quail, Ring-necked Pheasant, and the extinct Passenger Pigeon eat (or ate) the fruits (Bennetts, 1900; Martin et al., 1951/1961; Coladonato, 1994; Schorger, 1955). This sub-shrub provides protective cover for the nests of the rare Kirtland's Warbler in Jack Pine barrens in the state of Michigan (Buech, 1980). Mammals feeding on this sub-shrub include the American Black Bear (leaves & fruits), Red Fox (fruits), Eastern Chipmunk (leaves & fruits), Elk (leaves & twigs), White-tailed Deer (leaves & twigs), Deer Mouse (fruits), and White-footed Mouse (fruits); see Coladonato (1994), Martin et al. (1951/1961), Schneider et al. (2006), Hamilton (1941), and Schloyer (1976) for more information. Fruit-eating birds and mammals spread the seeds to new locations.
Photographic Location: A flower garden at the Urbana Free Library in Urbana, Illinois, and a wooded hillside at the Pine Hills Nature Preserve in west-central Indiana.
Comments: The most striking characteristic of this plant is the mint (or wintergreen) fragrance of its crushed leaves, from which oil of wintergreen is made. Even without flowers or fruits, Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) can be identified by the size, shape, and fragrance of its leathery evergreen leaves. Another species in this genus, Creeping Snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula), is found north of Illinois in more boreal areas. Its crushed leaves have the same wintergreen fragrance, but Creeping Snowberry differs from Wintergreen by its prostrate habit of growth, white berry-like fruits, and smaller leaves. Other similar species in the Heath family (Ericaceae) are either larger shrubs or their leaves lack the wintergreen fragrance. Other common names of Gaultheria procumbens are Teaberry and Checkerberry.
Each flower is about 1/3" (8 mm.) in length, consisting of a white bell-shaped corolla (sometimes tinted pink) with 5 short outwardly curled lobes, a white calyx with 5 ovate-oval lobes, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with a single stout style. The calyx is much shorter than the corolla. At the base of each flower, there is a pair of tiny ovate to heart-shaped bracts; these bracts can be light green, white, or red, and they have membranous margins. The pedicels of the flowers are up to 1/3" (8 mm.) in length, light green to red, and more or less terete; they are sparsely to moderately covered with appressed white hairs. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer, lasting about 3 weeks. The flowers are reported to be fragrant. Afterwards, fertile flowers are replaced by berry-like fruits that become mature during late summer or early autumn. Mature fruits are about 1/3" (8 mm.) or slightly more across, bright red, and globoid in shape; they have a fleshy interior that is slightly sweet and minty (wintergreen) in flavor. Each fruit contains many tiny seeds. The root system has shallow rhizomes, from which clonal subshrubs develop. The evergreen foliage becomes reddish or purplish during the autumn.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions, relatively cool temperatures, and somewhat acidic soil containing either sand or loam with decaying organic matter. Growth and development are relatively slow. Flowers and fruits are more likely to be produced in brighter locations. The seeds are difficult to germinate.
Range & Habitat: Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) is native to northern Illinois, where it is rare and state-listed as 'endangered' (see Distribution Map). Elsewhere within the state, it is absent from natural areas. Wintergreen occurs primarily in the Great Lakes region, northeastern USA, and adjacent areas of Canada; it also occurs in the Appalachian mountains in high-altitude areas. In Illinois, the habitats of this sub-shrub are largely restricted to upland oak woodlands, wooded hillsides, forested bogs, and shrubby bogs. In more northern areas, it is often found in coniferous woodlands, mixed woodlands, and shrubby meadows. Wintergreen occurs in high quality natural areas in Illinois. It is easily topkilled by wildfires, although the thinning of the tree canopy and reduction of taller shrubs can cause populations of this sub-shrub to increase.
Faunal Associations: Bumblebees are the primary pollinators of the flowers. Other floral visitors include cuckoo bumblebees (Psithyrus spp.) and the honeybee. Nectar is the primary floral reward for these insect visitors (Mirick & Quin, 1981; Reader, 1977; Lovell, 1898). Other insects feed on the plant sap or foliage of Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens). These species include an aphid (Illinoia borealis) and larvae of two moths, Cameraria gaultheriella and Rhopobota naevana (Blackman & Eastop, 2013; Ferguson, 1975; Needham et al., 1928). Birds and mammals also use Wintergreen as a source of food. The Ruffed Grouse eats the buds, leaves, and fruits; the Bobwhite Quail, Ring-necked Pheasant, and the extinct Passenger Pigeon eat (or ate) the fruits (Bennetts, 1900; Martin et al., 1951/1961; Coladonato, 1994; Schorger, 1955). This sub-shrub provides protective cover for the nests of the rare Kirtland's Warbler in Jack Pine barrens in the state of Michigan (Buech, 1980). Mammals feeding on this sub-shrub include the American Black Bear (leaves & fruits), Red Fox (fruits), Eastern Chipmunk (leaves & fruits), Elk (leaves & twigs), White-tailed Deer (leaves & twigs), Deer Mouse (fruits), and White-footed Mouse (fruits); see Coladonato (1994), Martin et al. (1951/1961), Schneider et al. (2006), Hamilton (1941), and Schloyer (1976) for more information. Fruit-eating birds and mammals spread the seeds to new locations.
Photographic Location: A flower garden at the Urbana Free Library in Urbana, Illinois, and a wooded hillside at the Pine Hills Nature Preserve in west-central Indiana.
Comments: The most striking characteristic of this plant is the mint (or wintergreen) fragrance of its crushed leaves, from which oil of wintergreen is made. Even without flowers or fruits, Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) can be identified by the size, shape, and fragrance of its leathery evergreen leaves. Another species in this genus, Creeping Snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula), is found north of Illinois in more boreal areas. Its crushed leaves have the same wintergreen fragrance, but Creeping Snowberry differs from Wintergreen by its prostrate habit of growth, white berry-like fruits, and smaller leaves. Other similar species in the Heath family (Ericaceae) are either larger shrubs or their leaves lack the wintergreen fragrance. Other common names of Gaultheria procumbens are Teaberry and Checkerberry.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年05月11日
Description: This perennial wildflower consists of a rosette of basal leaves during the spring that spans about 6-12" across. The blades of the basal leaves are up to 8" long and 6" across; they are cordate to oval-cordate in shape and crenate-serrate along their margins. The upper surface of these blades is medium green and hairless to short-hairy, while the lower surface is pale green and hairy along the major veins. The petioles of the basal leaves are up to 6" long, light green, and usually hairy. During the summer, unbranched or sparingly branched stems with alternate leaves are produced, while the basal leaves wither away. These stems are light green to pale reddish green, terete, and variably hairy: usually the lower stems are hairless, while the upper stems are short-hairy. The blades of alternate leaves are up to 4" long and 3" across; they are mostly cordate with margins that are serrate or crenate-serrate. Some of the upper leaf blades may be ovate in shape. The upper surface of these blades is medium green and hairless to short-hairy, while the lower surface is pale green and hairy along the major veins. The petioles of the alternate leaves are up to 3" long and they are often winged, particularly where the petioles join the stem.
The upper central stem of each plant (and any upper lateral stems) terminates in a flat-headed panicle (corymb) of flowerheads spanning 3-8" across. Individual flowerheads are ½-1¼" across, consisting of 8-20 ray florets that surround numerous disk florets. The petal-like corollas of the ray florets are lavender or white. The tubular corollas of the disk florets are initially pale yellow or yellow, but they later become orange-red, dark red, or brown. The tubular corolla of each disk floret has 5 slightly spreading lobes at its apex. At the base of each flowerhead, there are numerous floral bracts (phyllaries) that are arranged in 4-6 series; they are appressed and overlapping. Individual floral bracts are more or less oblong in shape and mostly green, except for the narrow white margins along their sides; they are short-pubescent and occasionally ciliate along their margins. The tips of these bracts are usually blunt; less often, they are somewhat pointed. The peduncles and pedicels of the panicle are light green, relatively stout, and covered with short glandular hairs. At the base of each branch of the panicle, there is usually a single leafy bract up to 1½" long that is broadly oblong or broadly elliptic; these bracts are sessile.
The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall and lasts about 1-1½ months. During the autumn, both ray and disk florets are replaced by small bullet-shaped achenes; each achene has a tuft of tawny hairs at its apex. The achenes are distributed by the wind. The root system is fibrous and long-rhizomatous; on older plants, a small caudex sometimes develops. This wildflower often forms clonal colonies by means of the spreading rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to medium shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil consisting of rich loam or sandy loam.
Distribution MapRange & Habitat: The native Big-Leaved Aster is found only in the northeast section of Illinois, where it is rare. This species is more common in areas that lie to the north or east of the state. Habitats consist of beech-maple woodlands, sandy oak woodlands, sandy oak savannas, elevated areas (hummocks) in swamps, stabilized sand dunes where oak trees are dominant, and woodland borders. Usually, Big-Leaved Aster occupies high-quality natural areas that are more or less mesic (neither too dry nor too wet) and relatively little-disturbed by human activities.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract a large variety of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, beetles, and plant bugs. An oligolectic Andrenid bee, Andrena hirticincta, has been observed visiting the flowerheads of Big-Leaved Aster (see Graenicher). Other insects feed on the foliage and flowers, suck plant juices, or bore through the stems and roots of this aster and others. Examples of such insect feeders include caterpillars of the butterflies Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) and Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescent); also the caterpillars of Carmenta corni (Aster Borer Moth), Cucullia asteroides (The Asteroid), Schinia arcigera (Arcigera Flower Moth), and other moths feed on asters (see Moth Table). Other insects feeders include the larvae of Calycomyza humeralis (Aster Leafminer Fly), several aphids (mostly Uroleucon spp.), Macrosteles quadrilineatus (Aster Leafhopper), the lace bugs Corythucha marmorata and Galeata spinifrons, the leaf beetles Exema canadensis and Ophraella pilosa, the plant bug Plagiognathus cuneatus, and others (see Insect Table for a more complete listing of species). Some vertebrate animals use asters as a food source. The Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkey eat the seeds and foliage, while the White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbit sometimes browse on the foliage. The foliage is also edible to cattle, sheep, and other domesticated farm animals.
Photographic Location: The photograph of the basal leaves was taken at a deciduous woodland in NW Ohio, while the photographs of the flowerheads were taken at a woodland border and a sandy oak savanna in the Indiana Dunes State Park, NW Indiana.
Comments: Sometimes Big-Leaved Aster is referred to as Aster macrophyllus. The large basal leaves of this aster are very conspicuous during the spring. During the autumn, Big-Leaved Aster resembles many other woodland asters and it is more difficult to identify. However, it can be distinguished from similar species by the appearance of its floral bracts (phyllaries), the presence of short glandular hairs on its peduncles and pedicels (a 10x hand lens may be required), and the flat-headed characteristic of its panicles. Most asters have elongated panicles of flowerheads that are not flat-headed. A species that is not found in Illinois, Eurybia divaricata (White Wood Aster), shares this flat-headed characteristic with Big-Leaved Aster and its leaves have a similar shape. However, White Wood Aster has flowerheads with fewer ray florets (about 5-10), its peduncles and pedicels usually have non-glandular hairs, and its basal leaves are smaller in size.
The upper central stem of each plant (and any upper lateral stems) terminates in a flat-headed panicle (corymb) of flowerheads spanning 3-8" across. Individual flowerheads are ½-1¼" across, consisting of 8-20 ray florets that surround numerous disk florets. The petal-like corollas of the ray florets are lavender or white. The tubular corollas of the disk florets are initially pale yellow or yellow, but they later become orange-red, dark red, or brown. The tubular corolla of each disk floret has 5 slightly spreading lobes at its apex. At the base of each flowerhead, there are numerous floral bracts (phyllaries) that are arranged in 4-6 series; they are appressed and overlapping. Individual floral bracts are more or less oblong in shape and mostly green, except for the narrow white margins along their sides; they are short-pubescent and occasionally ciliate along their margins. The tips of these bracts are usually blunt; less often, they are somewhat pointed. The peduncles and pedicels of the panicle are light green, relatively stout, and covered with short glandular hairs. At the base of each branch of the panicle, there is usually a single leafy bract up to 1½" long that is broadly oblong or broadly elliptic; these bracts are sessile.
The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall and lasts about 1-1½ months. During the autumn, both ray and disk florets are replaced by small bullet-shaped achenes; each achene has a tuft of tawny hairs at its apex. The achenes are distributed by the wind. The root system is fibrous and long-rhizomatous; on older plants, a small caudex sometimes develops. This wildflower often forms clonal colonies by means of the spreading rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to medium shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil consisting of rich loam or sandy loam.
Distribution MapRange & Habitat: The native Big-Leaved Aster is found only in the northeast section of Illinois, where it is rare. This species is more common in areas that lie to the north or east of the state. Habitats consist of beech-maple woodlands, sandy oak woodlands, sandy oak savannas, elevated areas (hummocks) in swamps, stabilized sand dunes where oak trees are dominant, and woodland borders. Usually, Big-Leaved Aster occupies high-quality natural areas that are more or less mesic (neither too dry nor too wet) and relatively little-disturbed by human activities.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract a large variety of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, beetles, and plant bugs. An oligolectic Andrenid bee, Andrena hirticincta, has been observed visiting the flowerheads of Big-Leaved Aster (see Graenicher). Other insects feed on the foliage and flowers, suck plant juices, or bore through the stems and roots of this aster and others. Examples of such insect feeders include caterpillars of the butterflies Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) and Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescent); also the caterpillars of Carmenta corni (Aster Borer Moth), Cucullia asteroides (The Asteroid), Schinia arcigera (Arcigera Flower Moth), and other moths feed on asters (see Moth Table). Other insects feeders include the larvae of Calycomyza humeralis (Aster Leafminer Fly), several aphids (mostly Uroleucon spp.), Macrosteles quadrilineatus (Aster Leafhopper), the lace bugs Corythucha marmorata and Galeata spinifrons, the leaf beetles Exema canadensis and Ophraella pilosa, the plant bug Plagiognathus cuneatus, and others (see Insect Table for a more complete listing of species). Some vertebrate animals use asters as a food source. The Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkey eat the seeds and foliage, while the White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbit sometimes browse on the foliage. The foliage is also edible to cattle, sheep, and other domesticated farm animals.
Photographic Location: The photograph of the basal leaves was taken at a deciduous woodland in NW Ohio, while the photographs of the flowerheads were taken at a woodland border and a sandy oak savanna in the Indiana Dunes State Park, NW Indiana.
Comments: Sometimes Big-Leaved Aster is referred to as Aster macrophyllus. The large basal leaves of this aster are very conspicuous during the spring. During the autumn, Big-Leaved Aster resembles many other woodland asters and it is more difficult to identify. However, it can be distinguished from similar species by the appearance of its floral bracts (phyllaries), the presence of short glandular hairs on its peduncles and pedicels (a 10x hand lens may be required), and the flat-headed characteristic of its panicles. Most asters have elongated panicles of flowerheads that are not flat-headed. A species that is not found in Illinois, Eurybia divaricata (White Wood Aster), shares this flat-headed characteristic with Big-Leaved Aster and its leaves have a similar shape. However, White Wood Aster has flowerheads with fewer ray florets (about 5-10), its peduncles and pedicels usually have non-glandular hairs, and its basal leaves are smaller in size.
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