Stems第24页 - 绿手指 - 养花技巧、花生病了怎么办、花园打理和设计

2017年12月20日

Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is up to 1' tall; its leafy stems are either unbranched or sparingly branched. The stems are light green or light reddish green, terete, and glabrous. Abundant alternate leaves occur along the entire length of each stem. These leaves are ¾–1½" long, ¼–½" across, and either sessile or short-petiolate; they are oblong-elliptic to broadly oblong-elliptic in shape and their margins are entire (toothless). The upper leaf surface is grayish green and glabrous, while the lower leaf surface is slightly more pale and glabrous. Leaf venation is pinnate. Some of the stems terminate in flat-topped clusters of white flowers spanning ¾–1½" across. Sometimes these flowers are tinted green or pink. Each flower is about ¼" across, consisting of a shallow bell-shaped corolla with 5 sepals (rarely 4), 5 short stamens, and an inferior ovary with a single short style. The sepals are lanceolate in shape with spreading tips when a flower is fully open.

The central stalk, branches, and pedicels of each inflorescence are light green to light reddish green, terete, and glabrous. Individual pedicels are up to ¼" long. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer, lasting about 1 month for a colony of plants. Usually, relatively few flowers are in bloom at the same time in each inflorescence. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by small oily drupes spanning about ¼" across. Each thin-fleshed drupe contains a single large seed that is globoid in shape. The drupes gradually change color from green to brown, and they are said to have a sweet taste while still immature. The root system is fibrous and long-rhizomatous. Colonies of clonal plants are often produced by the thick woody rhizomes. The fibrous roots send out underground suckers (haustoria) that parasitize other plants. As a result, Bastard Toadflax is hemiparasitic.

Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic to neutral soil containing loam, sand, or rocky material. This plant is an alternate host of Comandra Blister Rust (Cronartium comandrae). This fungal disease also attacks hard pines (Pinus spp.). Bastard Toadflax is partially parasitic on the root systems of a wide variety of plants, including grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees.

Range & Habitat: The native Bastard Toadflax occurs occasionally in most areas of Illinois, but it is less common in the southern section of the state (see Distribution Map). This plant can be locally abundant at some high quality sites. Habitats include black soil prairies, sand prairies, hill prairies, rocky open woodlands, thinly wooded ridges, sandy savannas, and barren areas with scrubby vegetation. Bastard Toadflax is usually found in higher quality natural areas with other native plants. Populations of this plant tend to increase when they are exposed to occasional wildfires or light to moderate grazing.

Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract Halictid bees (Lasioglossum spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), soldier flies (Stratiomyidae), Syrphid flies, flesh flies (Sarcophagidae), Calliphorid flies, and Muscid flies. Less common floral visitors include various long-tongued bees, butterflies, and beetles (Robertson, 1929). The larvae of a moth, the Ochre-patched Epermeniid (Ochromolopis ramapoella), feed on the fruits of Bastard Toadflax. Other insects feeding on this plant include the polyphagous larvae of such Tortricid moths as the Oblique-banded Leafroller Moth (Choristoneura rosaceana), the Sparganothis Fruitworm (Sparganothis sulfureana), and the Pallid Leafroller Moth (Xenostemna pallorana); see Godfrey et al. (1987). It has been reported that the small oily fruits are eaten by birds and rodents (Hedgcock & Long, 1915; Mielke, 1957). Such animals may carry the fruits and their seeds for considerable distances, introducing this plant to new areas.

Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the Loda Cemetery Prairie in the southwest corner of Iroquois County, Illinois.

Comments: This is one of the few herbaceous plants of the prairie that produces edible fruits, although they are thin-fleshed and small in size. With age, the flesh of these fruits becomes dry. Because Bastard Toadflax (Comandra umbellata) is the only member of its genus that occurs in Illinois, it is relatively distinct in appearance and easy to identify. Some small-flowered chickweeds (Stellaria spp., Cerastium spp.) superficially resemble Bastard Toadflax, but they can be distinguished by the notched petals of their flowers and their foliage is often pubescent. A prairie species, Flowering Spurge (Euphorbia corolla), has superficially similar leafy stems while it is still young, but this species becomes taller later in the year and it also blooms later. While the foliage of Bastard Toadflax has clear sap, the foliage of Flowering Spurge has milky sap, like many other spurges (Euphorbia spp.).

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Description: This perennial plant is about ½–¾' tall and occasionally to abundantly branched. The foliage of this plant smells like mint when it is crushed. The stems are light green to reddish purple, 4-angled, and glabrous or nearly so; sometimes the sides of the stems have longitudinal central grooves. Pairs of spreading opposite leaves occur along these stems. Individual leaves are ½–1" long and about 3 mm. (1/8") across; they are linear to linear-oblong in shape, entire (smooth) along their margins, and sessile. Smaller pairs of secondary leaves often develop from the axils of the preceding leaves, and sometimes even smaller tertiary leaves develop from the axils of the secondary leaves, causing the leaves along the stems to appear whorled. Both the lower and upper surfaces of these leaves are yellowish green to medium green and glabrous; both surfaces are also pitted with transparent glands (use a 10x hand lens to see). The tips of the leaves are bluntly acute to acute. Individual leaves have prominent central veins.

Solitary flowers develop from the axils of the leaves. Because such flowers can develop from primary, secondary, and even tertiary leaves, they often appear to occur in clusters (up to 6 flowers per node). Each flower is about 12 mm. (½") long, consisting of a pale lavender (rarely white) trumpet-shaped corolla with 2 lips, a light green to reddish purple calyx that is tubular in shape with 5 teeth, 4 stamens with pale lavender anthers and white filaments, and a pistil with a single divided style. The corolla is slightly compressed (flattened), becoming wider toward its lips; the upper lip consists of a pair of adjacent upper lobes that are erect-recurved, while the lower lip consists of 3 lower lobes that are slightly descending and spreading. All of these lobes have rounded margins. The outer upper surface of the corolla is finely hairy. Two stamens are slightly exserted near the upper lip, while the remaining pair of stamens are inserted. The style is also inserted within the corolla.

The tubular calyx is about one-third the length of the corolla; it is slightly compressed (flattened) and there are 10 fine longitudinal ribs along its length. The teeth of the calyx are narrowly triangular. The slender pedicels of the flowers are 6-10 mm. (about 1/3") in length. The blooming period occurs from early to late summer, lasting about 2-3 months. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by small nutlets (4 nutlets per flower). These nutlets are up to 1 mm. across, brown, and finely pitted. The root system is fibrous and stoloniferous. Outside of the main growing season, this plant also produces a low rosette of basal leaves; the latter are substantially wider than the opposite leaves.

Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and calcareous soil that is sandy or rocky. This plant could be cultivated in sunny rock gardens. It doesn't tolerate much competition from taller ground vegetation. Standing water is tolerated if it is temporary. During hot dry spells, this plant should be watered.

Range & Habitat: Low Calamint occurs primarily in NE Illinois, where it is uncommon and native (see Distribution Map). Rather oddly, this plant is widespread in Missouri, but it hasn't been found in southern Illinois. Habitats consist of mesic gravel prairies, sandy savannas, limestone glades, limestone cliffs, rocky areas along springs, moist sand flats along Lake Michigan, and fens. Low Calamint is found in high quality natural areas.

Faunal Associations: The flowers are probably cross-pollinated by bees. Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. The larvae of a fly, Ophiomyia labiatarum, bore through the stems of Calamint species (Spencer & Steyskal, 1986). Because the foliage of this plant has a strong mint fragrance, it is probably avoided by mammalian herbivores.

Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster, and the edge of a sand flat near Lake Michigan in NE Illinois.

Comments: Low Calamint (Clinopodium arkansanum) has an unstable taxonomic history, and it has several scientific synonyms, including Satureja arkansana, Satureja glabella angustifolia, Calamintha arkansana, and Clinopodium glabrum. Another common name for this plant is Limestone Calamint. It is a bushy-looking little plant that becomes attractive during its peak flowering period (typically mid-summer), when numerous small flowers are in bloom at the same time. It also has a fairly long period of bloom. Low Calamint can be distinguished from similar plants by the strong mint fragrance of its crushed foliage, hairless or nearly hairless foliage, short narrow leaves without significant teeth, finely ribbed calyces, and solitary axillary flowers (although it can appear to have clusters of flowers if secondary and tertiary leaves are produced). Other species of plants in the Mint family that have foliage with a mint fragrance include mint, spearmint, and peppermint (Mentha spp.), and American Pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegioides). Compared to Low Calamint, the various mints have wider leaves with conspicuous teeth and their flowers occur in dense axillary or terminal clusters. American Pennyroyal differs by having hairy stems, slightly wider leaves with petioles, and smaller flowers (about 6 mm. or ¼" in length) with shorter pedicels.

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Description: This perennial plant is 2-5' tall, and is either unbranched or sparsely branched. The smooth stems are round or somewhat angular; they often become reddish in the sun near the inflorescence. The willow-like hairless leaves are up to 5" long and ¾" across. They are narrowly lanceolate or linear, with margins that are smooth or slightly serrated (widely spaced), and are sessile or with short petioles. The central stem and upper side stems each terminate in an elongated raceme of showy flowers, about 3-8" long. These flowers range in color from pink to magenta, depending on the local ecotype.

Each flower is about 1" across, consisting of 4 petals and 4 sepals. The petals are narrow at the base, but become broad and rounded toward their tips. The sepals are long and narrow; they are usually a darker color than the petals. In the center of the flower, there are up to 8 long white filaments with large magenta anthers; these anthers eventually shrivel and turn brown. The pedicels of the flowers are rather long and colored magenta. The blooming period occurs primarily from early to late summer, and lasts about a month. There is no floral scent. The flowers quickly wither away, and are replaced by seedpods that are long and narrow. These seedpods split into multiple sections, beginning at their tips (each section curling backward), and release a multitude of tiny seeds with small tufts of white hair. These seeds are readily dispersed by the wind, and can travel a considerable distance. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous, which enables this plant to form colonies.

Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and cool to warm temperatures. This plant becomes dormant during hot summer weather. The soil should contain abundant organic matter, with or without sand. A low pH is tolerated, if not preferred. This plant is fairly easy to grow, even under conditions that are not entirely suitable for it, but it has difficulty competing with plants that are better adapted to hot, dry summer weather. Foliar disease is not troublesome; however, the stems are easily broken. In warmer areas with a long growing season, Fireweed will bloom during early summer, while in cooler, boreal areas, it tends to bloom later in the summer.
Close-up of Leaf
Range & Habitat: The native Fireweed is a rare plant that occurs in only a few counties of NE and north central Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is more common further to the north in Wisconsin. Habitats include moist sedge meadows, woodland borders, damp ravines, sandy marshes near dunes, remnant bogs, and areas where trees and brush have been removed by fire. This plant is confined to cooler areas of Illinois where the climate has been made more moderate by the influence of the Great Lakes. It is not really a plant of the open prairies, but can be found sometimes in moist meadows. Fire stimulates the germination of this plant's seeds and helps to eliminate competitors, hence the common name.

Faunal Associations: Primarily long-tongued bees visit the flowers for pollen and nectar, including bumblebees and leafcutting bees (Megachile spp.). Smaller short-tongued bees and Syrphid flies also visit the flowers, but they seek pollen and are probably less effective at pollination (personal observations, Mitchell (1960/1962). Other insects feed on the foliage, sap, and other parts of Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium), including such species as Altica tombacina (a flea beetle), Bromius obscurus (a leaf beetle), leaf-mining larvae of Mompha communis (a Momphid moth), larvae of Hyles lineata (White-lined Sphinx) and Hyles galii (Galium Sphinx), nymphs of Aphrophora gelida (Boreal Spittlebug), Aphis oenotherae (Evening Primrose Aphid), Aphis salicariae (Dogwood-Fireweed Aphid), and Aphis varians (Currant-Fireweed Aphid); see Clark et al. (2004), Needham et al. (1928), Wagner (2005), Marshall (2006), Robinson & Bradley (1965), and Blackman & Eastop (2013). Many of these insects are found north of Illinois where Fireweed is more common. The seeds of this plant are too small to be of much interest to birds. The foliage is palatable to various mammalian herbivores, but it has relatively low food value.

Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.

Comments: Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) is attractive while in bloom, but it becomes ragged in appearance afterwards. This plant can't be confused with most willow-herb species (Epilobium spp.) because of their much smaller flowers. However, its flowers are similar in size to those of Hairy Fireweed (Epilobium hirsutum), which is not native to Illinois. This latter plant has spreading hairs that are soft and long, while Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) is hairless. A scientific synonym of this plant is Epilobium angustifolium.

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Description: This annual plant sprawls across the ground, forming a low mat of leafy stems up to 12" across. The central stem divides early, forming numerous lateral stems that also divide. The stems are terete, pale red, and hairless. At intervals, pairs of opposite leaves occur along the stems that are ¼-¾" in length; they are about 3 times as long as they are across. Individual leaves are narrowly oblong in shape and smooth along their margins; there is a tendency for the lower half of a leaf to be slightly wider than its upper half. The upper leaf surface is medium green and hairless, while the lower surface is pale green and hairless. At the base of each leaf, there is a short slender petiole. White to light green stipules occur below pairs of new leaves; the stipules are sharply and deeply cleft into linear to lanceolate lobes with narrow pointed tips. These stipules soon wither away. Both the stems and the leaves exude a milky latex when they become damaged.

Tiny flowers with cyathia (cup-like structures) develop near pairs of leaves; there is normally only a single cyathium (cup-like structure) per pair of leaves. The cyathium is less than 2 mm. long; its outer surface is light green and hairless. Each cyathium has a short stalk at its base that is terete and pale red. Along the upper rim of the cyathium, there are 4 nectar glands with tiny petaloid appendages. These petaloid appendages are white and barely perceptible without magnification; sometimes they are absent. Between the nectar glands along the upper rim of the cyathium, there are tiny linear-lanceolate lobes that are erect. From the center of the cyathium, there develops a single female flower on a short stout pedicel that becomes more long and curved with age. The female flower consists of a naked 3-celled ovary with a short tripartite style at its apex. This ovary is light green, hairless, and globoid in shape. Several male flowers develop underneath the female flower within the cyathium; each male flower consists of a single stamen. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer into the fall. The ovaries of female flowers develop into seed capsules about 1/8" (3.0-3.5 mm.) across; these capsules are globoid with 3 shallow longitudinal lobes and they are hairless. Each cell of a capsule contains 1-2 seeds that are 2.0-2.5 mm. long, narrowly ovoid in shape, and relatively smooth (although minutely pitted under magnification). Seeds are ejected from their capsules at maturity. The root system consists of a slender branching taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.

Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and very sandy soil. This little plant has a C4 metabolism, which enables it to withstand hot dry conditions.

Range & Habitat: The native Seaside Spurge is found primarily along Lake Michigan; it has also been found in Fulton County, although this interior location is highly unusual for this species (see Distribution Map). Seaside Spurge is rare in Illinois and state-listed as 'endangered.' Outside of the state, this species is found along the coastal areas of the Great Lakes (except for Lake Superior) and it is also found along the Atlantic coast, particularly in sandy areas such as beaches. In Illinois, habitats consist of sandy beaches along Lake Michigan, sand dunes near Lake Michigan, and a dry sand prairie in Fulton County. This plant is very specialized in its habitat preferences; it is vulnerable to development in coastal areas and trampling by people along beaches.

Faunal Associations: The flowers attract small bees and flies (mainly Syrphidae). These insects obtain nectar from the flowers; in addition, the bees may collect pollen. Insects that feed on the foliage or plant juices of Chamaesyce spp. (Prostrate Spurges) include the aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae, the plant bug Semium hirtum, and the leaf beetle Glyptina leptosoma. Bird that eat the seeds of these plants include the Greater Prairie Chicken, Northern Bobwhite, Horned Lark, Chipping Sparrow, and Mourning Dove. Because the seeds have oily elaiosomes, they are dispersed to some extent by ants.

Photographic Location: A sandy beach at Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.

Comments: Some authorities refer to this species as Euphorbia polygonifolia. Seaside Spurge is a member of a small group of prostrate spurges (Chamaesyce spp.) that are often difficult to distinguish. They are mainly native to Illinois, although a few species are adventive from the western states. Seaside Spurge can be be distinguished from most species in this genus by its hairless leaves and stems, its hairless ovaries and seed capsules, and the smooth toothless margins of its leaves. Another prostrate spurge, Chamaesyce geyeri (Geyer's Spurge), also has these characteristics, but its seeds (about 1.5 mm. long) and seed capsules (2.0-2.5 mm. long) are smaller in size than those of Seaside Spurge.

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Description: This annual plant is ½-2' tall, branching occasionally. Shorter plants are erect, while taller plants are inclined to sprawl. The slender hairless stems are initially light green, but become reddish brown. The alternate compound leaves are medium to dark green. They have petioles with nectaries that attract insects. Each compound leaf has up to 20 leaflets, which are somewhat sensitive to touch. A leaflet is about 2/3" long and 1/3" across. It is hairless and oblong. The bright yellow flowers appear along the major stems near the axils of the leaves. They are about 1" across, and have an open, irregular shape. Each flower has 5 rounded petals that vary in relative size, and there are about 10 reddish stamens. There is no floral scent. The blooming period is quite long, from mid-summer to fall. During the fall, pods develop that are initially hairy green, but later become hairless and dark brown. They are about 2½" long, ¾" across, and rather flat. The seeds are dark brown, rather flat, and slightly pitted. The root system consists of a central taproot and smaller auxillary roots.

Cultivation: The preference is full sun and average to dry conditions. The soil can contain sand, loam, gravel, or clay, to which this plant will add nitrogen. It favors poor soil because of reduced competition from other plants. Partridge Pea is easy to grow, but can spread readily in dry, open situations. It's not usually bothered by disease.

Range & Habitat: The native Partridge Pea is widespread and locally common in Illinois, except in some northern counties, where it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic to dry black soil prairies, sand prairies, savannas, limestone glades, abandoned fields, open areas along railroads and roadsides. Sometimes Partridge Pea is deliberately planted to stabilize banks around ditches and other areas, from where it frequently escapes. This plant favors disturbed areas.

Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees are responsible for pollination of the flowers, which includes such visitors as honeybees, bumblebees, long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), and leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.). They are attracted to the food pollen of the purple anthers, and are then dusted by the reproductive pollen of the yellow anthers. Two species of bees, Anthophora walshii and Svastra atripes atripes, are oligoleges of Partridge Pea. Sometimes leaf-cutting bees cut off portions of the petals for their brood chambers. The flowers are usually cross-pollinated by insects, but sometimes they are self-pollinating. The petiolar nectaries attract a completely different assortment of insects, which includes such visitors as Halictid bees, wasps, flies, and ants (Robertson, 1929). Unusual visitors to the nectaries are velvet ants (Mutillidae), which are hairy wingless wasps (in the case of the females). The caterpillars of several sulfur butterflies feed on the foliage of this plant, including Eurema lisa (Little Sulfur), Eurema nicippe (Sleepy Orange), and Phoebis sennae cubule (Cloudless Sulfur); see Opler & Krizek (1984). Other insects that feed on Partridge Pea include Cerotoma trifurcata (Bean Leaf Beetle) and Sennius cruentatus (Partridge Pea Seed Beetle); see Clark et al. (2004) and Vestal (1913). The seeds are an important food source for the Bobwhite Quail and Greater Prairie Chicken (Martin et al., 1951/1961; Yeatter, 1943). Because the foliage is strongly cathartic, it is usually avoided by grazing animals (Georgia, 1913). However, White-Tailed Deer occasionally browse on the foliage in limited amounts.

Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Judge Webber Park in Urbana, Illinois.

Comments: This is one of the few annual plants of the prairie that are non-parasitic on the roots of perennial plants. The Partridge Pea is quite attractive in regards to both its foliage and flowering habit, providing quick bloom during the first year of a wild flower garden.

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2017年12月18日

Description: This shrubby perennial is up to 3¼' tall. It tillers at the base, sending up multiple stems that are erect to ascending. These stems are light green to light yellow, terete, and pubescent or hairy, becoming woody with age in the absence of fire or browsing from animals. The leaves are alternate or opposite; they occur along the entire length of each stem. The leaves are up to 3" long and 2" across; they are ovate in shape and their margins are smooth to finely serrated and slightly ciliate. The upper leaf surface is pale-medium to dark green, and smooth to somewhat rough from minute stiff hairs. The lower leaf surface is pale green and pubescent or hairy; hairs are typically more abundant along the lower sides of the veins. The central vein and two primary lateral veins are palmate, while the remaining veins are pinnate; the upper leaf surface is often wrinkled along these veins. The petioles are short, light green to light yellow, and pubescent or hairy. The upper stems terminate in panicles of flowers; axillary panicles of flowers also develop from the axils of upper leaves. The peduncles (basal stalks) of these panicles are 2-8" long, light green to light yellow, terete, relatively stout, and pubescent or hairy.

Individual panicles are 2-5" long and 2-3" across; their lateral branches are up to 1½" long and widely spreading to ascending. Both the rachis and lateral branches are light green, terete, relatively stout, and finely hairy. Along the rachis and lateral branches of each panicle are clusters of flowers on slender white pedicels. These pedicels are ¾–1" long. Each flower is up to ¼" across, consisting of 5 white sepals, 5 white petals, 5 stamens, and a pistil. The sepals are triangular-ovate and folded inward, while the petals are widely spreading. The petals have long narrow bases and widened tips; the lateral edges of these tips are folded upward. The blooming period occurs during early to mid-summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks. There is a pleasant floral fragrance. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by 3-lobed seed capsules up to ¼" across. At maturity, these capsules become dark brown or black, and they split open to mechanically eject their seeds up to several feet. Each capsule contains 3 seeds that are 2-3 mm. in length, brown to dark brown, glossy, and ovoid in shape. The root system consists of a stout taproot.

Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun and average to slightly dry conditions. The soil can contain loam, rocky material, or sand. This plant adds some nitrogen to the soil. Germination from seed can be slow and difficult – exposing them to hot water may be helpful. Transplants are easier to manage and faster to develop. Drought resistance is very good – under severe conditions, the leaves will become discolored and shrivel, but quickly revive when rainfall returns. Foliar disease is rarely a significant problem.

Range & Habitat: The native New Jersey Tea occurs throughout Illinois, except for a few counties in the southern part of the state (see Distribution Map). It is occasional to locally common in high quality habitats, but uncommon elsewhere. Habitats include mesic to dry black soil prairies, gravel prairies, sand prairies, hill prairies, sandy savannas, rocky upland forests, limestone glades, and barrens with scrubby vegetation. Occasional fire is a beneficial management tool in promoting the development and spread of this plant.

Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract a variety of insects, especially bees, wasps, flies, and beetles. These floral visitors include Halictid bees (Agapostemon spp., Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), Sphecid wasps (Oxybelus spp., Cerceris spp., Tachysphex spp.), Vespid wasps (Polistes spp., Stenodynerus spp.), spider wasps (Anoplius spp.), Syrphid flies, thick-headed flies (Conopidae), Tachinid flies, flesh flies (Sarcophagidae), bottle flies (Lucilia spp.), Muscid flies, and miscellaneous beetles (Robertson, 1929). Hairstreak butterflies (Satyrium spp.) also visit the flowers. Other insects feed destructively on the foliage, seeds, and other parts of New Jersey Tea. These species include stem-boring larvae of a long-horned beetle (Calliomoxys sanguinicollis), leaf beetles (Babia quadriguttata, Pachybrachis trinotatus), seed-eating broad-headed bugs (Alydus spp.), and the Angulate Tingid (Gargaphia angulata); see Yanega (1996), Clark et al. (2004), Schaeffer (1980), and Cranshaw (2004). In addition, the larvae of several moths feed on New Jersey Tea, including the Broad-lined Erastria (Erastria coloraria), Sulfur Moth (Hesperymia sulphuraria), and Red-fronted Emerald (Nemoria rubrifrontaria); the caterpillars of a butterfly, the Spring/Summer Azure (Celastrina argiolus), and caterpillars of a skipper, the Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis), also feed on this shrub (Covell, 1984/2005; Bouseman & Sternburg, 2001; and Bouseman et al., 2006).

The foliage and stems are readily consumed by various mammalian herbivores, including elk (native in Illinois at one time), deer, rabbits, and livestock (Martin et al., 1951/1961). Some upland gamebirds, like the Wild Turkey and Bobwhite Quail, also use New Jersey Tea as a food source (Van Dersal, 1939). This can make the establishment of this plant difficult where there is an overpopulation of such animals.

Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Loda Cemetery Prairie in Iroquois County, Illinois.

Comments: This little shrub has a lot going for it from both horticultural and ecological perspectives. It was used by colonists during the Revolutionary War as a substitute for tea (hence the common name), even though the leaves contain no caffeine. Early pioneers discovered that the stout roots of New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) were a formidable barrier to the plow. Chemical compounds from this plant have been found to affect the speed of blood coagulation (Lynch et al., 1958), and they have been found to have antimicrobial properties on oral pathogens (Li et al., 1997). The only other species in this genus that occurs in Illinois, Redroot (Ceanothus ovatus), differs from New Jersey Tea by having more narrowly shaped leaves and shorter panicles of flowers.

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2017年12月18日

Description: This perennial plant is about ½–1½' and unbranched, except for some upper side stems near the inflorescence. Often, several stems will emerge from the same rootstock; they remain reasonably erect. The basal leaves have long petioles, and are about 1" across. They are usually cordate or orbicular and their margins are bluntly dentate. The basal leaves often wither away by flowering time. Along the slender central stem are alternate leaves. These leaves are linear and about ½–2" long. They usually angle upward from the stem, and then curve outward. Usually the foliage and stems are without hairs, although sometimes they are slightly pubescent.

The central stem (and some of the side stems) terminates in either a solitary flower, or a short raceme of 2-3 flowers. These flowers are violet and bell-shaped. A typical flower is about ¾" long, and tends to hang toward from a slender pedicel. The corolla has 5 short lobes that curve outward. The interior of a flower is white or pale violet near the base, while a long violet style projects slightly beyond the outer rim of the corolla. This style terminates into a tripartite white stigma. The green calyx divides into 5 slender segments that are slightly recurved. The blooming period occurs from early to late summer, and lasts about 2-3 months. There is no noticeable floral scent. The flowers are replaced by ovoid capsules that contain numerous tiny seeds. These seeds are easily dispersed by gusts of wind. The root system consists of a taproot.

Cultivation: This little plant prefers full sunlight and moist to dry conditions. It typically grows in shallow rocky soil, but will flourish in ordinary garden soil if taller, more aggressive plants are kept away. Harebell is surprisingly easy to grow, notwithstanding its delicate appearance. It tolerates alkaline soil.

Range & Habitat: The native Harebell is an uncommon plant that occurs primarily in northern Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is more common in areas to the north and east of Illinois. Habitats include sandy Black Oak savannas, hill prairies, crevices of sandstone, limestone, or dolomite cliffs, and shallow rocky soil along streams. It also occurs along roadsides in neighboring states. Generally, Harebell is found in high quality habitats where there are rocky slopes. It also cultivated in gardens.

Faunal Associations: Various bees often visit the flowers, where they seek nectar. While the foliage is potentially edible to mammalian herbivores, only the basal leaves are sufficiently large to attract much attention from them. The seeds are too small to be of any interest to birds.

Photographic Location: The photographs of the flowers were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois, while the photograph of the basal leaves was taken at the Japan House of the University of Illinois in the same city.

Comments: This is a charming little plant. Harebell is distributed in both the Old World and New World, and may be variable across its large range. The native Campanula aparinoides (Marsh Bellflower) has smaller flowers and is found in wetland areas. Sometimes non-native bellflowers escape into the wild, such as Campanula rapunculoides (Creeping Bellflower), but they have broader foliage and larger flowers.

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2017年12月18日

Description: This perennial plant is ¾-1½' tall and unbranched. It is usually erect, but sometimes sprawls across the ground. The central stem is light green and hairy; it rarely twines about the stems of adjacent plants, fences, or other objects. Alternate leaves about 1½-3" long and about one-half as much across occur along the central stem. They are yellowish green to dull green, oblong-cordate in shape, smooth along their margins, and slightly to moderately hairy. The leaf bases are usually cordate (less often truncate or rounded), while their tips are blunt or pointed. Each leaf usually has a short petiole about ½" long or less; sometimes the upper leaves are sessile. Occasionally, individual flowers develop from the axils of the leaves; there are 1-4 flowers per plant. Each flower is about 2-3" long and 2" across, consisting of a white (rarely pink) funnelform corolla with 5 shallow lobes, 5 light green sepals, several stamens, and a pistil with 2 white stigmata. At the base of the flower, 2 sepal-like bracts surround the sepals; these bracts are light green and ovate. The pedicel is 1" long or less.

The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer and lasts about 1-2 months. On any given day, only 0-1 flowers are in bloom per plant. Each large flower opens up during the early morning and closes at around noon; it lasts only a single day. Fertilized flowers are replaced by globoid seed capsules; each capsule is 2-celled and about 1/3" across. Each cell of the capsule contains a single large seed. The root system is rhizomatous, occasionally forming vegetative offsets.

Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and soil containing sand, rocky material, or clay.

Range & Habitat: The native Erect Bindweed is found primarily in central and northern Illinois, where it is uncommon (see Distribution Map). Populations of this species have declined across the state. Habitats consist of upland sand prairies, gravel prairies, hill prairies, open rocky woodlands, limestone glades, and roadside embankments. Erect Bindweed tends to increase in response to occasional wildfires as this reduces woody vegetation and excess debris. This is an indicator plant of high quality prairies.

Faunal Associations: Little is known about floral-faunal relationships for Erect Bindweed, although there is some information available about its more weedy relatives, e.g. Calystegia sepium (Hedge Bindweed). The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by miscellaneous long-tongued bees. The caterpillars of Agrius cingulatus (Pink-Spotted Hawk Moth) require bindweed as a food source; the caterpillars of Emmelina monodactyla (Common Plume Moth) and Bedellia somnulentella (Morning Glory Leafminer) also feed on the foliage of species in the Bindweed family. Several beetles feed on the foliage and other parts of these same species: Typophorus nigritus (Sweet Potato Leaf Beetle), Strongylocassis atripes and other tortoise beetles, Chaetocnema confinis (Sweet Potato Flea Beetle), the stem-boring beetle Phaea monostigma, and the seed weevil Megacerus discoidus. One insect, Charidotella sexpunctata (Golden Tortoise Beetle), has been found on the foliage of Erect Bindweed specifically. There are also records of upland gamebirds eating the seeds of bindweed species: the Bobwhite, Ring-Necked Pheasant, and Prairie Chicken.

Photographic Location: The Coneflower Hill Prairie near Lake Shelbyville in Moultrie County, Illinois. The flowers are mostly closed because the photograph was taken after the blooming period during the morning.

Comments: Unlike Erect Bindweed, most species in the Bindweed family are long twining vines that are adapted to thickets, overgrown meadows, and similar habitats. Most of these species are weedy annuals, although Ipomoea pandurata (Wild Sweet Potato) is a perennial with a tuberous swollen root. Species that are twining vines produce large showy flowers in abundance. While the flowers of Erect Bindweed are also large and showy, they are sparingly produced. All of these species have short-lived flowers that remain open during the morning of a single day. Other common names of Calystegia spithamaea are Dwarf Bindweed, Low Bindweed, and Low False Bindweed. An older scientific name of this species is Convolvulus spithamaeus.

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Description: This perennial wildflower is up to 1' tall and sprawls across the ground, producing several vine-like stems up to 4' long from a central taproot. These angular stems are light green to dull reddish purple and covered with spreading white hairs. The alternate leaves are up to 4" long, 4" across, and more or less orbicular in outline; they are palmate, usually with 5 major lobes that are cleft (sharply divided), as well as some secondary lobes and margins with coarse teeth. The leaves have hairy petioles that can easily exceed 4" in length. A pair of conspicuous green stipules are located at the base of each petiole. Each stipule has a shape that is half-ovate.

From the axils of the leaves, individual flowers develop from pedicels up to 6" long. The flowers are about 1½–2½" across, consisting of 5 broad magenta petals, a columnar reproductive structure, and a whitish green to reddish green calyx. At maturity, the columnar structure expands outward slightly, revealing numerous white stamens and pinkish style-branches. The petals often become white near the center of the flower. The calyx is divided into 5 lanceolate lobes that have light-colored ridges and are quite hairy; these lobes are shorter than the petals. Underneath the calyx, there are 3 floral bracts that are similar in appearance to the calyx lobes. The blooming period occurs from late spring to late summer and lasts about 1-2½ months. There is no noticeable floral scent. The flowers are replaced by carpels that are arranged together like a ring. These carpels are flattened and reniform (kidney-shaped) with short hairy beaks. The flattened sides of the carpels are reticulated, rather than smooth. Each carpel contains a single seed. This wildflower spreads by reseeding itself.

Cultivation: The preference is full sun and mesic to dry conditions. In Illinois, this plant often grows in poor soil that contains sand, gravel, or clay. In rich cultivated soil, it will become longer than it normally does in the wild. After mid-summer, this plant gradually withers away.

Range & Habitat: This non-native wildflower has naturalized in only a few scattered counties in the northern two-thirds of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is uncommon. It is adventive from areas further to the west or southwest of the state. Habitats include dry prairies, areas along railroads and roadsides, and abandoned fields. In these habitats, the ground vegetation is relatively low and sparse. In Illinois, Purple Poppy Mallow is often planted in flower gardens because of its attractive flowers.

Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by bees. The caterpillars of Pyrgus communis (Checkered Skipper) sometimes feed on Callirhoe spp. (Poppy Mallows). The foliage is readily consumed by mammalian herbivores, including groundhogs, deer, rabbits, and livestock. This could make the survival of local populations of this plant difficult where there is a preponderance of such animals. The taproot is edible and can be used as emergency food by humans, which means that it is probably edible to pocket gophers and other small rodents as well.

Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.

Comments: Purple Poppy Mallow has attractive foliage and very showy flowers that bloom for a fairly long period of time. It can be distinguished from other Callirhoe spp. in Illinois by the shape of its leaves, sprawling hairy stems, and the color of its flowers. For example, Callirhoe alceoides (Pink Poppy Mallow) has smaller flowers that are pink, rather than magenta. Another species, Callirhoe triangulata (Clustered Poppy Mallow), has leaves with a more triangular shape. A third species that is occasionally found within the state, Callirhoe digitata (Fringed Poppy Mallow), has a more erect habit with hairless stems and leaves. It is also useful to examine the carpels: While the flattened sides of the carpels of Purple Poppy Mallow have a reticulated surface, the sides of the carpels of other species in this genus are often smooth.

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Description: This plant is a summer annual about 6-20" tall that branches frequently; large specimens can be as wide as they are tall, resembling a tumbleweed in shape. The rather stout stems are light green, terete to slightly angular, and glabrous. Alternate leaves occur along these stems that are 1-2" long and ¼-½" across; they are medium green, glabrous, and oblanceolate with margins that are coarsely crenate, shallowly lobed, or undulate. Small upper leaves often have smooth margins. The leaves are slightly succulent with a thick texture. The upper stems terminate in racemes of flowers about 2-10" long. Individual flowers are up to ¼" across, consisting of 4 lavender to white petals, 4 green sepals, 6 stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The oblong-lanceolate sepals are about ¼" long and glabrous, while the oblong petals spread widely during the short period when a flower is in bloom. The ascending pedicels are green and glabrous.

The blooming period occurs from mid-summer into the fall, lasting about 3 months. Only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time toward the apex of the racemes. The flowers are replaced by elongated seedpods (silicles) about ½-¾" long. Each seedpod has a lower segment (up to ¼" long) that is ovoid-cylindrical in shape, and an upper segment (up to ½" long) that is lanceoloid with a long tapering beak. Between these two segments, the seedpod is slightly constricted. The upper segment contains a single seed, while the lower segment contains either a single seed or none. At maturity, the upper segment of each seedpod becomes detached from the lower segment, while the lower segment persists on the dried remains of the plant. The upper segment can float on water, and it is often carried off by the waves of the lake or sea. Eventually, the upper segment is deposited at another beach, thereby introducing its seed to a new area. The seed of the lower segment usually germinates in proximity to its mother plant, colonizing the same beach.

Cultivation: The preference is full sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and very sandy soil. This plant also adapts to gravelly or rocky shorelines.

Range & Habitat: The native Sea Rocket is a rare plant in Illinois that is state-listed as 'threatened.' Its distribution is restricted to the shoreline of Lake Michigan in the NE section of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats consist of sandy beaches and, to a lesser extent, gravelly or rocky shorelines. Outside of the state, Sea Rocket can be found along the shore lines of other Great Lakes (except the northernmost areas); a closely related subspecies of Sea Rocket is also found along the Atlantic coast.

Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this plant. Similar to other flowering plants in the Mustard family, Sea Rocket's flowers are probably cross-pollinated by small bees, flies, beetles, and small to medium-sized butterflies. There is a native flea beetle, Phyllotreta chalybeipennis, that feeds primarily, if not exclusively, on the foliage of Sea Rocket: its larvae form mines through the leaves. Other flea beetles that feed on the foliage of this plant include Phyllotreta crucifera (introduced from Europe), Phyllotreta punctulata, and Phyllotreta striolata (Clark et al., 2004). Larvae of a moth, the Rubbed Dart (Euxoa detersa), also referred to as the Sandhill Cutworm, feed primarily on the underground parts of Sea Rocket and many other plants in sandy areas (Covell, 1984/2005).

Photographic Location: A sandy beach at Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.

Comments: This member of the Mustard family is quite unique and easy to identify: it has slightly succulent leaves and unusual seedpods with 2 segments. Sea Rocket is a pioneer species of sandy beaches, colonizing areas that only a few plant species can tolerate. Because its succulent leaves can store water, it is able to withstand the desiccating effect of sunlight and sand. The root system helps to bind and stabilize the sand, while the decayed remnants of foliage add organic material and nutrients to the impoverished soil. This enables other plants to colonize the beach, beginning the process of ecological succession.

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Description: This perennial plant is 1-3½' tall and unbranched, except near the apex where the flowering stems occur. The stems are round and covered with fine white hairs. They are initially green, but often become brown with age. The alternate leaves are up to 4" long and 1½" across. They are sessile against the stem toward the top, but have short petioles near the bottom. These leaves are lanceolate, smooth or sparingly dentate, grey- or yellow-green, and finely pubescent. The smaller leaves near the flowerheads are much reduced in size and linear. Sometimes there are small leaves appearing in the upper axils of the larger leaves along the central stem.

The upper stems terminate in small corymbs of flowerheads. These flowerheads consist of 7-21 small creamy white florets. A floret is narrowly tubular with 5 small lobes and a protruding divided style. Each flowerhead is subtended by a cylinder of narrow green bracts; it is a little less than ½" long. The blooming period occurs during late summer or early fall, and lasts about a month. The achenes are long and cylindrical, grey or light brown, and have tufts of white hair (or sometimes tawny hair). These tufts of hair are often more striking in appearance than the flowers. Seed distribution is provided by the wind. The root system consists of a central taproot that can run deep into the ground. Sometimes, this plant will tiller at the base, sending up multiple stems from the taproot. However, it doesn't reproduce vegetatively by means of rhizomes, unlike many other prairie plants.

Cultivation: The preference is full sun and dry conditions; a little shade is also tolerated. This plant prefers poor soil that contains too much clay, sand, or gravel, and it can thrive on slopes. Its toleration of drought is better than most plants in the tallgrass prairie. The leaves may turn yellow and start to shrivel away toward the end of the year, but this is normal. This plant doesn't spread aggressively.

Range & Habitat: The native False Boneset occurs occasionally in central and northern Illinois; in many areas of southern Illinois, it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitat includes dry upland areas of black soil prairies, gravel prairies, dolomite prairies, clay prairies, hill prairies, bluffs, limestone glades, open woodlands, and sandy savannas. False Boneset doesn't form large colonies, but is more likely to occur as sporadic plants. In moist areas with rich soil, it has trouble competing with taller, more aggressive forbs and grasses.

Faunal Associations: Bumblebees, leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees, and other bees visit the flowerheads for nectar and pollen (Mitchell, 1960/1962; Moure & Hurd, 1987). Butterflies, skippers, and probably other insects visit the flowerheads for nectar and/or pollen too. The caterpillars of some flower moths feed destructively on the flowerheads and developing seeds; they include such species as Schinia trifascia (Three-lined Flower Moth), Schinia oleagina (Oleagina Flower Moth), and Schinia grandimedia (False Boneset Flower Moth). The last moth occurs in areas that lie mostly west of Illinois. Other insects feeders include Lygus lineolaris (Tarnished Plant Bug) and other polyphagous stink bugs, Aphis coreopsidis (an aphid), and larvae of a Noctuid moth, Dichagyris grotei (Panzer, 2000; Vestal, 1913; Hottes & Frison, 1931). In addition, such grasshoppers as Melanoplus confusus (Little Pasture Grasshopper), Melanoplus differentialis (Differential Grasshopper), Melanoplus keeleri (Keeler's Grasshopper), and Melanoplus discolor (Contrasting Spur-throated Grasshopper) feed on False Boneset. The last grasshopper is monophagous on this plant, although it occurs in areas that lie west of Illinois (Campbell et al., 1974; Joern, 1985; Brust et al., 2008). Mammalian herbivores browse on False Boneset occasionally when little else is available, but its foliage is bitter and overall food value is low. In pastures, False Boneset is considered an 'increaser' because livestock are not particularly fond of it.

Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.

Comments: False Boneset is similar in appearance to Tall Boneset (Eupatorium altissimum). However, the former plant has alternate leaves along its stems with only one conspicuous vein, while the latter has opposite leaves with three conspicuous veins. An older scientific name for False Boneset is Kuhnia eupatorioides.

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Description: This is an unbranched perennial plant about 1-2' tall. Side stems may develop from upper leaf axils if the central stem is damaged. This stout central stem is 4-angled and it is covered with short white hairs that are usually appressed. The opposite leaves are up to 3½" long and 1½" across. They are broadly oblong to lanceolate in shape, and have smooth, slightly ciliate margins. The lower leaves have short stout petioles, while the upper leaves are sessile. They have deep pinnate venation and are covered with a white pubescence. The upper half of the central stem is perforated by whorled clusters of flowers. Each cluster of flowers is about 2-3" across and in the shape of a flattened sphere, with the flowers arranged in circular rows. The flowers are white, light pink, or lavender, and individually slightly less than ½" long. There are two prominent lips, with small purple spots on the lower one, and fine hairs in the back. The blooming period occurs during early summer and lasts about a month. Neither the flowers nor the leaves have a noticeable scent. The root system consists of a taproot, which forms offshoots occasionally by means of short rhizomes. The seeds are quite small, and distributed by the wind to some extent.

Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and mesic to dry conditions. The soil can contain significant amounts of loam, clay, or gravel; limestone and a high pH are tolerated. The foliage can be affected by the usual diseases that attack other mints, and often appear rather ragged by mid-summer. This plant has greater tolerance to drought than most other members of Mint family.

Range & Habitat: Downy Wood Mint occurs occasionally in scattered counties in Illinois – it has been reported most often from counties in the NE and west-central areas of the state (see Distribution Map). This plant is native to Illinois. Habitats include mesic to dry black soil prairies, dolomite prairies, thickets, savannas, limestone bluffs, and limestone glades.

Faunal Associations: The flowers attract long-tongued and short-tongued bees, bee flies, Syrphid flies, butterflies, and skippers. The numerous bee visitors include honeybees, bumblebees, Anthophorine bees, little carpenter bees, leaf-cutting bees, Halictine bees, masked bees, and others. The small seeds are unlikely to be of much interest to birds, nor is the foliage an attractive source of food to mammalian herbivores.

Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Loda Cemetery Prairie in Iroquois County, Illinois.

Comments: This plant can be easily confused with some of the weedier Eurasian mints, but should not be destroyed because it is not particularly common in Illinois. Notwithstanding its common name, Downy Wood Mint occurs in open areas more often than woodlands, unlike other members of the genus, such as Blephilia hirsuta (Hairy Wood Mint). The stems of the latter species have long spreading hairs, while the stems of Downy Wood Mint usually have short appressed hairs. Other common names for Blephilia ciliata are 'Ohio Horsemint' and 'Pagoda Plant.'

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2017年12月16日

Description: This perennial plant is up to 1½' tall and 3' across. One or more stems originate from the root system of each plant; these stems branch occasionally and they are ascending to widely spreading. The stems are light green to light purple and terete; for var. bracteata they are either pubescent or hairy, while for var. glabrescens they are glabrous. Alternate trifoliate leaves occur at intervals along these stems. Individual leaflets are 1–3" long and ½–1" across; they are usually oblanceolate in shape, but sometimes they are broadly elliptic or rhombic-elliptic. Leaf margins are smooth (entire). The leaf surfaces are grayish green; for var. bracteata they are appressed-hairy, while for var. glabrescens they are glabrous (Mohlenbrock, 2002). Leaf venation is pinnate. The trifoliate leaves are usually sessile or nearly so; less often, they have pedicels up to 1½" long. At the base of each trifoliate leaf (or its pedicel), there is a pair of leafy stipules; sometimes these stipules are early-deciduous and absent. These stipules can be highly variable in size (less than ¼" to 1½" long); they are sessile and usually lanceolate in shape with smooth margins. Like the leaflets, the stipules are grayish green and appressed hairy to glabrous, depending on the variety. The upper and outer stems of this plant often terminate in racemes of flowers about 3-9" long. These racemes are widely spreading and they are either held above the ground or they sprawl across it. The pedicellate flowers of these racemes face upward toward the light.

Individual flowers are about 1" long and a little less across; they have a typical pea-like floral structure consisting of an upright banner (1 petal) and a pair of wings (2 petals) that enclose the keel (2 petals). These petals are white to pale yellow (more or less cream-colored) and hairless. In addition to a corolla consisting of 5 petals, each flower has a short-tubular calyx with 4-5 triangular teeth, 10 stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The calyx is light green to light purple and less than ½" long; depending on the variety of this plant, it is either appressed-hairy or glabrous. The pedicels of the flowers are about ¾–1½" long, light green to light purple, and either hairy or glabrous. At the bases of these pedicels, there occurs solitary floral bracts that are about ½–1" long, lanceolate in shape, smooth along their margins, and sessile; they are similar to the stipules. The blooming period occurs during mid- to late spring for about 3 weeks. Afterwards, fertile flowers are replaced by seedpods that are 1-2" long, short-oblongoid in shape, slightly flattened, and mostly hollow inside. These seedpods have conspicuous beaks at their tips. Immature seedpods are light green and short-pubescent to glabrous; they become black at maturity. Later in the year, an entire plant may break off at its base, and roll around in the wind as a means of dispersing its seeds. Each seedpod divides into 2 parts to release its seeds; typically there are 5-20 seeds per seedpod. Individual seeds are about 4 mm. long, light brown to black, reniform (kidney-shaped), and glabrous. The root system consists of a stout taproot.

Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing some sand or loam. Cream Wild Indigo prefers open areas where there is reduced competition from taller vegetation. While it is possible to cultivate this plant in the garden using seeds or transplants, it develops slowly as most vegetative growth occurs during the cool weather of spring after the danger of hard frost has passed. Mature plants can be difficult to transplant because of their deep taproots.

Range & Habitat: The native Cream Wild Indigo occurs in scattered locations throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map), but it is uncommon, except at high quality sites. The typical variety, Baptisia bracteata bracteata, is more common in Illinois than Baptisia bracteata glabrescens. Natural habitats include mesic to dry black soil prairies, sand prairies, cemetery prairies, railroad prairies, open rocky woodlands, and sandy savannas. Occasional wildfires are beneficial in maintaining populations of this plant.

Faunal Associations: This plant is cross-pollinated primarily by queen bumblebees after they emerge from hibernation during the spring. Worker bumblebees appear somewhat later. Other long-tongued bees that have been observed to visit the flowers include a digger bee (Synhalonia speciosa) and mason bee (Osmia bucephala bucephala). These insects usually seek nectar from the flowers, although they sometimes collect pollen (Robertson, 1929). Other insects feed on the leaves, seeds, and other parts of Cream Wild Indigo and other Baptisia spp. These species include the larvae of such skippers as the Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae) and Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades), the larvae of such moths as the Three-lined Grapholita (Grapholita tristrigana) and Black-spotted Prominent (Dasylophia anguina), and the larvae of such butterflies as the Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus), Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme), and Marine Blue (Leptotes marina); see Bouseman et al. (2006), Miller (1987), Wagner (2005), and Bouseman & Sternburg (2001). Another insect feeder is the Wild Indigo Weevil (Apion rostrum); the adults feed destructively on the flowers and leaves, while the larvae feed on the seeds (Sauer, 2005). Other insects that use Cream Wild Indigo and other Baptisia spp. as host plants include a leaf beetle (Pachybrachis luridus), seed-eating broad-headed bugs (Alydus spp.), oligophagous thrips (Neohydatothrips baptisiae), Keeler's Grasshopper (Melanoplus keeleri luridus), and other grasshoppers (Melanoplus spp., etc.); see Clark et al. (2004), Schaefer (1980), Stannard (1968), and Campbell et al. (1974). Cream Wild Indigo is not normally bothered by mammalian herbivores because its foliage is toxic. When horses and cattle eat sufficient quantities of this plant, as well as other Baptisia spp. that may be present, they can become seriously poisoned.

Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the Loda Cemetery Prairie in Iroquois County, Illinois. The photographed plants are the typical variety of Cream Wild Indigo.

Comments: This is one of the earliest plants to bloom in the prairie, and it is quite showy and attractive. With the exception of the Blue Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis), other Baptisia spp. that occur in Illinois bloom later in the year. This latter species is rare in natural areas of the state, although it is relatively common in cultivation because of the showy blue flowers. Another species, White Wild Indigo (Baptisia alba macrophylla), is a taller plant with white flowers. It differs from Cream Wild Indigo by having erect racemes of flowers, rather than racemes that are widely spreading or sprawl across the ground. The foliage of this latter species is glabrous. Yellow Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria) is also rare in natural areas of the state, occurring in sand prairies and sandy savannas in Kankakee County. This species is about the same height as Cream Wild Indigo, but its flowers are smaller in size and more yellow, while its foliage is glabrous. Unlike the preceding species of this genus, Yellow Wild Indigo doesn't produce flowers in elongated racemes. Another scientific name of Cream Wild Indigo is Baptisia leucophaea.

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