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Miss Chen
2018年03月08日
Description: This herbaceous plant is a summer annual about 2-6' tall. It branches regularly from the central stem, while the side stems branch very little. These stems are somewhat pubescent and green to reddish green. The opposite leaves are up to 12" and 4" across, becoming smaller as they ascend the stems. The lower leaves are pinnately lobed, cleft, and coarsely toothed, while the upper leaves are lanceolate-oblong and smooth along the margins. The petioles of the leaves become progressively shorter toward the apex of the plant; the upper leaves are often sessile. Both lower and upper leaves are hairless, or nearly so.
The upper stems terminate in spike-like racemes of yellow flowers. These racemes vary ½–3' in length, depending on the size of the plant. Each flower is about ½" long, consisting of a yellow tubular corolla with 5 spreading lobes and a green calyx with 5 blunt teeth. The tubular corolla is rather short and broad; its throat is partially obstructed by an abundance of fine yellow hairs. The two upper lobes of the corolla fold backward, while the 3 lower lobes function as a landing pad for visiting insects. The blooming period is mid-summer to early fall and lasts about 1½ months; only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. Each flower is replaced by a seed capsule is globoid-ovoid; it eventually turns brown and contains several seeds. The root system consists of a taproot and secondary feeder roots. The feeder roots can attach themselves to the roots of oak trees; they suck moisture and possibly some nutrients from the host tree. Thus, Mullein Foxglove is partially parasitic. Reproduction is by seed.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and a loam, clay-loam, or rocky soil. This plant benefits from the proximity of oak trees. Its size is highly variable, depending on growing conditions.
Range & Habitat: The native Mullein Foxglove occurs occasionally throughout most of Illinois; it is least common in the NW and south-central areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open rocky woodlands, oak savannas, paths through woodlands, thinly wooded bluffs, woodland borders, thickets, and rocky slopes along rivers. This species tolerates low to moderate levels of disturbance.
Faunal Associations: The most important pollinators of the flowers are bumblebees, which suck nectar and collect pollen. Other long-tongued bees also visit the flowers, including honeybees and Miner bees. Occasionally, butterflies and skippers suck nectar from the flowers, but they are ineffective pollinators. The caterpillars of the moth Rhodoecia aurantiago (Orange Sallow) bore into the seed capsules and feed on the seeds. It possible that the foliage is eaten by the caterpillars of the butterflies Junonia coenia (Buckeye) and Euphydryas phaeton ozarkae (Baltimore). The latter variety of the Baltimore is confined to southern Illinois. Both of these butterfly species are known to feed on the foliage of Aureolaria spp. (False Foxgloves), which are closely related to Mullein Foxglove.
Photographic Location: Along a path at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This annual plant can achieve an impressive size. It closely resembles several Aureolaria spp. (False Foxgloves), which are also parasitic on the roots of oaks. The flowers of Mullein Foxglove are a little shorter than the flowers of the latter species (which can exceed ¾" in length), and the throat of its flowers are partially obstructed by an abundance of fine hairs. The flowers of the False Foxgloves are quite open at the throat because they lack these hairs. Another scientific name for Mullein Foxglove is Seymeria macrophylla.
The upper stems terminate in spike-like racemes of yellow flowers. These racemes vary ½–3' in length, depending on the size of the plant. Each flower is about ½" long, consisting of a yellow tubular corolla with 5 spreading lobes and a green calyx with 5 blunt teeth. The tubular corolla is rather short and broad; its throat is partially obstructed by an abundance of fine yellow hairs. The two upper lobes of the corolla fold backward, while the 3 lower lobes function as a landing pad for visiting insects. The blooming period is mid-summer to early fall and lasts about 1½ months; only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. Each flower is replaced by a seed capsule is globoid-ovoid; it eventually turns brown and contains several seeds. The root system consists of a taproot and secondary feeder roots. The feeder roots can attach themselves to the roots of oak trees; they suck moisture and possibly some nutrients from the host tree. Thus, Mullein Foxglove is partially parasitic. Reproduction is by seed.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and a loam, clay-loam, or rocky soil. This plant benefits from the proximity of oak trees. Its size is highly variable, depending on growing conditions.
Range & Habitat: The native Mullein Foxglove occurs occasionally throughout most of Illinois; it is least common in the NW and south-central areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open rocky woodlands, oak savannas, paths through woodlands, thinly wooded bluffs, woodland borders, thickets, and rocky slopes along rivers. This species tolerates low to moderate levels of disturbance.
Faunal Associations: The most important pollinators of the flowers are bumblebees, which suck nectar and collect pollen. Other long-tongued bees also visit the flowers, including honeybees and Miner bees. Occasionally, butterflies and skippers suck nectar from the flowers, but they are ineffective pollinators. The caterpillars of the moth Rhodoecia aurantiago (Orange Sallow) bore into the seed capsules and feed on the seeds. It possible that the foliage is eaten by the caterpillars of the butterflies Junonia coenia (Buckeye) and Euphydryas phaeton ozarkae (Baltimore). The latter variety of the Baltimore is confined to southern Illinois. Both of these butterfly species are known to feed on the foliage of Aureolaria spp. (False Foxgloves), which are closely related to Mullein Foxglove.
Photographic Location: Along a path at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This annual plant can achieve an impressive size. It closely resembles several Aureolaria spp. (False Foxgloves), which are also parasitic on the roots of oaks. The flowers of Mullein Foxglove are a little shorter than the flowers of the latter species (which can exceed ¾" in length), and the throat of its flowers are partially obstructed by an abundance of fine hairs. The flowers of the False Foxgloves are quite open at the throat because they lack these hairs. Another scientific name for Mullein Foxglove is Seymeria macrophylla.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月08日
Description: This perennial plant is a woody vine up to 20' long. Its stems can twine about fences and adjacent vegetation and they branch occasionally. These stems are initially green or dull red, but they eventually turn brown and woody. Young stems are sparsely pubescent, terete or angular, and they become somewhat enlarged at the petiole bases. The opposite leaves are primarily trifoliate, although some of them are simple. The petioles of these leaves (whether simple or compound) are up to 2" long; they are green or dull red and sparsely pubescent, like the stems. The leaflets and simple leaves are up to 4" long and 2" across; they are ovate, dentate or shallowly cleft along their margins, and mostly glabrous. However, the undersides of the leaves or leaflets are sometimes slightly pubescent, especially along the major veins. The upper surfaces of leaves and leaflets are yellowish green to dark green, while their lower surfaces are pale green with elevated major veins. The petiolules (basal stalklets) of the leaflets are similar to the petioles, except they are shorter. The petiolule of the terminal leaflet is longer than those of the lateral leaflets.
Occasionally, flat-headed panicles of white flowers are produced from the axils of the leaves. Each panicle can span several inches across. A single vine can produce all staminate flowers (male), all pistillate flowers (female), or all perfect flowers (both male & female). Regardless of gender, individual flowers are about ¾" across and they have 4 petaloid sepals that are white or cream-colored and oblong-elliptic in shape. Each staminate flower has abundant long stamens that have white filaments and pale yellow anthers. Each pistillate flower has a cluster of green carpels at its center; each carpel has a short curled style. In addition to the carpels, each pistillate flower has a circle of pseudo-stamens that are sterile. Each perfect flower has a cluster of green carpels at its center, which are surrounded by one or two rows of stamens. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer and lasts about a month. The staminate flowers quickly wither away, but each of the pistillate and perfect flowers develop a cluster of pubescent achenes with slender styles (up to 2" long) that are more or less hairy. These achenes and their persistent styles are initially green and silky in appearance, but they eventually turn brown. Each achene contains a single large seed. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and a fertile soil that is loamy or silty. Full sun is also tolerated, although the leaves may turn yellowish green.
Range & Habitat: The native Virgin's Bower occurs occasionally throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is a little more common in northern and western Illinois than other areas of the state. Habitats include edges of woodlands, moist thickets, moist meadows in floodplain areas, banks of rivers, slopes of drainage ditches, low ground along railroads, and fence rows. Virgin's Bower can be found in both disturbed and natural areas. It is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental garden plant.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the staminate flowers attracts Halictid bees (including Sphecodes clematidis), wasps, and various kinds of flies. No information is available for pistillate flowers. Insects that feed destructively on Virgin's Bower and other Clematis spp. include larvae of Contarinia clematidis (Clematis Bud Gall Midge) and Prodiplosis floricola (Clematis Flower Midge), larvae of the leaf-mining fly Phytomyza loewii, caterpillars of Horisme intestinata (Brown Bark Carpet Moth), caterpillars of two moths, Thyris maculata (Spotted Thyris) and Thyris sepulchralis (Mournful Thyris), and Myzus varians (Peach Leaf-Roll Aphid). These vines are the summer hosts of this introduced aphid. The toxic foliage is avoided by mammalian herbivores. However, the foliage of Virgin's Bower can provide significant cover and nesting habitat for many songbirds.
Photographic Location: A moist thicket near a drainage canal in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: The flowers of Virgin's Bower are attractive and often abundantly produced; the staminate flowers are slightly more showy than the pistillate flowers. The achenes with their silky-hairy styles are also interesting because of their unusual appearance. The only other species that resembles Virgin's Bower in Illinois is Clematis terniflora (Autumn Clematis), which has been introduced from East Asia as an ornamental plant. Autumn Clematis is also a woody vine that produces masses of white or cream flowers. The flowers of this latter species, in my experience, are slightly larger (about 1" across) and more fragrant than those of Virgin's Bower; they also bloom later in the year. These two species can be easily distinguished by their foliage: The leaf- and leaflet-margins of Virgin's Bower are dentate or shallowly cleft, while those of Autumn Clematis are smooth (entire). While there are other native Clematis spp. within Illinois, their flowers have a completely different appearance.
Occasionally, flat-headed panicles of white flowers are produced from the axils of the leaves. Each panicle can span several inches across. A single vine can produce all staminate flowers (male), all pistillate flowers (female), or all perfect flowers (both male & female). Regardless of gender, individual flowers are about ¾" across and they have 4 petaloid sepals that are white or cream-colored and oblong-elliptic in shape. Each staminate flower has abundant long stamens that have white filaments and pale yellow anthers. Each pistillate flower has a cluster of green carpels at its center; each carpel has a short curled style. In addition to the carpels, each pistillate flower has a circle of pseudo-stamens that are sterile. Each perfect flower has a cluster of green carpels at its center, which are surrounded by one or two rows of stamens. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer and lasts about a month. The staminate flowers quickly wither away, but each of the pistillate and perfect flowers develop a cluster of pubescent achenes with slender styles (up to 2" long) that are more or less hairy. These achenes and their persistent styles are initially green and silky in appearance, but they eventually turn brown. Each achene contains a single large seed. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and a fertile soil that is loamy or silty. Full sun is also tolerated, although the leaves may turn yellowish green.
Range & Habitat: The native Virgin's Bower occurs occasionally throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is a little more common in northern and western Illinois than other areas of the state. Habitats include edges of woodlands, moist thickets, moist meadows in floodplain areas, banks of rivers, slopes of drainage ditches, low ground along railroads, and fence rows. Virgin's Bower can be found in both disturbed and natural areas. It is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental garden plant.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the staminate flowers attracts Halictid bees (including Sphecodes clematidis), wasps, and various kinds of flies. No information is available for pistillate flowers. Insects that feed destructively on Virgin's Bower and other Clematis spp. include larvae of Contarinia clematidis (Clematis Bud Gall Midge) and Prodiplosis floricola (Clematis Flower Midge), larvae of the leaf-mining fly Phytomyza loewii, caterpillars of Horisme intestinata (Brown Bark Carpet Moth), caterpillars of two moths, Thyris maculata (Spotted Thyris) and Thyris sepulchralis (Mournful Thyris), and Myzus varians (Peach Leaf-Roll Aphid). These vines are the summer hosts of this introduced aphid. The toxic foliage is avoided by mammalian herbivores. However, the foliage of Virgin's Bower can provide significant cover and nesting habitat for many songbirds.
Photographic Location: A moist thicket near a drainage canal in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: The flowers of Virgin's Bower are attractive and often abundantly produced; the staminate flowers are slightly more showy than the pistillate flowers. The achenes with their silky-hairy styles are also interesting because of their unusual appearance. The only other species that resembles Virgin's Bower in Illinois is Clematis terniflora (Autumn Clematis), which has been introduced from East Asia as an ornamental plant. Autumn Clematis is also a woody vine that produces masses of white or cream flowers. The flowers of this latter species, in my experience, are slightly larger (about 1" across) and more fragrant than those of Virgin's Bower; they also bloom later in the year. These two species can be easily distinguished by their foliage: The leaf- and leaflet-margins of Virgin's Bower are dentate or shallowly cleft, while those of Autumn Clematis are smooth (entire). While there are other native Clematis spp. within Illinois, their flowers have a completely different appearance.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月07日
Description: This perennial vine is up to 12' long and slightly woody. The young stems are angular or terete, slightly pubescent, and green or red. Older stems become hairless, brown, and woody, otherwise they resemble the young stems. Pairs of opposite leaves occur at intervals along the vine. These leaves are simple or compound; if the latter, they are odd pinnate. Simple leaves and leaflets are up to 3" long and 2" across. They are ovate or cordate-ovate in shape, smooth along their margins, and largely hairless; sometimes 1 or 2 lateral lobes are present. The major veins of each leaf are parallel, while the secondary veins criss-cross between them. These veins are often elevated and conspicuous on the lower surface. The petioles (basal stalks) of the leaves and petiolules (basal stalklets) of the leaflets are slender and slightly pubescent.
From the axils of the upper leaves, develops one or more flowers on long ascending pedicels; these flowers nod downward. Each flower is about ½-¾" long and bell-shaped. It consists of 4 thick leathery sepals and no petals; within the flower, there are several stamens and styles. The sepals are glabrous to slightly pubescent and light purple, except near their recurved tips, where they are light green or white. The blooming period occurs during the summer (usually mid-summer) and lasts about 1-2 months. Each flower is replaced by a cluster of flattened achenes with long beaks; these beaks are persistent styles. The tips of these styles are slightly hairy, becoming hairless with age. The achenes are light green or burgundy; clustered together, they have a spidery appearance. The achenes become brown or black with age. They are blown about by the wind to a limited extent.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and soil that is loamy or rocky. Full sun and drier conditions are also tolerated, but the leaves have a tendency to turn yellow during hot dry weather.
Range & Habitat: The native Pitcher's Leather Flower is occasional to common throughout Illinois, except for the upper two tiers of counties in NE and north-central areas of the state, where it is absent (see Distribution Map). This is one of the more common Clematis spp. in Illinois. Habitats include open woodlands, rocky bluffs, woodland borders, areas along woodland paths, powerline clearances through wooded areas, thickets, and fence rows. This species tolerates human-caused disturbance to some extent; it doesn't spread to new areas readily because of the large size of its achenes.
Faunal Associations: Bumblebees pollinate the flowers, where they suck nectar and collect pollen. Other insects feed destructively on the foliage, flowers, or stems of Pitcher's Leather Flower and other Clematis spp. These insects include flower-feeding thrips (Thrips varipes), the Clematis Flower Midge (Prodiplosis floricola), the Clematis Bud Gall Midge (Contarinia clematidis), larvae of a leaf-mining fly (Phytomyza loewii), caterpillars of the Brown Bark Carpet Moth (Horisme intestinata), caterpillars of the moths, Spotted Thyris (Thyris maculata) and Mournful Thyris (Thyris sepulchralis), and the Peach Leaf-roll Aphid (Myzus varians). These vines are summer hosts of this introduced aphid. The foliage is probably poisonous to mammalian herbivores. Pitcher's Leather Flower provides useful cover and nesting habitat for many songbirds in open wooded areas and other habitats where this vine occurs.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a powerline clearance in Busey Woods of Urbana, Illinois, and a roadside fence row in rural Champaign County, Illinois.
Comments: The Clematis spp. that are Leather Flowers have similar-appearing bell-shaped flowers that nod downward. Other Clematis spp., such as Clematis virginiana (Virgin's Bower), have showier flowers with spreading white sepals and conspicuous stamens and styles. However, both groups of Clematis spp. have clusters of flattened achenes with long beaks that are persistent styles. Pitcher's Leather Flower is somewhat variable in appearance, especially in the western part of its range. There are significant variations in the size of its leaves or leaflets, the thickness of its leaves or leaflets, the elevation of the veins on the undersides of its leaves or leaflets, the size of its flowers (larger in areas west of Illinois), the color of its flowers, and the hairiness of its achenes. Pitcher's Leather Flower has a similar appearance to Clematis viorna (Leather Flower). However, the persistent styles of Pitcher's Leather Flower are glabrous to short-hairy toward their tips, while the persistent styles of Leather Flower have abundant plumose hairs. Sometimes the leaf undersides of Pitcher's Leather Flower have conspicuous elevated veins, while the leaf undersides of Leather Flower are more smooth. However, this distinction is not always reliable. Leather Flower is an uncommon species that occurs in only a few counties in southern Illinois. It is more common outside of the state in areas that are further to the east and south.
From the axils of the upper leaves, develops one or more flowers on long ascending pedicels; these flowers nod downward. Each flower is about ½-¾" long and bell-shaped. It consists of 4 thick leathery sepals and no petals; within the flower, there are several stamens and styles. The sepals are glabrous to slightly pubescent and light purple, except near their recurved tips, where they are light green or white. The blooming period occurs during the summer (usually mid-summer) and lasts about 1-2 months. Each flower is replaced by a cluster of flattened achenes with long beaks; these beaks are persistent styles. The tips of these styles are slightly hairy, becoming hairless with age. The achenes are light green or burgundy; clustered together, they have a spidery appearance. The achenes become brown or black with age. They are blown about by the wind to a limited extent.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and soil that is loamy or rocky. Full sun and drier conditions are also tolerated, but the leaves have a tendency to turn yellow during hot dry weather.
Range & Habitat: The native Pitcher's Leather Flower is occasional to common throughout Illinois, except for the upper two tiers of counties in NE and north-central areas of the state, where it is absent (see Distribution Map). This is one of the more common Clematis spp. in Illinois. Habitats include open woodlands, rocky bluffs, woodland borders, areas along woodland paths, powerline clearances through wooded areas, thickets, and fence rows. This species tolerates human-caused disturbance to some extent; it doesn't spread to new areas readily because of the large size of its achenes.
Faunal Associations: Bumblebees pollinate the flowers, where they suck nectar and collect pollen. Other insects feed destructively on the foliage, flowers, or stems of Pitcher's Leather Flower and other Clematis spp. These insects include flower-feeding thrips (Thrips varipes), the Clematis Flower Midge (Prodiplosis floricola), the Clematis Bud Gall Midge (Contarinia clematidis), larvae of a leaf-mining fly (Phytomyza loewii), caterpillars of the Brown Bark Carpet Moth (Horisme intestinata), caterpillars of the moths, Spotted Thyris (Thyris maculata) and Mournful Thyris (Thyris sepulchralis), and the Peach Leaf-roll Aphid (Myzus varians). These vines are summer hosts of this introduced aphid. The foliage is probably poisonous to mammalian herbivores. Pitcher's Leather Flower provides useful cover and nesting habitat for many songbirds in open wooded areas and other habitats where this vine occurs.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a powerline clearance in Busey Woods of Urbana, Illinois, and a roadside fence row in rural Champaign County, Illinois.
Comments: The Clematis spp. that are Leather Flowers have similar-appearing bell-shaped flowers that nod downward. Other Clematis spp., such as Clematis virginiana (Virgin's Bower), have showier flowers with spreading white sepals and conspicuous stamens and styles. However, both groups of Clematis spp. have clusters of flattened achenes with long beaks that are persistent styles. Pitcher's Leather Flower is somewhat variable in appearance, especially in the western part of its range. There are significant variations in the size of its leaves or leaflets, the thickness of its leaves or leaflets, the elevation of the veins on the undersides of its leaves or leaflets, the size of its flowers (larger in areas west of Illinois), the color of its flowers, and the hairiness of its achenes. Pitcher's Leather Flower has a similar appearance to Clematis viorna (Leather Flower). However, the persistent styles of Pitcher's Leather Flower are glabrous to short-hairy toward their tips, while the persistent styles of Leather Flower have abundant plumose hairs. Sometimes the leaf undersides of Pitcher's Leather Flower have conspicuous elevated veins, while the leaf undersides of Leather Flower are more smooth. However, this distinction is not always reliable. Leather Flower is an uncommon species that occurs in only a few counties in southern Illinois. It is more common outside of the state in areas that are further to the east and south.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月07日
Description: This wildflower is a biennial or short-lived perennial. During the 1st year, it consists of a low rosette of leaves spanning about 1' across. During the 2nd year and thereafter, it develops stems with alternate leaves and becomes about 3-8' tall. These stems are usually sparingly branched. The central stem and side stems are light green to reddish brown, terete with several longitudinal ridges, and pubescent-woolly. The alternate leaves are up to 9" long and 3" across, becoming gradually smaller as they ascend the stems. These leaves are lanceolate, oblanceolate, or elliptic in shape; their margins are entire, slightly dentate, or shallowly lobed. At the pointed tip of each lobe or dentate tooth, there is usually a spine. The upper surface of each leaf is green with appressed white hairs, while the lower surface is covered with a dense mat of white-woolly hairs. The base of each leaf is sessile or clasps its stem slightly. The basal leaves of 1st year plants are similar to the alternate leaves, except they are often more deeply pinnatifid.
Flowering Plant
The upper stems terminate in individual flowerheads spanning about 2" across. Each flowerhead has a multitude of small disk florets that are pink to purplish pink. Each floret has a tubular corolla that divides into 5 slender lobes. The base of the flowerhead is surrounded by numerous floral scales (phyllaries) that partially overlap each other. Each small floral scale is lanceolate-ovate and dark green with a white midrib; it has a dark tip, where a fine spine projects outward. Underneath each flowerhead, there are 2-3 small leafy bracts with spines along their margins like the leaves. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall and lasts about 1–1½ months. The flowerheads are usually fragrant. After the blooming period, the entire plant begins to wither away and turns yellow to brown. The disk florets of the flowerheads become masses of bullet-shaped achenes with tufts of cottony white hairs. These achenes are distributed by the wind. The root system consists of a taproot. This wildflower spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist to mesic areas, and a fertile loam, clay-loam, or sandy-loam soil. Tall Thistle is more tolerant of shade than other thistles. The lower leaves may wither away prematurely at a dry sunny site. The size of this plant can vary significantly depending on environmental conditions.
Range & Habitat: The native Tall Thistle is occasional throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map). This thistle is widely distributed, but usually isn't common where it occurs. Habitats include open deciduous woodlands, woodland borders, thinly wooded rocky slopes, areas along woodland paths, savannas, thickets, swamps, meadows, areas along railroads, and roadsides. Tall Thistle can be found in both disturbed and undisturbed habitats; it is found in wooded habitats more often than other thistles.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowerheads attracts bumblebees, long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), Fritillary butterflies (Speyeria spp.), Painted Lady butterflies (Vanessa spp.), Swallowtail butterflies (Papilio spp.), and Sphinx moths, including hummingbird clearwing moths (Hemaris spp.). The pollen also attracts Halictid bees and other bees, Syrphid flies, and various beetles (Robertson, 1929; Graenicher, 1907). Other insects feed destructively on the foliage, sap, and other parts of Cirsium spp. (thistles). These insects include Oulema palustris (a leaf beetle), Cassida rubiginosa (Thistle Tortoise Beetle), Euphoria inda (Bumble Flower Beetle), Melanoplus borealis (Northern Grasshopper), Entylia bactriana (a treehopper), and such aphids as Brachycaudus cardui (Thistle Aphid), Capitophorus elaeagni (Artichoke Aphid), and Uroleucon cirsii (Large Thistle Aphid); see Clark et al. (2004), Marshall (2006), Cranshaw (2004), Funkhouser (1917), and Brust et al. (2008). The caterpillars of two butterflies, Calephelis muticum (Swamp Metalmark) and Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady), also feed on thistles (Opler & Krizek, 1984; Wagner, 2005), as do the caterpillars of several moths (see Moth Table). The American Goldfinch, Clay-colored Sparrow, Pine Siskin, Slate-colored Junco, and Indigo Bunting eat the seeds of thistles; the American Goldfinch also uses thistle-down to line its nests (Martin et al., 1951/1961; DeVore et al., 2004). Although the Tall Thistle is less heavily armed with spines than some thistles, they provide some protection from hoofed mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: Along a woodland path at Fox Ridge State Park in east-central Illinois.
Comments: As the common name suggests, this thistle can become quite tall. It resembles Cirsium discolor (Pasture Thistle) and other common thistles, except that its leaves are less pinnatifid and spiny. The native Pasture Thistle prefers habitats that are more dry and sunny, but it is also sometimes found in wooded habitats. An aggressive Eurasian species, Cirsium vulgare (Bull Thistle), also prefers habitats that are more dry and sunny; it is even more heavily armed with spines than the Pasture Thistle. Unlike the Tall Thistle and Pasture Thistle, the Bull Thistle has leaf undersides that are more green because they are less densely hairy. The leaf undersides of the preceding native thistles are bright white because they have dense mats of white-woolly hairs. All of these tall-growing thistles are in bloom at about the same time of year and their erect flowerheads are pink to purplish pink.
Flowering Plant
The upper stems terminate in individual flowerheads spanning about 2" across. Each flowerhead has a multitude of small disk florets that are pink to purplish pink. Each floret has a tubular corolla that divides into 5 slender lobes. The base of the flowerhead is surrounded by numerous floral scales (phyllaries) that partially overlap each other. Each small floral scale is lanceolate-ovate and dark green with a white midrib; it has a dark tip, where a fine spine projects outward. Underneath each flowerhead, there are 2-3 small leafy bracts with spines along their margins like the leaves. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall and lasts about 1–1½ months. The flowerheads are usually fragrant. After the blooming period, the entire plant begins to wither away and turns yellow to brown. The disk florets of the flowerheads become masses of bullet-shaped achenes with tufts of cottony white hairs. These achenes are distributed by the wind. The root system consists of a taproot. This wildflower spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist to mesic areas, and a fertile loam, clay-loam, or sandy-loam soil. Tall Thistle is more tolerant of shade than other thistles. The lower leaves may wither away prematurely at a dry sunny site. The size of this plant can vary significantly depending on environmental conditions.
Range & Habitat: The native Tall Thistle is occasional throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map). This thistle is widely distributed, but usually isn't common where it occurs. Habitats include open deciduous woodlands, woodland borders, thinly wooded rocky slopes, areas along woodland paths, savannas, thickets, swamps, meadows, areas along railroads, and roadsides. Tall Thistle can be found in both disturbed and undisturbed habitats; it is found in wooded habitats more often than other thistles.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowerheads attracts bumblebees, long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), Fritillary butterflies (Speyeria spp.), Painted Lady butterflies (Vanessa spp.), Swallowtail butterflies (Papilio spp.), and Sphinx moths, including hummingbird clearwing moths (Hemaris spp.). The pollen also attracts Halictid bees and other bees, Syrphid flies, and various beetles (Robertson, 1929; Graenicher, 1907). Other insects feed destructively on the foliage, sap, and other parts of Cirsium spp. (thistles). These insects include Oulema palustris (a leaf beetle), Cassida rubiginosa (Thistle Tortoise Beetle), Euphoria inda (Bumble Flower Beetle), Melanoplus borealis (Northern Grasshopper), Entylia bactriana (a treehopper), and such aphids as Brachycaudus cardui (Thistle Aphid), Capitophorus elaeagni (Artichoke Aphid), and Uroleucon cirsii (Large Thistle Aphid); see Clark et al. (2004), Marshall (2006), Cranshaw (2004), Funkhouser (1917), and Brust et al. (2008). The caterpillars of two butterflies, Calephelis muticum (Swamp Metalmark) and Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady), also feed on thistles (Opler & Krizek, 1984; Wagner, 2005), as do the caterpillars of several moths (see Moth Table). The American Goldfinch, Clay-colored Sparrow, Pine Siskin, Slate-colored Junco, and Indigo Bunting eat the seeds of thistles; the American Goldfinch also uses thistle-down to line its nests (Martin et al., 1951/1961; DeVore et al., 2004). Although the Tall Thistle is less heavily armed with spines than some thistles, they provide some protection from hoofed mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: Along a woodland path at Fox Ridge State Park in east-central Illinois.
Comments: As the common name suggests, this thistle can become quite tall. It resembles Cirsium discolor (Pasture Thistle) and other common thistles, except that its leaves are less pinnatifid and spiny. The native Pasture Thistle prefers habitats that are more dry and sunny, but it is also sometimes found in wooded habitats. An aggressive Eurasian species, Cirsium vulgare (Bull Thistle), also prefers habitats that are more dry and sunny; it is even more heavily armed with spines than the Pasture Thistle. Unlike the Tall Thistle and Pasture Thistle, the Bull Thistle has leaf undersides that are more green because they are less densely hairy. The leaf undersides of the preceding native thistles are bright white because they have dense mats of white-woolly hairs. All of these tall-growing thistles are in bloom at about the same time of year and their erect flowerheads are pink to purplish pink.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月07日
Description: This herbaceous plant is a summer annual up to 4' tall that usually branches abundantly. The lanky stems are erect, ascending, or sprawling (especially the latter if they become entangled with vines). In addition, the stems are light green, glabrous or sparingly white-mealy, and terete or somewhat angular; smaller stems are often finely striated (with many narrow ridges). The alternate leaves are up to 2½" long and 1/3" (8 mm.) across; the lower and middle leaves are narrowly lanceolate or lanceolate-oblong, while the upper leaves are linear-oblong or linear. The leaf margins are smooth or slightly undulate; some of the lower leaves may have 1 or 2 obtuse basal lobes. The upper surface of each leaf is medium to dark green and glabrous, while its lower surface has the same characteristics; however, some of the uppermost leaves may be slightly white-mealy on the lower surface. Each leaf has a prominent central vein, and some of the larger leaves may have a pair of lateral veins that are conspicuous. The slender petioles of the leaves are up to one-third the length of the blades.
The upper stems terminate in elongated panicles of flowers up to 6" long; these flowers are organized into tight clusters along the branches of each panicle. There are also non-terminal spikes of flowers that originate from the axils of the upper leaves. The branches of each inflorescence are more or less white-mealy. Each flower is up to 1/8" (3 mm.) across, consisting of 5 sepals, 5 stamens, no petals, and a pair of short styles above the ovary. The sepals are green, yellowish green, or purplish green, and more or less white-mealy. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer into the fall and can last 1-2 months for a colony of plants. The flowers are cross-pollinated by the wind; in the absence of cross-pollination, they are self-pollinating. Afterward, each flower is replaced a single small seed about 1 mm. across; the persistent sepals barely cover the upper sides of this seed. Each seed is flattened and round; it is covered by a thin papery membrane that is easy to remove. Once this membrane is removed, the surface of the seed is smooth, shiny, and black. The root system consists of a branching taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun or dappled sunlight, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil that contains loam, clay-loam, or stony material. The size and growth habit of this plant is variable, depending on environmental conditions.
Range & Habitat: The native Woodland Goosefoot occurs occasionally throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map). However, populations of this species may be declining. Habitats include open woodlands, woodland borders, thickets, rocky bluffs, and partially shaded roadsides. Disturbance that reduces the overhead tree canopy probably benefits populations of this plant in wooded areas.
Faunal Associations: Caterpillars of the skippers Pholisora catullus (Common Sootywing) and Staphylus hayhurstii (Hayhurst's Scallopwing) feed on the foliage of Chenopodium spp. (goosefoot species), as do the caterpillars of the moths Amyna octo (Eight-Spot), Blepharomastix ranalis (Hollow-spotted Snout Moth), Emmelina monodactyla (Common Plume Moth), and Grammia virgo (Virgin Tiger Moth). Other insects that feed on Chenopodium spp. (goosefoot species) include Chaetocnema concinna (Brassy Flea Beetle), Disonycha triangularis (Three-spotted Flea Beetle), Erynephala puncticollis (Beet Leaf Beetle), maggots of Pegomya hyosyami (Spinach Leafminer), Hayhurstia atriplicis (Chenopodium Aphid), and Pemphigus populivenae (Sugar Beet Root Aphid). Some gamebirds and many granivorous songbirds eat the seeds of goosefoots (see the Bird Table for a listing of these species). Livestock (e.g., pigs & sheep) eat the foliage of goosefoot species; young plants are occasionally eaten by rabbits.
Photographic Location: A thicket near a little-used railroad in Urbana, Illinois. To some extent, neighboring vines smothered this plant and caused its stems to sprawl.
Comments: Woodland Goosefoot is one of the few Chenopodium spp. (goosefoot species) that is native to Illinois. This plant is rather weedy in appearance, but it shouldn't be destroyed unnecessarily. In general, the different species of Goosefoots are difficult to distinguish from each other. Woodland Goosefoot differs from the others by the following combination of characteristics: 1) It has narrow lanceolate-oblong leaves, 2) the lower surface of its leaves is usually as dark and glabrous as the upper surface, and 3) the thin papery membranes covering its seeds are easy to remove. Other goosefoots have wider leaves, and/or the lower surface of their leaves is more pale and white-mealy, and/or the thin papery membranes covering their seeds are persistent and difficult to remove. Other goosefoots with narrow leaves (e.g., Chenopodium lanceolatum, Chenopodium dessicatum, and Chenopodium pratericola) usually occur in sunnier habitats than Woodland Goosefoot. However, the lower surface of their leaves is conspicuously white-mealy. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the various goosefoots in Illinois can be found in Mohlenbrock (2001).
The upper stems terminate in elongated panicles of flowers up to 6" long; these flowers are organized into tight clusters along the branches of each panicle. There are also non-terminal spikes of flowers that originate from the axils of the upper leaves. The branches of each inflorescence are more or less white-mealy. Each flower is up to 1/8" (3 mm.) across, consisting of 5 sepals, 5 stamens, no petals, and a pair of short styles above the ovary. The sepals are green, yellowish green, or purplish green, and more or less white-mealy. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer into the fall and can last 1-2 months for a colony of plants. The flowers are cross-pollinated by the wind; in the absence of cross-pollination, they are self-pollinating. Afterward, each flower is replaced a single small seed about 1 mm. across; the persistent sepals barely cover the upper sides of this seed. Each seed is flattened and round; it is covered by a thin papery membrane that is easy to remove. Once this membrane is removed, the surface of the seed is smooth, shiny, and black. The root system consists of a branching taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun or dappled sunlight, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil that contains loam, clay-loam, or stony material. The size and growth habit of this plant is variable, depending on environmental conditions.
Range & Habitat: The native Woodland Goosefoot occurs occasionally throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map). However, populations of this species may be declining. Habitats include open woodlands, woodland borders, thickets, rocky bluffs, and partially shaded roadsides. Disturbance that reduces the overhead tree canopy probably benefits populations of this plant in wooded areas.
Faunal Associations: Caterpillars of the skippers Pholisora catullus (Common Sootywing) and Staphylus hayhurstii (Hayhurst's Scallopwing) feed on the foliage of Chenopodium spp. (goosefoot species), as do the caterpillars of the moths Amyna octo (Eight-Spot), Blepharomastix ranalis (Hollow-spotted Snout Moth), Emmelina monodactyla (Common Plume Moth), and Grammia virgo (Virgin Tiger Moth). Other insects that feed on Chenopodium spp. (goosefoot species) include Chaetocnema concinna (Brassy Flea Beetle), Disonycha triangularis (Three-spotted Flea Beetle), Erynephala puncticollis (Beet Leaf Beetle), maggots of Pegomya hyosyami (Spinach Leafminer), Hayhurstia atriplicis (Chenopodium Aphid), and Pemphigus populivenae (Sugar Beet Root Aphid). Some gamebirds and many granivorous songbirds eat the seeds of goosefoots (see the Bird Table for a listing of these species). Livestock (e.g., pigs & sheep) eat the foliage of goosefoot species; young plants are occasionally eaten by rabbits.
Photographic Location: A thicket near a little-used railroad in Urbana, Illinois. To some extent, neighboring vines smothered this plant and caused its stems to sprawl.
Comments: Woodland Goosefoot is one of the few Chenopodium spp. (goosefoot species) that is native to Illinois. This plant is rather weedy in appearance, but it shouldn't be destroyed unnecessarily. In general, the different species of Goosefoots are difficult to distinguish from each other. Woodland Goosefoot differs from the others by the following combination of characteristics: 1) It has narrow lanceolate-oblong leaves, 2) the lower surface of its leaves is usually as dark and glabrous as the upper surface, and 3) the thin papery membranes covering its seeds are easy to remove. Other goosefoots have wider leaves, and/or the lower surface of their leaves is more pale and white-mealy, and/or the thin papery membranes covering their seeds are persistent and difficult to remove. Other goosefoots with narrow leaves (e.g., Chenopodium lanceolatum, Chenopodium dessicatum, and Chenopodium pratericola) usually occur in sunnier habitats than Woodland Goosefoot. However, the lower surface of their leaves is conspicuously white-mealy. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the various goosefoots in Illinois can be found in Mohlenbrock (2001).
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Miss Chen
2018年03月07日
Description: This plant is a winter or spring annual about ½–1½' tall. Several branching stems develop from the base of the plant; they often sprawl across the ground or lean on adjacent vegetation for support. The stems are light green to purplish green, more or less hairy, and shiny; the hairs occur in lines along the stems or in tufts where the stems branch. The blades of the alternate leaves are up to 4" long and 2" across; they are medium green, hairless to mostly hairless, double-pinnate, and triangular-lanceolate in shape. The pinnatifid leaflets are shallowly to deeply cleft and their tips are obtuse. The petioles of the lower leaves are about as long as the blades, while the upper leaves have short petioles or they are nearly sessile. A membranous sheath wraps around the base of each petiole.
The upper stems terminate in compound umbels of small white flowers. The typical compound umbel has about 3 umbellets, and each umbellet has 3-7 flowers; the divergent stalks of the umbels and umbellets are green and glabrous. The flowers often bloom before the compound umbels have fully expanded. Each flower is less than 1/8" across; it has 5 white petals, 5 stamens, a divided style, insignificant sepals, and a cylindrical green ovary. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer. Upon reaching maturity, each flower is replaced by a single-seeded fruit. The fruits are about ¼" long, narrowly oblongoid-ellipsoid, and broadest toward the middle; usually the fruits are glabrous, although less often they are finely pubescent. Each fruit has a few longitudinal ridges that are broad and flat; these ridges are separated by narrow grooves. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist conditions, and a fertile loamy soil. This species is somewhat weedy.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Chervil is common in most areas of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Typical habitats include lowland woodlands, open woodlands, woodland borders, thickets, rocky glades, areas adjacent to buildings, and areas along roads and railroads. Habitats with a history of disturbance and some shade are preferred.Immature Fruits
Faunal Associations: The flowers are occasionally visited by small bees (especially Halictid bees), parasitic wasps, flies (especially Syrphid flies), and beetles. These insects usually suck nectar from the flowers, although some bees also collect pollen. The caterpillars of the butterfly Papilio polyxenes asterias (Black Swallowtail) feed on the foliage.
Photographic Location: Along a building on the campus of the University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois. The photographed plant is the typical variety, Chaerophyllum procumbens procumbens.
Comments: The foliage of this native wildflower is similar to cultivated species of parsley and chervil. Cultivated Parsley is a biennial that doesn't naturalize in Illinois because its rosettes are unable to survive the cold weather of winter. However, Anthriscus cerefolium (Cultivated Chervil) and Anthriscus sylvestris (Bur Chervil) occasionally naturalize in Illinois (especially the latter species). Unlike Wild Chervil, both Cultivated and Bur Chervil lack bractlets underneath their umbellets. The species Chaerophyllum tainturieri (Southern Wild Chervil), which occurs in southern Illinois, is even more similar to Wild Chervil than the preceding species. The single-seeded fruits of Southern Wild Chervil are broadest below the middle and the pedicels of its flowers/fruits have a wider diameter toward the top than the bottom. In contrast, the single-seeded fruits of Wild Chervil are broadest toward the middle and the pedicels of its flowers/fruits have the same diameter throughout. Two varieties of Wild Chervil have been described: the typical variety, Chaerophyllum procumbens procumbens, has glabrous fruits, while Chaerophyllum procumbens shortii has fruits that are finely pubescent. This latter variety is less common in Illinois than the typical variety.
The upper stems terminate in compound umbels of small white flowers. The typical compound umbel has about 3 umbellets, and each umbellet has 3-7 flowers; the divergent stalks of the umbels and umbellets are green and glabrous. The flowers often bloom before the compound umbels have fully expanded. Each flower is less than 1/8" across; it has 5 white petals, 5 stamens, a divided style, insignificant sepals, and a cylindrical green ovary. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer. Upon reaching maturity, each flower is replaced by a single-seeded fruit. The fruits are about ¼" long, narrowly oblongoid-ellipsoid, and broadest toward the middle; usually the fruits are glabrous, although less often they are finely pubescent. Each fruit has a few longitudinal ridges that are broad and flat; these ridges are separated by narrow grooves. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist conditions, and a fertile loamy soil. This species is somewhat weedy.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Chervil is common in most areas of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Typical habitats include lowland woodlands, open woodlands, woodland borders, thickets, rocky glades, areas adjacent to buildings, and areas along roads and railroads. Habitats with a history of disturbance and some shade are preferred.Immature Fruits
Faunal Associations: The flowers are occasionally visited by small bees (especially Halictid bees), parasitic wasps, flies (especially Syrphid flies), and beetles. These insects usually suck nectar from the flowers, although some bees also collect pollen. The caterpillars of the butterfly Papilio polyxenes asterias (Black Swallowtail) feed on the foliage.
Photographic Location: Along a building on the campus of the University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois. The photographed plant is the typical variety, Chaerophyllum procumbens procumbens.
Comments: The foliage of this native wildflower is similar to cultivated species of parsley and chervil. Cultivated Parsley is a biennial that doesn't naturalize in Illinois because its rosettes are unable to survive the cold weather of winter. However, Anthriscus cerefolium (Cultivated Chervil) and Anthriscus sylvestris (Bur Chervil) occasionally naturalize in Illinois (especially the latter species). Unlike Wild Chervil, both Cultivated and Bur Chervil lack bractlets underneath their umbellets. The species Chaerophyllum tainturieri (Southern Wild Chervil), which occurs in southern Illinois, is even more similar to Wild Chervil than the preceding species. The single-seeded fruits of Southern Wild Chervil are broadest below the middle and the pedicels of its flowers/fruits have a wider diameter toward the top than the bottom. In contrast, the single-seeded fruits of Wild Chervil are broadest toward the middle and the pedicels of its flowers/fruits have the same diameter throughout. Two varieties of Wild Chervil have been described: the typical variety, Chaerophyllum procumbens procumbens, has glabrous fruits, while Chaerophyllum procumbens shortii has fruits that are finely pubescent. This latter variety is less common in Illinois than the typical variety.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月07日
Description: This is a perennial herbaceous vine up to 10' long that often climbs over other plants, shrubs, and fences. The twining stems are light green to red, glabrous to slightly hairy, and terete; alternate leaves are sparsely to moderately distributed along these stems. The leaves are about 2½-5" long and 1-2" across; they are sagittate-triangular or hastate-triangular in shape, while their margins are smooth and slightly ciliate. The basal lobes of these leaves are rather angular and squared-off in shape, although sometimes they are more rounded. The sinuses of the leaves are strongly indented between the basal lobes and either flattened or rounded. The upper leaf surface is medium green and glabrous (or nearly so), while the lower leaf surface is light green and glabrous to finely hairy. The slender petioles are about one-half as long as the leaves. The large buds produce flowers with funnelform corollas that are 2-3" across and similarly long; they are slightly 5-lobed. These corollas are usually white, although sometimes they are pale pink with spreading white stripes. However, deep within their throats the corollas are yellow.
At the base of each flower, there are 5 light green sepals that are largely hidden by a pair of large bracts. These bracts are light to medium green (often with reddish margins), broadly ovate in shape, keeled, and about ½-1½" long. Within the throat of each corolla, there is a white style with a pair of stigmata and 5 stamens (the latter adhere to the corolla). Usually the flowers are produced individually from the axils of the leaves, although there exists one subspecies of Hedge Bindweed (ssp. silvatica) that produces flowers in pairs from the axils of the leaves. The slender peduncles and/or pedicels of these flowers are shorter than the leaves. The flowers open during the morning and usually close at around noon, although they may remain open longer on cloudy days. The blooming period occurs intermittently during the summer for about 1-3 months. However, individual flowers last only a single day. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by broadly ovoid seed capsules a little less than ½" (about 8-10 mm.) across. At maturity, these capsules split open to release their seeds (2-4 seeds per capsule). These seeds are dull brown to black, 3-angled (two flat sides & one rounded side), and rather irregular in shape; they are a little less than ¼" (about 4-5 mm.) long. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous, and it may extend into the ground up to 10'. Hedge Bindweed spreads by clonal offshoots from its rhizomes or by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: This is an adaptable vine, preferring full to partial sun and moist to mesic conditions. It tolerates poor soil, often flourishing in areas that are gravelly or sandy. Hedge Bindweed readily climbs a trellis, fences, and neighboring plants, while in open areas it sprawls haphazardly across the ground. The climbing ability is the result of the stems twining tightly about slender objects. This vine can spread aggressively and become a nuisance in some locations. It is known to produce allelopathic chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plants.
Range & Habitat: The native Hedge Bindweed is common in most areas of Illinois, especially in the central and northern sections of the state (see Distribution Map). This vine is considered a noxious weed in some states, although it is not listed as such in Illinois. In addition to its wide distribution in North America, Hedge Bindweed is also native to Eurasia. It is likely that some populations of this species within the state have been introduced from other areas of North America or Eurasia. Habitats include edges of moist to mesic prairies, railroad prairies, thickets, woodland borders, open floodplain areas along lakes and rivers, edges of cropland, abandoned fields, fence rows, roadsides, areas along railroads, poorly maintained hedges, and urban waste areas. Hedge Bindweed is more common in disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees are the primary pollinators of the flowers, including bumblebees, little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), and such oligolectic bees as Melitoma taurea (Mallow Bee), Peponapis pruinosa pruinosa (Squash & Gourd Bee), and Cemolobus ipomoea (Morning Glory Bee). It is likely that day-flying Sphinx moths visit the flowers during the morning. These insects obtain primarily nectar from the flowers. Several species of tortoise beetles feed on the foliage of Hedge Bindweed and similar species in the Bindweed family, including Agroiconota bivittata (Striped Tortoise Beetle), Charidotella sexpunctata (Golden Tortoise Beetle), Chelymorpha cassidea (Argus Tortoise Beetle), Deloyala guttata (Mottled Tortoise Beetle), and Jonthonota nigripes (Black-legged Tortoise Beetle). Other insect feeders include Chaetocnema confinis (Sweet Potato Flea Beetle), Typophorus nigritus (Sweet Potato Leaf Beetle), larvae of Neolasioptera convolvuli (Bindweed Stem Gall Midge), larvae of Bedellia somnulentella (Morning Glory Leafminer Moth), and larvae of Emmelina monodactyla (Morning Glory Plume Moth). Mammalian herbivores tend to ignore this plant when other food sources are available as the foliage is toxic. To a limited extent, the Bobwhite Quail and Ring-Necked Pheasant eat the seeds.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken along a railroad in Urbana, Illinois, and at the Red Bison Railroad Prairie in Savoy, Illinois.
Comments: Many varieties and subspecies of Hedge Bindweed have been described that vary in regards to such characteristics as the shape of the basal lobes of their leaves, the relative sizes of their sepals and floral bracts, the relative size of their corollas, and whether 1 or 2 flowers are produced per leaf axil. These varieties and subspecies are not further discussed here, although see Mohlenbrock (2002) for a dichotomous key to those that occur in Illinois. The flowers of Hedge Bindweed are large and showy when they are fully open. They are just as attractive as many cultivated varieties of Ipomoea purpurea (Common Morning Glory). Hedge Bindweed can be readily distinguished from this latter species by the shape of its leaves, which are sagittate-triangular or hastate-triangular with angular to rounded basal lobes. In contrast, the leaves of Common Morning Glory and 2 native species, Ipomoea pandurata (Wild Sweet Potato) and Ipomoea lacunosa (Small White Morning Glory), are more cordate in shape. Another common species, Convolvulus arvensis (Field Bindweed), differs by having smaller sagittate leaves with narrow basal lobes, and its funnelform flowers are also smaller in size (less than 1½" across).
At the base of each flower, there are 5 light green sepals that are largely hidden by a pair of large bracts. These bracts are light to medium green (often with reddish margins), broadly ovate in shape, keeled, and about ½-1½" long. Within the throat of each corolla, there is a white style with a pair of stigmata and 5 stamens (the latter adhere to the corolla). Usually the flowers are produced individually from the axils of the leaves, although there exists one subspecies of Hedge Bindweed (ssp. silvatica) that produces flowers in pairs from the axils of the leaves. The slender peduncles and/or pedicels of these flowers are shorter than the leaves. The flowers open during the morning and usually close at around noon, although they may remain open longer on cloudy days. The blooming period occurs intermittently during the summer for about 1-3 months. However, individual flowers last only a single day. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by broadly ovoid seed capsules a little less than ½" (about 8-10 mm.) across. At maturity, these capsules split open to release their seeds (2-4 seeds per capsule). These seeds are dull brown to black, 3-angled (two flat sides & one rounded side), and rather irregular in shape; they are a little less than ¼" (about 4-5 mm.) long. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous, and it may extend into the ground up to 10'. Hedge Bindweed spreads by clonal offshoots from its rhizomes or by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: This is an adaptable vine, preferring full to partial sun and moist to mesic conditions. It tolerates poor soil, often flourishing in areas that are gravelly or sandy. Hedge Bindweed readily climbs a trellis, fences, and neighboring plants, while in open areas it sprawls haphazardly across the ground. The climbing ability is the result of the stems twining tightly about slender objects. This vine can spread aggressively and become a nuisance in some locations. It is known to produce allelopathic chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plants.
Range & Habitat: The native Hedge Bindweed is common in most areas of Illinois, especially in the central and northern sections of the state (see Distribution Map). This vine is considered a noxious weed in some states, although it is not listed as such in Illinois. In addition to its wide distribution in North America, Hedge Bindweed is also native to Eurasia. It is likely that some populations of this species within the state have been introduced from other areas of North America or Eurasia. Habitats include edges of moist to mesic prairies, railroad prairies, thickets, woodland borders, open floodplain areas along lakes and rivers, edges of cropland, abandoned fields, fence rows, roadsides, areas along railroads, poorly maintained hedges, and urban waste areas. Hedge Bindweed is more common in disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees are the primary pollinators of the flowers, including bumblebees, little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), and such oligolectic bees as Melitoma taurea (Mallow Bee), Peponapis pruinosa pruinosa (Squash & Gourd Bee), and Cemolobus ipomoea (Morning Glory Bee). It is likely that day-flying Sphinx moths visit the flowers during the morning. These insects obtain primarily nectar from the flowers. Several species of tortoise beetles feed on the foliage of Hedge Bindweed and similar species in the Bindweed family, including Agroiconota bivittata (Striped Tortoise Beetle), Charidotella sexpunctata (Golden Tortoise Beetle), Chelymorpha cassidea (Argus Tortoise Beetle), Deloyala guttata (Mottled Tortoise Beetle), and Jonthonota nigripes (Black-legged Tortoise Beetle). Other insect feeders include Chaetocnema confinis (Sweet Potato Flea Beetle), Typophorus nigritus (Sweet Potato Leaf Beetle), larvae of Neolasioptera convolvuli (Bindweed Stem Gall Midge), larvae of Bedellia somnulentella (Morning Glory Leafminer Moth), and larvae of Emmelina monodactyla (Morning Glory Plume Moth). Mammalian herbivores tend to ignore this plant when other food sources are available as the foliage is toxic. To a limited extent, the Bobwhite Quail and Ring-Necked Pheasant eat the seeds.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken along a railroad in Urbana, Illinois, and at the Red Bison Railroad Prairie in Savoy, Illinois.
Comments: Many varieties and subspecies of Hedge Bindweed have been described that vary in regards to such characteristics as the shape of the basal lobes of their leaves, the relative sizes of their sepals and floral bracts, the relative size of their corollas, and whether 1 or 2 flowers are produced per leaf axil. These varieties and subspecies are not further discussed here, although see Mohlenbrock (2002) for a dichotomous key to those that occur in Illinois. The flowers of Hedge Bindweed are large and showy when they are fully open. They are just as attractive as many cultivated varieties of Ipomoea purpurea (Common Morning Glory). Hedge Bindweed can be readily distinguished from this latter species by the shape of its leaves, which are sagittate-triangular or hastate-triangular with angular to rounded basal lobes. In contrast, the leaves of Common Morning Glory and 2 native species, Ipomoea pandurata (Wild Sweet Potato) and Ipomoea lacunosa (Small White Morning Glory), are more cordate in shape. Another common species, Convolvulus arvensis (Field Bindweed), differs by having smaller sagittate leaves with narrow basal lobes, and its funnelform flowers are also smaller in size (less than 1½" across).
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Miss Chen
2018年03月04日
Description: This perennial herbaceous plant is 2½–4½' tall, sending up one or more leafy stems that are branched above. The central stem is more or less erect, while the lateral stems are ascending. All stems are light green to purple, terete, and moderately to densely pubescent. Pairs of opposite leaves occur along these stems, becoming gradually smaller in size as they ascend. These leaves are 2½–7" long, ¾–2½" across, lanceolate to elliptic in outline, and shallowly to deeply pinnatifid, although the lowest leaves may be bipinnatifid, while the uppermost leaves may be nearly unlobed. The lobes of the leaves are irregular in size and shape; they are often lanceolate, triangular, triangular-curved (shaped like a cresting wave), or rounded. In addition, the leaf margins may be undulate and they may have a few coarse teeth. The leaf surface is yellow green, medium to dark green, or purplish green; the lower leaf surface is slightly more pale than the upper leaf surface. In addition, the leaf surface is sparsely covered with very short hairs.
The leaves are nearly sessile to short-petioled; their petioles are slightly winged and sparsely short-pubescent. The central stem and lateral stems terminate in racemes of flowers with leafy bracts that are about ½–1¼' long. The leafy bracts are ¾–2½" long and ¼–¾" across; these bracts are lanceolate or elliptic in shape and they usually have 2 or more shallow to moderately deep lobes, although some bracts may lack lobes. Except for their smaller size and fewer lobes, the leafy bracts are similar to the leaves below the floral racemes. Individual flowers are about 1½–2¼" long, consisting of a large yellow corolla with 5 spreading lobes, a light green calyx with 5 ascending to spreading lobes, 4 stamens, and an ovary with a single slender style. The corolla is tubular-campanulate (tubular and bell-shaped) in shape, becoming wider towards its mouth; it has a hairless exterior. The lobes of the corolla are oval-orbicular in shape, slightly overlapping, and similar in size. The calyx tube is about ½–¾" long, campanulate in shape, finely ridged, and covered with short fine pubescence.
The lobes of the calyx are elliptic or lanceolate in shape, medium green, and sparsely covered with very short pubescence. The central stalks of the racemes and pedicels of the flowers are light green, terete, and pubescent. In addition, the pedicels are 3-8 mm. long and upturned when the flowers bloom, becoming somewhat longer afterwards when the seed capsules develop. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 1–1½ months. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by ovoid-globoid seed capsules about ½–¾" long that are brown and glabrous. The capsules eventually split open to release theirs seeds. These seeds are about 2 mm. long, ellipsoid-oblong in shape, somewhat flattened, and slightly winged. The root system consists of a caudex with fibrous roots, some of which attach themselves to the roots of trees in the white oak group, from which they withdraw water and nutrients. As a result, this plant is a hemiparasite (partially parasitic).
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, sandy loam, clay-loam or rocky soil. The seeds should be planted near a host plant (a tree in the white oak group). This plant will not harm its host plant to any significant degree if the latter is larger in size than a sapling.
Range & Habitat: Large-flowered False Foxglove (Aureolaria grandiflora) is occasional in western and northern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this plant. Its range occurs primarily in north-central and south-central USA. Habitats include upland oak savannas, edges of limestone glades, thinly wooded bluffs, open woodlands, woodland borders along roadsides, and wooded slopes at the edges of fens. This plant is found in habitats where trees in the white oak group are present in slightly disturbed to high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily bumblebees. Other floral visitors include the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees (Lasioglossum spp.), and Syrphid flies (Robertson, 1929). Syrphid flies, which feed on the pollen, are unlikely to be effective at cross-pollinating the flowers. Other insects feed on either the foliage, sap, or developing seeds of False Foxgloves (Aureolaria spp.). These insects include the larvae of two butterflies, Euphydryas phaeton ozarkae (Baltimore) and Junonia coenia (Buckeye), and the larvae of two moths, Pyrrhia aurantiago (Orange Sallow) and Endothenia hebesana (Verbena Bud Moth). Other insects that have been observed to feed on False Foxgloves include an aphid, Aphis gerardiae, and a skeletonizing leaf beetle, Kuschelina horni.
Photographic Location: Beside an oak tree in a savanna not far from the edge of a fen in Lake County, Illinois.
Comments: Large-flowered False Foxglove (Aureolaria grandiflora) is one of three Aureolaria spp. in Illinois, although there are additional species outside of the state further to the east and south. They are all hemiparasites on the roots of other plants, especially oaks (Quercus spp.). Smooth False Foxglove (Aureolaria flava) has a similar appearance to Large-flowered False Foxglove, except it has hairless stems, hairless pedicels, and hairless calyces on its flowers. In addition, the leafy floral bracts of Smooth False Foxglove are more likely to lack teeth or lobes along their margins. Another species, Fern-leaved False Foxglove (Aureolaria pedicularis), has smaller-sized flowers (1–1½" long) and it is more likely to occur in sandy places where trees in the black oak group occur. The leaves of this latter species are more likely to be bipinnatifid, while the lobes of its calyces are toothed or lobed themselves, instead of smooth along their margins.
Downy False Foxglove (Aureolaria virginica) doesn't occur in Illinois, although it is found in neighboring Indiana. This latter species also has a similar appearance to Large-flowered False Foxglove, except its middle to upper leaves are less lobed or unlobed, and the pedicels of its flowers are shorter (only 1-3 mm. long). The flowers of Downy False Foxglove also tend to be a little shorter in length (1¼–1¾"). Across its range, Large-flowered False Foxglove has been divided into different varieties by some authorities. So far, the only variety that has been reported from Illinois is Aureolaria grandiflora pulchra. At one time, Aureolaria spp. were classified in the Gerardia genus. Thus, a scientific synonym of Large-flowered False Foxglove is Gerardia grandiflora. Another common name for this species is Western False Foxglove, because its range doesn't extend as far to the east as other Aureolaria spp. in eastern North America.
The leaves are nearly sessile to short-petioled; their petioles are slightly winged and sparsely short-pubescent. The central stem and lateral stems terminate in racemes of flowers with leafy bracts that are about ½–1¼' long. The leafy bracts are ¾–2½" long and ¼–¾" across; these bracts are lanceolate or elliptic in shape and they usually have 2 or more shallow to moderately deep lobes, although some bracts may lack lobes. Except for their smaller size and fewer lobes, the leafy bracts are similar to the leaves below the floral racemes. Individual flowers are about 1½–2¼" long, consisting of a large yellow corolla with 5 spreading lobes, a light green calyx with 5 ascending to spreading lobes, 4 stamens, and an ovary with a single slender style. The corolla is tubular-campanulate (tubular and bell-shaped) in shape, becoming wider towards its mouth; it has a hairless exterior. The lobes of the corolla are oval-orbicular in shape, slightly overlapping, and similar in size. The calyx tube is about ½–¾" long, campanulate in shape, finely ridged, and covered with short fine pubescence.
The lobes of the calyx are elliptic or lanceolate in shape, medium green, and sparsely covered with very short pubescence. The central stalks of the racemes and pedicels of the flowers are light green, terete, and pubescent. In addition, the pedicels are 3-8 mm. long and upturned when the flowers bloom, becoming somewhat longer afterwards when the seed capsules develop. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 1–1½ months. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by ovoid-globoid seed capsules about ½–¾" long that are brown and glabrous. The capsules eventually split open to release theirs seeds. These seeds are about 2 mm. long, ellipsoid-oblong in shape, somewhat flattened, and slightly winged. The root system consists of a caudex with fibrous roots, some of which attach themselves to the roots of trees in the white oak group, from which they withdraw water and nutrients. As a result, this plant is a hemiparasite (partially parasitic).
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, sandy loam, clay-loam or rocky soil. The seeds should be planted near a host plant (a tree in the white oak group). This plant will not harm its host plant to any significant degree if the latter is larger in size than a sapling.
Range & Habitat: Large-flowered False Foxglove (Aureolaria grandiflora) is occasional in western and northern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this plant. Its range occurs primarily in north-central and south-central USA. Habitats include upland oak savannas, edges of limestone glades, thinly wooded bluffs, open woodlands, woodland borders along roadsides, and wooded slopes at the edges of fens. This plant is found in habitats where trees in the white oak group are present in slightly disturbed to high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily bumblebees. Other floral visitors include the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees (Lasioglossum spp.), and Syrphid flies (Robertson, 1929). Syrphid flies, which feed on the pollen, are unlikely to be effective at cross-pollinating the flowers. Other insects feed on either the foliage, sap, or developing seeds of False Foxgloves (Aureolaria spp.). These insects include the larvae of two butterflies, Euphydryas phaeton ozarkae (Baltimore) and Junonia coenia (Buckeye), and the larvae of two moths, Pyrrhia aurantiago (Orange Sallow) and Endothenia hebesana (Verbena Bud Moth). Other insects that have been observed to feed on False Foxgloves include an aphid, Aphis gerardiae, and a skeletonizing leaf beetle, Kuschelina horni.
Photographic Location: Beside an oak tree in a savanna not far from the edge of a fen in Lake County, Illinois.
Comments: Large-flowered False Foxglove (Aureolaria grandiflora) is one of three Aureolaria spp. in Illinois, although there are additional species outside of the state further to the east and south. They are all hemiparasites on the roots of other plants, especially oaks (Quercus spp.). Smooth False Foxglove (Aureolaria flava) has a similar appearance to Large-flowered False Foxglove, except it has hairless stems, hairless pedicels, and hairless calyces on its flowers. In addition, the leafy floral bracts of Smooth False Foxglove are more likely to lack teeth or lobes along their margins. Another species, Fern-leaved False Foxglove (Aureolaria pedicularis), has smaller-sized flowers (1–1½" long) and it is more likely to occur in sandy places where trees in the black oak group occur. The leaves of this latter species are more likely to be bipinnatifid, while the lobes of its calyces are toothed or lobed themselves, instead of smooth along their margins.
Downy False Foxglove (Aureolaria virginica) doesn't occur in Illinois, although it is found in neighboring Indiana. This latter species also has a similar appearance to Large-flowered False Foxglove, except its middle to upper leaves are less lobed or unlobed, and the pedicels of its flowers are shorter (only 1-3 mm. long). The flowers of Downy False Foxglove also tend to be a little shorter in length (1¼–1¾"). Across its range, Large-flowered False Foxglove has been divided into different varieties by some authorities. So far, the only variety that has been reported from Illinois is Aureolaria grandiflora pulchra. At one time, Aureolaria spp. were classified in the Gerardia genus. Thus, a scientific synonym of Large-flowered False Foxglove is Gerardia grandiflora. Another common name for this species is Western False Foxglove, because its range doesn't extend as far to the east as other Aureolaria spp. in eastern North America.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月02日
Description: This wildflower is a biennial or short-lived perennial that forms a low rosette of basal leaves, from which one or more flowering stems develop that are 4-14" long. The basal leaves are ¾-2" long and ¼-½" across; they are oblanceolate to oblong-oblanceolate and pinnatifid (rarely without lobes). The terminal lobes are larger in size than the lateral lobes. The upper and lower surfaces of the basal leaves are grayish green and either short-hairy or glabrous. The stems are erect, ascending, or sprawling; they are usually short-hairy below and glabrous above, but sometimes glabrous throughout. These stems are either branched above or unbranched. The alternate leaves along each stem are ½-1½" long and up to ¼" across; they are linear-elliptic, linear-oblanceolate, or linear-oblong in shape with smooth margins (rarely lobed or sparsely dentate). The alternate leaves are grayish green, sessile, glabrous along their upper surfaces, and either glabrous or short-hairy along their lower surfaces.
Each upper stem terminates in a raceme of flowers. The flowers bloom near the apex of each raceme, while seedpods develop below. Each flower spans ¼" across or a little more, consisting of 4 white petals, 4 green sepals, several stamens, and a pistil with a short style. The sepals are lanceolate with blunt tips and glabrous. The slender pedicels are ¼-½" long and glabrous. The blooming period occurs from late spring to late-summer, lasting about 1-2 months. The flowers are replaced by narrowly cylindrical seedpods (siliques) that are ¾-1¾" long, ascending, glabrous, and somewhat flattened. Each seedpod contains a single row of seeds. The seeds are about 1.0 mm. long, ovoid in shape, and somewhat flattened; they do not possess winged margins of any significance. The root system consists of a taproot. This wildflower reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil that is sandy, gravelly, or rocky. Competition from taller ground vegetation is not tolerated.
Range & Habitat: The native Sand Cress is occasional in northern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is absent (see Distribution Map). In addition to its range in North America, this species is also found in Eurasia. Habitats consist of upland sand prairies, upland gravel prairies, sand dunes near Lake Michigan, sandy upland savannas, sandy upland woodlands, dry areas along sandy paths, and rocky cliffs along rivers. Occasional wildfires are probably beneficial in maintaining populations of this species.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract small bees, Syrphid flies, and small butterflies, including the endangered Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue). Other insects feed destructively on the foliage, flowers, and other parts of Sand Cress and other plants in similar genera (Arabis spp., Boechera spp., etc.). These species include the flea beetles Phyllotreta conjuncta and Phyllotreta punctulata, caterpillars of Plutella xylostella (Diamondback Moth), and caterpillars of the following Pierid butterflies: Anthocharis midea (Falcate Orangetip), Euchloe olympia (Olympia Marble), Pieris napi (Mustard White), and Pontia protodice (Checkered White). For North America, little is known about the interrelationships of Sand Cress with vertebrate animals.
Photographic Location: A sandy savanna and open sand dune at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: Sand Cress (Arabidopsis lyrata) is somewhat variable across its range and several subspecies have been proposed that are differentiated by the shape of the basal leaves and hairiness of the foliage. It is similar in appearance to Arabidopsis thaliana (Mouse-Ear Cress), Cardamine hirsuta (Hairy Bitter Cress), and Cardamine parviflora arenicola (Small-Flowered Bitter Cress). Sand Cress has slightly larger and showier flowers (6-8 mm. across) than the preceding species. Other characteristics that are useful for identification purposes include: 1) whether or not the basal leaves are lobed, 2) whether or not the cauline leaves along the stems are lobed, 3) whether the siliques are erect, ascending, widely spreading, or drooping, and 4) the length of the siliques. A scientific synonym of Sand Cress is Arabis lyrata, while another common name of this species is Lyre-leaved Rock Cress.
Each upper stem terminates in a raceme of flowers. The flowers bloom near the apex of each raceme, while seedpods develop below. Each flower spans ¼" across or a little more, consisting of 4 white petals, 4 green sepals, several stamens, and a pistil with a short style. The sepals are lanceolate with blunt tips and glabrous. The slender pedicels are ¼-½" long and glabrous. The blooming period occurs from late spring to late-summer, lasting about 1-2 months. The flowers are replaced by narrowly cylindrical seedpods (siliques) that are ¾-1¾" long, ascending, glabrous, and somewhat flattened. Each seedpod contains a single row of seeds. The seeds are about 1.0 mm. long, ovoid in shape, and somewhat flattened; they do not possess winged margins of any significance. The root system consists of a taproot. This wildflower reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil that is sandy, gravelly, or rocky. Competition from taller ground vegetation is not tolerated.
Range & Habitat: The native Sand Cress is occasional in northern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is absent (see Distribution Map). In addition to its range in North America, this species is also found in Eurasia. Habitats consist of upland sand prairies, upland gravel prairies, sand dunes near Lake Michigan, sandy upland savannas, sandy upland woodlands, dry areas along sandy paths, and rocky cliffs along rivers. Occasional wildfires are probably beneficial in maintaining populations of this species.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract small bees, Syrphid flies, and small butterflies, including the endangered Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue). Other insects feed destructively on the foliage, flowers, and other parts of Sand Cress and other plants in similar genera (Arabis spp., Boechera spp., etc.). These species include the flea beetles Phyllotreta conjuncta and Phyllotreta punctulata, caterpillars of Plutella xylostella (Diamondback Moth), and caterpillars of the following Pierid butterflies: Anthocharis midea (Falcate Orangetip), Euchloe olympia (Olympia Marble), Pieris napi (Mustard White), and Pontia protodice (Checkered White). For North America, little is known about the interrelationships of Sand Cress with vertebrate animals.
Photographic Location: A sandy savanna and open sand dune at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: Sand Cress (Arabidopsis lyrata) is somewhat variable across its range and several subspecies have been proposed that are differentiated by the shape of the basal leaves and hairiness of the foliage. It is similar in appearance to Arabidopsis thaliana (Mouse-Ear Cress), Cardamine hirsuta (Hairy Bitter Cress), and Cardamine parviflora arenicola (Small-Flowered Bitter Cress). Sand Cress has slightly larger and showier flowers (6-8 mm. across) than the preceding species. Other characteristics that are useful for identification purposes include: 1) whether or not the basal leaves are lobed, 2) whether or not the cauline leaves along the stems are lobed, 3) whether the siliques are erect, ascending, widely spreading, or drooping, and 4) the length of the siliques. A scientific synonym of Sand Cress is Arabis lyrata, while another common name of this species is Lyre-leaved Rock Cress.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月02日
Description: This wildflower is an herbaceous perennial about 1½-3' tall that branches divergently. The stems are light green to red, glabrous, and terete. Pairs of opposite leaves occur along these stems; they are 1½-4" long and ¾-2" across. Individual leaves are oblong-lanceolate to oblong-ovate, pinnately veined, and smooth along their margins. The upper leaf surface is medium green and glabrous, while the lower surface is pale green and either hairless or pubescent. The slender petioles are about ¼" in length and light green to red. Generally, the leaves are widely spreading or they have a tendency to droop along the stems. Both the stems and leaves contain milky juice.
The slightly nodding flowers are produced in terminal cymes (flat-headed panicles) spanning 1-4" across. Individual flowers are about 1/3" (8-9 mm.) long and about the same length across; each flower has a white to pink bell-shaped corolla with 5 spreading to recurved lobes, a small light green calyx with 5 teeth, 5 stamens, and 2 pistils. The stamens form a cone over the merged stigmata of the pistils. There are also 5 nectaries between the bases of the stamens. The interior of the corolla has 5 thick pink stripes that lead to the nectaries. The peduncles and pedicels of the cymes are light green to red and glabrous; individual pedicels are less than 1/3" long. The blooming period occurs during the summer for 1-2 months. There is a sweet floral fragrance. Flowers that have been successfully cross-pollinatedDistribution Map produce follicles in pairs. Each follicle is 3-6" long and narrowly cylindrical, tapering gradually to a point. At maturity, it splits open along one side to release small seeds with tufts of hair. The seeds are distributed by the wind. The root system is rhizomatous.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and a somewhat barren soil that is sandy or rocky. Spreading Dogbane tolerates other kinds of habitats, but it tends to be less competitive with other plants.
Range & Habitat: The native Spreading Dogbane is occasional in most areas of the state; it is slightly more common in the northern section of the state than elsewhere. Habitats include upland prairies, sand prairies, sandy savannas, stabilized sand dunes near Lake Michigan, thin sandy woodlands, thinly wooded rocky bluffs, and abandoned sandy fields. Spreading Dogbane tends to be particularly common in areas that are burned over from wildfires. In wooded areas, it is typically found in association with oak trees.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by small bees (particularly Halictid bees) and miscellaneous flies. The floral reward of these visitors is nectar. Other insects feed on the foliage, plant juices, and other parts of Spreading Dogbane. These species include Chrysochus auratus (Dogbane Beetle) and Tetraopes tetrophthalmus (Red Milkweed Beetle); they also include caterpillars of the moths Cycnia oregonensis (Oregon Cycnia), Cycnia tenera (Delicate Cycnia), Papaipema baptisiae (Wild Indigo Borer Moth), and Spargaloma sexpunctata (Six-Spotted Gray). Hottes & Frison (1931) observed the following aphids feeding on one or more Apocynum spp. (Dogbanes): Aphis asclepiadis, Aphis citricola, and Macrosiphum gei. The last two aphid species are highly polyphagous. Because the white latex of the foliage is acrid and toxic, mammalian herbivores rarely bother Spreading Dogbane.
Photographic Location: A stabilized sand dune near Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana. The dominant vegetation of this sand dune consisted of oak trees.
Comments: Spreading Dogbane is a rather lanky plant with small fragrant flowers. It is less aggressive (at least in Illinois) than the closely related Apocynum cannabinum (Common Dogbane). This latter plant refers wetter habitats than Spreading Dogbane. These two species are similar to each other in appearance, but Spreading Dogbane can be distinguished as follows: 1) it tends to be a shorter and more widely spreading plant than Common Dogbane, 2) its flowers are slightly larger in size and the lobes of its corollas are more widely spreading or recurved, and 3) its flowers have conspicuous pink stripes along the sides of the corolla's interior.
The slightly nodding flowers are produced in terminal cymes (flat-headed panicles) spanning 1-4" across. Individual flowers are about 1/3" (8-9 mm.) long and about the same length across; each flower has a white to pink bell-shaped corolla with 5 spreading to recurved lobes, a small light green calyx with 5 teeth, 5 stamens, and 2 pistils. The stamens form a cone over the merged stigmata of the pistils. There are also 5 nectaries between the bases of the stamens. The interior of the corolla has 5 thick pink stripes that lead to the nectaries. The peduncles and pedicels of the cymes are light green to red and glabrous; individual pedicels are less than 1/3" long. The blooming period occurs during the summer for 1-2 months. There is a sweet floral fragrance. Flowers that have been successfully cross-pollinatedDistribution Map produce follicles in pairs. Each follicle is 3-6" long and narrowly cylindrical, tapering gradually to a point. At maturity, it splits open along one side to release small seeds with tufts of hair. The seeds are distributed by the wind. The root system is rhizomatous.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and a somewhat barren soil that is sandy or rocky. Spreading Dogbane tolerates other kinds of habitats, but it tends to be less competitive with other plants.
Range & Habitat: The native Spreading Dogbane is occasional in most areas of the state; it is slightly more common in the northern section of the state than elsewhere. Habitats include upland prairies, sand prairies, sandy savannas, stabilized sand dunes near Lake Michigan, thin sandy woodlands, thinly wooded rocky bluffs, and abandoned sandy fields. Spreading Dogbane tends to be particularly common in areas that are burned over from wildfires. In wooded areas, it is typically found in association with oak trees.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by small bees (particularly Halictid bees) and miscellaneous flies. The floral reward of these visitors is nectar. Other insects feed on the foliage, plant juices, and other parts of Spreading Dogbane. These species include Chrysochus auratus (Dogbane Beetle) and Tetraopes tetrophthalmus (Red Milkweed Beetle); they also include caterpillars of the moths Cycnia oregonensis (Oregon Cycnia), Cycnia tenera (Delicate Cycnia), Papaipema baptisiae (Wild Indigo Borer Moth), and Spargaloma sexpunctata (Six-Spotted Gray). Hottes & Frison (1931) observed the following aphids feeding on one or more Apocynum spp. (Dogbanes): Aphis asclepiadis, Aphis citricola, and Macrosiphum gei. The last two aphid species are highly polyphagous. Because the white latex of the foliage is acrid and toxic, mammalian herbivores rarely bother Spreading Dogbane.
Photographic Location: A stabilized sand dune near Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana. The dominant vegetation of this sand dune consisted of oak trees.
Comments: Spreading Dogbane is a rather lanky plant with small fragrant flowers. It is less aggressive (at least in Illinois) than the closely related Apocynum cannabinum (Common Dogbane). This latter plant refers wetter habitats than Spreading Dogbane. These two species are similar to each other in appearance, but Spreading Dogbane can be distinguished as follows: 1) it tends to be a shorter and more widely spreading plant than Common Dogbane, 2) its flowers are slightly larger in size and the lobes of its corollas are more widely spreading or recurved, and 3) its flowers have conspicuous pink stripes along the sides of the corolla's interior.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月02日
Description: This twining herbaceous vine is up to 10' long, clambering over adjacent shrubs and herbaceous vegetation. The twining stems are light green, terete, and glabrous to minutely pubescent. At intervals along these stems, there occurs alternate compound leaves that are odd-pinnate with 3-7 leaflets (usually 5 leaflets and rarely 3 leaflets). The leaflets are 1½–3½" (4–9 cm.) long and ¾–2¼" (2–5.5 cm.) across; they are lanceolate, oblong-lanceolate, ovate, or broadly ovate in shape with toothless (entire) margins. The upper leaflet surface is medium to dark green and hairless, while the lower leaflet surface is either light green or whitened green and hairless to minutely pubescent. Leaflet venation is pinnate. The leaflets have short light green petiolules (less than ¼" or 6 mm.) that are hairless to minutely pubescent. The petioles and rachises (central stalks) of the compound leaves are light green, narrowly furrowed above, convex below, and hairless to minutely pubescent. The foliage of this vine contains a milky sap.
From the axils of the compound leaves, there occasionally develops racemes of flowers that are 2–6" (5–15 cm.) in length; the basal stalks of these racemes are up to 3" long, light green, terete, and hairless to minutely hairy. Flowers are are moderately to densely distributed along these racemes. Each flower has 5 petals forming an ascending standard with an upper keel, a pair of lower lateral wings, and a lower keel that curls upward. These petals are light to moderate maroon (brownish red to brownish purple) toward the front of the flower; toward the back of the flower, they are either a similar shade of maroon or somewhat whitened. The ascending standard functions as a hood over the other floral parts; it has an orbicular shape, but with a sharp keel along its upper side. The standard has either a short, upright, and thickened appendage at the outer tip of its keel, or such an appendage is lacking. Near the throat of the flower, the standard has 2 bands of diagonal black stripes on its inner side. The lower-lateral wings extend forward a shorter distance than the standard above; they are oblanceolate to obovate in shape. The lower keel (consisting of two folded petals) is shaped like an upward scythe with a whitish outer edge.
The short-tubular calyx at the base of the flower is light green or light to medium maroon; it is glabrous to finely short-pubescent. Along the outer rim of the calyx, are 5 shallow and irregular lobes or teeth. The floral rachis (central stalk of the raceme) is light green, terete, hairless to finely short-pubescent, and bumpy from small tubercles; these tubercles are extra-floral nectaries that secret droplets of nectar shortly after the flowers and their pedicels become detached from the floral rachis. The very short pedicels of the flowers are light green, terete, and glabrous to finely short-pubescent. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 2 months for a colony of vines. Afterwards, fertile flowers are replaced by slender cylindrical seedpods about 2-4" (5–10 cm.) long and 0.2" (5 mm.) across that are light green to yellowish green; these seedpods are often slightly curved (up or down) and slightly compressed along their sides. However, some vines are sterile and they don't produce seedpods after the flowers bloom.Distribution Map The seedpods each contain several seeds; eventually they divide into 2 parts, ejecting their seeds. Fresh individual seeds are medium maroon with an inflated reniform shape; dried seeds become dark brown and more chunky. The root system is fibrous, long-rhizomatous, and tuberous; the tubers are arranged at intervals along the rhizomes like knotted ropes. Individual tubers are ½–3" long and ovoid to globoid in shape; they have brown exteriors and white interiors. This vine reproduces primarily (or even entirely) by its tuberous rhizomes, forming clonal vines. A vine with fertile flowers and seedpods can also reproduce by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to full sun, moist conditions, and loamy, gravelly, or sandy soil containing some organic matter. The root system of this vine fixes atmospheric nitrogen in the soil. This vine may fail to bloom during some years, and when it blooms the flowers often fail to produce seedpods. It can be easily propagated by digging up the tubers of the root system and planting them elsewhere.
Range & Habitat: The native Groundnut (Apios americana) is occasional throughout Illinois. Compared to the past, populations of this vine may have declined because of habitat destruction. It is widely distributed in the eastern half of the United States and southeastern Canada. Habitats include moist to mesic woodlands, typical thickets and sandy thickets, typical sloughs and sandy sloughs, moist prairies and moist meadows, typical seeps and gravelly seeps, banks of streams, and edges of fens. This vine is found in average to high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are visited primarily by bees for nectar and, to a lesser extent, pollen. This includes honeybees, bumblebees, leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), and Halictid bees. Leaf-cutting bees are considered the most important cross-pollinators of the flowers. Yellow jackets (Vespula spp.) have also been reported to visit the flowers to a lesser extent (see Robertson, 1929; Bruneau & Anderson, 1994). A claim has been made, on the basis of the structure and coloration of the flowers, that flies are likely to be the primary pollinators of the flowers (Westercamp & Paul, 1993), but this hypothesis has not been substantiated by empirical observation. Several species of ants have been observed to visit the tuberculous extra-floral nectaries on the central stalks of the floral racemes (Harvey, 2009).
Other insects feed on the leaves of Groundnut (Apios americana). This includes the leaf-mining larvae of Pachyschelus schwarzi (a metallic wood-boring beetle), leaf-mining larvae of Cerotoma trifurcata (Bean Leaf Beetle) and Odontota scapularis (Orange-shouldered Leafminer Beetle), and leaf-eating caterpillars of Epargyreus clarus (Silver-spotted Skipper) and Thorybes bathyllus (Southern Cloudywing); see MacRae (1991), Clark et al. (2004), and Barnes (1999). Among vertebrate animals, White-tailed Deer have been observed to feed on the foliage of this vine, and it has been considered a possible source of forage for goats (Morales et al., 2009). Both the seeds and tubers are edible to humans, and they were considered an excellent source of food by both early pioneers and Amerindians. Compared to other commonly eaten tubers and root vegetables, the tubers of Groundnut are unusually high in protein. This vine also provides excellent protective cover for many small to medium-sized mammals, birds, and other fauna.
Photographic Location: A moist thicket at Bluff Spring Fen Nature Preserve in Cook County, Illinois.
Comments: Groundnut (Apios americana) produces attractive, if somewhat untidy, foliage and unusually colored flowers. As an additional bonus, both seeds and tubers of this vine are edible to humans. Groundnut can be distinguished from similar herbaceous vines by the presence of alternate compound leaves that usually have 5 leaflets; its flowers are also very distinctive. There are both diploid and triploid Groundnut vines. The diploid vines are fertile and they are capable of producing seedpods, while triploid vines are infertile and they never produce seedpods. The infertile triploid vines are supposed to be more common toward the northern extent of Groundnut's range. Morphologically, these two groups of vines cannot be readily distinguished. One vine in Illinois, Amphicarpaea bracteata (Hog Peanut), could be confused with Groundnut, but the Hog peanut has compound leaves with only 3 leaflets (never 5 or 7) and its flowers are light pink and more cylindrical in shape. There is another species, Price's Groundnut (Apios priceana), that shares the same genus as the Groundnut. The uncommon Price's Groundnut occurs primarily to the south of Illinois, although it has been found in a single county in southern Illinois, where it is state-listed as endangered. Price's Groundnut can be distinguished by the pink or whitish pink coloration of its flowers, and by the long, upright, and thickened appendage that is located in front of the keel on the banner of its flowers. The root system of Price's Groundnut is said to produce larger tubers that are solitary, while the more common Groundnut produces smaller tubers that are arranged along individual rhizomes like a knotted rope. Other common names of Apios americana are American Groundnut and American Potato Bean.
From the axils of the compound leaves, there occasionally develops racemes of flowers that are 2–6" (5–15 cm.) in length; the basal stalks of these racemes are up to 3" long, light green, terete, and hairless to minutely hairy. Flowers are are moderately to densely distributed along these racemes. Each flower has 5 petals forming an ascending standard with an upper keel, a pair of lower lateral wings, and a lower keel that curls upward. These petals are light to moderate maroon (brownish red to brownish purple) toward the front of the flower; toward the back of the flower, they are either a similar shade of maroon or somewhat whitened. The ascending standard functions as a hood over the other floral parts; it has an orbicular shape, but with a sharp keel along its upper side. The standard has either a short, upright, and thickened appendage at the outer tip of its keel, or such an appendage is lacking. Near the throat of the flower, the standard has 2 bands of diagonal black stripes on its inner side. The lower-lateral wings extend forward a shorter distance than the standard above; they are oblanceolate to obovate in shape. The lower keel (consisting of two folded petals) is shaped like an upward scythe with a whitish outer edge.
The short-tubular calyx at the base of the flower is light green or light to medium maroon; it is glabrous to finely short-pubescent. Along the outer rim of the calyx, are 5 shallow and irregular lobes or teeth. The floral rachis (central stalk of the raceme) is light green, terete, hairless to finely short-pubescent, and bumpy from small tubercles; these tubercles are extra-floral nectaries that secret droplets of nectar shortly after the flowers and their pedicels become detached from the floral rachis. The very short pedicels of the flowers are light green, terete, and glabrous to finely short-pubescent. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 2 months for a colony of vines. Afterwards, fertile flowers are replaced by slender cylindrical seedpods about 2-4" (5–10 cm.) long and 0.2" (5 mm.) across that are light green to yellowish green; these seedpods are often slightly curved (up or down) and slightly compressed along their sides. However, some vines are sterile and they don't produce seedpods after the flowers bloom.Distribution Map The seedpods each contain several seeds; eventually they divide into 2 parts, ejecting their seeds. Fresh individual seeds are medium maroon with an inflated reniform shape; dried seeds become dark brown and more chunky. The root system is fibrous, long-rhizomatous, and tuberous; the tubers are arranged at intervals along the rhizomes like knotted ropes. Individual tubers are ½–3" long and ovoid to globoid in shape; they have brown exteriors and white interiors. This vine reproduces primarily (or even entirely) by its tuberous rhizomes, forming clonal vines. A vine with fertile flowers and seedpods can also reproduce by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to full sun, moist conditions, and loamy, gravelly, or sandy soil containing some organic matter. The root system of this vine fixes atmospheric nitrogen in the soil. This vine may fail to bloom during some years, and when it blooms the flowers often fail to produce seedpods. It can be easily propagated by digging up the tubers of the root system and planting them elsewhere.
Range & Habitat: The native Groundnut (Apios americana) is occasional throughout Illinois. Compared to the past, populations of this vine may have declined because of habitat destruction. It is widely distributed in the eastern half of the United States and southeastern Canada. Habitats include moist to mesic woodlands, typical thickets and sandy thickets, typical sloughs and sandy sloughs, moist prairies and moist meadows, typical seeps and gravelly seeps, banks of streams, and edges of fens. This vine is found in average to high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are visited primarily by bees for nectar and, to a lesser extent, pollen. This includes honeybees, bumblebees, leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), and Halictid bees. Leaf-cutting bees are considered the most important cross-pollinators of the flowers. Yellow jackets (Vespula spp.) have also been reported to visit the flowers to a lesser extent (see Robertson, 1929; Bruneau & Anderson, 1994). A claim has been made, on the basis of the structure and coloration of the flowers, that flies are likely to be the primary pollinators of the flowers (Westercamp & Paul, 1993), but this hypothesis has not been substantiated by empirical observation. Several species of ants have been observed to visit the tuberculous extra-floral nectaries on the central stalks of the floral racemes (Harvey, 2009).
Other insects feed on the leaves of Groundnut (Apios americana). This includes the leaf-mining larvae of Pachyschelus schwarzi (a metallic wood-boring beetle), leaf-mining larvae of Cerotoma trifurcata (Bean Leaf Beetle) and Odontota scapularis (Orange-shouldered Leafminer Beetle), and leaf-eating caterpillars of Epargyreus clarus (Silver-spotted Skipper) and Thorybes bathyllus (Southern Cloudywing); see MacRae (1991), Clark et al. (2004), and Barnes (1999). Among vertebrate animals, White-tailed Deer have been observed to feed on the foliage of this vine, and it has been considered a possible source of forage for goats (Morales et al., 2009). Both the seeds and tubers are edible to humans, and they were considered an excellent source of food by both early pioneers and Amerindians. Compared to other commonly eaten tubers and root vegetables, the tubers of Groundnut are unusually high in protein. This vine also provides excellent protective cover for many small to medium-sized mammals, birds, and other fauna.
Photographic Location: A moist thicket at Bluff Spring Fen Nature Preserve in Cook County, Illinois.
Comments: Groundnut (Apios americana) produces attractive, if somewhat untidy, foliage and unusually colored flowers. As an additional bonus, both seeds and tubers of this vine are edible to humans. Groundnut can be distinguished from similar herbaceous vines by the presence of alternate compound leaves that usually have 5 leaflets; its flowers are also very distinctive. There are both diploid and triploid Groundnut vines. The diploid vines are fertile and they are capable of producing seedpods, while triploid vines are infertile and they never produce seedpods. The infertile triploid vines are supposed to be more common toward the northern extent of Groundnut's range. Morphologically, these two groups of vines cannot be readily distinguished. One vine in Illinois, Amphicarpaea bracteata (Hog Peanut), could be confused with Groundnut, but the Hog peanut has compound leaves with only 3 leaflets (never 5 or 7) and its flowers are light pink and more cylindrical in shape. There is another species, Price's Groundnut (Apios priceana), that shares the same genus as the Groundnut. The uncommon Price's Groundnut occurs primarily to the south of Illinois, although it has been found in a single county in southern Illinois, where it is state-listed as endangered. Price's Groundnut can be distinguished by the pink or whitish pink coloration of its flowers, and by the long, upright, and thickened appendage that is located in front of the keel on the banner of its flowers. The root system of Price's Groundnut is said to produce larger tubers that are solitary, while the more common Groundnut produces smaller tubers that are arranged along individual rhizomes like a knotted rope. Other common names of Apios americana are American Groundnut and American Potato Bean.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月02日
Description: This perennial plant is about 1-2½' tall. The stems have scattered white hairs and there is little branching, except for the production of long stalks for the flowers. The leaves occur in 1 or 2 whorls along the stem, usually in groups of 2 or 3. They are up to 5" long and across, and have long petioles with scattered white hairs. Each major leaf is divided into 2 or 3 deep lobes, which are in turn divided into 2 or 3 shallower lobes. Because these divisions are rather sharp, the leaves are cleft. Furthermore, the margins are coarsely serrate or dentate. The leaves are often light green or yellowish green in bright sunlight.
From the upper axil of each leaf, there occasionally develops a long stalk with a single flower about ¾" across when it is fully open. This flower consists of 5 white or greenish white sepals (looking like petals), and numerous stamens with yellow or light brown anthers surrounding a compound head of pistils. This pistillate head is green and prickly in appearance. This compound head becomes larger and more elongated as the sepals fall off. It is about ¾–1" long and up to ½" across, eventually turning into a fluffy mass with numerous dark seeds. These seeds are eventually distributed by the wind. The root system is rhizomatous, often producing vegetative offsets from the mother plant. Tall Anemone produces an allelopathic substance, protoanemonin, which inhibits seed germination and seedling growth in many species of plants.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to full sun. The soil should contain loam with some organic material to retain moisture. Mature plants resist drought fairly well, and the leaves are not often subject to foliar disease.
Range & Habitat: The native Tall Anemone is a fairly common plant that occurs throughout Illinois, except for a few southern counties (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, savannas, open woodlands, woodland borders, thickets, and limestone glades. It usually doesn't stray far from wooded areas.
Faunal Associations: Small bees and flower flies visit the flowers occasionally for pollen. Bee visitors include Plasterer bees (Colletes spp.) and Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp., etc.). Mammalian herbivores usually leave this plant alone because the foliage contains a blistering agent that can irritate the mouth parts and digestive tract. When this plant forms colonies, it provides a minor source of cover for small animals.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This curious plant offers different attractions at different times of the year. During early summer, white flowers are produced, which are soon replaced by long-lasting thimble-shaped seedheads. During the fall, these seedheads slowly distintegrate into white cottony masses that remain attractive all winter. Tall Anemone can be easily distinguished from Anemone canadensis (Canada Anemone) because its leaves have conspicuous petioles, while the leaves of the latter species are sessile or perfoliate. Distinguishing Tall Anemone from Anemone cylindrica (Thimbleweed) is a bit trickier, but examination of the following characteristics are helpful: 1) the former species has a shorter, more prickly central head that is greater than 1/3" across, while the latter has a central head that is 1/3" across or less and is at least twice as long as it is wide; 2) the leaves of the former species are sharply tripartite (cleft) and have sharper dentation or serration along the margins, while the leaves of the latter are more likely to be palmate and less cleft and more blunt and fewer teeth along the margins.
From the upper axil of each leaf, there occasionally develops a long stalk with a single flower about ¾" across when it is fully open. This flower consists of 5 white or greenish white sepals (looking like petals), and numerous stamens with yellow or light brown anthers surrounding a compound head of pistils. This pistillate head is green and prickly in appearance. This compound head becomes larger and more elongated as the sepals fall off. It is about ¾–1" long and up to ½" across, eventually turning into a fluffy mass with numerous dark seeds. These seeds are eventually distributed by the wind. The root system is rhizomatous, often producing vegetative offsets from the mother plant. Tall Anemone produces an allelopathic substance, protoanemonin, which inhibits seed germination and seedling growth in many species of plants.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to full sun. The soil should contain loam with some organic material to retain moisture. Mature plants resist drought fairly well, and the leaves are not often subject to foliar disease.
Range & Habitat: The native Tall Anemone is a fairly common plant that occurs throughout Illinois, except for a few southern counties (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, savannas, open woodlands, woodland borders, thickets, and limestone glades. It usually doesn't stray far from wooded areas.
Faunal Associations: Small bees and flower flies visit the flowers occasionally for pollen. Bee visitors include Plasterer bees (Colletes spp.) and Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp., etc.). Mammalian herbivores usually leave this plant alone because the foliage contains a blistering agent that can irritate the mouth parts and digestive tract. When this plant forms colonies, it provides a minor source of cover for small animals.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This curious plant offers different attractions at different times of the year. During early summer, white flowers are produced, which are soon replaced by long-lasting thimble-shaped seedheads. During the fall, these seedheads slowly distintegrate into white cottony masses that remain attractive all winter. Tall Anemone can be easily distinguished from Anemone canadensis (Canada Anemone) because its leaves have conspicuous petioles, while the leaves of the latter species are sessile or perfoliate. Distinguishing Tall Anemone from Anemone cylindrica (Thimbleweed) is a bit trickier, but examination of the following characteristics are helpful: 1) the former species has a shorter, more prickly central head that is greater than 1/3" across, while the latter has a central head that is 1/3" across or less and is at least twice as long as it is wide; 2) the leaves of the former species are sharply tripartite (cleft) and have sharper dentation or serration along the margins, while the leaves of the latter are more likely to be palmate and less cleft and more blunt and fewer teeth along the margins.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月01日
Description: This vine is a summer annual about 2-8' long that twines about adjacent vegetation and branches occasionally. The slender stems are light green to reddish green, terete, and covered with either appressed white hairs (var. bracteata) or spreading tawny hairs (var. comosa). Alternate trifoliate leaves occur along these stems. The terminal leaflets are up to 2½" long (var. bracteata) or as much as 4" long (var. comosa); the lateral leaflets are a little shorter. All leaflets are ovate to ovate-rhombic in shape and smooth along their margins. The upper surface of the leaflets is medium green and hairless to sparsely covered with appressed hairs; the lower surface of the leaflets is pale green and usually more hairy. In each trifoliate leaf, the petiolule (basal stalklet) of the terminal leaflet is up to ¾" long, while the petiolules of the lateral leaflets are about 1/8" (3 mm.) long. The slender petioles are 2-6" long. At the base of eachTwo Flowers & Seedpod petiole, there is a pair of small stipules less than ¼" long. Occasionally, congested racemes of 2-15 flowers up to 2" long are produced from the axils of the leaves. Individual flowers consist of 5 petals, a tubular calyx with 4 teeth, several stamens, and a pistil. The petals have a pea-like floral structure consisting of an upright banner, 2 lateral wings, and a keel that is curved upward. The edges of the banner are often folded backward, while the narrow wings and keel project forward. The petals are light pink, pale lavender, or white; the calyx is light green to nearly white and either hairless or hairy. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer into the fall and lasts about 1½-3 months. Fertile flowers are replaced by seedpods about 1-1½" long; these seedpods are oblongoid and flattened with short curved beaks. Each seedpod contains 1-4 relatively large seeds; individual seeds are reniform and flattened. In addition to the preceding flowers and their seedpods, Hog Peanut also produces self-fertile flowers that lack petals. These inconspicuous flowers are produced on low stolons along the ground; they mature into single-seeded fleshy fruits with an obovoid shape. Sometimes, these fruits become subterranean.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and soil containing sand or loam. The root system of Hog Peanut fixes nitrogen in the soil through the assistance of symbiotic bacteria.
Range & Habitat: The native Hog Peanut is occasional throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map); the two varieties of Hog Peanut, var. bracteata and var. comosa, are about equally common. Habitats consist of floodplain woodlands, low wooded areas along streams, soggy thickets, damp sandy meadows, and seeps. Some disturbance is beneficial if it reduces the shade of canopy trees and other kinds of woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The caterpillars of Epargyreus clarus (Silver-Spotted Skipper) and Autochton cellus (Gold-Banded Skipper) feed on the foliage of Hog Peanut. Other insect feeders include the aphid Microparsus variabilis and several leaf beetles: Cerotoma trifurcata, Odontota dorsalis, Odontota horni, Odontota mundula, Odontota scapularis, Phyllecthris dorsalis, and Sumitrosis rosea. Some of these beetles have larvae that mine the leaves. Various vertebrate animals also use Hog Peanut as a food source. Either the seeds or the fleshy fruits of self-fertile flowers are eaten by the Ruffed Grouse, Ring-Necked Pheasant, Bobwhite, Passenger Pigeon (now extinct), White-Footed Mouse, and Meadow Vole; the Ruffed Grouse also feeds on the foliage. To a limited extent, White-Tailed Deer also feed on the foliage.
Photographic Location: Near a stream in sandy woodland at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: Sometimes the scientific name is spelled 'Amphicarpa bracteata.' The common name refers to the fleshy fruits of the self-fertile flowers, which are edible to humans. These unusual fruits distinguish Hog Peanut from many other species in the Bean family. Another vine in the Bean family, Apios americana (Groundnut), produces edible underground tubers. These tubers are part of the root system, rather than a modified seedpod. Compared to Hog Peanut, Groundnut has compound leaves with 5 leaflets and its flowers are often reddish brown and less cylindrical in shape. Other vines in the Bean family have differently shaped flowers and their leaflets are usually less broad and rhombic than those of Hog Peanut.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and soil containing sand or loam. The root system of Hog Peanut fixes nitrogen in the soil through the assistance of symbiotic bacteria.
Range & Habitat: The native Hog Peanut is occasional throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map); the two varieties of Hog Peanut, var. bracteata and var. comosa, are about equally common. Habitats consist of floodplain woodlands, low wooded areas along streams, soggy thickets, damp sandy meadows, and seeps. Some disturbance is beneficial if it reduces the shade of canopy trees and other kinds of woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The caterpillars of Epargyreus clarus (Silver-Spotted Skipper) and Autochton cellus (Gold-Banded Skipper) feed on the foliage of Hog Peanut. Other insect feeders include the aphid Microparsus variabilis and several leaf beetles: Cerotoma trifurcata, Odontota dorsalis, Odontota horni, Odontota mundula, Odontota scapularis, Phyllecthris dorsalis, and Sumitrosis rosea. Some of these beetles have larvae that mine the leaves. Various vertebrate animals also use Hog Peanut as a food source. Either the seeds or the fleshy fruits of self-fertile flowers are eaten by the Ruffed Grouse, Ring-Necked Pheasant, Bobwhite, Passenger Pigeon (now extinct), White-Footed Mouse, and Meadow Vole; the Ruffed Grouse also feeds on the foliage. To a limited extent, White-Tailed Deer also feed on the foliage.
Photographic Location: Near a stream in sandy woodland at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: Sometimes the scientific name is spelled 'Amphicarpa bracteata.' The common name refers to the fleshy fruits of the self-fertile flowers, which are edible to humans. These unusual fruits distinguish Hog Peanut from many other species in the Bean family. Another vine in the Bean family, Apios americana (Groundnut), produces edible underground tubers. These tubers are part of the root system, rather than a modified seedpod. Compared to Hog Peanut, Groundnut has compound leaves with 5 leaflets and its flowers are often reddish brown and less cylindrical in shape. Other vines in the Bean family have differently shaped flowers and their leaflets are usually less broad and rhombic than those of Hog Peanut.
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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03月01日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is about 1½–2½' tall and unbranched or sparingly so. The lower central stem has long ascending hairs and short pubescent hairs, while the upper stem(s) has only short pubescent hairs; this stem (or stems) is terete (round in cross-section) and rather stout. The alternate leaves are odd-pinnate with 5-9 primary leaflets. Between adjacent pairs of primary leaflets, there is a single pair of secondary leaflets along the stalk (or rachis) of each compound leaf. The primary leaflets are up to 3" long and 1½" across; they are ovate, oval-ovate, or oblong-ovate in shape. The upper surface of each primary leaflet is dull green, hairless, and conspicuously veined; its margins are coarsely toothed. The lower surface of each primary leaflet is whitish green and pubescent. The secondary leaflets are much smaller in size than the primary leaflets, otherwise they share many of the same characteristics. The stalk (or rachis) of each compound leaf is light green and pubescent or hairy. At the base of each compound leaf, there is a pair of leafy stipules about 2/3" (16 mm.) long. The stipules are coarsely toothed or cleft with pointed lobes. The upper stem(s) terminates in a spike-like raceme of flowers up to 1' long. The flowers are sparsely distributed along the stalk of the raceme. Normally, this raceme is straight and erect, but sometimes it leans over to one side or curves slightly. The stalk of the raceme is covered with short pubescent hairs. Each flower is up to 1/3" (8 mm.) across; it has 5 yellow petals, 5 green sepals, and about 10 stamens. The petals are oblong in shape and spread outward while the flower is in bloom.
The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall and lasts about 1 month. Each flower is replaced by a green fruit that is broadly conical toward the bottom and pointed-turbinate toward the top. Along the upper rim of each fruit, there is a fringe of short hooked prickles. The fruits turn brown when they become mature. The root system is rhizomatous and fibrous.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist to dry conditions, and a reasonably fertile soil containing some loam.
Range & Habitat: The native Downy Agrimony is occasional to locally common in central and northern Illinois, but it is less common or absent in southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open deciduous woodlands, savannas, thickets, small meadows in wooded areas, areas along woodland paths, and powerline clearances in wooded areas. Disturbance is beneficial if it reduces excessive shade from trees and other woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Little information is currently available about floral-faunal relationships for this species. According to Robertson (1929), Halictid bees collect pollen or suck nectar from the flowers. The hooked bristles of the fruits can cling to the fur of animals, the feathers of birds, or the clothing of humans. In this manner, the seeds can be transported for considerable distances.
Photographic Location: A powerline clearance at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Downy Agrimony is one of several Agrimonia spp. in Illinois. It can be distinguished from these other species by the short pubescent hairs on the stalks of its racemes; the other species have floral stalks that are long hairy or hairless. The leaves and leaflets of these Agrimonia spp. are rather similar to each other, except for Agrimonia parviflora (Swamp Agrimony). This latter species has more primary leaflets per compound leaf (about 11-17) and its primary leaflets are more narrow in shape. Swamp Agrimony prefers habitats that are more moist and sunny than other Agrimonia spp. in Illinois. Agrimony species are easily distinguished from other plants by the small secondary leaflets on their compound leaves; other plants with pinnate leaves typically lack such leaflets. Another common name of Agrimonia pubescens is Soft Agrimony.
The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall and lasts about 1 month. Each flower is replaced by a green fruit that is broadly conical toward the bottom and pointed-turbinate toward the top. Along the upper rim of each fruit, there is a fringe of short hooked prickles. The fruits turn brown when they become mature. The root system is rhizomatous and fibrous.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist to dry conditions, and a reasonably fertile soil containing some loam.
Range & Habitat: The native Downy Agrimony is occasional to locally common in central and northern Illinois, but it is less common or absent in southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open deciduous woodlands, savannas, thickets, small meadows in wooded areas, areas along woodland paths, and powerline clearances in wooded areas. Disturbance is beneficial if it reduces excessive shade from trees and other woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Little information is currently available about floral-faunal relationships for this species. According to Robertson (1929), Halictid bees collect pollen or suck nectar from the flowers. The hooked bristles of the fruits can cling to the fur of animals, the feathers of birds, or the clothing of humans. In this manner, the seeds can be transported for considerable distances.
Photographic Location: A powerline clearance at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Downy Agrimony is one of several Agrimonia spp. in Illinois. It can be distinguished from these other species by the short pubescent hairs on the stalks of its racemes; the other species have floral stalks that are long hairy or hairless. The leaves and leaflets of these Agrimonia spp. are rather similar to each other, except for Agrimonia parviflora (Swamp Agrimony). This latter species has more primary leaflets per compound leaf (about 11-17) and its primary leaflets are more narrow in shape. Swamp Agrimony prefers habitats that are more moist and sunny than other Agrimonia spp. in Illinois. Agrimony species are easily distinguished from other plants by the small secondary leaflets on their compound leaves; other plants with pinnate leaves typically lack such leaflets. Another common name of Agrimonia pubescens is Soft Agrimony.
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