文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月02日
Family - Plantaginaceae
Stems - Plant acaulescent, from a taproot, herbaceous. Flowering scapes to +20cm tall, erect, solid, multiple from the base, simple, hispid.
Leaves - In a basal rosette, spatulate to oblanceolate or obovate, rounded to subacute at the apex, tapering to the base, to +/-15cm long, +/-4cm broad, typically hispidulous above and below but sometimes sparse pubescent. Lateral veins arising from the base of the blade, parallel to midrib. Petioles typically purplish at the base. Margins entire to shallow toothed.
Inflorescence - Terminal scapose spike to 5cm long, 8mm in diameter. Each flower subtended by a single bract. Bracts sessile, scarious-margined, hispid abaxially, glabrous adaxially, to 2mm long.
Flowers - Corolla 4-lobed. Corolla tube to 2.1mm long, scarious, glabrous. Corolla lobes to 1.5mm long, brownish-scarious, spreading in flower, erect and convergent in fruit. Stamens 4, alternating with the corolla lobes, erect to spreading, well exserted. Filaments translucent, glabrous, to 3-5mm long. Anthers yellow-purple, 1mm long. Ovary superior, green, glabrous, globose, .7mm in diameter. Style 1, pubescent, 4-5mm long, exserted. Sepals 4, ovate-elliptic, scarious with a green midvein, +2mm long, 1.7mm broad, hispid abaxially, with ciliolate margins.
Flowering - April - June.
Habitat - Fallow fields, pastures, glades, waste ground, roadsides, railroads.
Origin - Native to the U.S.
Other info. - This variable species can be found throughout Missouri and is very common. The plant can be difficult to identify in the field sometimes because it is very variable in leaf size, shape, and toothing, pubescence, and scape size.
Stems - Plant acaulescent, from a taproot, herbaceous. Flowering scapes to +20cm tall, erect, solid, multiple from the base, simple, hispid.
Leaves - In a basal rosette, spatulate to oblanceolate or obovate, rounded to subacute at the apex, tapering to the base, to +/-15cm long, +/-4cm broad, typically hispidulous above and below but sometimes sparse pubescent. Lateral veins arising from the base of the blade, parallel to midrib. Petioles typically purplish at the base. Margins entire to shallow toothed.
Inflorescence - Terminal scapose spike to 5cm long, 8mm in diameter. Each flower subtended by a single bract. Bracts sessile, scarious-margined, hispid abaxially, glabrous adaxially, to 2mm long.
Flowers - Corolla 4-lobed. Corolla tube to 2.1mm long, scarious, glabrous. Corolla lobes to 1.5mm long, brownish-scarious, spreading in flower, erect and convergent in fruit. Stamens 4, alternating with the corolla lobes, erect to spreading, well exserted. Filaments translucent, glabrous, to 3-5mm long. Anthers yellow-purple, 1mm long. Ovary superior, green, glabrous, globose, .7mm in diameter. Style 1, pubescent, 4-5mm long, exserted. Sepals 4, ovate-elliptic, scarious with a green midvein, +2mm long, 1.7mm broad, hispid abaxially, with ciliolate margins.
Flowering - April - June.
Habitat - Fallow fields, pastures, glades, waste ground, roadsides, railroads.
Origin - Native to the U.S.
Other info. - This variable species can be found throughout Missouri and is very common. The plant can be difficult to identify in the field sometimes because it is very variable in leaf size, shape, and toothing, pubescence, and scape size.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月02日
Family - Plantaginaceae
Stems - Acaulescent. Flowering spikes and peduncles to +20cm tall, from taproot, hirsute to villous, herbaceous.
Leaves - Basal, linear-spatulate to linear, parallel-veined, to +10cm long, -1cm broad, entire, acute to rounded at apex, hirsute to villous, the base gradually tapering to the petiole.
Inflorescence - Dense terminal spike to +8cm long, 8mm in diameter. Flowers subtended by sepallike bract.
Flowers - Corolla 4-lobed, scarious, zygomorphic, salverform. Lobes spreading, 2mm long, glabrous. Stamens 2, short, adnate at apex of corolla tube. Anthers copper-brown. Sepals 4, densely pilose to sericeous externally, glabrous internally, to 3mm long, 1.2mm broad. Ovary superior, 2-locular. Capsules to 2.2mm long, circumsissle.
Flowering - May - August.
Habitat - Loess hills, glades, dry prairies, waste ground.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This little plant is found naturally in a few western counties of Missouri and has been introduced into a couple of scattered counties also. The plant is fairly easy to ID in the field as it has densely sericeous flowering spikes and long, thin, villous leaves.
Stems - Acaulescent. Flowering spikes and peduncles to +20cm tall, from taproot, hirsute to villous, herbaceous.
Leaves - Basal, linear-spatulate to linear, parallel-veined, to +10cm long, -1cm broad, entire, acute to rounded at apex, hirsute to villous, the base gradually tapering to the petiole.
Inflorescence - Dense terminal spike to +8cm long, 8mm in diameter. Flowers subtended by sepallike bract.
Flowers - Corolla 4-lobed, scarious, zygomorphic, salverform. Lobes spreading, 2mm long, glabrous. Stamens 2, short, adnate at apex of corolla tube. Anthers copper-brown. Sepals 4, densely pilose to sericeous externally, glabrous internally, to 3mm long, 1.2mm broad. Ovary superior, 2-locular. Capsules to 2.2mm long, circumsissle.
Flowering - May - August.
Habitat - Loess hills, glades, dry prairies, waste ground.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This little plant is found naturally in a few western counties of Missouri and has been introduced into a couple of scattered counties also. The plant is fairly easy to ID in the field as it has densely sericeous flowering spikes and long, thin, villous leaves.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月02日
Family - Plantaginaceae
Stems - Acaulescent to short-stemmed (in old plants). Flowering stems to +/-40cm tall, herbaceous, erect to ascending, multiple from base, from a taproot.
Leaves - Basal, linear, arachnoid pubescent to lanate abaxially, glabrous and deep green above, tapering at base ends, to +15cm long, -1cm broad, slightly scabrous, entire, acute.
Inflorescence - Scapose spikes. Spikes to +12cm long, 7-8mm in diameter. Scape to +16cm long, antrorse strigose (the hairs pustulate at the base and giving the scape a scabrous feel). Each flower subtended by an aristate bract. Bracts to +/-3cm long, 2mm broad, densely arachnoid pubescent at base.
Flowers - Corolla scarious, 4-lobed, 3-4mm broad. Lower lobe deflexed, lateral lobes reflexed. Lobes ferruginous at base. Stamens 4, alternating with the corolla lobes, exserted. Anthers yellow, sagittate, .2-.3mm long. Style exserted, 1.5mm long. Ovary glabrous, shiny green, 3mm long, 2mm in diameter, ovoid, with transverse groove. Placentation axile. Seeds 2. Sepals 4. Front two sepals green, densely pilose, with minutely scarious margins (less than .2mm broad), minutely glandular pubescent internally, oblong, round at apex, to 3mm long, 1.3mm broad. Rear two sepals mostly scarious but with a green midrib, scarious portion to 1mm broad.
Flowering - May - November.
Habitat - Pastures, glades, waste ground, roadsides, railroads.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This species can be found throughout Missouri. The plant is easy to ID in the field because of the large aristate bracts which it has on the inflorescence. The plant can be variable in size and pubescence.
Stems - Acaulescent to short-stemmed (in old plants). Flowering stems to +/-40cm tall, herbaceous, erect to ascending, multiple from base, from a taproot.
Leaves - Basal, linear, arachnoid pubescent to lanate abaxially, glabrous and deep green above, tapering at base ends, to +15cm long, -1cm broad, slightly scabrous, entire, acute.
Inflorescence - Scapose spikes. Spikes to +12cm long, 7-8mm in diameter. Scape to +16cm long, antrorse strigose (the hairs pustulate at the base and giving the scape a scabrous feel). Each flower subtended by an aristate bract. Bracts to +/-3cm long, 2mm broad, densely arachnoid pubescent at base.
Flowers - Corolla scarious, 4-lobed, 3-4mm broad. Lower lobe deflexed, lateral lobes reflexed. Lobes ferruginous at base. Stamens 4, alternating with the corolla lobes, exserted. Anthers yellow, sagittate, .2-.3mm long. Style exserted, 1.5mm long. Ovary glabrous, shiny green, 3mm long, 2mm in diameter, ovoid, with transverse groove. Placentation axile. Seeds 2. Sepals 4. Front two sepals green, densely pilose, with minutely scarious margins (less than .2mm broad), minutely glandular pubescent internally, oblong, round at apex, to 3mm long, 1.3mm broad. Rear two sepals mostly scarious but with a green midrib, scarious portion to 1mm broad.
Flowering - May - November.
Habitat - Pastures, glades, waste ground, roadsides, railroads.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This species can be found throughout Missouri. The plant is easy to ID in the field because of the large aristate bracts which it has on the inflorescence. The plant can be variable in size and pubescence.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月02日
Family - Crassulaceae
Stems - To -1m tall, branching, erect, from fibrous stoloniferous roots, scabrous to glabrous, with ferruginous glandular pubescence near apex, herbaceous.
Leaves - Alternate, sessile to very short-petiolate, serrulate, glabrous, lance-elliptic, acute to acuminate at apex, tapering to base, to +/-12cm long, +/-3.5cm broad.
Inflorescence - A terminal branching cyme with 2-6 branches. Flowers secund on upper side of branches. Axis of inflorescence densely glandular pubescent. Flowers on pedicels to 2mm long.
Flowers - Typically apetalous. Sepals 5, green, acute, 1.1mm long, typically glabrous, persistent in fruit. Stamens 10. Filaments to 2mm long, pinkish. Anthers yellowish-pink, .8mm long. Carpels 5(7), white and glabrous in flower, in a ring, to 4mm long. Placentation free central. Styles to 1.2mm long, persistent in fruit as beak. Capsule 5-horned, circumsissle below the beaks, glabrous, greenish-brown to reddish. Seeds many, .7mm long, tuberculate.
Flowering - July - October.
Habitat - Wet soils, flood plains, ditches, submerged or marginal.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - Penthorum can be found throughout Missouri and is quite common but frequently overlooked. The flowers are anything but showy, however, the fruits are interesting.
The plant was used traditionally by Indians to treat such ailments as diarrhea, dysentery, tonsillitis and bronchitis.
Stems - To -1m tall, branching, erect, from fibrous stoloniferous roots, scabrous to glabrous, with ferruginous glandular pubescence near apex, herbaceous.
Leaves - Alternate, sessile to very short-petiolate, serrulate, glabrous, lance-elliptic, acute to acuminate at apex, tapering to base, to +/-12cm long, +/-3.5cm broad.
Inflorescence - A terminal branching cyme with 2-6 branches. Flowers secund on upper side of branches. Axis of inflorescence densely glandular pubescent. Flowers on pedicels to 2mm long.
Flowers - Typically apetalous. Sepals 5, green, acute, 1.1mm long, typically glabrous, persistent in fruit. Stamens 10. Filaments to 2mm long, pinkish. Anthers yellowish-pink, .8mm long. Carpels 5(7), white and glabrous in flower, in a ring, to 4mm long. Placentation free central. Styles to 1.2mm long, persistent in fruit as beak. Capsule 5-horned, circumsissle below the beaks, glabrous, greenish-brown to reddish. Seeds many, .7mm long, tuberculate.
Flowering - July - October.
Habitat - Wet soils, flood plains, ditches, submerged or marginal.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - Penthorum can be found throughout Missouri and is quite common but frequently overlooked. The flowers are anything but showy, however, the fruits are interesting.
The plant was used traditionally by Indians to treat such ailments as diarrhea, dysentery, tonsillitis and bronchitis.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月02日
Family - Monotropaceae
Stems - To +20cm tall, simple, nodding at apex, from fleshy roots, sub-succulent, yellowish, short pubescent, with slightly pungent odor when crushed or bruised.
Leaves - Alternate, reduced and scalelike, to 1.3cm long, 5mm broad, typically lance-ovate, glabrous, with erose margins.
Inflorescence - Terminal racemes of few flowers. Each flower subtended by leaflike bract. Pedicels 1-8mm long in flower, densely short pubescent. Flowers nodding or druping at first but erect later.
Flowers - Petals 4-5, 1.1cm long, 4.5mm broad at apex, pale yellowish to tan, broadest at apex, short pubescent externally and internally. Stamens 8-10 (twice as many as petals), typically included. Filaments inserted in grooves on ovary, white, glabrous, 7mm long. Anthers reddish, .4mm broad. Style 1, yellow, 2.1mm long, 1mm in diameter. Stigma capitate (flattened), 2.5mm broad. Ovary 4mm tall (long) and broad, 4-locular. Placentation axile. Sepals 4-5, erect, distinct, 8-9mm long, 2-3mm broad at apex, pale yellow to tannish, short pubescent on margins, erose at apex. Capsules erect, to 8mm long, with persistent style. Seeds many.
Flowering - June - October.
Habitat - Rich to dry woods, along streams, ravines, alluvial soils.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This diminutive plant is not commonly seen. It is found in a small number of counties throughout Missouri. The plant is saprophytic on decaying vegetation and the mycelia of fungi.
The stems of the plant can be yellowish-brown to reddish (when the plant is in fruit).
Another species, M. uniflora L., is nearly white and has only one flower terminating each stem.
Stems - To +20cm tall, simple, nodding at apex, from fleshy roots, sub-succulent, yellowish, short pubescent, with slightly pungent odor when crushed or bruised.
Leaves - Alternate, reduced and scalelike, to 1.3cm long, 5mm broad, typically lance-ovate, glabrous, with erose margins.
Inflorescence - Terminal racemes of few flowers. Each flower subtended by leaflike bract. Pedicels 1-8mm long in flower, densely short pubescent. Flowers nodding or druping at first but erect later.
Flowers - Petals 4-5, 1.1cm long, 4.5mm broad at apex, pale yellowish to tan, broadest at apex, short pubescent externally and internally. Stamens 8-10 (twice as many as petals), typically included. Filaments inserted in grooves on ovary, white, glabrous, 7mm long. Anthers reddish, .4mm broad. Style 1, yellow, 2.1mm long, 1mm in diameter. Stigma capitate (flattened), 2.5mm broad. Ovary 4mm tall (long) and broad, 4-locular. Placentation axile. Sepals 4-5, erect, distinct, 8-9mm long, 2-3mm broad at apex, pale yellow to tannish, short pubescent on margins, erose at apex. Capsules erect, to 8mm long, with persistent style. Seeds many.
Flowering - June - October.
Habitat - Rich to dry woods, along streams, ravines, alluvial soils.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This diminutive plant is not commonly seen. It is found in a small number of counties throughout Missouri. The plant is saprophytic on decaying vegetation and the mycelia of fungi.
The stems of the plant can be yellowish-brown to reddish (when the plant is in fruit).
Another species, M. uniflora L., is nearly white and has only one flower terminating each stem.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月02日
Family - Amaranthaceae
Stems - To 60cm tall, from taproot, branching at base, ascending or slightly procumbent, herbaceous, erect, arachnoid pubescent.
Leaves - Opposite, sessile, mostly at base of plant, linear-oblong, entire, arachnoid pubescent below, sericeous above (the hairs swollen basally), acute, to +7cm long, -1cm broad.
Inflorescence - Terminal and lateral spikes. Lateral spikes sessile. Bracts subtending flowers densely lanate, pinkish-tinged at apex.
Flowers - Apetalous. Calyx tubular, 5-lobed, pinkish-tinged, densely lanate, 2.2mm long(in flower). Stamens 5, included. Filaments connate and forming a tube. Anthers yellow, .2-.3mm long. Ovary and style compressed. Ovary ovoid-rotund. Style scarious-green, .4mm long. Stigma capitate, globose. Fruiting calyx to +3mm long, with 2 rows of spines. Urticle with a single spine.
Flowering - May - September.
Habitat - Glades, sandy open ground, streambanks, gravel bars, railroads.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - Most plants from the Amaranthaceae have flowers which are very difficult to decipher without a good scope or lens. The flower parts are very small and typically indistinct. F. gracilis is no exception, but it is, however, easy to ID in the field because of its basally branching habit and wooly-arachnoid stems and flowers. Another species, F. floridana (Nutt.) Moq. is found in Missouri and the two species hybridize. F. floridana has thicker stems, broader leaves, and doesn't typically branch at the base. Both species can be found in many scattered counties throughout Missouri.
F. gracilis is found in quantity on the gravel bars in the Ozarks. The spiny fruits can be the cause of much discomfort for sandal-wearers in the area.
Stems - To 60cm tall, from taproot, branching at base, ascending or slightly procumbent, herbaceous, erect, arachnoid pubescent.
Leaves - Opposite, sessile, mostly at base of plant, linear-oblong, entire, arachnoid pubescent below, sericeous above (the hairs swollen basally), acute, to +7cm long, -1cm broad.
Inflorescence - Terminal and lateral spikes. Lateral spikes sessile. Bracts subtending flowers densely lanate, pinkish-tinged at apex.
Flowers - Apetalous. Calyx tubular, 5-lobed, pinkish-tinged, densely lanate, 2.2mm long(in flower). Stamens 5, included. Filaments connate and forming a tube. Anthers yellow, .2-.3mm long. Ovary and style compressed. Ovary ovoid-rotund. Style scarious-green, .4mm long. Stigma capitate, globose. Fruiting calyx to +3mm long, with 2 rows of spines. Urticle with a single spine.
Flowering - May - September.
Habitat - Glades, sandy open ground, streambanks, gravel bars, railroads.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - Most plants from the Amaranthaceae have flowers which are very difficult to decipher without a good scope or lens. The flower parts are very small and typically indistinct. F. gracilis is no exception, but it is, however, easy to ID in the field because of its basally branching habit and wooly-arachnoid stems and flowers. Another species, F. floridana (Nutt.) Moq. is found in Missouri and the two species hybridize. F. floridana has thicker stems, broader leaves, and doesn't typically branch at the base. Both species can be found in many scattered counties throughout Missouri.
F. gracilis is found in quantity on the gravel bars in the Ozarks. The spiny fruits can be the cause of much discomfort for sandal-wearers in the area.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月02日
Family - Euphorbiaceae
Stems - From a single taproot, multiple from the base, branching, prostrate, herbaceous, terete, pilose at the base, moderately pilose to hirsute above, green to (more commonly) red, with milky sap, to +30cm long, forming mats.
Leaves - Opposite, short-petiolate. Petioles to 1mm long, pubescent as the stem. Blades oblique at the base, typically oblong to oblong-ovate, dull dark green above, whitish-green below, sometimes with a dark red splotch in the center, with few to many hairs above, much more hairy below, appearing entire but actually with shallow teeth along the entire margin, rounded at the apex, to +/-1.4cm long, +/-5mm broad. Main veins of the leaf all arising at the base of the blade, typically 3.
Inflorescence - Typically a single cyathium per leaf axil, appearing dense because of the short internodes of the upper stems.
Flowers - Involucre of the cyathium green, -2mm long, glabrous or sparse strigose, with 4 glands at the apex. Glands olive green, with small white to pinkish appendages. Appendages to .5mm broad, .3-.4mm long. Cyathia with a few hairs at the apex internally. Stamens 1-2 per cyathium. Filaments white, glabrous, .5-.7mm long. Anthers yellowish with some red, bilobed, .3mm broad. Capsule usually at 90 degrees to the cyathium, strigose, green, to -2mm long, 3-locular. Styles 3, .4-.5mm long, translucent, divided in apical 1/3 - 1/4, glabrous. Seeds 1-1.1mm long, brownish-purple when mature, with weak crossed ridges between the angles. Ridges coarse and few.
Flowering - May - October.
Habitat - Waste ground, disturbed sites, cultivated ground, along sidewalks and streets, roadsides, railroads, glades.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This little species can be found throughout Missouri and is quite common. It is one of the most common weeds in the state and in the eastern U.S.
The plant is easy to ID because of its prostrate habit, opposite leaves and hairy stems. It can form large, circular mats nearly 1m or more in diameter.
The milky sap of this species and many plants in the family can be irritating or even toxic to some people so be careful when handling the plant.
Stems - From a single taproot, multiple from the base, branching, prostrate, herbaceous, terete, pilose at the base, moderately pilose to hirsute above, green to (more commonly) red, with milky sap, to +30cm long, forming mats.
Leaves - Opposite, short-petiolate. Petioles to 1mm long, pubescent as the stem. Blades oblique at the base, typically oblong to oblong-ovate, dull dark green above, whitish-green below, sometimes with a dark red splotch in the center, with few to many hairs above, much more hairy below, appearing entire but actually with shallow teeth along the entire margin, rounded at the apex, to +/-1.4cm long, +/-5mm broad. Main veins of the leaf all arising at the base of the blade, typically 3.
Inflorescence - Typically a single cyathium per leaf axil, appearing dense because of the short internodes of the upper stems.
Flowers - Involucre of the cyathium green, -2mm long, glabrous or sparse strigose, with 4 glands at the apex. Glands olive green, with small white to pinkish appendages. Appendages to .5mm broad, .3-.4mm long. Cyathia with a few hairs at the apex internally. Stamens 1-2 per cyathium. Filaments white, glabrous, .5-.7mm long. Anthers yellowish with some red, bilobed, .3mm broad. Capsule usually at 90 degrees to the cyathium, strigose, green, to -2mm long, 3-locular. Styles 3, .4-.5mm long, translucent, divided in apical 1/3 - 1/4, glabrous. Seeds 1-1.1mm long, brownish-purple when mature, with weak crossed ridges between the angles. Ridges coarse and few.
Flowering - May - October.
Habitat - Waste ground, disturbed sites, cultivated ground, along sidewalks and streets, roadsides, railroads, glades.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This little species can be found throughout Missouri and is quite common. It is one of the most common weeds in the state and in the eastern U.S.
The plant is easy to ID because of its prostrate habit, opposite leaves and hairy stems. It can form large, circular mats nearly 1m or more in diameter.
The milky sap of this species and many plants in the family can be irritating or even toxic to some people so be careful when handling the plant.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月02日
Family - Euphorbiaceae
Stems - From a taproot, multiple from the base, branching, erect to ascending, herbaceous, sparsely papillose-hispid and pubescent, to 60cm long(tall), terete, with milky sap. Some of the hairs are multicellular.
Leaves - Mostly opposite, petiolate. Petioles to +1.5cm long, pubescent as the stem, with a shallow adaxial groove. A small cluster of minute glands is often present at the base of each petiole. The glands often brownish. Blades irregularly dentate to subentire, ovate to narrowly lanceolate, to +3cm broad, 8cm long, pubescent above and below, dull green above, bluish green below.
Inflorescence - Terminal bracteate cluster of cymules. Pedicels to 1.5mm long, glabrous.
Flowers - Involucre (at anthesis) whitish-green, 3mm long, glabrous, 5-lobed, with a single cupulate nectary, (nectary green, to 1.2mm long). Lobes fimbriate and often with a pinkish tinge. Ovary green, glabrous, 1.2mm in diameter (at anthesis). Styles 3, white, glabrous, spreading, to 1mm long, divided nearly to the base and appearing as 6. Anthers bi-lobed, yellow, .5mm broad. Filaments white, glabrous, distinctly jointed in the apical 1/4. Stamens +/-30 per flower. Capsules 3-lobed, glabrous, 3-seeded.
Flowering - July - October.
Habitat - Prairies, glades, waste ground, disturbed sites, roadsides, railroads.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This species is found throughout Missouri. The plant is fairly inconspicuous because of its indistinct flowers.
It is closely related to the every popular Poinsettia that many people like to buy around the winter holidays.
Be careful with the sap of this plant and most from this genus and it can be irritating to the skin and eyes.
Stems - From a taproot, multiple from the base, branching, erect to ascending, herbaceous, sparsely papillose-hispid and pubescent, to 60cm long(tall), terete, with milky sap. Some of the hairs are multicellular.
Leaves - Mostly opposite, petiolate. Petioles to +1.5cm long, pubescent as the stem, with a shallow adaxial groove. A small cluster of minute glands is often present at the base of each petiole. The glands often brownish. Blades irregularly dentate to subentire, ovate to narrowly lanceolate, to +3cm broad, 8cm long, pubescent above and below, dull green above, bluish green below.
Inflorescence - Terminal bracteate cluster of cymules. Pedicels to 1.5mm long, glabrous.
Flowers - Involucre (at anthesis) whitish-green, 3mm long, glabrous, 5-lobed, with a single cupulate nectary, (nectary green, to 1.2mm long). Lobes fimbriate and often with a pinkish tinge. Ovary green, glabrous, 1.2mm in diameter (at anthesis). Styles 3, white, glabrous, spreading, to 1mm long, divided nearly to the base and appearing as 6. Anthers bi-lobed, yellow, .5mm broad. Filaments white, glabrous, distinctly jointed in the apical 1/4. Stamens +/-30 per flower. Capsules 3-lobed, glabrous, 3-seeded.
Flowering - July - October.
Habitat - Prairies, glades, waste ground, disturbed sites, roadsides, railroads.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This species is found throughout Missouri. The plant is fairly inconspicuous because of its indistinct flowers.
It is closely related to the every popular Poinsettia that many people like to buy around the winter holidays.
Be careful with the sap of this plant and most from this genus and it can be irritating to the skin and eyes.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月02日
Family - Brassicaceae
Stems - To +25cm tall, from a taproot, erect, herbaceous, fistulose, appressed pubescent (with malpighian hairs).
Leaves - Alternate, short-petiolate at the base, sessile above. Margins with a few shallow teeth. Blades densely appressed pubescent, tapering at the base, acute, to +6cm long, -1cm broad, linear to linear-lanceolate.
Inflorescence - Terminal raceme. Pedicels to 5mm long in flower, slightly longer in fruit, erect, with pubescence as the stem.
Flowers - Petals 4, clawed, distinct. Claw yellow, to +/-1cm long. Limb orange, sub-orbicular, to 9mm long, glabrous. Stamens 6, erect. Filaments greenish-white, glabrous, compressed, 1cm long. Anthers greenish, 2mm long. Ovary densely appressed pubescent (the hairs forked and arranged vertically), 1cm long. Style short, 1.1mm long. Stigma capitate. Sepals 4, erect, 9-10mm long, to 2mm broad, linear-oblong, gibbous at the base, glabrous internally, pubescent as the stem externally, light green, often slightly keeled. Siliques beaked, pubescent as the ovary, erect, mostly parallel to the axis of the inflorescence.
Flowering - April - July.
Habitat - Limestone bluffs, glades, rocky open ground.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This biennial species is certainly the most showy of the genus in Missouri. It can be found mainly in the north-central Ozark region and is mostly restricted to the habitats mentioned above. The plant would be a good garden subject and will grow from seed.
Stems - To +25cm tall, from a taproot, erect, herbaceous, fistulose, appressed pubescent (with malpighian hairs).
Leaves - Alternate, short-petiolate at the base, sessile above. Margins with a few shallow teeth. Blades densely appressed pubescent, tapering at the base, acute, to +6cm long, -1cm broad, linear to linear-lanceolate.
Inflorescence - Terminal raceme. Pedicels to 5mm long in flower, slightly longer in fruit, erect, with pubescence as the stem.
Flowers - Petals 4, clawed, distinct. Claw yellow, to +/-1cm long. Limb orange, sub-orbicular, to 9mm long, glabrous. Stamens 6, erect. Filaments greenish-white, glabrous, compressed, 1cm long. Anthers greenish, 2mm long. Ovary densely appressed pubescent (the hairs forked and arranged vertically), 1cm long. Style short, 1.1mm long. Stigma capitate. Sepals 4, erect, 9-10mm long, to 2mm broad, linear-oblong, gibbous at the base, glabrous internally, pubescent as the stem externally, light green, often slightly keeled. Siliques beaked, pubescent as the ovary, erect, mostly parallel to the axis of the inflorescence.
Flowering - April - July.
Habitat - Limestone bluffs, glades, rocky open ground.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This biennial species is certainly the most showy of the genus in Missouri. It can be found mainly in the north-central Ozark region and is mostly restricted to the habitats mentioned above. The plant would be a good garden subject and will grow from seed.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月02日
Family - Cornaceae
Stems - A tree to +/-10m tall. Bark with square fissures. Twigs deep green to red, with malpighian hairs, opposite.
Leaves - Opposite, petiolate. Petioles to -1cm long, pubescent as stem and sparse pilose. Blades ovate, entire, acute to acuminate, appressed pubescent above, densely appressed pubescent below with pilose hairs on the veins below, to +/-13cm long, +/-7cm broad, entire. Veins of leaves impressed adaxially, expressed abaxially. A silky thread is present when the leaves are pulled apart lengthwise.
Inflorescence - Single pedunculate flower cluster from between leaves of new seasons growth. Flowers appearing with or just before the leaves. Peduncle to 3.5cm long, densely pubescent as the stem, light green or with some red at base. Flowers +/-20 per cluster.
Flowers - White (sometimes pink) bracts subtending the flowers to +3cm long, 2.5cm broad, obcordate. Floral tube densely pubescent as stem, to 3mm long, 1.5mm in diameter, 5-lobed. Sepals 4, acute, .6-.7mm long. Petals 4, yellow-green, glabrous, 4mm long, pubescent as stem internally, glabrous externally. Stamens 4, exserted, erect, alternating with the petals. Filaments glabrous, whitish-green, 2-2.5mm long. Anthers 1.2mm long. Style green, 2.1mm long, pubescent as stem. Ovary inferior, 2-locular. Placentation axile.
Flowering - April - May.
Habitat - Wooded slopes, ravines, bluffs, ridges, thickets, typically in acid soils.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This striking tree can be found growing wild in the lower 1/2 of Missouri. It is, however, widely cultivated throughout the rest of the state. A form with pink flowers, form rubra (Weston) Palm. & Steyerm., can be seen frequently in cultivation but less so in the wild. Here it is.
Stems - A tree to +/-10m tall. Bark with square fissures. Twigs deep green to red, with malpighian hairs, opposite.
Leaves - Opposite, petiolate. Petioles to -1cm long, pubescent as stem and sparse pilose. Blades ovate, entire, acute to acuminate, appressed pubescent above, densely appressed pubescent below with pilose hairs on the veins below, to +/-13cm long, +/-7cm broad, entire. Veins of leaves impressed adaxially, expressed abaxially. A silky thread is present when the leaves are pulled apart lengthwise.
Inflorescence - Single pedunculate flower cluster from between leaves of new seasons growth. Flowers appearing with or just before the leaves. Peduncle to 3.5cm long, densely pubescent as the stem, light green or with some red at base. Flowers +/-20 per cluster.
Flowers - White (sometimes pink) bracts subtending the flowers to +3cm long, 2.5cm broad, obcordate. Floral tube densely pubescent as stem, to 3mm long, 1.5mm in diameter, 5-lobed. Sepals 4, acute, .6-.7mm long. Petals 4, yellow-green, glabrous, 4mm long, pubescent as stem internally, glabrous externally. Stamens 4, exserted, erect, alternating with the petals. Filaments glabrous, whitish-green, 2-2.5mm long. Anthers 1.2mm long. Style green, 2.1mm long, pubescent as stem. Ovary inferior, 2-locular. Placentation axile.
Flowering - April - May.
Habitat - Wooded slopes, ravines, bluffs, ridges, thickets, typically in acid soils.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This striking tree can be found growing wild in the lower 1/2 of Missouri. It is, however, widely cultivated throughout the rest of the state. A form with pink flowers, form rubra (Weston) Palm. & Steyerm., can be seen frequently in cultivation but less so in the wild. Here it is.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月02日
Family - Asclepiadaceae
Stems - Stout, erect, herbaceous, to 1.5m tall, 4-angled (the angles rounded), tomentoulose, with milky sap.
Leaves - Opposite, decussate, short petiolate. Petioles to -1cm long. Blades to +/-20cm long, +/-10cm broad, entire, tomentose (tomentoulose) and light green below, darker green and sparse tomentoulose above, often with purplish midrib adaxially, ovate-oblong to ovate-lanceolate or elliptic, rounded at base, acute at apex. Veins of the leaf anistomosing before the margins of the leaf (best viewed abaxially).
Inflorescence - Axillary, pedunculate, globose umbels on the apical 1/2 of the stem. Peduncles to +/-6cm long, tomentose. Flowers +/-100 per umbel. Pedicels tomentose, to 4cm long, typically with some purplish tinge.
Flowers - Petals 5, reflexed, subulate, to 9mm long, 3-4mm broad, acute, entire, glabrous internally, pubescent externally. Hoods creamy whitish-purple, 4-5mm tall, attached basally to column, glabrous. Horns to 2mm long, whitish-purple, curved inward and touching the top of the anther column. Column dark purple and whitish at the apex, 2-3mm long and broad. Anther sacs 2mm long, connective dark purplish-brown. Sepals 5, green, pubescent externally, glabrous internally, reflexed, shorter than the petals.
Flowering - May - August.
Habitat - Fields, open woods, roadsides, railroads, waste ground.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This robust species can be found throughout most of Missouri but seems to be uncommon in the south-central portion of the state. Like the majority of the milkweeds, this species bleeds a profuse amount of milky sap when injured. The plant is toxic if ingested. This species can be mistaken with another, A. purpurescens L., but the latter has more purple flowers, inflorescences which are at the apex of the plant, and smooth fruits. The fruits of A. syriaca have small protuberances on them. Both species are quite striking and are visited frequently by insects in search of nectar.
Plants of the genus Asclepias have their pollen gathered in small sacs known as pollinia. The pollinia are buried within the other flora organs and cannot be seen without dissecting the flowers. As insects crawl amongst and feed upon the flowers of Asclepias their feet and appendages slip into slits in the gynostegium of the flower and get snagged on these pollinia. The pollinia will then be carried by the insects to other flowers on different plants to assure varied pollination. This amazing process can be seen in the picture below as a small larva feeding upon the flowers of A. syriaca can be seen with a pair of pollinia attached to one of its feet.
Stems - Stout, erect, herbaceous, to 1.5m tall, 4-angled (the angles rounded), tomentoulose, with milky sap.
Leaves - Opposite, decussate, short petiolate. Petioles to -1cm long. Blades to +/-20cm long, +/-10cm broad, entire, tomentose (tomentoulose) and light green below, darker green and sparse tomentoulose above, often with purplish midrib adaxially, ovate-oblong to ovate-lanceolate or elliptic, rounded at base, acute at apex. Veins of the leaf anistomosing before the margins of the leaf (best viewed abaxially).
Inflorescence - Axillary, pedunculate, globose umbels on the apical 1/2 of the stem. Peduncles to +/-6cm long, tomentose. Flowers +/-100 per umbel. Pedicels tomentose, to 4cm long, typically with some purplish tinge.
Flowers - Petals 5, reflexed, subulate, to 9mm long, 3-4mm broad, acute, entire, glabrous internally, pubescent externally. Hoods creamy whitish-purple, 4-5mm tall, attached basally to column, glabrous. Horns to 2mm long, whitish-purple, curved inward and touching the top of the anther column. Column dark purple and whitish at the apex, 2-3mm long and broad. Anther sacs 2mm long, connective dark purplish-brown. Sepals 5, green, pubescent externally, glabrous internally, reflexed, shorter than the petals.
Flowering - May - August.
Habitat - Fields, open woods, roadsides, railroads, waste ground.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This robust species can be found throughout most of Missouri but seems to be uncommon in the south-central portion of the state. Like the majority of the milkweeds, this species bleeds a profuse amount of milky sap when injured. The plant is toxic if ingested. This species can be mistaken with another, A. purpurescens L., but the latter has more purple flowers, inflorescences which are at the apex of the plant, and smooth fruits. The fruits of A. syriaca have small protuberances on them. Both species are quite striking and are visited frequently by insects in search of nectar.
Plants of the genus Asclepias have their pollen gathered in small sacs known as pollinia. The pollinia are buried within the other flora organs and cannot be seen without dissecting the flowers. As insects crawl amongst and feed upon the flowers of Asclepias their feet and appendages slip into slits in the gynostegium of the flower and get snagged on these pollinia. The pollinia will then be carried by the insects to other flowers on different plants to assure varied pollination. This amazing process can be seen in the picture below as a small larva feeding upon the flowers of A. syriaca can be seen with a pair of pollinia attached to one of its feet.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月02日
Family - Aristolochiaceae
Stems - Subterrestrial horizontal rhizomes.
Leaves - Paired, arising from base of plant (rhizome), petiolate. Petiole to +15cm long, densely lanate with multicellular hairs. Blades cordate to reniform, to 15cm broad and long, entire, sericeous above with hairs on veins and near margins, densely pubescent below.
Inflorescence - Single flower from between leaf petioles. Peduncle to 3cm long, lanate, reddish-purple.
Flowers - Apetalous. Sepals 3, connate for 2/3 of length( about 1cm) into a campanulate tube, free portions to 2cm long, +/-1cm broad at base, abruptly acute to acuminate or apiculate at apex, spreading to reflexed, brownish-red in upper half, whitish below (internally), pubescent to densely lanate externally, persistent in fruit. Stamens 12. Anthers connivent with the styles. Styles 6, deep brownish-red. Ovary inferior, 6-locular. Placentation axile. Capsule many seeded.
Flowering - April - May.
Habitat - Wooded slopes, valleys, ravines, base of bluffs.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This little plant is probably the easiest to identify in the field. The cordate leaves and distinguishing flower make it simple to recognize.
The rhizomes of the plant were eaten heavily by natives and were believed to have medicinal properties.
The plant has been studied in cancer research.
Stems - Subterrestrial horizontal rhizomes.
Leaves - Paired, arising from base of plant (rhizome), petiolate. Petiole to +15cm long, densely lanate with multicellular hairs. Blades cordate to reniform, to 15cm broad and long, entire, sericeous above with hairs on veins and near margins, densely pubescent below.
Inflorescence - Single flower from between leaf petioles. Peduncle to 3cm long, lanate, reddish-purple.
Flowers - Apetalous. Sepals 3, connate for 2/3 of length( about 1cm) into a campanulate tube, free portions to 2cm long, +/-1cm broad at base, abruptly acute to acuminate or apiculate at apex, spreading to reflexed, brownish-red in upper half, whitish below (internally), pubescent to densely lanate externally, persistent in fruit. Stamens 12. Anthers connivent with the styles. Styles 6, deep brownish-red. Ovary inferior, 6-locular. Placentation axile. Capsule many seeded.
Flowering - April - May.
Habitat - Wooded slopes, valleys, ravines, base of bluffs.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This little plant is probably the easiest to identify in the field. The cordate leaves and distinguishing flower make it simple to recognize.
The rhizomes of the plant were eaten heavily by natives and were believed to have medicinal properties.
The plant has been studied in cancer research.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月02日
Family - Liliaceae
Stems - Aerial stems to +1m tall, erect, simple, herbaceous, green ,glabrous, terete, mostly hollow. Bulb of many bulblets, with a papery coating and fibrous roots. Bulblets with at least one flat side.
Leaves - Leaves present in the lower 1/3 to 1/2 of the plant. Leaves flat or very slightly folded, to +/-30cm long, 7-10mm broad, glabrous, often glaucous, with a prominent midrib, sheathing. The ligule rounded ("U"-shaped), the free portion 1-2mm tall (long).
Inflorescence - Dense capitate cluster of bulblets terminating the stem. Inflorescence covered in a papery spathe. Spathe with a long apiculate tip, splitting on one side at anthesis.
Flowers - Flowers mostly or entirely replaced by bulblets. Bulblets glabrous, whitish or (more commonly) with a reddish tinge. If produced, the small flowers are greenish, whitish, or pinkish and tubular with acute lobes.
Flowering - May - July.
Habitat - Waste ground, roadsides, railroads, fields, meadows, thickets, grassy areas.
Origin - Native to Eurasia.
Other info. - This tasty species is the common "Garlic" of culinary fame. It can be found scattered throughout Missouri.
A. sativum is renowned for its medical benefits as well as its flavor. It has been used by many cultures to treat nearly every ailment known to man. More recently, Garlic has been shown to have promising anti-cancer properties. There are many more websites dedicated to the medicinal benefits of Garlic if you would like to learn more.
Allicin is the sulfur compound responsible for the characteristic smell of Garlic as well as some of its medicinal benefits.
Garlic is easy to grow in our area and wild plants can become very weedy if left unchecked.
Stems - Aerial stems to +1m tall, erect, simple, herbaceous, green ,glabrous, terete, mostly hollow. Bulb of many bulblets, with a papery coating and fibrous roots. Bulblets with at least one flat side.
Leaves - Leaves present in the lower 1/3 to 1/2 of the plant. Leaves flat or very slightly folded, to +/-30cm long, 7-10mm broad, glabrous, often glaucous, with a prominent midrib, sheathing. The ligule rounded ("U"-shaped), the free portion 1-2mm tall (long).
Inflorescence - Dense capitate cluster of bulblets terminating the stem. Inflorescence covered in a papery spathe. Spathe with a long apiculate tip, splitting on one side at anthesis.
Flowers - Flowers mostly or entirely replaced by bulblets. Bulblets glabrous, whitish or (more commonly) with a reddish tinge. If produced, the small flowers are greenish, whitish, or pinkish and tubular with acute lobes.
Flowering - May - July.
Habitat - Waste ground, roadsides, railroads, fields, meadows, thickets, grassy areas.
Origin - Native to Eurasia.
Other info. - This tasty species is the common "Garlic" of culinary fame. It can be found scattered throughout Missouri.
A. sativum is renowned for its medical benefits as well as its flavor. It has been used by many cultures to treat nearly every ailment known to man. More recently, Garlic has been shown to have promising anti-cancer properties. There are many more websites dedicated to the medicinal benefits of Garlic if you would like to learn more.
Allicin is the sulfur compound responsible for the characteristic smell of Garlic as well as some of its medicinal benefits.
Garlic is easy to grow in our area and wild plants can become very weedy if left unchecked.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月02日
Family - Apiaceae
Stems - From fibrous roots, forming large clumps, multiple from the base, erect, branching, herbaceous, glabrous, reddish-purple at the base, green apically, slightly scented.
Leaves - Basal leaves long petiole. Petioles to 15cm long, glabrous, colored as the stem. Blade palmately compound. Leaflets serrate, sessile, glabrous, +/-6cm long. Teeth of leaflet mucronate.Cauline leaves becoming sessile, palmate. The leaflets oblanceolate, divided near the apex, to 6cm long, +/-2cm broad, glabrous, toothed as the basal leaves.
Inflorescence - Axillary bracteate globose umbellets, of staminate and perfect flowers. Rays to +2cm long in flower, glabrous. Umbellets directly subtended by a few minute bracts. +/-40 flowers per umbellet. Raylets of staminate flowers to -2mm long, glabrous. Perfect flowers mostly sessile.
Flowers - Staminate flowers - Petals green, glabrous, strongly inflexed, -1mm broad. Stamens 5, erect. Filaments greenish, glabrous, 2mm long. Anthers yellow, .7mm long. Calyx tube .5mm long, with 5 lobes, glabrous. Lobes acute, erect, .3mm long, glabrous. Perfect flowers - Petals as in staminate flowers. Stamens slightly longer than in staminate flowers. Styles 2, long and spreading to recurved, greenish-white, glabrous, -3mm long. Ovary with uncinate prickles. Sepals same as is staminate flowers.
Flowering - April - June.
Habitat - Rich open woods, thickets.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This species can be found throughout much of Missouri but is absent from a large section of the west-central portion of the state. The plant can be identified by its bristly fruits which have long styles. The styles of the fruits are longer than the bristles and slightly recurved, they DO NOT stand erect.
Stems - From fibrous roots, forming large clumps, multiple from the base, erect, branching, herbaceous, glabrous, reddish-purple at the base, green apically, slightly scented.
Leaves - Basal leaves long petiole. Petioles to 15cm long, glabrous, colored as the stem. Blade palmately compound. Leaflets serrate, sessile, glabrous, +/-6cm long. Teeth of leaflet mucronate.Cauline leaves becoming sessile, palmate. The leaflets oblanceolate, divided near the apex, to 6cm long, +/-2cm broad, glabrous, toothed as the basal leaves.
Inflorescence - Axillary bracteate globose umbellets, of staminate and perfect flowers. Rays to +2cm long in flower, glabrous. Umbellets directly subtended by a few minute bracts. +/-40 flowers per umbellet. Raylets of staminate flowers to -2mm long, glabrous. Perfect flowers mostly sessile.
Flowers - Staminate flowers - Petals green, glabrous, strongly inflexed, -1mm broad. Stamens 5, erect. Filaments greenish, glabrous, 2mm long. Anthers yellow, .7mm long. Calyx tube .5mm long, with 5 lobes, glabrous. Lobes acute, erect, .3mm long, glabrous. Perfect flowers - Petals as in staminate flowers. Stamens slightly longer than in staminate flowers. Styles 2, long and spreading to recurved, greenish-white, glabrous, -3mm long. Ovary with uncinate prickles. Sepals same as is staminate flowers.
Flowering - April - June.
Habitat - Rich open woods, thickets.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This species can be found throughout much of Missouri but is absent from a large section of the west-central portion of the state. The plant can be identified by its bristly fruits which have long styles. The styles of the fruits are longer than the bristles and slightly recurved, they DO NOT stand erect.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月02日
Family - Euphorbiaceae
Stems - From a woody caudex, herbaceous, pubescent and with stinging hairs, vining, to -1m long.
Leaves - Alternate, stipulate, petiolate. Stipules spreading, ovate to lanceolate, to 5mm long, 3mm broad, with stinging hairs. Petioles to +/-5cm long, with same pubescence as stem. Blades cordate, dentate, +/-10cm long, 6.5cm broad, sparsely pubescent above and below and with stinging hairs, dark green above, silvery-green below. Lowest leaves broadly ovate.
Inflorescence - Axillary raceme to 4cm long in flower, expanding in fruit, androgynous. Each flower subtended by a small bract. Bract linear, rounded at apex, 1.1mm long. Pedicels 2mm long in flower, slightly longer in fruit, sparse glandular pubescent.
Flowers - Staminate flowers with 3 erect stamens. Filaments green, fleshy, glabrous, .3mm long. Anthers yellow, .1mm broad. Sepals 3, green, spreading, mostly glabrous or with a few hairs near the apex, oblong elliptic, 1.2mm long, 1mm broad, subacute. Petals none. Pistillate flowers with 5-7 sepals. Sepals accrescent. Styles united in lower 1/2. Stigmas purple, persistent. Capsule 3-carpellate, (1-seed per carpel), stinging pubescent. with evident green venation, +/-1.5cm broad.
Flowering - June - September.
Habitat - Bottoms, rocky open woods, thickets, glades.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This interesting plant has been recorded as rare in Missouri in the past but if you get out and look for it you will find the plant in many of the Ozark counties. This species is fairly indistinct and is more often felt than seen. The stinging sensation of the plant takes a few moments to reach its maximum but is quite painful. I once described the stinging as "about as much pain as you can have without actually being hurt."
The fruiting capsules of Tragia are easy to ID and clearly distinguish the species if found.
Stems - From a woody caudex, herbaceous, pubescent and with stinging hairs, vining, to -1m long.
Leaves - Alternate, stipulate, petiolate. Stipules spreading, ovate to lanceolate, to 5mm long, 3mm broad, with stinging hairs. Petioles to +/-5cm long, with same pubescence as stem. Blades cordate, dentate, +/-10cm long, 6.5cm broad, sparsely pubescent above and below and with stinging hairs, dark green above, silvery-green below. Lowest leaves broadly ovate.
Inflorescence - Axillary raceme to 4cm long in flower, expanding in fruit, androgynous. Each flower subtended by a small bract. Bract linear, rounded at apex, 1.1mm long. Pedicels 2mm long in flower, slightly longer in fruit, sparse glandular pubescent.
Flowers - Staminate flowers with 3 erect stamens. Filaments green, fleshy, glabrous, .3mm long. Anthers yellow, .1mm broad. Sepals 3, green, spreading, mostly glabrous or with a few hairs near the apex, oblong elliptic, 1.2mm long, 1mm broad, subacute. Petals none. Pistillate flowers with 5-7 sepals. Sepals accrescent. Styles united in lower 1/2. Stigmas purple, persistent. Capsule 3-carpellate, (1-seed per carpel), stinging pubescent. with evident green venation, +/-1.5cm broad.
Flowering - June - September.
Habitat - Bottoms, rocky open woods, thickets, glades.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This interesting plant has been recorded as rare in Missouri in the past but if you get out and look for it you will find the plant in many of the Ozark counties. This species is fairly indistinct and is more often felt than seen. The stinging sensation of the plant takes a few moments to reach its maximum but is quite painful. I once described the stinging as "about as much pain as you can have without actually being hurt."
The fruiting capsules of Tragia are easy to ID and clearly distinguish the species if found.
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