文章
Miss Chen
2018年03月01日
Description: This perennial vine is up to 15' long and non-woody. The stems twine about adjacent vegetation and fences, climbing upward toward the light. These stems are light green or light reddish green, round in circumference (terete), and shiny; they often have lines of fine white hairs. Opposite leaves up to 6" long and 2½" across occur at intervals along the stems. They are triangular-cordate, glabrous, and dark green. Their margins are smooth, but sometimes undulate up and down. The sinus of the leaf blade is indented and somewhat flattened. The petioles are up to 3" long and often reddish green. A milky sap is absent from the foliage. From the axils of the middle to upper leaves, there are small clusters of flowers about ¾-1½" across on peduncles 1-3" long. Each flower is white or pinkish white and up to ¼" long.
The structure of each flower consists of a light green calyx with 5 lanceolate lobes, a white corolla with 5 linear lobes (sometimes with pink tips), and a white corona (or crown-like appendage) surrounding the reproductive organs in the center. The lobes of the corolla are semi-erect and rather twisted. The corona is divided into 5 segments; each segment has 2 linear extensions at its apex that are rather membranous and twisted. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall and lasts about 1-2 months. The flowers have a strong honey-like fragrance. If cross-pollination of a flower occurs, there develops a smooth follicle up to 4" long and 1" across; it is lanceoloid and tapers gradually to a point at one end. This follicle is initially green, although it laters becomes reddish green and finally brown. When the follicle splits open along one side, it releases numerous seeds. Each seed has a large tuft of white hairs, which enables distribution by the wind. The root system consists of a taproot and long rhizomes. This vine reproduces by clonal offsets or by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and mesic to dry conditions. Almost any kind of soil is tolerated, including those that contain loam, clay, gravel, or sand. Bluevine can be difficult to get rid off because new shoots can develop from the root system after the entire vine has been pulled. The seeds don't germinate until late spring or early summer.
Range & Habitat: The native Bluevine is occasional to locally common in southern and central Illinois, while in northern Illinois it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include thickets, banks of rivers and drainage ditches, gravelly areas along railroads and roadsides, cropland, overgrown vacant lots, shrubbery in yards, and fence rows. Bluevine adapts quite well to disturbed habitats and it is rather weedy.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts Halictid bees, masked bees (Hylaeus spp.), wasps, flies, and Monarch butterflies. Among the flies, are such visitors as bee flies (Bombyliidae), thick-headed flies (Conopidae), Tachinid flies, and bottle flies. Caterpillars of the butterfly Danaus plexippes (Monarch) feed on the foliage, while Aphis nerii (Milkweed Aphid) sucks juices from the foliage. Another insect, Labidomera clivicollis (Swamp Milkweed Beetle) also reportedly feeds on the foliage (Clark et al., 2004). Mammalian herbivores avoid consumption of the foliage because of its bitter taste and poisonous properties.
Photographic Location: The photograph of the flowers was taken near a railroad in Champaign, Illinois, while photographs of the foliage and seedpod were taken at a fence row near the webmaster's apartment complex in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Bluevine is often referred to as Cynanchum laeve; its scientific name has changed occasionally through the years. Other common names for this species are Honeyvine and Sandvine. A few members of the Milkweed family in Illinois are twining vines, rather than erect herbaceous plants. Most of these occur in southern Illinois in swampy habitats; they are currently classified as Matelea spp. (Climbing Milkweeds), although they were assigned to the Gonolobus genus in the past. Climbing Milkweeds have larger flowers with spreading corolla lobes; they are variously colored. The flowers of Bluevine are smaller with more erect corolla lobes. An introduced species, Vincetoxicum nigrum (Black Swallow-Wort), occurs occasionally in Illinois. It was formerly known as Cynanchum nigrum. Black Swallow-Wort has leaves that are rounded at the base and its flowers are brownish purple. All of these vines produce follicles (seedpods) that resemble those of other members in the Milkweed family.
The structure of each flower consists of a light green calyx with 5 lanceolate lobes, a white corolla with 5 linear lobes (sometimes with pink tips), and a white corona (or crown-like appendage) surrounding the reproductive organs in the center. The lobes of the corolla are semi-erect and rather twisted. The corona is divided into 5 segments; each segment has 2 linear extensions at its apex that are rather membranous and twisted. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall and lasts about 1-2 months. The flowers have a strong honey-like fragrance. If cross-pollination of a flower occurs, there develops a smooth follicle up to 4" long and 1" across; it is lanceoloid and tapers gradually to a point at one end. This follicle is initially green, although it laters becomes reddish green and finally brown. When the follicle splits open along one side, it releases numerous seeds. Each seed has a large tuft of white hairs, which enables distribution by the wind. The root system consists of a taproot and long rhizomes. This vine reproduces by clonal offsets or by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and mesic to dry conditions. Almost any kind of soil is tolerated, including those that contain loam, clay, gravel, or sand. Bluevine can be difficult to get rid off because new shoots can develop from the root system after the entire vine has been pulled. The seeds don't germinate until late spring or early summer.
Range & Habitat: The native Bluevine is occasional to locally common in southern and central Illinois, while in northern Illinois it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include thickets, banks of rivers and drainage ditches, gravelly areas along railroads and roadsides, cropland, overgrown vacant lots, shrubbery in yards, and fence rows. Bluevine adapts quite well to disturbed habitats and it is rather weedy.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts Halictid bees, masked bees (Hylaeus spp.), wasps, flies, and Monarch butterflies. Among the flies, are such visitors as bee flies (Bombyliidae), thick-headed flies (Conopidae), Tachinid flies, and bottle flies. Caterpillars of the butterfly Danaus plexippes (Monarch) feed on the foliage, while Aphis nerii (Milkweed Aphid) sucks juices from the foliage. Another insect, Labidomera clivicollis (Swamp Milkweed Beetle) also reportedly feeds on the foliage (Clark et al., 2004). Mammalian herbivores avoid consumption of the foliage because of its bitter taste and poisonous properties.
Photographic Location: The photograph of the flowers was taken near a railroad in Champaign, Illinois, while photographs of the foliage and seedpod were taken at a fence row near the webmaster's apartment complex in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Bluevine is often referred to as Cynanchum laeve; its scientific name has changed occasionally through the years. Other common names for this species are Honeyvine and Sandvine. A few members of the Milkweed family in Illinois are twining vines, rather than erect herbaceous plants. Most of these occur in southern Illinois in swampy habitats; they are currently classified as Matelea spp. (Climbing Milkweeds), although they were assigned to the Gonolobus genus in the past. Climbing Milkweeds have larger flowers with spreading corolla lobes; they are variously colored. The flowers of Bluevine are smaller with more erect corolla lobes. An introduced species, Vincetoxicum nigrum (Black Swallow-Wort), occurs occasionally in Illinois. It was formerly known as Cynanchum nigrum. Black Swallow-Wort has leaves that are rounded at the base and its flowers are brownish purple. All of these vines produce follicles (seedpods) that resemble those of other members in the Milkweed family.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月25日
Description: This is a herbaceous perennial plant about 2-4' tall and mostly unbranched, except toward the apex. The central stem is round, glabrous, and occasionally glaucous. The grey- or blue-green alternate leaves are up to 15" long and 1" across. They are linear, although wider at the base, where the leaves wrap around the stem in sheaths, than at the tip. They are also glabrous, with parallel venation and smooth margins, tending to bend downward towards the middle. The light violet to blue-violet flowers occur in small clusters on hairless flowering stems at the top of the plant. Underneath each inflorescence are 2 small bracts, each up to 3" long and less than ½" across. Each flower is about 1" across, with 3 rounded petals, 6 bright yellow anthers, and fine spidery violet hairs near the base. The flowers open up during the morning and close by the afternoon in sunny weather, but remain open longer on cloudy days. There is no floral scent.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, and lasts about 1½ months, during which time only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. The mature seed capsules split into 3 sections, each capsule releasing 3-6 oval to oblong, brown seeds. The root system is thick, fleshy, and fibrous, sending off occasional offshoots nearby.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and moist to slightly dry conditions. The soil can contain loam, clay, gravel, or sand – this plant is very adaptable. Sometimes the leaves develop brown blotches or turn yellow in response to harsh weather conditions, competition from other plants, or age.
Range & Habitat: The native Ohio Spiderwort is a common plant throughout Illinois, except in the SE, where it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). It is often found in moist to mesic black soil prairies and sand prairies. Other habitats include sandy black oak savannas, Bur Oak savannas, limestone glades, thickets and woodland borders, moist meadows near woods or rivers, roadside ditches, and areas along railroads (including the ballast). Plants are usually widely scattered, but sometimes appear in sizable colonies in disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: The most important pollinators of the flowers are long-tongued bees, especially bumblebees. Other visitors include Halictine bees and Syrphid flies. However, the Syrphid flies feed on stray pollen and are non-pollinating. Spiderwort is rarely bothered by insects, although Lema collaris (Leaf Beetle sp.) reportedly feeds on the foliage. Mammalian herbivores also eat the plant, including the White-Tailed Deer, Cottontail Rabbit, Box Turtles, and livestock. The foliage is non-toxic to these animals.
Photographic Location: The close-up photograph of the flowers was taken along a railroad in Champaign, Illinois, while the photographs of the flowering plant and close-up of the stem were taken at the wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois. Ohio Spiderwort is more resistant to the application of herbicides along railroads than most plants, which is one reason why it remains common in such areas.
Comments: This is probably the most common Spiderwort in Illinois. The flowers are short-lived, but beautiful, particularly when they are viewed close-up. Ohio Spiderwort can be readily distinguished from Virginia Spiderwort by the absence of conspicuous hairs on the flowering stems near the inflorescence, and the greyish or bluish appearance of the thin leaves. It also tends to be taller and more spindly in appearance than other species of Spiderwort, and has smaller bracts subtending the inflorescence. The leaves and stems are reported to be edible – fresh or cooked.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, and lasts about 1½ months, during which time only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. The mature seed capsules split into 3 sections, each capsule releasing 3-6 oval to oblong, brown seeds. The root system is thick, fleshy, and fibrous, sending off occasional offshoots nearby.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and moist to slightly dry conditions. The soil can contain loam, clay, gravel, or sand – this plant is very adaptable. Sometimes the leaves develop brown blotches or turn yellow in response to harsh weather conditions, competition from other plants, or age.
Range & Habitat: The native Ohio Spiderwort is a common plant throughout Illinois, except in the SE, where it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). It is often found in moist to mesic black soil prairies and sand prairies. Other habitats include sandy black oak savannas, Bur Oak savannas, limestone glades, thickets and woodland borders, moist meadows near woods or rivers, roadside ditches, and areas along railroads (including the ballast). Plants are usually widely scattered, but sometimes appear in sizable colonies in disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: The most important pollinators of the flowers are long-tongued bees, especially bumblebees. Other visitors include Halictine bees and Syrphid flies. However, the Syrphid flies feed on stray pollen and are non-pollinating. Spiderwort is rarely bothered by insects, although Lema collaris (Leaf Beetle sp.) reportedly feeds on the foliage. Mammalian herbivores also eat the plant, including the White-Tailed Deer, Cottontail Rabbit, Box Turtles, and livestock. The foliage is non-toxic to these animals.
Photographic Location: The close-up photograph of the flowers was taken along a railroad in Champaign, Illinois, while the photographs of the flowering plant and close-up of the stem were taken at the wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois. Ohio Spiderwort is more resistant to the application of herbicides along railroads than most plants, which is one reason why it remains common in such areas.
Comments: This is probably the most common Spiderwort in Illinois. The flowers are short-lived, but beautiful, particularly when they are viewed close-up. Ohio Spiderwort can be readily distinguished from Virginia Spiderwort by the absence of conspicuous hairs on the flowering stems near the inflorescence, and the greyish or bluish appearance of the thin leaves. It also tends to be taller and more spindly in appearance than other species of Spiderwort, and has smaller bracts subtending the inflorescence. The leaves and stems are reported to be edible – fresh or cooked.
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