文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月29日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 1-3' tall and unbranched or sparingly so, except for short leafy stems that develop from the axils of the leaves along the central stem. It is usually a short-lived perennial, although some plants may persist for only 1 or 2 years. The central stem is brown to reddish purple, 4-angled, and densely pubescent. The opposite leaves are upFlowers & Bracts to 3½" long and 1" across, medium green, and lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate. The margins of the leaves are usually serrated with low teeth, although some of the upper leaves (and bracts) have smooth margins. The central stem produces two or more dense whorls of flowers in the upper portion of each plant. The uppermost whorl of flowers is terminal, while the lower whorls of flowers develop from the axils of the upper pairs of leaves. Each flower is about ¾–1" long, consisting of a cream-colored corolla with purple spots and a tubular calyx with 5 triangular teeth. The corolla is divided into an upper lip and a lower lip; they are both long and narrow. The upper lip is keeled and finely hairy on the top, while the lower lip terminates into 3 small lobes (the middle lobe is the largest of the three). Inside the corolla near the upper lip, there are 2 long stamens with brown anthers and a slender style with a divided tip. There are also 2 short stamens that are sterile. The tubular calyx is green and finely pubescent. Underneath each whorl of flowers, there are several leafy bracts. The upper surface of each bract is pink, lavender, or nearly white (in whole or part). The lower surface of each bract is light green. Aside from their showy colors and location underneath the flowers, these bracts are very similar to the leaves. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall and lasts about 1-2 months. While individual corollas soon wither away, the showy bracts remain attractive for a long time afterward. Each flower is replaced by 4 small nutlets, which are ovoid and smooth. The root system consists of a taproot. This wildflower reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil. Spotted Bee Balm has greater tolerance of sun and drought than many other Monarda spp. (Bee Balms). It is usually intolerant of competition from taller plants on moist fertile soil, although it may persist in such areas for several years.
Range & Habitat: The native Spotted Bee Balm is occasional in the northern half of Illinois and the SW section of the state, but it is rare or absent elsewhere (see Distribution Map). Habitats include sand prairies, hill prairies, sandy Black Oak savannas, stabilized sand dunes along Lake Michigan, and sandy fields. This species can be found in both disturbed and higher quality sandy habitats. In Illinois, it is rare in non-sandy areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract honeybees, bumblebees, Miner bees (Melissodes spp.), and Plasterer bees (Colletes spp.); butterflies also visit the flowers of Spotted Bee Balm for nectar, including the endangered Lycaenides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue), which is found in sandy habitats. Insects that feed on the flowers, foliage or stems of Spotted Bee Balm include the caterpillars of the moths Pyrausta orphisalis (Pyralid Moth sp.), Pyrausta signatalis (Pyralid Moth sp.), and Agripodes teratophora (The Gray Marvel); the adults of Strigoderma arboricola (False Japanese Beetle, or Sandhill Chafer); and both nymphs and adults of Cydnoides ciliata (Negro Bug sp.) and Sehirus cinctus (White-Margined Burrower Bug). The oregano-scented foliage is repugnant to mammalian herbivores and rarely consumed by them.
Photographic Location: A small prairie restoration near a drainage ditch in Urbana, Illinois, where this species was introduced.
Comments: Spotted Bee Balm is also called Spotted Horsemint. This species has rather unusual-looking flowers and attractive bracts. It is easily distinguished from most Monarda spp. (Bee Balms) in Illinois by its multiple whorls of flowers on the same stem, cream-colored and purple-spotted corollas, narrow leaves, and pink to lavender bracts. The only similar species that can be found in the state, Monarda citriodora (Lemon Bee Balm; sometimes referred to as Monarda pectinata), is native to the Great Plains and rarely escapes from cultivation. This is an annual species with white to pink corollas that lack spots. The calyx teeth of Lemon Bee Balm are longer and more pointed than those of Spotted Bee Balm, which has simple triangular teeth. Different varieties of Spotted Bee Balm have been described, but they are quite similar to each other, differing primarily by the kind of pubescence to be found on the central stem.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil. Spotted Bee Balm has greater tolerance of sun and drought than many other Monarda spp. (Bee Balms). It is usually intolerant of competition from taller plants on moist fertile soil, although it may persist in such areas for several years.
Range & Habitat: The native Spotted Bee Balm is occasional in the northern half of Illinois and the SW section of the state, but it is rare or absent elsewhere (see Distribution Map). Habitats include sand prairies, hill prairies, sandy Black Oak savannas, stabilized sand dunes along Lake Michigan, and sandy fields. This species can be found in both disturbed and higher quality sandy habitats. In Illinois, it is rare in non-sandy areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract honeybees, bumblebees, Miner bees (Melissodes spp.), and Plasterer bees (Colletes spp.); butterflies also visit the flowers of Spotted Bee Balm for nectar, including the endangered Lycaenides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue), which is found in sandy habitats. Insects that feed on the flowers, foliage or stems of Spotted Bee Balm include the caterpillars of the moths Pyrausta orphisalis (Pyralid Moth sp.), Pyrausta signatalis (Pyralid Moth sp.), and Agripodes teratophora (The Gray Marvel); the adults of Strigoderma arboricola (False Japanese Beetle, or Sandhill Chafer); and both nymphs and adults of Cydnoides ciliata (Negro Bug sp.) and Sehirus cinctus (White-Margined Burrower Bug). The oregano-scented foliage is repugnant to mammalian herbivores and rarely consumed by them.
Photographic Location: A small prairie restoration near a drainage ditch in Urbana, Illinois, where this species was introduced.
Comments: Spotted Bee Balm is also called Spotted Horsemint. This species has rather unusual-looking flowers and attractive bracts. It is easily distinguished from most Monarda spp. (Bee Balms) in Illinois by its multiple whorls of flowers on the same stem, cream-colored and purple-spotted corollas, narrow leaves, and pink to lavender bracts. The only similar species that can be found in the state, Monarda citriodora (Lemon Bee Balm; sometimes referred to as Monarda pectinata), is native to the Great Plains and rarely escapes from cultivation. This is an annual species with white to pink corollas that lack spots. The calyx teeth of Lemon Bee Balm are longer and more pointed than those of Spotted Bee Balm, which has simple triangular teeth. Different varieties of Spotted Bee Balm have been described, but they are quite similar to each other, differing primarily by the kind of pubescence to be found on the central stem.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月29日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 2½–4' tall, branching frequently in the upper half. The light green stems are four-angled and hairless. The opposite leaves are broadly lanceolate to ovate, and vary in color from light green to dark green, sometimes with yellow or red tints. These color variations are in part a response to environmental conditions. The hairless leaves are up to 4" long and 2" across, and have serrated margins. They exude an oregano scent. At the top of major stems are rounded heads of flowers about 1-3" across. The flowers begin blooming in the center of the head, gradually moving toward its periphery, forming a wreath of flowers. Each flower is lavender or pink, and about 1" long, with an irregular shape. The corolla divides into a tubular upper lip with projecting stamens, and three slender lower lips that function as landing pads for visiting insects. The blooming period occurs during mid-summer and lasts about 1 month. The root system consists of deep, strongly branched roots, and shallow rhizomes that are responsible for the vegetative spread of the plant. These rhizomes typically send up multiple leafy stems in a tight cluster, giving Wild Bergamot a bushy appearance.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and moist to slightly dry conditions. Growth is more luxuriant in a moist rich loam, although this can cause the plant to flop around as the growing season progresses. Under drought conditions, the lower leaves will turn yellow and drop off the stems; this reaction is normal. The lower leaves often develop powdery mildew, particularly when the weather is rainy. While this plant is easy to grow, it often becomes rather dilapidated in appearance as the growing season progresses because of these problems. This plant often spreads aggressively.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Bergamot occurs throughout Illinois, except for a few southern counties within the state (see Distribution Map). It is occasional to locally common. Habitats include moist to slightly dry black soil prairies, hill prairies, sandy Black Oak woodlands, savannas and woodland borders, thickets, borders of limestone glades, abandoned pastures, and landfills. The rhizomes can survive earth-moving and bulldozing operations, and send up plants in unexpected places. Some local populations may be plants that have escaped cultivation.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts long-tongued bees, bee flies, butterflies, skippers, and hummingbird moths. Among the long-tongued bees, are such visitors as bumblebees, Miner bees, Epeoline Cuckoo bees, and large Leaf-Cutting bees. A small black bee (Dufourea monardae) specializes in the pollination of Monarda flowers. Sometimes Halictid bees collect pollen, while some wasps steal nectar by perforating the nectar tube. The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird also visits the flowers. The caterpillars of the moths Sphinx eremitus (Hermit Sphinx) and Agriopodes teratophora (Gray Marvel) feed on the foliage. A seed bug (Ortholomus scolopax) is sometimes found in the flowerheads. Mammalian herbivores usually avoid this plant as a food source, probably because of the oregano-mint flavor of the leaves and their capacity to cause indigestion; they may contain chemicals that disrupt populations of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: For a member of the mint family, the flowers are large and beautiful. Wild Bergamot can be distinguished from other Monarda spp. by the color of its flowers – the corollas of its flowers are solid pink or lavender. Other species have flowers with red, purple, or white corollas, or they have dark purple dots on the lower lips of their corollas.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and moist to slightly dry conditions. Growth is more luxuriant in a moist rich loam, although this can cause the plant to flop around as the growing season progresses. Under drought conditions, the lower leaves will turn yellow and drop off the stems; this reaction is normal. The lower leaves often develop powdery mildew, particularly when the weather is rainy. While this plant is easy to grow, it often becomes rather dilapidated in appearance as the growing season progresses because of these problems. This plant often spreads aggressively.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Bergamot occurs throughout Illinois, except for a few southern counties within the state (see Distribution Map). It is occasional to locally common. Habitats include moist to slightly dry black soil prairies, hill prairies, sandy Black Oak woodlands, savannas and woodland borders, thickets, borders of limestone glades, abandoned pastures, and landfills. The rhizomes can survive earth-moving and bulldozing operations, and send up plants in unexpected places. Some local populations may be plants that have escaped cultivation.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts long-tongued bees, bee flies, butterflies, skippers, and hummingbird moths. Among the long-tongued bees, are such visitors as bumblebees, Miner bees, Epeoline Cuckoo bees, and large Leaf-Cutting bees. A small black bee (Dufourea monardae) specializes in the pollination of Monarda flowers. Sometimes Halictid bees collect pollen, while some wasps steal nectar by perforating the nectar tube. The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird also visits the flowers. The caterpillars of the moths Sphinx eremitus (Hermit Sphinx) and Agriopodes teratophora (Gray Marvel) feed on the foliage. A seed bug (Ortholomus scolopax) is sometimes found in the flowerheads. Mammalian herbivores usually avoid this plant as a food source, probably because of the oregano-mint flavor of the leaves and their capacity to cause indigestion; they may contain chemicals that disrupt populations of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: For a member of the mint family, the flowers are large and beautiful. Wild Bergamot can be distinguished from other Monarda spp. by the color of its flowers – the corollas of its flowers are solid pink or lavender. Other species have flowers with red, purple, or white corollas, or they have dark purple dots on the lower lips of their corollas.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月29日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is about 2-4' tall, branching occasionally. The stems are glabrous and light green; they are often angular below, becoming more round above. The dark green opposite leaves are up to 4" long and 3" across. They are cordate (somewhat triangular-shaped) and hairless, with smooth margins and short petioles. Some of the upper leaves near the flowers are much smaller and lanceolate. The upper stems terminate in clusters of magenta flowers on long stalks. Usually, there are a few hairs on these stalks and the pedicels of the flower clusters. A cluster of 3-5 flowers develop within a surrounding green bract with 5 lobes; this bract has the appearance of a calyx. These flowers are trumpet-shaped and span about ½" across, or slightly less. There are no petals; instead, a tubular calyx with 5 notched lobes functions as a corolla. At the center of each flower are 3-5 exerted stamens with yellow anthers. The blooming period is usually during the early summer and lasts about a month. There is little or no floral fragrance. The flowers typically open during the late afternoon, remain open at night, and close during the morning. The greyish brown seed is up to 3/8" (10 mm.) long and pubescent; it has 5 ribs. The root system consists of a thick dark taproot that is fleshy or woody. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and mesic to dry conditions; partial sun is also tolerated. This plant commonly grows in poor soil that has a high content of clay, sand, or gravelly material. It will also grow in fertile loam, but suffers from the competition of neighboring plants. Foliar disease is not usually troublesome. It is easy to start plants from seeds.
Range & Habitat: Wild Four-O'Clock occurs in nearly every county of Illinois; it is a common plant (see Distribution Map). This plant is adventive from areas that lie west of of the state. Habitats include dry prairies, pastures, abandoned fields, grassy roadsides, rocky banks along ditches, areas along railroads (including the ballast), and miscellaneous waste areas. This plant is particularly common along railroads. It has a strong preference for disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are visited primarily by long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, and moths. These insects seek nectar primarily, although the short-tongued bees collect pollen. It is possible that the Ruby-Throated hummingbird may visit the flowers as well. The species Catorhintha mendica (Wild Four-O'Clock Bug) is a specialist feeder on this plant and other Mirabilis spp. Another specialist is Heliodines nyctaginella (Four-O'Clock Moth); the caterpillars of this species feed on the foliage of this and other plants in the genus. Wild Four-O'Clock tends to increase in areas disturbed by livestock; it is unclear if these animals eat this plant. Deer reportedly avoid it. The seeds and roots are known to be poisonous, although pigs may dig up the roots and eat them.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken along a railroad track in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is the most widespread Four-O'Clock species in Illinois that is from North America. The commonly cultivated garden plant by the same name is from South America; it is non-hardy. There are a few wild Mirabilis spp. in the Chicago area that are adventive from the west. They usually have more narrow leaves, hairier stems, and flowers with paler colors. In some of the Great Plains states, the Wild Four-O'Clock can have pale yellow flowers, but this color form doesn't appear to occur in Illinois.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and mesic to dry conditions; partial sun is also tolerated. This plant commonly grows in poor soil that has a high content of clay, sand, or gravelly material. It will also grow in fertile loam, but suffers from the competition of neighboring plants. Foliar disease is not usually troublesome. It is easy to start plants from seeds.
Range & Habitat: Wild Four-O'Clock occurs in nearly every county of Illinois; it is a common plant (see Distribution Map). This plant is adventive from areas that lie west of of the state. Habitats include dry prairies, pastures, abandoned fields, grassy roadsides, rocky banks along ditches, areas along railroads (including the ballast), and miscellaneous waste areas. This plant is particularly common along railroads. It has a strong preference for disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are visited primarily by long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, and moths. These insects seek nectar primarily, although the short-tongued bees collect pollen. It is possible that the Ruby-Throated hummingbird may visit the flowers as well. The species Catorhintha mendica (Wild Four-O'Clock Bug) is a specialist feeder on this plant and other Mirabilis spp. Another specialist is Heliodines nyctaginella (Four-O'Clock Moth); the caterpillars of this species feed on the foliage of this and other plants in the genus. Wild Four-O'Clock tends to increase in areas disturbed by livestock; it is unclear if these animals eat this plant. Deer reportedly avoid it. The seeds and roots are known to be poisonous, although pigs may dig up the roots and eat them.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken along a railroad track in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is the most widespread Four-O'Clock species in Illinois that is from North America. The commonly cultivated garden plant by the same name is from South America; it is non-hardy. There are a few wild Mirabilis spp. in the Chicago area that are adventive from the west. They usually have more narrow leaves, hairier stems, and flowers with paler colors. In some of the Great Plains states, the Wild Four-O'Clock can have pale yellow flowers, but this color form doesn't appear to occur in Illinois.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月29日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant develops dense clusters of stems up to 8" long (excluding any inflorescences); they often branch at their bases. The stems are erect to ascending; they are light green or yellowish red, and glabrous. Pairs of opposite primary leaves occur along these stems; they are more densely distributed below than above. In addition to the primary leaves, there are sessile fascicles of secondary leaves that develop from the axils of the lower primary leaves. Relative to the orientation of their stems, these leaves are ascending.
Individual leaves are ½–¾" long and up to 2 mm. across; they are linear to narrowly linear-lanceolate in shape, while their margins are entire. The leaf bases are narrowly connate, enclosing the adjacent stems, while the leaf tips taper gradually into needle-like points. The leaves are yellowish green to medium green, glabrous, and stiff; their upper surfaces are flat, while their lower surfaces are increasingly convex toward their bases. Many stems terminate in large airy cymes of 5-50 flowers; these cymes are dichotomously or trichotomously branched. The branches of each cyme are slender, and glabrous; solitary flowers are borne on slender glabrous pedicels up to 2" long.
Each flower spans about 1/3" (8 mm.) across when it is fully open, consisting of 5 white spreading petals, 5 green sepals, 10 stamens with white filaments and white anthers, and a light green ovary with 3 white styles. The petals are oblong to oblanceolate in shape with either rounded or slightly notched tips; they are longer than the sepals. The sepals are 4-5 mm. long, lanceolate in shape with acute tips, and 3-5 veined. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 1-2 months. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about 3-4 mm. tall. These capsules open up at their apices, where they are 3-toothed, releasing numerous tiny seeds. The seeds are about 1 mm. long, compressed-reniform in shape, dark brown to black, and minutely tubercled. The root system consists of a taproot or thickened crown with fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and calcareous soil containing and abundance of sand, gravel, or rocky material. Partial shade is also tolerated. This plant is a potential candidate for rock gardens, although it is difficult to transplant. Competition from taller and more aggressive plants is not tolerated.
Range & Habitat: The native Stiff Sandwort is found primarily in northern Illinois, where it is uncommon (see Distribution Map). As a result of development and habitat destruction, populations of this plant have declined. Habitats include sandy open woodlands, dry sandy savannas, dry sand prairies, dry gravel prairies, hill prairies, limestone glades, ledges along cliffs, exposed slopes of bluffs, sandy ridges along Lake Michigan, and low sand dunes along Lake Michigan. This plant is found in high quality natural areas where there is sparse ground vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Little information is available about floral-faunal relationships for this plant. The flowers probably attract small bees and flies.
Photographic Location: A sandy savanna and low sand dune along Lake Michigan at the Illinois Beach State Park in NE Illinois.
Comments: Because of the mats of stiff prickly foliage, this is a very distinctive plant. Stiff Sandwort (Minuartia michauxii) is similar in appearance to a closely related plant, Slender Sandwort (Minuartia patula). The latter plant usually has opposite leaves that are spaced more evenly along its stems and fascicled secondary leaves are either absent or poorly developed. In addition, the leaves of this latter plant are more succulent and terete than those of Stiff Sandwort. Slender Sandwort is typically found in wooded areas, rather than the open and exposed locations that Stiff Sandwort prefers. Other similar species in the Pink family (Caryophyllaceae) have either wider or shorter leaves, their opened seed capsules have more than 3 teeth at their apices, or their flowers are smaller in size and less showy. Two scientific synonyms of Stiff Sandwort are Minuartia stricta and Arenaria stricta. Other common names of this plant include Rock Sandwort and Michaux's Stitchwort.
Individual leaves are ½–¾" long and up to 2 mm. across; they are linear to narrowly linear-lanceolate in shape, while their margins are entire. The leaf bases are narrowly connate, enclosing the adjacent stems, while the leaf tips taper gradually into needle-like points. The leaves are yellowish green to medium green, glabrous, and stiff; their upper surfaces are flat, while their lower surfaces are increasingly convex toward their bases. Many stems terminate in large airy cymes of 5-50 flowers; these cymes are dichotomously or trichotomously branched. The branches of each cyme are slender, and glabrous; solitary flowers are borne on slender glabrous pedicels up to 2" long.
Each flower spans about 1/3" (8 mm.) across when it is fully open, consisting of 5 white spreading petals, 5 green sepals, 10 stamens with white filaments and white anthers, and a light green ovary with 3 white styles. The petals are oblong to oblanceolate in shape with either rounded or slightly notched tips; they are longer than the sepals. The sepals are 4-5 mm. long, lanceolate in shape with acute tips, and 3-5 veined. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 1-2 months. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about 3-4 mm. tall. These capsules open up at their apices, where they are 3-toothed, releasing numerous tiny seeds. The seeds are about 1 mm. long, compressed-reniform in shape, dark brown to black, and minutely tubercled. The root system consists of a taproot or thickened crown with fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and calcareous soil containing and abundance of sand, gravel, or rocky material. Partial shade is also tolerated. This plant is a potential candidate for rock gardens, although it is difficult to transplant. Competition from taller and more aggressive plants is not tolerated.
Range & Habitat: The native Stiff Sandwort is found primarily in northern Illinois, where it is uncommon (see Distribution Map). As a result of development and habitat destruction, populations of this plant have declined. Habitats include sandy open woodlands, dry sandy savannas, dry sand prairies, dry gravel prairies, hill prairies, limestone glades, ledges along cliffs, exposed slopes of bluffs, sandy ridges along Lake Michigan, and low sand dunes along Lake Michigan. This plant is found in high quality natural areas where there is sparse ground vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Little information is available about floral-faunal relationships for this plant. The flowers probably attract small bees and flies.
Photographic Location: A sandy savanna and low sand dune along Lake Michigan at the Illinois Beach State Park in NE Illinois.
Comments: Because of the mats of stiff prickly foliage, this is a very distinctive plant. Stiff Sandwort (Minuartia michauxii) is similar in appearance to a closely related plant, Slender Sandwort (Minuartia patula). The latter plant usually has opposite leaves that are spaced more evenly along its stems and fascicled secondary leaves are either absent or poorly developed. In addition, the leaves of this latter plant are more succulent and terete than those of Stiff Sandwort. Slender Sandwort is typically found in wooded areas, rather than the open and exposed locations that Stiff Sandwort prefers. Other similar species in the Pink family (Caryophyllaceae) have either wider or shorter leaves, their opened seed capsules have more than 3 teeth at their apices, or their flowers are smaller in size and less showy. Two scientific synonyms of Stiff Sandwort are Minuartia stricta and Arenaria stricta. Other common names of this plant include Rock Sandwort and Michaux's Stitchwort.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月22日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 1-2½' tall and compactly branched. The stems are light green to reddish green, angular or terete, and canescent-hairy. Alternate compound leaves occur along the stems; individual leaves are palmate with 7-11 leaflets. Individual leaflets are 1-2½" long and oblanceolate in shape; their margins are smooth and ciliate. The upper surface of the leaflets is medium green and hairless, while the lower surface is pale green. Each compound leaf has a long ascending petiole about 1-4" long that is light green to reddish green. The stems, petioles, and leaf undersides are sparsely to moderately canescent-hairy. The upper stems terminate in narrow racemes of flowers about 4-10" long. The flowering stalks are light green to reddish purple. Individual flowers are about ¾" long, consisting of 5 blue-violet petals (rarely white or pink), a tubular calyx with large lobes, several stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The petals have a pea-like floral structure, consisting of a large upper banner and 2 wings that project forward to enclose the keel. The lateral edges of the banner fold backward from its center; as a flower ages, the center of the banner becomes more white. The calyx is light green to reddish purple. The slender pedicels of the flowers are up to ½" long. The flowering stalks, calyces, and pedicels are sparsely to moderately canescent-hairy. At the base of each flower, there is a linear-lanceolate floral bract that soon withers away.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 1 month for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by elongated seedpods about 1¼-2" long and canescent-hairy. Each seedpod contains about 7 seeds, which can be ejected several feet away from the mother plant. The root system consists of a taproot with rhizomes. Reproduction is by seed and vegetative clones from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic soil containing sand or sandy loam. The root system can fix nitrogen into the soil. The seeds should be scarified to facilitate germination. Individual plants can be short-lived or long-lived, depending on environmental conditions.
Range & Habitat: Wild Lupine is an uncommon native wildflower that is found in NE Illinois and other northern areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Because of habitat destruction and fire suppression, populations of this wildflower have declined. Habitats include sand prairies, openings in sandy woodlands, sandy savannas, edges of sandy woodlands, stabilized sand dunes, and powerline clearances in sandy areas. Dominant canopy trees in some of these habitats are either oaks (especially Black Oak) or pines.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by honeybees, bumblebees, digger bees (Synhalonia spp.), Mason bees (Osmia spp.), and other long-tongued bees. Other floral visitors include Halictid bees and bee flies. Only pollen is available as a floral reward, which is forcibly ejected into the faces of such insect visitors. Occasionally, the Karner Blue and other butterflies visit the flowers, searching in vain for nectar. Several insects feed on the foliage and other parts of Wild Lupine. These insect feeders include caterpillars of the butterflies Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue) and Callophrys irus (Frosted Elfin), and caterpillars of the skippers Erynnis baptisiae (Wild Indigo Duskywing) and Erynnis persius (Persius Duskywing). The caterpillars of several moths also feed on Wild Lupine: Caenurgina crassiuscula (Clover Looper), Grammia phyllira (Phyllira Tiger Moth), Grammia placentia (Placentia Tiger Moth), Utetheisa bella (Bella Moth), and Walshia miscecolorella (Sweet Clover Root Borer). Other insects feeders include Empoasca fabae (Potato Leafhopper), Hadronema militaris (Military Plant Bug), and seed-eating larvae of the weevil Apion minor. The foliage is toxic to sheep and horses, however deer, rabbits, and woodchucks occasionally browse on Wild Lupine.
Photographic Location: A wooded sand dune at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: This is the only lupine that is native to Illinois; species in this genus are more abundant in the western United States. Wild Lupine is readily distinguished from Baptisia spp. (Wild Indigos) and other similar species in the Bean family by the abundant leaflets of its palmate leaves (7-11 per leaf). Other similar species in Illinois have either trifoliate leaves (3 leaflets per compound leaf) or pinnate compound leaves. Both the flowers and foliage of Wild Lupine are quite attractive. Another common name of this species is Sundial Lupine, because the palmate leaves orient themselves in the direction of the sun.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 1 month for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by elongated seedpods about 1¼-2" long and canescent-hairy. Each seedpod contains about 7 seeds, which can be ejected several feet away from the mother plant. The root system consists of a taproot with rhizomes. Reproduction is by seed and vegetative clones from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic soil containing sand or sandy loam. The root system can fix nitrogen into the soil. The seeds should be scarified to facilitate germination. Individual plants can be short-lived or long-lived, depending on environmental conditions.
Range & Habitat: Wild Lupine is an uncommon native wildflower that is found in NE Illinois and other northern areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Because of habitat destruction and fire suppression, populations of this wildflower have declined. Habitats include sand prairies, openings in sandy woodlands, sandy savannas, edges of sandy woodlands, stabilized sand dunes, and powerline clearances in sandy areas. Dominant canopy trees in some of these habitats are either oaks (especially Black Oak) or pines.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by honeybees, bumblebees, digger bees (Synhalonia spp.), Mason bees (Osmia spp.), and other long-tongued bees. Other floral visitors include Halictid bees and bee flies. Only pollen is available as a floral reward, which is forcibly ejected into the faces of such insect visitors. Occasionally, the Karner Blue and other butterflies visit the flowers, searching in vain for nectar. Several insects feed on the foliage and other parts of Wild Lupine. These insect feeders include caterpillars of the butterflies Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue) and Callophrys irus (Frosted Elfin), and caterpillars of the skippers Erynnis baptisiae (Wild Indigo Duskywing) and Erynnis persius (Persius Duskywing). The caterpillars of several moths also feed on Wild Lupine: Caenurgina crassiuscula (Clover Looper), Grammia phyllira (Phyllira Tiger Moth), Grammia placentia (Placentia Tiger Moth), Utetheisa bella (Bella Moth), and Walshia miscecolorella (Sweet Clover Root Borer). Other insects feeders include Empoasca fabae (Potato Leafhopper), Hadronema militaris (Military Plant Bug), and seed-eating larvae of the weevil Apion minor. The foliage is toxic to sheep and horses, however deer, rabbits, and woodchucks occasionally browse on Wild Lupine.
Photographic Location: A wooded sand dune at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: This is the only lupine that is native to Illinois; species in this genus are more abundant in the western United States. Wild Lupine is readily distinguished from Baptisia spp. (Wild Indigos) and other similar species in the Bean family by the abundant leaflets of its palmate leaves (7-11 per leaf). Other similar species in Illinois have either trifoliate leaves (3 leaflets per compound leaf) or pinnate compound leaves. Both the flowers and foliage of Wild Lupine are quite attractive. Another common name of this species is Sundial Lupine, because the palmate leaves orient themselves in the direction of the sun.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月22日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant produces one or more unbranched stems from its root system; these stems are 4-14" long, erect to ascending, whitish green, terete, and densely covered with appressed hairs. Alternate leaves occur along the entire length of each stem; they are ¾–2½" long, 2-6 mm. across, linear-oblong in shape, entire (toothless) along their margins, and sessile. The leaf blades have a tendency to become larger in size as they ascend up the stems. The upper leaf surface is grayish green and more or less covered with appressed hairs, while the lower leaf surface is whitish green and densely covered with appressed hairs. The leaves have prominent central veins.
Each mature stem terminates in a cluster of nearly sessile flowers. Each flower consists of a pale yellow to yellow corolla, a whitish green calyx with 5 linear teeth, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The trumpet-shaped corolla is ¾–1¼" (18-32 mm.) long and 10-18 mm. across; it has 5 rounded spreading lobes, a narrowly cylindrical base, and a throat with a narrow opening. The lobes of the corolla are ruffled or fringed. The calyx (including its teeth) is up to 8 mm. long; it is more or less covered with appressed hairs. At the flower bases, there are small leafy bracts up to 8 mm. long; except for their small size, they resemble the leaves. The blooming period for these flowers occurs from late spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. In addition to these showy flowers, this plant also produces small cleistogamous flowers later in the summer. These latter flowers are about ¼" long and inconspicuous; they are self-fertile. Afterwards, fertile flowers are replaced by small nutlets (4 nutlets per flower). Mature nutlets are 3–3.5 mm. long, ovoid in shape, light gray to white, shiny, and sparsely pitted. Individual nutlets are keeled along one side, while their bottoms are truncate and their apices are somewhat pointed. The root system consistsDistribution Map of a deep taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry-mesic to dry conditions, and barren soil that is stony or sandy. Seed germination requires no pretreatment involving winter dormancy. As a perennial, this plant is moderately short-lived (typically surviving about 5 years), but its seeds are easier to germinate than many other native puccoons (Lithospermum spp.).
Range & Habitat: The native Fringed Puccoon occurs in northern and western Illinois, where it is uncommon. Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this species. Habitats include upland prairies, gravel prairies, sand prairies, hill prairies, sandy or rocky savannas, limestone glades, and pastures. Fringed Puccoon has a tendency to increase in response to light or moderate grazing by cattle. Occasional wildfires are probably beneficial by reducing competition from woody plants and by removing the accumulation of smothering debris from dead herbaceous plants. In Illinois, Fringed Puccoon is found in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The structure of the large showy flowers indicates that they are cross-pollinated by butterflies, skippers, and possibly the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (in Illinois). A small number of insects are known to feed on the leaves, roots, and other parts of Fringed Puccoon and other puccoons (Lithospermum spp.) that are found in prairies. They include larvae of a long-horned beetle (Hemierana marginata ardens), larvae of a moth, the Gray Ethmia (Ethmia monticola fuscipedella), and larvae of a Sesiid moth (Carmenta mariona); see Yanega (1996), Powell (1973), and BugGuide (at bugguide.net) for more information. However, the range of the Sesiid moth extends eastward to Kansas and Nebraska; it has not been found in Illinois. Several polyphagous grasshoppers are known to feed occasionally on Fringed Puccoon. They include the Two-striped Grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus), Red-legged Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum), Yellowish Grasshopper (Melanoplus flavidus), and Gladston's Grasshopper (Melanoplus gladstoni); see Campbell et al. (1974), Brust et al. (2008), and Joern (1985) for more information.
Photographic Location: A sandy hill prairie in Cook County, Illinois. The photographs were taken by Bill Johnson (Copyright © 2014).
Comments: This is one of three puccoon species (Lithospermum spp.) in Illinois that inhabit prairies. They all produce showy flowers at about the same time each year that vary in color from pale yellow to orange-yellow. Fringed Puccoon can be distinguished from these other species by the fringed or ruffled lobes of its corolla and very narrow leaves (2-6 mm. across). It also produces small cleistogamous (self-fertile) flowers, unlike the others. Similar to other puccoons, a blue dye can be obtained from its roots.
Each mature stem terminates in a cluster of nearly sessile flowers. Each flower consists of a pale yellow to yellow corolla, a whitish green calyx with 5 linear teeth, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The trumpet-shaped corolla is ¾–1¼" (18-32 mm.) long and 10-18 mm. across; it has 5 rounded spreading lobes, a narrowly cylindrical base, and a throat with a narrow opening. The lobes of the corolla are ruffled or fringed. The calyx (including its teeth) is up to 8 mm. long; it is more or less covered with appressed hairs. At the flower bases, there are small leafy bracts up to 8 mm. long; except for their small size, they resemble the leaves. The blooming period for these flowers occurs from late spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. In addition to these showy flowers, this plant also produces small cleistogamous flowers later in the summer. These latter flowers are about ¼" long and inconspicuous; they are self-fertile. Afterwards, fertile flowers are replaced by small nutlets (4 nutlets per flower). Mature nutlets are 3–3.5 mm. long, ovoid in shape, light gray to white, shiny, and sparsely pitted. Individual nutlets are keeled along one side, while their bottoms are truncate and their apices are somewhat pointed. The root system consistsDistribution Map of a deep taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry-mesic to dry conditions, and barren soil that is stony or sandy. Seed germination requires no pretreatment involving winter dormancy. As a perennial, this plant is moderately short-lived (typically surviving about 5 years), but its seeds are easier to germinate than many other native puccoons (Lithospermum spp.).
Range & Habitat: The native Fringed Puccoon occurs in northern and western Illinois, where it is uncommon. Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this species. Habitats include upland prairies, gravel prairies, sand prairies, hill prairies, sandy or rocky savannas, limestone glades, and pastures. Fringed Puccoon has a tendency to increase in response to light or moderate grazing by cattle. Occasional wildfires are probably beneficial by reducing competition from woody plants and by removing the accumulation of smothering debris from dead herbaceous plants. In Illinois, Fringed Puccoon is found in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The structure of the large showy flowers indicates that they are cross-pollinated by butterflies, skippers, and possibly the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (in Illinois). A small number of insects are known to feed on the leaves, roots, and other parts of Fringed Puccoon and other puccoons (Lithospermum spp.) that are found in prairies. They include larvae of a long-horned beetle (Hemierana marginata ardens), larvae of a moth, the Gray Ethmia (Ethmia monticola fuscipedella), and larvae of a Sesiid moth (Carmenta mariona); see Yanega (1996), Powell (1973), and BugGuide (at bugguide.net) for more information. However, the range of the Sesiid moth extends eastward to Kansas and Nebraska; it has not been found in Illinois. Several polyphagous grasshoppers are known to feed occasionally on Fringed Puccoon. They include the Two-striped Grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus), Red-legged Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum), Yellowish Grasshopper (Melanoplus flavidus), and Gladston's Grasshopper (Melanoplus gladstoni); see Campbell et al. (1974), Brust et al. (2008), and Joern (1985) for more information.
Photographic Location: A sandy hill prairie in Cook County, Illinois. The photographs were taken by Bill Johnson (Copyright © 2014).
Comments: This is one of three puccoon species (Lithospermum spp.) in Illinois that inhabit prairies. They all produce showy flowers at about the same time each year that vary in color from pale yellow to orange-yellow. Fringed Puccoon can be distinguished from these other species by the fringed or ruffled lobes of its corolla and very narrow leaves (2-6 mm. across). It also produces small cleistogamous (self-fertile) flowers, unlike the others. Similar to other puccoons, a blue dye can be obtained from its roots.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月21日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 1-2½' tall and usually unbranched, except toward the apex where the flowers occur. Often a cluster of leafy stems originate from the same taproot. The rather stout stems are light green, very hairy, and either terete or shallowly grooved. Along each stem, there are 12 or more alternate leaves that are ascending to widely spreading. Individual leaves are 1½-3" long, ¼-¾" across, pale green to dark green, and sessile; they are narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate with margins that are toothless and ciliate. Both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves are hairy.
The upper stems terminate in curved racemes of flowers, forming together a flat-headed cluster of flowers. Each flower is about ¾" across, consisting of a yellow to orange-yellow corolla with 5 large rounded lobes, a green hairy calyx with 5 linear-lanceolate teeth, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with an inserted style. The tubular corolla has a narrow throat with widely spreading lobes; it is minutely hairy just below the opening of the throat. On some plants, the flowers have long stamens and short styles, while the flowers of other plants have short stamens and long styles. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 4 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, each flower is replaced by 4 shiny white nutlets (or sometimes fewer) that are visible from above. They are distributed by gravity and usually remain near the mother plant. The root system consists of a short stout taproot that is red to reddish purple. This wildflower reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, dry-mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil. Because the nutlets are difficult to germinate and transplants often fail, this wildflower is not widely available from nurseries, and as a result it is rarely cultivated.
Range & Habitat: The native Hairy Puccoon is occasional in sandy areas of central and northern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open sandy woodlands, sandy savannas, upland sand prairies, sandy hill prairies, sand dunes along Lake Michigan, and sandy embankments along roads and railroads. Occasional disturbance from wildfires and other sources is beneficial if it reduces competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The showy flowers are cross-pollinated by such butterflies and skippers as Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue) and Poanes hobomok (Hobomok Skipper). The larvae of a long-horned beetle, Hemierana marginata ardens, feed on native Lithospermum spp. (puccoons), probably by boring through the stems or roots. The adults of this beetle mimic fireflies (Lampyridae), probably because of the latter's unpalatability to birds and other predators. The caterpillars of Ethmia longimaculella (Streaked Ethmia Moth) and Ethmia fuscipedella (Gray Ethmia Moth) are known to feed on native puccoons as well. The latter moth is also referred to as Ethmia monticola fuscipedella. White-Tailed Deer occasionally browse on Hairy Puccoon.
Photographic Location: A sandy savanna at the Oak Openings Nature Preserve in NW Ohio, and a stabilized sand dune with scattered oak trees at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: The flowers of this wildflower are very showy and brilliantly colored – they can be seen from a considerable distance. Hairy Puccoon is one of three native puccoons (Lithospermum spp.) in Illinois. It can be distinguished from Hoary Puccoon (Lithospermum canescens) by its larger flowers, rough hairs on its foliage, and somewhat greater height. Hoary Puccoon has an abundance of hairs on its foliage, but they have a softer texture. The remaining native species, Fringed Puccoon (Lithospermum incisum), has flowers with fringed lobes, rather than rounded lobes. This latter species also has more narrow leaves. There are some Lithospermum spp. from Eurasia in Illinois, but none of them have the showy yellow to orange-yellow flowers of the native puccoons. Sometimes the scientific name of Hairy Puccoon is spelled Lithospermum carolinense. The specimens of Hairy Puccoon in Illinois (and Ohio) are considered examples of a northern variety of this species, Lithospermum caroliniense croceum. Some authors (e.g., Mohlenbrock, 2014) prefer to treat this variety as a distinct species, Lithospermum croceum, but this viewpoint is not widely accepted at the present time.
The upper stems terminate in curved racemes of flowers, forming together a flat-headed cluster of flowers. Each flower is about ¾" across, consisting of a yellow to orange-yellow corolla with 5 large rounded lobes, a green hairy calyx with 5 linear-lanceolate teeth, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with an inserted style. The tubular corolla has a narrow throat with widely spreading lobes; it is minutely hairy just below the opening of the throat. On some plants, the flowers have long stamens and short styles, while the flowers of other plants have short stamens and long styles. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 4 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, each flower is replaced by 4 shiny white nutlets (or sometimes fewer) that are visible from above. They are distributed by gravity and usually remain near the mother plant. The root system consists of a short stout taproot that is red to reddish purple. This wildflower reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, dry-mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil. Because the nutlets are difficult to germinate and transplants often fail, this wildflower is not widely available from nurseries, and as a result it is rarely cultivated.
Range & Habitat: The native Hairy Puccoon is occasional in sandy areas of central and northern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open sandy woodlands, sandy savannas, upland sand prairies, sandy hill prairies, sand dunes along Lake Michigan, and sandy embankments along roads and railroads. Occasional disturbance from wildfires and other sources is beneficial if it reduces competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The showy flowers are cross-pollinated by such butterflies and skippers as Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue) and Poanes hobomok (Hobomok Skipper). The larvae of a long-horned beetle, Hemierana marginata ardens, feed on native Lithospermum spp. (puccoons), probably by boring through the stems or roots. The adults of this beetle mimic fireflies (Lampyridae), probably because of the latter's unpalatability to birds and other predators. The caterpillars of Ethmia longimaculella (Streaked Ethmia Moth) and Ethmia fuscipedella (Gray Ethmia Moth) are known to feed on native puccoons as well. The latter moth is also referred to as Ethmia monticola fuscipedella. White-Tailed Deer occasionally browse on Hairy Puccoon.
Photographic Location: A sandy savanna at the Oak Openings Nature Preserve in NW Ohio, and a stabilized sand dune with scattered oak trees at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: The flowers of this wildflower are very showy and brilliantly colored – they can be seen from a considerable distance. Hairy Puccoon is one of three native puccoons (Lithospermum spp.) in Illinois. It can be distinguished from Hoary Puccoon (Lithospermum canescens) by its larger flowers, rough hairs on its foliage, and somewhat greater height. Hoary Puccoon has an abundance of hairs on its foliage, but they have a softer texture. The remaining native species, Fringed Puccoon (Lithospermum incisum), has flowers with fringed lobes, rather than rounded lobes. This latter species also has more narrow leaves. There are some Lithospermum spp. from Eurasia in Illinois, but none of them have the showy yellow to orange-yellow flowers of the native puccoons. Sometimes the scientific name of Hairy Puccoon is spelled Lithospermum carolinense. The specimens of Hairy Puccoon in Illinois (and Ohio) are considered examples of a northern variety of this species, Lithospermum caroliniense croceum. Some authors (e.g., Mohlenbrock, 2014) prefer to treat this variety as a distinct species, Lithospermum croceum, but this viewpoint is not widely accepted at the present time.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月21日
Description: This perennial plant is about ½-1½' tall, sending up one or more leafy stems from the same root system. These stems are erect to ascending; they are unbranched below, while branching occasionally above. Individual stems are light green, terete, and hairy; these hairs are white and spreading. Alternate leaves occur along the entire length of each stem, differing little in size. These leaves are 1–1¾" long and ¼–½" across with prominent central veins; they are oblong or elliptic in shape, while their margins are entire (toothless) and ciliate. The leaf bases are sessile, while the leaf tips are bluntly acute to rounded. The upper leaf surfaces are medium to dark green and sparsely to moderately covered with short appressed hairs. The lower leaf surfaces are light to medium green and sparsely to densely pubescent; hairs are usually more common along the lower side of their central veins. The white hairs and pubescence of this plant provide it with a slightly hoary appearance, hence the common name. The upper stems terminate in showy clusters of flowers. Initially these flowers are arranged along short curled racemes, but somewhat later these racemes become longer and more erect.
Each flower spans about ½" across, consisting of a bright yellow to orange-yellow corolla with 5 lobes, a light green calyx with 5 long teeth, 5 stamens, and a 4-chambered pistil with a single style. The lobes of the corolla are rounded and spreading, while the base of the corolla is narrowly tubular and slightly funnelform. Both the calyx and its teeth are hairy; the teeth are linear-lanceolate in shape and up to ¼" long. The reproductive organs of this plant are heterostylous: some flowers have long styles and stamens with short filaments, while other flowers have short styles and stamens with long filaments. The pedicels of the flowers are very short (less than 3 mm. long). The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 1 month for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by nutlets (4 nutlets per flower). Mature nutlets are 2-3 mm. long and ovoid in shape with pointed tips; their surfaces are hard, white, smooth, and shiny. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing loam, rocky material, or sand. The seeds of Hoary Puccoon are notoriously difficult to germinate, and its root system (consisting of a taproot) is not readily divided. As a result, this plant is rarely cultivated. This is a pity, because the flowers are very showy.
Range & Habitat: The native Hoary Puccoon occurs throughout Illinois, except in some SE areas of the state (see Distribution Map). This conservative plant is occasional in high quality natural areas (primarily upland prairies and savannas), otherwise it is rare or absent. Habitats include black soil prairies, sand prairies, hill prairies, upland savannas, sandy Black Oak savannas, and limestone glades. This is the most common and widely distributed species of its genus in Illinois.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract bumblebees, digger bees (Synhalonia spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.), bee flies (Bombylius spp.), butterflies (Vanessa spp., Papilio spp.), skippers (Erynnis spp.), and other insects (Robertson, 1929; Reed, 1993; Macior, 1967). The larvae of a long-horned beetle, Hemierana marginata ardens, feeds on Lithospermum spp., probably by boring through the stems and/or roots (Yanega, 1996). Because the foliage of Hoary Puccoon contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, it can be considered more or less toxic to many herbivores (e.g., insects and mammals). There is some evidence, however, that this plant becomes relatively more abundant when White-tailed Deer and other mammalian herbivores are excluded from its proximity by fences (Ritchie et al., 1998). This implies that the foliage of Hoary Puccoon is probably grazed by White-tailed Deer and possibly other mammalian herbivores, notwithstanding its known toxicity.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Loda Cemetery Prairie in Iroquois County, Illinois, and a hill prairie in McLean County, Illinois.
Comments: Because Hoary Puccoon (Lithospermum canescens) begins to bloom during the spring when other ground vegetation is relatively low, the brightly colored flowers can be seen from a distance. The word 'puccoon' means that this plant was the source of a dye at one time – a reddish color that was used by Amerindians for pottery, basketry, and personal ornament in various ceremonies. Hoary Puccoon is one of three native puccoon species (Lithospermum spp.) in Illinois that have flowers with bright yellow or yellow-orange corollas. Unlike Fringed Puccoon (Lithospermum incisum), the corolla lobes of Hoary Puccoon are smooth, rather than fringed, and it has wider leaves (exceeding ¼" across). Compared to Hairy Puccoon (Lithospermum croceum), Hoary Puccoon is a smaller plant with smaller flowers – it also blooms earlier in the year. Unlike the preceding two species, the corollas of Hoary Puccoon are sometimes yellow-orange, rather than yellow.
Each flower spans about ½" across, consisting of a bright yellow to orange-yellow corolla with 5 lobes, a light green calyx with 5 long teeth, 5 stamens, and a 4-chambered pistil with a single style. The lobes of the corolla are rounded and spreading, while the base of the corolla is narrowly tubular and slightly funnelform. Both the calyx and its teeth are hairy; the teeth are linear-lanceolate in shape and up to ¼" long. The reproductive organs of this plant are heterostylous: some flowers have long styles and stamens with short filaments, while other flowers have short styles and stamens with long filaments. The pedicels of the flowers are very short (less than 3 mm. long). The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 1 month for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by nutlets (4 nutlets per flower). Mature nutlets are 2-3 mm. long and ovoid in shape with pointed tips; their surfaces are hard, white, smooth, and shiny. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing loam, rocky material, or sand. The seeds of Hoary Puccoon are notoriously difficult to germinate, and its root system (consisting of a taproot) is not readily divided. As a result, this plant is rarely cultivated. This is a pity, because the flowers are very showy.
Range & Habitat: The native Hoary Puccoon occurs throughout Illinois, except in some SE areas of the state (see Distribution Map). This conservative plant is occasional in high quality natural areas (primarily upland prairies and savannas), otherwise it is rare or absent. Habitats include black soil prairies, sand prairies, hill prairies, upland savannas, sandy Black Oak savannas, and limestone glades. This is the most common and widely distributed species of its genus in Illinois.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract bumblebees, digger bees (Synhalonia spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.), bee flies (Bombylius spp.), butterflies (Vanessa spp., Papilio spp.), skippers (Erynnis spp.), and other insects (Robertson, 1929; Reed, 1993; Macior, 1967). The larvae of a long-horned beetle, Hemierana marginata ardens, feeds on Lithospermum spp., probably by boring through the stems and/or roots (Yanega, 1996). Because the foliage of Hoary Puccoon contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, it can be considered more or less toxic to many herbivores (e.g., insects and mammals). There is some evidence, however, that this plant becomes relatively more abundant when White-tailed Deer and other mammalian herbivores are excluded from its proximity by fences (Ritchie et al., 1998). This implies that the foliage of Hoary Puccoon is probably grazed by White-tailed Deer and possibly other mammalian herbivores, notwithstanding its known toxicity.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Loda Cemetery Prairie in Iroquois County, Illinois, and a hill prairie in McLean County, Illinois.
Comments: Because Hoary Puccoon (Lithospermum canescens) begins to bloom during the spring when other ground vegetation is relatively low, the brightly colored flowers can be seen from a distance. The word 'puccoon' means that this plant was the source of a dye at one time – a reddish color that was used by Amerindians for pottery, basketry, and personal ornament in various ceremonies. Hoary Puccoon is one of three native puccoon species (Lithospermum spp.) in Illinois that have flowers with bright yellow or yellow-orange corollas. Unlike Fringed Puccoon (Lithospermum incisum), the corolla lobes of Hoary Puccoon are smooth, rather than fringed, and it has wider leaves (exceeding ¼" across). Compared to Hairy Puccoon (Lithospermum croceum), Hoary Puccoon is a smaller plant with smaller flowers – it also blooms earlier in the year. Unlike the preceding two species, the corollas of Hoary Puccoon are sometimes yellow-orange, rather than yellow.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月21日
Description: This annual herbaceous plant is ½–2' tall. It is usually unbranched below, becoming branched above, especially where the inflorescence occurs. The central stem and any lateral stems are light to medium green, terete, shallowly furrowed, and minutely hairy along the narrow ridges between the furrows. Toward the bottom of the central stem there are usually pairs of opposite leaves, while the central stem and any lateral stems have alternate leaves above. Relative to the orientation of the central stem and any lateral stems, the blades of these leaves are ascending to erect. In addition, the leaves are ¼–1" (6-25 mm.) long and 1-3 mm. (equal to or less than 1/8" across) wide; they are linear or linear-oblong in shape, toothless along their margins, and sessile. At the base of most leaves, there is a pair of glands that resemble a pair of tiny brown dots. The upper and lower surfaces of the leaves are light to medium green and hairless; sometimes they are also glaucous, especially on their lower surface. The central stem and any lateral stems terminate in panicles of flowers with ascending primary and secondary branches. These branches are similar to the stems, except they are sometimes more angular. The pedicels of the flowers are 1-5 mm. long and similar to the branches of the inflorescence, except they are shorter and more slender. Where the branches and pedicels diverge, there are often scale-like bracts up to 5 mm. long that are green and lanceolate in shape with hair-like teeth along their margins.
Individual flowers occur at the tips of the pedicels; usually only one or a few flowers bloom at the same time. Each flower is about ½" (13 mm.) across and ½" (13 mm.) long, consisting of 5 yellow petals, 5 green sepals, 5 stamens with yellow anthers, and an ovary with 5 styles that are joined together below. The petals are oblanceolate or obovate in shape with several fine translucent veins that originate from the throat of the flower; the petals are strongly ascending below and widely spreading above when they are fully open. The sepals are lanceolate in shape with hair-like glandular teeth along their margins; each sepal has a pale green longitudinal band in the middle and narrow pale green margins, otherwise it is medium green. The sepals are about one-third as long as the petals. The blooming period occurs during the summer for 1-2 months. Each flower remains in bloom for a single day, after which the petals fall off. The flowers are replaced by ovoid-globoid seed capsules that become dark brown at maturity; these capsules are surrounded by the persistant sepals. Individuals capsules split open later in the year into 10 sections to release their seeds (there is a single seed per section). The seeds are about 1.5–2 mm. long, reddish brown, ellipsoid in shape, and somewhat flattened. The root system consists of a slender taproot with secondary fibrous roots. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and a barren soil containing gravelly clay or sand. Plants that are spoiled with fertile soil and too much water may topple over as they mature.
Range & Habitat: In Illinois, the native Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum) occurs primarily in northern and western Illinois, where it is uncommon, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). This plant occurs primarily in the Midwestern area of the United States, although widely scattered populations also occur further to the east and southeast. Habitats include gravel hill prairies, gravel prairies, gravelly slopes along rivers, loess hill prairies, sandy hill prairies, upland sand prairies, and limestone glades. Depending on the time of year, occasional wildfires can be beneficial in maintaining populations of this species. Grooved Yellow Flax occurs in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract bumblebees, long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), and metallic wood-boring beetles (Acmaeodera spp.); see Smith et al. (2012) and MacRae (1991) for more information. These insects probably feed on nectar and/or pollen. Like many other Flax species (Linum spp.), the foliage and seeds of Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum) contain toxic cyanogenic compounds that deter their consumption by herbivores. Sheep are thought to be especially susceptible to these toxic compounds (Ninnescah Life, 2017).
Photographic Location: A gravel hill prairie at Lake in the Hills Fen Nature Preserve in McHenry County, Illinois.
Comments: Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum) is the only native Flax (Linum) in Illinois that is an annual; other species are perennials. Unlike the blue-flowered Flax species that are not native to the state, all of the native Flax species have yellow flowers and they are similar in appearance. Grooved Yellow Flax can be distinguished by the pair of glandular brown dots that appear at the base of most leaves; other native species of Flax lack them. Similarly, the stems of this species have shallow longitudinal grooves that are separated by narrow ridges with minute whitish hairs; other native Flax species have simple terete stems. In addition, the sepals of the flowers of Grooved Yellow Flax have hair-like glandular teeth along their margins, while the sepals of other native species of Flax are toothless. The sepals of Grooved Yellow Flax also persist around the seed capsules, even when the latter are mature. In contrast, the sepals of other native Flax species fall from the flowers before their seed capsules become mature. Grooved Yellow Flax also prefers dry barren habitats, such as gravel hill prairies and sandy hill prairies, to a greater extent than other native Flax species.
Individual flowers occur at the tips of the pedicels; usually only one or a few flowers bloom at the same time. Each flower is about ½" (13 mm.) across and ½" (13 mm.) long, consisting of 5 yellow petals, 5 green sepals, 5 stamens with yellow anthers, and an ovary with 5 styles that are joined together below. The petals are oblanceolate or obovate in shape with several fine translucent veins that originate from the throat of the flower; the petals are strongly ascending below and widely spreading above when they are fully open. The sepals are lanceolate in shape with hair-like glandular teeth along their margins; each sepal has a pale green longitudinal band in the middle and narrow pale green margins, otherwise it is medium green. The sepals are about one-third as long as the petals. The blooming period occurs during the summer for 1-2 months. Each flower remains in bloom for a single day, after which the petals fall off. The flowers are replaced by ovoid-globoid seed capsules that become dark brown at maturity; these capsules are surrounded by the persistant sepals. Individuals capsules split open later in the year into 10 sections to release their seeds (there is a single seed per section). The seeds are about 1.5–2 mm. long, reddish brown, ellipsoid in shape, and somewhat flattened. The root system consists of a slender taproot with secondary fibrous roots. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and a barren soil containing gravelly clay or sand. Plants that are spoiled with fertile soil and too much water may topple over as they mature.
Range & Habitat: In Illinois, the native Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum) occurs primarily in northern and western Illinois, where it is uncommon, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). This plant occurs primarily in the Midwestern area of the United States, although widely scattered populations also occur further to the east and southeast. Habitats include gravel hill prairies, gravel prairies, gravelly slopes along rivers, loess hill prairies, sandy hill prairies, upland sand prairies, and limestone glades. Depending on the time of year, occasional wildfires can be beneficial in maintaining populations of this species. Grooved Yellow Flax occurs in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract bumblebees, long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), and metallic wood-boring beetles (Acmaeodera spp.); see Smith et al. (2012) and MacRae (1991) for more information. These insects probably feed on nectar and/or pollen. Like many other Flax species (Linum spp.), the foliage and seeds of Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum) contain toxic cyanogenic compounds that deter their consumption by herbivores. Sheep are thought to be especially susceptible to these toxic compounds (Ninnescah Life, 2017).
Photographic Location: A gravel hill prairie at Lake in the Hills Fen Nature Preserve in McHenry County, Illinois.
Comments: Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum) is the only native Flax (Linum) in Illinois that is an annual; other species are perennials. Unlike the blue-flowered Flax species that are not native to the state, all of the native Flax species have yellow flowers and they are similar in appearance. Grooved Yellow Flax can be distinguished by the pair of glandular brown dots that appear at the base of most leaves; other native species of Flax lack them. Similarly, the stems of this species have shallow longitudinal grooves that are separated by narrow ridges with minute whitish hairs; other native Flax species have simple terete stems. In addition, the sepals of the flowers of Grooved Yellow Flax have hair-like glandular teeth along their margins, while the sepals of other native species of Flax are toothless. The sepals of Grooved Yellow Flax also persist around the seed capsules, even when the latter are mature. In contrast, the sepals of other native Flax species fall from the flowers before their seed capsules become mature. Grooved Yellow Flax also prefers dry barren habitats, such as gravel hill prairies and sandy hill prairies, to a greater extent than other native Flax species.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月21日
Description: This is a herbaceous perennial plant that becomes ¾–2¼' tall at maturity, sending up one or more unbranched stems from the root system. The stems are light green to bluish green, terete, and glabrous; sometimes they have fine decurrent ridges that descend from the sessile leaves. The lowest leaves along these stems are usually opposite, otherwise they are all alternate; their blades are ascending to nearly erect. The leaf blades are up to 1" (2.5 cm) long and 3.5 mm. across; they are narrowly elliptic in shape with entire margins. Both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaf blades are light green to bluish green and glabrous. Only the central vein of each leaf is prominent. Each stem terminates in several elongated racemes of flowers that are erect to ascending. Each flower spans about 8 mm. (1/3") across, consisting of 5 yellow petals, 5 light green to bluish green sepals, 5 stamens, and a pistil. The petals are obovate and sometimes shallowly notched or wrinkled; the sepals are lanceolate and about one-half of the length of the petals. The inner sepals have stalked glands along their margins, while the outer sepals lack such glands. The pedicels of the flowers are up to 6 mm. (¼") long.
The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 1 month. Individual flowers are diurnal and short-lived. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by small seed capsules about 2 mm. across; these capsules are subgloboid in shape and a little shorter than the sepals. At maturity, the capsules split open into 10 segments to release numerous tiny seeds. These seeds are small enough to be blown about by the wind. The root system consists of a small crown of shallow fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, moist to mesic conditions, and soil containing calcareous sand, rocky material, or heavy clay-loam. This plant doesn't tolerated much competition from other ground vegetation, especially other broad-leaved plants (dicots). Depending on the local ecotype, the winter-hardiness and environmental preferences of this plant can vary significantly.
Stem & Alternate LeavesRange & Habitat: Stiff Yellow Flax is occasional along Lake Michigan in NE Illinois, uncommon in the southern half of Illinois, and rare or absent elsewhere within the state (see Distribution Map). It is native to Illinois and widely distributed in the eastern United States. Illinois lies along the NW range-limit of this species. Habitats include rocky upland woodlands, rocky glades, upland savannas, moist to dry sand prairies, borders of sandy ponds, moist sand flats (pannes) along Lake Michigan, borders of interdunal swales along Lake Michigan, and abandoned sand or gravel pits that have been excavated close to the surface of ground water. Stiff Yellow Flax is usually found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about the floral-faunal relationships of Stiff Yellow Flax (Linum medium texanum) and other native yellow-flowered flaxes (Linum spp.). The flowers of a closely related species (Linum sulcatum) were visited by bees and beetles (Smith et al., 2012; MacRae, 1991). The caterpillars of a polyphagous moth, Xestia c-nigrum (Lesser Black-letter Dart), use flax species as host plants (Wikipedia, 2015). During the winter, a small songbird, Ammodramus henslowii (Henslow's Sparrow), eats the seeds of Stiff Yellow Flax to a minor extent in Louisiana (DiMiceli, 2006). It is possible that other granivorous songbirds eat the seeds or seed capsules of this plant during autumn migration in Illinois.
Photographic Location: A moist sand flat (panne) near Lake Michigan in NE Illinois.
Comments: This is one of several yellow-flowered flax species (Linum spp.) that are native to Illinois and surrounding states. As a group, these species are not well-known and they are rarely cultivated. Their flowers are smaller in size and less showy than the often-cultivated Linum perenne lewisii (Wild Blue Flax). The typical variety of Stiff Yellow Flax, Linum medium medium, is found primarily in Ontario and it is quite rare. It differs from Linum medium texanum by its wider leaves (3.5–6 mm. across), and its seed capsules divide into 5 segments, rather than 10 segments. In regards to their chromosomes, Linum medium texanum is diploid, while Linum medium medium is tetraploid. The other species of yellow-flowered flax are very similar to Stiff Yellow Flax in appearance. One species, Linum sulcatum (Grooved Yellow Flax), is a herbaceous annual that has pairs of dark glands at the bases of its leaves, its leaves are more slender (linear-elliptic) in shape, and its stems sometimes branch underneath their inflorescences. Another species, Linum striatum (Ridged Yellow Flax), differs from Stiff Yellow Flax by having mostly opposite leaves, rather than alternate leaves. A third species, Linum virginianum (Woodland Yellow Flax), lacks stalked glands on its inner sepals, and the decurrent ridges along each stem that extend from its leaves are weaker and shorter.
The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 1 month. Individual flowers are diurnal and short-lived. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by small seed capsules about 2 mm. across; these capsules are subgloboid in shape and a little shorter than the sepals. At maturity, the capsules split open into 10 segments to release numerous tiny seeds. These seeds are small enough to be blown about by the wind. The root system consists of a small crown of shallow fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, moist to mesic conditions, and soil containing calcareous sand, rocky material, or heavy clay-loam. This plant doesn't tolerated much competition from other ground vegetation, especially other broad-leaved plants (dicots). Depending on the local ecotype, the winter-hardiness and environmental preferences of this plant can vary significantly.
Stem & Alternate LeavesRange & Habitat: Stiff Yellow Flax is occasional along Lake Michigan in NE Illinois, uncommon in the southern half of Illinois, and rare or absent elsewhere within the state (see Distribution Map). It is native to Illinois and widely distributed in the eastern United States. Illinois lies along the NW range-limit of this species. Habitats include rocky upland woodlands, rocky glades, upland savannas, moist to dry sand prairies, borders of sandy ponds, moist sand flats (pannes) along Lake Michigan, borders of interdunal swales along Lake Michigan, and abandoned sand or gravel pits that have been excavated close to the surface of ground water. Stiff Yellow Flax is usually found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about the floral-faunal relationships of Stiff Yellow Flax (Linum medium texanum) and other native yellow-flowered flaxes (Linum spp.). The flowers of a closely related species (Linum sulcatum) were visited by bees and beetles (Smith et al., 2012; MacRae, 1991). The caterpillars of a polyphagous moth, Xestia c-nigrum (Lesser Black-letter Dart), use flax species as host plants (Wikipedia, 2015). During the winter, a small songbird, Ammodramus henslowii (Henslow's Sparrow), eats the seeds of Stiff Yellow Flax to a minor extent in Louisiana (DiMiceli, 2006). It is possible that other granivorous songbirds eat the seeds or seed capsules of this plant during autumn migration in Illinois.
Photographic Location: A moist sand flat (panne) near Lake Michigan in NE Illinois.
Comments: This is one of several yellow-flowered flax species (Linum spp.) that are native to Illinois and surrounding states. As a group, these species are not well-known and they are rarely cultivated. Their flowers are smaller in size and less showy than the often-cultivated Linum perenne lewisii (Wild Blue Flax). The typical variety of Stiff Yellow Flax, Linum medium medium, is found primarily in Ontario and it is quite rare. It differs from Linum medium texanum by its wider leaves (3.5–6 mm. across), and its seed capsules divide into 5 segments, rather than 10 segments. In regards to their chromosomes, Linum medium texanum is diploid, while Linum medium medium is tetraploid. The other species of yellow-flowered flax are very similar to Stiff Yellow Flax in appearance. One species, Linum sulcatum (Grooved Yellow Flax), is a herbaceous annual that has pairs of dark glands at the bases of its leaves, its leaves are more slender (linear-elliptic) in shape, and its stems sometimes branch underneath their inflorescences. Another species, Linum striatum (Ridged Yellow Flax), differs from Stiff Yellow Flax by having mostly opposite leaves, rather than alternate leaves. A third species, Linum virginianum (Woodland Yellow Flax), lacks stalked glands on its inner sepals, and the decurrent ridges along each stem that extend from its leaves are weaker and shorter.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月18日
Description: This perennial plant is 2-5' tall and unbranched, except for short stems bearing flowerheads in the upper half. The stout central stem is slightly ridged and covered with white hairs. The trifoliate leaves occur alternately along the stem on short petioles. Each leaflet is up to 3" long and 1" across, usually ovate in shape, with smooth margins, widely scattered white hairs, and a prominent central vein. Sometimes the surface of the leaves has a silky sheen. The apex of the central stem and some upper side stems terminate in elongated heads of flowers about 2-5" long and half as much across. Each flowerhead has numerous hairy bracts, from which the small white flowers barely protrude. Each flower is a little less than ½" long, and has 5 white petals with a patch of purple near its throat. There is a large upper petal and two smaller side petals, while the remaining petals are usually hidden from view. There is no floral scent. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall and lasts about a month. After blooming, the flowerheads gradually turn brown. The root system consists of a central taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and mesic to dry conditions. This plant is adaptable to different kinds of soil that contain significant amounts of loam, clay, sand, or rocky material. It adds nitrogen to the soil, and is easy to grow. Drought resistance is very good, although some of the lower leaves may turn yellow and fall off the plant.
Range & Habitat: Round-Headed Bush Clover occurs in most counties of Illinois, although it less common in the SE section of the state (see Distribution Map). This native wildflower is occasional to locally common. Habitats include mesic to dry black soil prairies, sand prairies, gravel prairies, hill prairies, loamy savannas and sandy savannas, limestone glades, sand dunes near Lake Michigan, and open areas along railroads and roadsides.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are visited primarily by long- or short-tongued bees, such as bumblebees, large Leaf-Cutting bees, Andrenid bees, and others. Butterflies may suck nectar from the flowers, but they are not effective pollinators. The caterpillars of several species of skippers feed on the foliage, including Thorybes bathyllus (Southern Cloudywing), Thorybes pylades (Northern Cloudywing), Achalarus lyciades (Hoary Edge), and Epargyreus clarus (Silver-Spotted Skipper). The caterpillars of several moths also feed on the foliage, including Utetheisa bella (Bella Moth), Dasylophia anguina (Black-Spotted Prominent), and Ptichodis herbarum (Common Ptichodis). Other insects feeding on this plant include Everes comyntas (Eastern-Tailed Blue), Tetralopha scortealis (Lespedeza Webworm), Pachybrachis carbonarius (Leaf Beetle sp.), Calomycterus setarius (Imported Long-Horned Beetle), and various Alydus spp. (Broad-Headed Bugs). Because it is high in protein and palatable, many mammalian herbivores eat the plant during different growth stages, including deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and livestock. An overpopulation of these animals may interfere with this plant's establishment. The seeds are eaten primarily by upland gamebirds, including the Mourning Dove, Bobwhite, and Wild Turkey. During the winter, the seeds are eaten by the Slate-Colored Junco.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is a robust and beneficial plant, although not particularly showy. It is fairly easy to distinguish this plant from other members of the Bean family, such as the tick trefoils and other bush clovers, by the stout bristly flowerheads and their small white flowers. However, there is some variability in the appearance of this plant across different localities.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and mesic to dry conditions. This plant is adaptable to different kinds of soil that contain significant amounts of loam, clay, sand, or rocky material. It adds nitrogen to the soil, and is easy to grow. Drought resistance is very good, although some of the lower leaves may turn yellow and fall off the plant.
Range & Habitat: Round-Headed Bush Clover occurs in most counties of Illinois, although it less common in the SE section of the state (see Distribution Map). This native wildflower is occasional to locally common. Habitats include mesic to dry black soil prairies, sand prairies, gravel prairies, hill prairies, loamy savannas and sandy savannas, limestone glades, sand dunes near Lake Michigan, and open areas along railroads and roadsides.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are visited primarily by long- or short-tongued bees, such as bumblebees, large Leaf-Cutting bees, Andrenid bees, and others. Butterflies may suck nectar from the flowers, but they are not effective pollinators. The caterpillars of several species of skippers feed on the foliage, including Thorybes bathyllus (Southern Cloudywing), Thorybes pylades (Northern Cloudywing), Achalarus lyciades (Hoary Edge), and Epargyreus clarus (Silver-Spotted Skipper). The caterpillars of several moths also feed on the foliage, including Utetheisa bella (Bella Moth), Dasylophia anguina (Black-Spotted Prominent), and Ptichodis herbarum (Common Ptichodis). Other insects feeding on this plant include Everes comyntas (Eastern-Tailed Blue), Tetralopha scortealis (Lespedeza Webworm), Pachybrachis carbonarius (Leaf Beetle sp.), Calomycterus setarius (Imported Long-Horned Beetle), and various Alydus spp. (Broad-Headed Bugs). Because it is high in protein and palatable, many mammalian herbivores eat the plant during different growth stages, including deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and livestock. An overpopulation of these animals may interfere with this plant's establishment. The seeds are eaten primarily by upland gamebirds, including the Mourning Dove, Bobwhite, and Wild Turkey. During the winter, the seeds are eaten by the Slate-Colored Junco.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is a robust and beneficial plant, although not particularly showy. It is fairly easy to distinguish this plant from other members of the Bean family, such as the tick trefoils and other bush clovers, by the stout bristly flowerheads and their small white flowers. However, there is some variability in the appearance of this plant across different localities.
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求助
BeautifullyMad
2018年01月17日
A bunch of my succulents have stems. I read in an article that they arent supposed to have stems. Am i doing something to cause them to have stems? Please help. 😊
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stunning.succulents：I bought a light meter for fairly cheap - it's become a very useful tool for determining if my plants have the right amount of light they need - highly recommend & good luck!
meriunkat：Not necessarily having a stem because that is where the leaves are attached to anyway, but the fact that there isn't enough sunlight the plant stretches turning weak and pale loosing it's beautiful colors in search of the sun
meriunkat：It's called etiolation, not enough sun
funfuntoday：They're growing tall because they aren't getting enough light, they're reaching. Try moving then to a sunnier spot
文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月17日
Description: This annual plant is a twining vine about 3-7' long. The stems are slightly pubescent, or have scattered white hairs. The larger alternate leaves are usually cordate, although leaves with 3 acute lobes are sometimes observed; smaller leaves are usually ovate. These leaves are 2-4" long and about half as much across. Their margins are smooth, while the upper leaf surface has scattered white hairs. The petioles are long, slender, and more or less pubescent.
From the base of these petioles, develops 1-3 white funnelform flowers from a short stalk. These flowers are up to 1" long and ¾" across. They are shallowly lobed. At the throat of each flower, is a single white stigma with a knobby head, which is closely surrounded by several white stamens with purple or white anthers. Rarely, a flower will have two knobby stigmata. There are 5 light green sepals that are lanceolate, pubsecent or hairy, and about 1/3" long. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer through the fall, and lasts about 2-3 months. Flowers bloom primarily during the morning; there is no noticeable floral scent. They are replaced by 2-valved seed capsules that are spherical and often hairy; these capsules are surrounded by 5 acute bracts. The large seeds are dark brown or black, with an irregular oblong shape and shiny surface. They rely primarily on the vining habit of the plant for their dispersal. The root system consists of a taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and moist to mesic conditions; this plant also tolerates drier locations. The soil can contain significant amounts of loam, clay, or gravelly material. The stems will climb fences and taller plants if given a chance; in open areas, they sprawl about haphazardly.
Range & Habitat: The native Small White Morning Glory occurs primarily in southern and western Illinois, where it is occasional. In the NE and extreme northern Illinois, this plant is apparently absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, thickets, gravelly bars of streams and banks of lakes, moist meadows near rivers or woodlands, abandoned fields, areas along roadsides and railroads, and miscellaneous waste areas. This plant favors disturbed habitats.
Faunal Associations: Primarily long-tongued bees visit the flowers for nectar, including bumblebees and Little Carpenter bees, and such oligoleges as Melitoma taurea (Mallow Bee), Peponapis pruinosa pruinosa (Squash & Gourd Bee), and Cemolobus ipomoea (Morning Glory Bee). Some insects feed on the foliage of this plant, including the caterpillars of Emmelina monodictyla (Common Plume Moth) and several species of Tortoise Beetles. The seeds, as large as they are, are consumed by only a few upland gamebirds to a limited extent; this includes the Bobwhite and Ring-Necked Pheasant. Mammalian herbivores don't feed on this plant because the foliage is somewhat toxic and has a slightly rank smell.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken along a railroad in Savoy, Illinois.
Comments: The flowers of this plant are smaller in size than other Morning Glories and Bindweeds. While the flowers of Convolvulus arvensis (Field Bindweed) have about the same length, they are broader when fully open (1" or more). There is some variability across local populations of Small White Morning Glory, particularly with regard to the hairiness of the plant. On rare occasions, the flowers may be pink or light purple. This plant will continue to bloom sporadically until late in the fall, when it is killed by frost.
From the base of these petioles, develops 1-3 white funnelform flowers from a short stalk. These flowers are up to 1" long and ¾" across. They are shallowly lobed. At the throat of each flower, is a single white stigma with a knobby head, which is closely surrounded by several white stamens with purple or white anthers. Rarely, a flower will have two knobby stigmata. There are 5 light green sepals that are lanceolate, pubsecent or hairy, and about 1/3" long. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer through the fall, and lasts about 2-3 months. Flowers bloom primarily during the morning; there is no noticeable floral scent. They are replaced by 2-valved seed capsules that are spherical and often hairy; these capsules are surrounded by 5 acute bracts. The large seeds are dark brown or black, with an irregular oblong shape and shiny surface. They rely primarily on the vining habit of the plant for their dispersal. The root system consists of a taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and moist to mesic conditions; this plant also tolerates drier locations. The soil can contain significant amounts of loam, clay, or gravelly material. The stems will climb fences and taller plants if given a chance; in open areas, they sprawl about haphazardly.
Range & Habitat: The native Small White Morning Glory occurs primarily in southern and western Illinois, where it is occasional. In the NE and extreme northern Illinois, this plant is apparently absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, thickets, gravelly bars of streams and banks of lakes, moist meadows near rivers or woodlands, abandoned fields, areas along roadsides and railroads, and miscellaneous waste areas. This plant favors disturbed habitats.
Faunal Associations: Primarily long-tongued bees visit the flowers for nectar, including bumblebees and Little Carpenter bees, and such oligoleges as Melitoma taurea (Mallow Bee), Peponapis pruinosa pruinosa (Squash & Gourd Bee), and Cemolobus ipomoea (Morning Glory Bee). Some insects feed on the foliage of this plant, including the caterpillars of Emmelina monodictyla (Common Plume Moth) and several species of Tortoise Beetles. The seeds, as large as they are, are consumed by only a few upland gamebirds to a limited extent; this includes the Bobwhite and Ring-Necked Pheasant. Mammalian herbivores don't feed on this plant because the foliage is somewhat toxic and has a slightly rank smell.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken along a railroad in Savoy, Illinois.
Comments: The flowers of this plant are smaller in size than other Morning Glories and Bindweeds. While the flowers of Convolvulus arvensis (Field Bindweed) have about the same length, they are broader when fully open (1" or more). There is some variability across local populations of Small White Morning Glory, particularly with regard to the hairiness of the plant. On rare occasions, the flowers may be pink or light purple. This plant will continue to bloom sporadically until late in the fall, when it is killed by frost.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月17日
Description: This perennial wildflower consists of a rosette of slender basal leaves and slightly shorter flowering stems. The basal leaves are up to 12" tall and ½" across; they are linear or linear-elliptic in shape and smooth (entire) along their margins. They are medium to dark green with scattered white hairs. One or more flowering stems up to 8" tall develop from the rosette of basal leaves; they are medium green with scattered white hairs. Each of these stems terminates in a rather loose umbel of two or more flowers. Each flower is about ¾" across and it consists of 6 yellow tepals that are widely spreading and lanceolate in shape. The tepals (especially the 3 outer ones) are often hairy along their undersides while the flower is in bloom. In the center, a yellow pistil is surrounded by 6 stamens with prominent golden yellow anthers. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer and lasts about 1 month. Sometimes there is a mild floral fragrance. Each seed capsule splits open irregularly, releasing several glossy black seeds that are covered with concentric rows of minute wart-like projections. The root system consists of a small corm.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to slightly dry conditions, and soil containing loam, sand, or rocky material. This wildflower is not usually bothered by foliar disease during the period of active growth during the spring. It can spread to form loose colonies, but is not particularly aggressive.
Range & Habitat: The native Yellow Star Grass occurs in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map). While it is widely distributed, this plant is not particularly common in any given locality. Habitats include prairies, hill prairies, edges of bluffs, savannas, open woodlands and paths through woodlands, fens, sandstone glades, abandoned fields, and lawns. Like Claytonia virginica (Spring Beauty), Yellow Star Grass can spread into lawns if mowing is delayed until late in the spring. Fidelity to any particular habitat is relatively low.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract small bees primarily, including Little Carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), Mason bees (Osmia spp.), and Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp., & others). These insects collect pollen and they are females. Other insect visitors include Syrphid flies and beetles that feed on the pollen. The flowers do not produce nectar. Cross-pollination is required for fertile seeds to develop. Among vertebrate animals, small rodents occasionally eat the corms. Otherwise, little information is available regarding this plant's relationships to other fauna.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a cemetery prairie and a wooded bluff in east-central Illinois.
Comments: This dainty wildflower is like a miniature jewel when it is in bloom. It is rarely more than 6" in height. No other native wildflower within the state closely resembles it, making identification relatively easy
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to slightly dry conditions, and soil containing loam, sand, or rocky material. This wildflower is not usually bothered by foliar disease during the period of active growth during the spring. It can spread to form loose colonies, but is not particularly aggressive.
Range & Habitat: The native Yellow Star Grass occurs in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map). While it is widely distributed, this plant is not particularly common in any given locality. Habitats include prairies, hill prairies, edges of bluffs, savannas, open woodlands and paths through woodlands, fens, sandstone glades, abandoned fields, and lawns. Like Claytonia virginica (Spring Beauty), Yellow Star Grass can spread into lawns if mowing is delayed until late in the spring. Fidelity to any particular habitat is relatively low.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract small bees primarily, including Little Carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), Mason bees (Osmia spp.), and Halictid bees (Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp., & others). These insects collect pollen and they are females. Other insect visitors include Syrphid flies and beetles that feed on the pollen. The flowers do not produce nectar. Cross-pollination is required for fertile seeds to develop. Among vertebrate animals, small rodents occasionally eat the corms. Otherwise, little information is available regarding this plant's relationships to other fauna.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a cemetery prairie and a wooded bluff in east-central Illinois.
Comments: This dainty wildflower is like a miniature jewel when it is in bloom. It is rarely more than 6" in height. No other native wildflower within the state closely resembles it, making identification relatively easy
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月17日
Description: This perennial plant is up to 2½' tall, branching frequently from the upper axils of the leaves, and having a shrubby appearance. The base of the plant is occasionally semi-woody, but the upper stems are herbaceous and green. The entire plant is devoid of hairs. The opposite leaves are up to 3" long and ¾" across. The pairs of leaves rotate by 90° as they ascend the stems. They are oblong or lanceolate with blunt tips, and are sessile against the stems. The margins are smooth, while the underside of each leaf is light green and devoid of black dots.
Numerous clusters of yellow flowers occur at the ends of the upper stems. Each flower is about ½–¾" across, with 5 rounded petals, and numerous long stamens surrounding a stigma that is slender and flask-shaped. The flowers have a mild buttercup-like fragrance. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer and lasts about a month. The small seeds are distributed to some extent by the wind. The root system consists of a central taproot and short rhizomes. This plant tends to spread vegetatively in sunny open areas.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and average to dry conditions. Different kinds of soil are readily tolerated, including those with substantial amounts of loam, gravel, sand, or clay. However, poor soil is often preferred because of the reduced competition from taller plants.
Range & Habitat: Round-Fruited St. John's Wort is widely distributed in Illinois, but it occurs only occasionally (see Distribution Map). It is least common in SE Illinois. This is a native wildflower. Habitats include mesic to dry gravel prairies, sand prairies, hill prairies, rocky open woodlands, thickets, scrubby barrens, rocky bluffs overlooking major rivers, limestone glades, dry banks of lakes, and open areas along roadsides.
Faunal Associations: Bumblebees and other long-tongued bees are probably the most important pollinators of the flowers. Other visitors include Halictine bees, beetles, and Syrphid flies, but they are less effective at pollination. All of these insects collect or feed on the abundant pollen, because the flowers offer no nectar. The caterpillars of the butterfly Strymon melinus (Gray Hairstreak) reportedly eat the seed capsules, although it is not a preferred host plant. The caterpillars of the moth Nedra ramosula (Gray Half-Spot) feed on the foliage. Like other St. John's Worts, the foliage of this species contains a toxic chemical that causes photosensitive skin reactions, particularly in light-skinned animals, and can irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, mammalian herbivores usually leave this plant alone if other food sources are available.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This plant can be easily distinguished from similar St. John's Worts by the absence of black dots on the flower petals and undersides of the leaves. The flowers tends to be larger than Hypericum punctatum (Spotted St. John's Wort), but smaller than Hypericum kalmii (Kalm's St. John's Wort), and Hypericum pyramidatum (Great S. John' Wort). This is an attractive plant while in the early to middle stages of bloom, although later losses some of its appeal because of the persistance of older brown petals near the seed capsules.
Numerous clusters of yellow flowers occur at the ends of the upper stems. Each flower is about ½–¾" across, with 5 rounded petals, and numerous long stamens surrounding a stigma that is slender and flask-shaped. The flowers have a mild buttercup-like fragrance. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer and lasts about a month. The small seeds are distributed to some extent by the wind. The root system consists of a central taproot and short rhizomes. This plant tends to spread vegetatively in sunny open areas.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and average to dry conditions. Different kinds of soil are readily tolerated, including those with substantial amounts of loam, gravel, sand, or clay. However, poor soil is often preferred because of the reduced competition from taller plants.
Range & Habitat: Round-Fruited St. John's Wort is widely distributed in Illinois, but it occurs only occasionally (see Distribution Map). It is least common in SE Illinois. This is a native wildflower. Habitats include mesic to dry gravel prairies, sand prairies, hill prairies, rocky open woodlands, thickets, scrubby barrens, rocky bluffs overlooking major rivers, limestone glades, dry banks of lakes, and open areas along roadsides.
Faunal Associations: Bumblebees and other long-tongued bees are probably the most important pollinators of the flowers. Other visitors include Halictine bees, beetles, and Syrphid flies, but they are less effective at pollination. All of these insects collect or feed on the abundant pollen, because the flowers offer no nectar. The caterpillars of the butterfly Strymon melinus (Gray Hairstreak) reportedly eat the seed capsules, although it is not a preferred host plant. The caterpillars of the moth Nedra ramosula (Gray Half-Spot) feed on the foliage. Like other St. John's Worts, the foliage of this species contains a toxic chemical that causes photosensitive skin reactions, particularly in light-skinned animals, and can irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, mammalian herbivores usually leave this plant alone if other food sources are available.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This plant can be easily distinguished from similar St. John's Worts by the absence of black dots on the flower petals and undersides of the leaves. The flowers tends to be larger than Hypericum punctatum (Spotted St. John's Wort), but smaller than Hypericum kalmii (Kalm's St. John's Wort), and Hypericum pyramidatum (Great S. John' Wort). This is an attractive plant while in the early to middle stages of bloom, although later losses some of its appeal because of the persistance of older brown petals near the seed capsules.
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