成长记
Plantlin
2018年05月28日
Some updates. new big leaf is coming out, but it seems green again! Okok, I’ll try to be patient till it unfolds:) on the one stem part, I think there is a geowingpoint visible! I almost threw that out!!! So happy:) And even more patience;) 💚
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Miss Chen
2018年05月27日
Description: This herbaceous perennial wildflower is ¾–1½' tall and unbranched. It consists of a central stem with 3 terminal leaves; a mature plant will produce a single stalked flower. The central stem is terete, glabrous, and pale green or pale reddish-green. The terminal leaves are arranged in a whorl at the apex of this stem. Each leaf is up to 6" long and 5" across; it is oval-ovate or oval in shape, medium green, and glabrous. Each leaf has smooth margins and parallel primary veins.
The single flower spans about 3-4" across on a stalk about 1-3" long. This stalk is ascending or erect; the flower is held above the leaves and usually leans to the side (but doesn't droop downward). Each flower consists of 3 white petals, 3 green sepals, a central white ovary, 6 stamens, and 3 stigmas. The petals are ovate-obovate, widely spreading, and usually longer than the sepals; they often become light pink with age. The sepals are lanceolate and widely spreading. The dull yellow stigmas are slender and either straight or slightly recurved. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring and lasts about 3 weeks. Each flower is replaced by a 6-angled seed capsule that becomes dark with age; it eventually splits open to release the seeds. The root system consists of a vertical rootstock with fibrous roots; spreading rhizomes are also produced. Occasionally, thisDistribution Map wildflower forms loose colonies of variable size.
Cultivation: Dappled sunlight or light shade is preferred during the spring; later in the year, more shade is tolerated. The soil should be rich, loamy, rather loose, and evenly moist; a surface layer of leaves and other decaying organic material is desirable. This wildflower develops very slowly from seed (several years to maturity). It is also possible to propagate this species from vegetative offsets of the rhizomes, but this takes time to develop as well.
Range & Habitat: The native Large-Flowered Trillium is occasional in NE Illinois, while in other areas of the state it is uncommon or absent. Populations of this species are stagnant or declining in Illinois; it is somewhat more common further to the east and northeast of the state. Habitats include rich deciduous woodlands, swamps, and shaded riverbanks. Occasionally, Large-Flowered Trillium is cultivated in shade gardens, but it is expensive and difficult to obtain; wild-collected plants should be avoided.
Faunal Associations: As showy as they are, the flowers are rarely visited by insects; Graenicher observed a single species, Ceratina dupla (Little Carpenter Bee), sucking nectar and collecting pollen from them. Another small bee, Andrena geranii, was observed to seek shelter in a flower from the rain. The caterpillars of two moths, Euplexia benesimilis (American Angle Shades) and Clepsis melaleucana (Black-Patched Clepsis), occasionally feed on Trillium spp. (trilliums); the latter species is polyphagous. The seeds of this and other trilliums are distributed by ants because of their elaisomes (food appendages). White-Tailed Deer readily browse on the foliage and flowers of trilliums, and they appear to be attracted to Large-Flowered Trillium in particular (possibly because they can easily see the flowers). Where this trillium is abundant, its large leaves can provide significant cover for small mammals.
Photographic Location: A deciduous woodland in Piatt County, Illinois.
Comments: Among the various species of trilliums, this one is probably the most attractive and charismatic. The flowers are very showy and the leaves have a nice glossy surface. The only other species that is similar, Trillium flexipes (White Trillium), has flowers that are a little smaller and more nodding; usually its flowers hang a little above or a little below the leaves. Large-Flowered Trillium has slender stigmas that are straight or slightly recurved, while White Trillium has stout stigmas that are strongly recurved. While there are other white-petaled trilliums in Illinois, their flowers are much smaller in size (2" across or less).
The single flower spans about 3-4" across on a stalk about 1-3" long. This stalk is ascending or erect; the flower is held above the leaves and usually leans to the side (but doesn't droop downward). Each flower consists of 3 white petals, 3 green sepals, a central white ovary, 6 stamens, and 3 stigmas. The petals are ovate-obovate, widely spreading, and usually longer than the sepals; they often become light pink with age. The sepals are lanceolate and widely spreading. The dull yellow stigmas are slender and either straight or slightly recurved. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring and lasts about 3 weeks. Each flower is replaced by a 6-angled seed capsule that becomes dark with age; it eventually splits open to release the seeds. The root system consists of a vertical rootstock with fibrous roots; spreading rhizomes are also produced. Occasionally, thisDistribution Map wildflower forms loose colonies of variable size.
Cultivation: Dappled sunlight or light shade is preferred during the spring; later in the year, more shade is tolerated. The soil should be rich, loamy, rather loose, and evenly moist; a surface layer of leaves and other decaying organic material is desirable. This wildflower develops very slowly from seed (several years to maturity). It is also possible to propagate this species from vegetative offsets of the rhizomes, but this takes time to develop as well.
Range & Habitat: The native Large-Flowered Trillium is occasional in NE Illinois, while in other areas of the state it is uncommon or absent. Populations of this species are stagnant or declining in Illinois; it is somewhat more common further to the east and northeast of the state. Habitats include rich deciduous woodlands, swamps, and shaded riverbanks. Occasionally, Large-Flowered Trillium is cultivated in shade gardens, but it is expensive and difficult to obtain; wild-collected plants should be avoided.
Faunal Associations: As showy as they are, the flowers are rarely visited by insects; Graenicher observed a single species, Ceratina dupla (Little Carpenter Bee), sucking nectar and collecting pollen from them. Another small bee, Andrena geranii, was observed to seek shelter in a flower from the rain. The caterpillars of two moths, Euplexia benesimilis (American Angle Shades) and Clepsis melaleucana (Black-Patched Clepsis), occasionally feed on Trillium spp. (trilliums); the latter species is polyphagous. The seeds of this and other trilliums are distributed by ants because of their elaisomes (food appendages). White-Tailed Deer readily browse on the foliage and flowers of trilliums, and they appear to be attracted to Large-Flowered Trillium in particular (possibly because they can easily see the flowers). Where this trillium is abundant, its large leaves can provide significant cover for small mammals.
Photographic Location: A deciduous woodland in Piatt County, Illinois.
Comments: Among the various species of trilliums, this one is probably the most attractive and charismatic. The flowers are very showy and the leaves have a nice glossy surface. The only other species that is similar, Trillium flexipes (White Trillium), has flowers that are a little smaller and more nodding; usually its flowers hang a little above or a little below the leaves. Large-Flowered Trillium has slender stigmas that are straight or slightly recurved, while White Trillium has stout stigmas that are strongly recurved. While there are other white-petaled trilliums in Illinois, their flowers are much smaller in size (2" across or less).
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Miss Chen
2018年05月27日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is about 1½–2' tall; it consists of a central stalk with 3 spreading terminal leaves. The stalk is light green and hairless. The leaves are up to 6½" long and across; they are broadly obovate or broadly rhombic-oval, smooth along the margins, and hairless. The base of each leaf is wedge-shaped, while the terminal end tapers to a blunt tip. The major veins of each leaf are parallel; there are also branching side veins. A mature plant produces a single flower on a nodding peduncle about 1–2½" long. This flower is about 2" across, consisting of 3 white spreading petals, 3 green sepals, 6 stamens (anthers & filaments), and a creamy central ovary. The pale yellow anthers are twice as long as their filaments. At the tip of the ovary, there are 3 recurved stigmas. Only rarely are the petals of the flowers brownish purple. The flower hangs from its peduncle a little above or a little below the leaves.
The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring. The seed capsule that replaces the flower is 6-angled; it splits open at maturity to release the seeds. The foliage withers away during the summer. The vertical central root is slightly swollen near the base of the plant; it branches into secondary fibrous roots. Small vegetative colonies are occasionally produced from spreading rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight during the spring, followed by light to medium shade. The soil should be evenly moist, fertile, and loamy, with a layer of decaying leaves on its surface to protect the plant from drying out. Trilliums are slow to develop from seed and take many years to reach maturity. Most growth and development occurs during the spring before the canopy trees fully leaf out.
Range & Habitat: The native White Trillium is occasional in the northern half of Illinois, and uncommon or absent in the southern half of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include rich deciduous woodlands, wooded slopes, large shady ravines, and rocky bluffs. This species is found in high quality woodlands where the original ground flora is still intact.
Faunal Associations: Few insects visit the flowers of Trillium spp. (trilliums), even though their flowers are rather showy; records for this particular species have not been found. The caterpillars of the moths Clepsis melaleucana (Black-Patched Clepsis) and Euplexia benesimilis (American Angle Shades) occasionally feed on the foliage of Trilliums. The seeds are distributed by ants because of their food appendages. White-Tailed Deer readily graze on the foliage of trilliums; they seem to prefer it.
Photographic Location: Deciduous woodlands at Shades State Park, Pine Hills State Nature Preserve, and the Potholes in west-central Indiana.
Comments: Other common names for this species are the Declined Trillium and Drooping Trillium. This is one of the white-flowered trilliums (Trillium spp.) in Illinois. It is much larger and blooms later than Trillium nivale (Snow Trillium), and its flowers are less erect and somewhat smaller than those of Trillium grandiflorum (Large-Flowered Trillium). This latter species has straight stigmas, while the stigmas of White Trillium are recurved and spreading. It is easy to confuse this species with Trillium cernuum (Nodding Trillium), which also has white nodding flowers. This latter species has somewhat smaller leaves and flowers, and the peduncles of its flowers are usually shorter (less than 1¼" long). This latter species has anthers that are about the same length as their filaments, while White Trillium has anthers that are about twice as long as their filaments.
The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring. The seed capsule that replaces the flower is 6-angled; it splits open at maturity to release the seeds. The foliage withers away during the summer. The vertical central root is slightly swollen near the base of the plant; it branches into secondary fibrous roots. Small vegetative colonies are occasionally produced from spreading rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight during the spring, followed by light to medium shade. The soil should be evenly moist, fertile, and loamy, with a layer of decaying leaves on its surface to protect the plant from drying out. Trilliums are slow to develop from seed and take many years to reach maturity. Most growth and development occurs during the spring before the canopy trees fully leaf out.
Range & Habitat: The native White Trillium is occasional in the northern half of Illinois, and uncommon or absent in the southern half of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include rich deciduous woodlands, wooded slopes, large shady ravines, and rocky bluffs. This species is found in high quality woodlands where the original ground flora is still intact.
Faunal Associations: Few insects visit the flowers of Trillium spp. (trilliums), even though their flowers are rather showy; records for this particular species have not been found. The caterpillars of the moths Clepsis melaleucana (Black-Patched Clepsis) and Euplexia benesimilis (American Angle Shades) occasionally feed on the foliage of Trilliums. The seeds are distributed by ants because of their food appendages. White-Tailed Deer readily graze on the foliage of trilliums; they seem to prefer it.
Photographic Location: Deciduous woodlands at Shades State Park, Pine Hills State Nature Preserve, and the Potholes in west-central Indiana.
Comments: Other common names for this species are the Declined Trillium and Drooping Trillium. This is one of the white-flowered trilliums (Trillium spp.) in Illinois. It is much larger and blooms later than Trillium nivale (Snow Trillium), and its flowers are less erect and somewhat smaller than those of Trillium grandiflorum (Large-Flowered Trillium). This latter species has straight stigmas, while the stigmas of White Trillium are recurved and spreading. It is easy to confuse this species with Trillium cernuum (Nodding Trillium), which also has white nodding flowers. This latter species has somewhat smaller leaves and flowers, and the peduncles of its flowers are usually shorter (less than 1¼" long). This latter species has anthers that are about the same length as their filaments, while White Trillium has anthers that are about twice as long as their filaments.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月27日
Description: This perennial wildflower is ¾-2' tall, consisting of a single central stem and 3 widely spreading leaves at its apex. This stem is light green to purplish green, terete, and glabrous. Individual leaves are 3-8" long and similarly across; they are oval-rhombic in shape, smooth along their margins, and sessile (or nearly so). The upper leaf surface is medium green and glabrous, while the lower surface is more pale; both surfaces are glabrous. Primary veins of the leaves are parallel, while secondary veins form an interlacing network. A flowering plant produces an erect to ascending peduncle about 1½-3" long, terminating in a single nodding flower that is held above the leaves. The peduncle is light green and glabrous. The flower is about 2" across, consisting of 3 maroon petals (reddish purple), 3 light green to greenish maroon sepals, 6 stamens, and a dark maroon ovary with 3 small recurved stigmata.
When the flower is open, both petals and sepals are widely spreading; they are about the same length and similar shape, although the sepals are more narrow. The petals and sepals are lanceolate to ovate in shape and glabrous. The relatively small stamens have anthers and filaments that are about the same length; the anthers have light gray to yellowish pollen. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring for about 2-3 weeks. The flowers often have an unpleasant scent. Afterwards, the ovary matures into a dark maroon fruit that is broadly ovoid, 6-angled, and about ½" long. This fruit contains several seeds. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Clonal colonies of plants are often produced from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight or light shade during the spring, followed by shade during the summer. The soil should be more or less moist and contain loam with decaying organic matter. Some protection from prevailing winds is also desirable. It takes a long time for this trillium to mature from seed (typically 5-10 years). The foliage dies down later in the summer.
Range & Habitat: The native Red Trillium is a rare wildflower in Illinois, where it is state-listed as 'endangered.' It is restricted to a few counties in the northern section of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats consist of rich deciduous woodlands that are more or less mesic and wooded slopes. In such woodlands, Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), American Basswood (Tilia americana), or oaks (Quercus spp.) are often dominant canopy trees. Further to the east, where it is more common, Red Trillium is associated with woodlands that are dominated by Sugar Maple and American Beech (Fagus grandifolia). This wildflower is sometimes cultivated in shaded gardens.
Faunal Associations: Because the petals of the flowers have the color of rotting flesh and often exude a similar odor, they probably attract flesh flies, carrion beetles, and similar insects. The polyphagous larvae of two moth species, Clepsis melaleucana (Black-Patched Clepsis) and Euplexia benesimilis (American Angle Shades), have been observed to feed on the leaves of Trillium spp. The foliage is also vulnerable to browsing by White-tailed Deer: This has caused the decline of trillium populations in some parts of Illinois. Food-appendages of the seeds are designed to attract ants and possibly other insects. As a result, the seeds of Trillium spp. can be carried several feet from the mother plant by these insects, thereby helping to spread these flowering plants into neighboring areas.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This wildflower lacks a dominant common name: It has been referred to as Red Trillium, Purple Trillium, Ill-Scented Trillium, Stinking Benjamin, Stinking Willie, and Birthwort. In addition to maroon (reddish purple), the flowers of this species can be white, pink, yellow, or green. Some of these variations may be the result of hybridization with other Trillium spp. In Illinois, only plants with maroon-colored flowers have been encountered in the wild. Red Trillium is fairly easy to identify because it is the only maroon-flowered trillium within the state that holds its flower above the leaves on a more or less erect peduncle (flowering stalk). Two other species in Illinois, Trillium recurvatum (Prairie Trillium) and Trillium sessile (Sessile Trillium), also have maroon-colored flowers, but they are sessile. The white-flowered form of Red Trillium can be distinguished from other white-flowered Trillium spp. by its dark maroon ovary.
When the flower is open, both petals and sepals are widely spreading; they are about the same length and similar shape, although the sepals are more narrow. The petals and sepals are lanceolate to ovate in shape and glabrous. The relatively small stamens have anthers and filaments that are about the same length; the anthers have light gray to yellowish pollen. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring for about 2-3 weeks. The flowers often have an unpleasant scent. Afterwards, the ovary matures into a dark maroon fruit that is broadly ovoid, 6-angled, and about ½" long. This fruit contains several seeds. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Clonal colonies of plants are often produced from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight or light shade during the spring, followed by shade during the summer. The soil should be more or less moist and contain loam with decaying organic matter. Some protection from prevailing winds is also desirable. It takes a long time for this trillium to mature from seed (typically 5-10 years). The foliage dies down later in the summer.
Range & Habitat: The native Red Trillium is a rare wildflower in Illinois, where it is state-listed as 'endangered.' It is restricted to a few counties in the northern section of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats consist of rich deciduous woodlands that are more or less mesic and wooded slopes. In such woodlands, Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), American Basswood (Tilia americana), or oaks (Quercus spp.) are often dominant canopy trees. Further to the east, where it is more common, Red Trillium is associated with woodlands that are dominated by Sugar Maple and American Beech (Fagus grandifolia). This wildflower is sometimes cultivated in shaded gardens.
Faunal Associations: Because the petals of the flowers have the color of rotting flesh and often exude a similar odor, they probably attract flesh flies, carrion beetles, and similar insects. The polyphagous larvae of two moth species, Clepsis melaleucana (Black-Patched Clepsis) and Euplexia benesimilis (American Angle Shades), have been observed to feed on the leaves of Trillium spp. The foliage is also vulnerable to browsing by White-tailed Deer: This has caused the decline of trillium populations in some parts of Illinois. Food-appendages of the seeds are designed to attract ants and possibly other insects. As a result, the seeds of Trillium spp. can be carried several feet from the mother plant by these insects, thereby helping to spread these flowering plants into neighboring areas.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This wildflower lacks a dominant common name: It has been referred to as Red Trillium, Purple Trillium, Ill-Scented Trillium, Stinking Benjamin, Stinking Willie, and Birthwort. In addition to maroon (reddish purple), the flowers of this species can be white, pink, yellow, or green. Some of these variations may be the result of hybridization with other Trillium spp. In Illinois, only plants with maroon-colored flowers have been encountered in the wild. Red Trillium is fairly easy to identify because it is the only maroon-flowered trillium within the state that holds its flower above the leaves on a more or less erect peduncle (flowering stalk). Two other species in Illinois, Trillium recurvatum (Prairie Trillium) and Trillium sessile (Sessile Trillium), also have maroon-colored flowers, but they are sessile. The white-flowered form of Red Trillium can be distinguished from other white-flowered Trillium spp. by its dark maroon ovary.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月27日
Description: This perennial wildflower develops an erect stem about 2-8" tall that has a whorl of 5-9 leaves at its apex. The stem is light green (sometimes tinted yellow or red), terete, glabrous, and relatively slender. The stems are either naked, or they have a few scale-like leaves that are inconspicuous. The larger whorled leaves at the apex are 1-4" long and ¼-1½" across; they are more or less medium green, lanceolate-elliptic to oblong-elliptic in shape, relatively smooth along their margins, and glabrous. These latter leaves taper gradually to acute tips, while their bases are narrowly wedge-shaped; they are either short-petioled or sessile. In each whorl, these leaves can vary significantly in size. Leaf venation is pinnate.
From the center of the whorled leaves, there develops 1-3 flowers on erect or ascending pedicels. The pedicels are ¾-2½" long, terete, light green (sometimes tinted yellow or red), glabrous, and slender. Each flower is about ½-¾" across, typically consisting of 7 white spreading petals, 7 light green sepals, 7 stamens with pale yellow anthers, and a light green ovary with a single white style. However, a flower can have as few as 5 petals, sepals, and stamens, or as many as 9. The petals are lanceolate-elliptic in shape, while the sepals are linear-lanceolate and glabrous. The petals are longer than the sepals. The blooming period is mid-spring to early summer (in Illinois & neighboring areas), lasting about 2-4 weeks. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules that are 5-celled; they are shorter than the sepals. These capsules eventually split open to release their seeds. The root system is rhizomatous and fibrous; the rhizomes are slender and long.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade or dappled sunlight, moist conditions, an acidic soil containing peat and/or sand, and cool summer temperatures.
Range & Habitat: The native Starflower is rare in Illinois and state-listed as 'threatened.' It is restricted to the northern section of the state (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the southern range-limit of this species. Habitats include tamarack bogs, birch bogs, hummocks in sandy swamps, edges of sandy woodlands along swamps, and ravines leading out of bluffs. This wildflower is found in high-quality natural areas where either coniferous or deciduous trees are present.
Faunal Associations: Records of floral-faunal relationships for Starflower (Trientalis borealis) are sparse. The flowers attract Halictid bees, Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), and Syrphid flies. All of these insects either collect or feed on pollen, as the flowers do not produce nectar. The Eastern Chipmunk sometimes eats the seeds/capsules of this wildflower. It is possible that other small rodents do this as well.
Photographic Location: A moist woodland along the edge of a sandy swamp in NW Indiana.
Comments: This delicate wildflower is unusual because it typically has 7-petaled flowers. The flowers of Starflower superficially resemble those of one of the showier chickweeds (e.g., Stellaria pubera), except their petals are usually more numerous and they are located above a conspicuous whorl of leaves. Two other species in the Trientalis genus have been described, but they don't occur in Illinois. One species from the Pacific northwest of North America, Trientalis latifolia, has pinkish flowers rather than white, while a European species, Trientalis europaea, has pedicels that are usually longer than the leaves. A more specific common name of Trientalis borealis is Northern Starflower.
From the center of the whorled leaves, there develops 1-3 flowers on erect or ascending pedicels. The pedicels are ¾-2½" long, terete, light green (sometimes tinted yellow or red), glabrous, and slender. Each flower is about ½-¾" across, typically consisting of 7 white spreading petals, 7 light green sepals, 7 stamens with pale yellow anthers, and a light green ovary with a single white style. However, a flower can have as few as 5 petals, sepals, and stamens, or as many as 9. The petals are lanceolate-elliptic in shape, while the sepals are linear-lanceolate and glabrous. The petals are longer than the sepals. The blooming period is mid-spring to early summer (in Illinois & neighboring areas), lasting about 2-4 weeks. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules that are 5-celled; they are shorter than the sepals. These capsules eventually split open to release their seeds. The root system is rhizomatous and fibrous; the rhizomes are slender and long.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade or dappled sunlight, moist conditions, an acidic soil containing peat and/or sand, and cool summer temperatures.
Range & Habitat: The native Starflower is rare in Illinois and state-listed as 'threatened.' It is restricted to the northern section of the state (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the southern range-limit of this species. Habitats include tamarack bogs, birch bogs, hummocks in sandy swamps, edges of sandy woodlands along swamps, and ravines leading out of bluffs. This wildflower is found in high-quality natural areas where either coniferous or deciduous trees are present.
Faunal Associations: Records of floral-faunal relationships for Starflower (Trientalis borealis) are sparse. The flowers attract Halictid bees, Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), and Syrphid flies. All of these insects either collect or feed on pollen, as the flowers do not produce nectar. The Eastern Chipmunk sometimes eats the seeds/capsules of this wildflower. It is possible that other small rodents do this as well.
Photographic Location: A moist woodland along the edge of a sandy swamp in NW Indiana.
Comments: This delicate wildflower is unusual because it typically has 7-petaled flowers. The flowers of Starflower superficially resemble those of one of the showier chickweeds (e.g., Stellaria pubera), except their petals are usually more numerous and they are located above a conspicuous whorl of leaves. Two other species in the Trientalis genus have been described, but they don't occur in Illinois. One species from the Pacific northwest of North America, Trientalis latifolia, has pinkish flowers rather than white, while a European species, Trientalis europaea, has pedicels that are usually longer than the leaves. A more specific common name of Trientalis borealis is Northern Starflower.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月27日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 1½-3' tall and sparingly branched. The central stem is medium green, terete, and glabrous to slightly hairy, becoming somewhat broader where the bases of leaves wrap around it. On some plants, the central stem has a tendency to zigzag slightly between the alternate leaves. These leaves are up to 12" long, 2" across, and linear-lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate in shape; they are smooth (entire) and sometimes slightly ciliate along their margins. Because of their length, the leaves have a tendency to arch downward from their bases. The upper leaf surface is dark green and glabrous to short-hairy, while the lower leaf surface is medium green and glabrous to short-pubescent (sometimes there are only minute hairs along the undersides of the veins). Leaf venation is parallel.
Sometimes secondary stems and leaves develop from the axils of the primary leaves. The central stem terminates in a floppy umbel of flowers on slender pedicels. Sometimes umbels of flowers are produced from the axils of the upper leaves or on short secondary stalks. Each flower is about 1" across when it is fully open, consisting of 3 light violet petals (rarely white), 3 medium green sepals, 6 stamens with yellow anthers, and a pistil with a single style. The petals are oval or broadly ovate, while the smaller sepals are ovate and usually hairy. The filaments of the stamens are pale violet; they are densely covered with spidery hairs. The pedicels of the flowers are about ½" long, medium green or reddish purple, and glabrous to hairy. At the base of each umbel of flowers, there is a leafy bract that is opposite from the alternate leaf; this bract is somewhat smaller in size.
The blooming period occurs during the summer, lasting about 1½ months. The flowers are diurnal, opening up during the morning and closing at about noon (although they may remain open longer on cloudy days). Each flower lasts only a single day. Because only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time, the blooming period is fairly long. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by 3-chambered seed capsules (up to ¼" long); each of these capsules contain several seeds. The seeds are 2-3 mm. long and flattened-ovoid in shape; they have slightly indented centers, from which several fine grooves radiate outward in all directions toward their outer margins. The root system consists of a mass of fleshy fibrous roots, from which clonal offsets are occasionally produced.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to medium shade, moist to mesic conditions, and a fertile loamy soil with decaying organic matter. Like other spiderworts (Tradescantia spp.), this plant is little bothered by insect pests and foliar disease. It adapts well to flower gardens in areas where there is some shade.
Range & Habitat: The native Zigzag Spiderwort occurs occasionally in the southern half of Illinois, while it is rare or absent in the northern half of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include rich deciduous woodlands, woodland borders, bases of bluffs, bottoms of large ravines, and shaded areas along streams. Sometimes this plant can be found in more disturbed areas, such as shaded areas along railroads, roads, and corners of yards when they are adjacent to woodlands.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by bumblebees primarily. Halictid bees, including green metallic bees, collect pollen from the flowers, while Syrphid flies feed on pollen. Insects that feed destructively on Zigzag Spiderwort include the leaf beetles Paratriarius dorsatus, Oulema collaris, and other Oulema spp.; the stink bugs Acrosternum hilaris, Mormidea lugens, Proxys punctulatus, and Euschistus spp.; and the thrips Frankliniella fusca. The mucilaginous foliage of spiderworts (Tradescantia spp.) is eaten occasionally by the Woodland Box Turtle, Cottontail Rabbit, and White-tailed Deer.
Photographic Location: Underneath the shade of a tree in a flower garden at Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Of the several spiderwort species (Tradescantia spp.) in Illinois, Zigzag Spiderwort has the broadest leaves (up to 2" across) and they are typically dark green. Other spiderworts within the state have leaves ¾" across or less. Zigzag Spiderwort is better adapted to shady woodland areas than these other species. Another woodland species, Commelina virginica (Virginia Dayflower), has similar leaves, but the petals of its flowers are blue, rather than light violet, and its lower petal is noticeably smaller in size than the upper two. In contrast, the petals of Spiderworts are the same size. Like plant species in the Lily (Liliaceae) and Iris (Iridaceae) families, both spiderworts and dayflowers (Commelina spp.) are monocots, rather than dicots.
Sometimes secondary stems and leaves develop from the axils of the primary leaves. The central stem terminates in a floppy umbel of flowers on slender pedicels. Sometimes umbels of flowers are produced from the axils of the upper leaves or on short secondary stalks. Each flower is about 1" across when it is fully open, consisting of 3 light violet petals (rarely white), 3 medium green sepals, 6 stamens with yellow anthers, and a pistil with a single style. The petals are oval or broadly ovate, while the smaller sepals are ovate and usually hairy. The filaments of the stamens are pale violet; they are densely covered with spidery hairs. The pedicels of the flowers are about ½" long, medium green or reddish purple, and glabrous to hairy. At the base of each umbel of flowers, there is a leafy bract that is opposite from the alternate leaf; this bract is somewhat smaller in size.
The blooming period occurs during the summer, lasting about 1½ months. The flowers are diurnal, opening up during the morning and closing at about noon (although they may remain open longer on cloudy days). Each flower lasts only a single day. Because only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time, the blooming period is fairly long. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by 3-chambered seed capsules (up to ¼" long); each of these capsules contain several seeds. The seeds are 2-3 mm. long and flattened-ovoid in shape; they have slightly indented centers, from which several fine grooves radiate outward in all directions toward their outer margins. The root system consists of a mass of fleshy fibrous roots, from which clonal offsets are occasionally produced.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to medium shade, moist to mesic conditions, and a fertile loamy soil with decaying organic matter. Like other spiderworts (Tradescantia spp.), this plant is little bothered by insect pests and foliar disease. It adapts well to flower gardens in areas where there is some shade.
Range & Habitat: The native Zigzag Spiderwort occurs occasionally in the southern half of Illinois, while it is rare or absent in the northern half of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include rich deciduous woodlands, woodland borders, bases of bluffs, bottoms of large ravines, and shaded areas along streams. Sometimes this plant can be found in more disturbed areas, such as shaded areas along railroads, roads, and corners of yards when they are adjacent to woodlands.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by bumblebees primarily. Halictid bees, including green metallic bees, collect pollen from the flowers, while Syrphid flies feed on pollen. Insects that feed destructively on Zigzag Spiderwort include the leaf beetles Paratriarius dorsatus, Oulema collaris, and other Oulema spp.; the stink bugs Acrosternum hilaris, Mormidea lugens, Proxys punctulatus, and Euschistus spp.; and the thrips Frankliniella fusca. The mucilaginous foliage of spiderworts (Tradescantia spp.) is eaten occasionally by the Woodland Box Turtle, Cottontail Rabbit, and White-tailed Deer.
Photographic Location: Underneath the shade of a tree in a flower garden at Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Of the several spiderwort species (Tradescantia spp.) in Illinois, Zigzag Spiderwort has the broadest leaves (up to 2" across) and they are typically dark green. Other spiderworts within the state have leaves ¾" across or less. Zigzag Spiderwort is better adapted to shady woodland areas than these other species. Another woodland species, Commelina virginica (Virginia Dayflower), has similar leaves, but the petals of its flowers are blue, rather than light violet, and its lower petal is noticeably smaller in size than the upper two. In contrast, the petals of Spiderworts are the same size. Like plant species in the Lily (Liliaceae) and Iris (Iridaceae) families, both spiderworts and dayflowers (Commelina spp.) are monocots, rather than dicots.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月26日
Description: This perennial wildflower is up to 2½' tall and across. Its central stem (and any side stems) is pale green to pale purplish green, terete, glabrous, and glaucous. The alternate compound leaves are double or triple odd-pinnate, spanning up to 1' long and across. Each branch of a compound leaf has 3 or 5 leaflets; like the central stem, the branches of the compound leaves are pale green to pale purplish green, glabrous, and glaucous. Individual leaflets are up to 1¾" long and across; they are reniform-orbicular to oval-orbicular in shape with 3-9 terminal lobes (usually 5 or more). These short lobes are well-rounded or bluntly pointed. The upper surface of each leaf is medium green and smooth, while the lower surface is pale green with a conspicuous network of raised veins; both sides are hairless. All of the leaflets have slender petioles.
The central stem terminates in a large floral panicle up to 1' tall and across; each branch of the panicle terminates in a corymb of about 5 flowers. Because Early Meadow Rue is dioecious, some plants produce all male (staminate) flowers, while other plants produce all female (pistillate) flowers. The male flowers droop downward from their branches to a greater extent than the female flowers. Each male flower is about ¼" across and ½" long; it consists of 4-5 sepals and 10 or more stamens. The sepals are broadly oblong, pale green, light-veined, and white-margined; the stamens have long yellow anthers and slender filaments. Each female flower is about the same size as the male flower; it consists of 4-5 sepals and up to 15 pistils. The sepals are similar to those of the male flowers, while the pistils are grey with flat-sided styles. Neither male nor female flowers have petals. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring. Cross-pollination is by wind and there is no floral fragrance. The male flowers soon wither away, while the fertile female flowers are replaced by ellipsoid achenes that are pointed at both ends and strongly ribbed. After flowering plants die down during the summer, low basal leaves develop during the fall. Their appearance is similar to the alternate compound leaves, as described above. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. This wildflower can reproduce by its rhizomes or achenes.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade, mesic conditions, and a loam or clay-loam soil. Most vegetative growth occurs during the spring and early summer.
Range & Habitat: The native Early Meadow Rue is occasional in eastern central and northern Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent elsewhere in the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include rich mesic woodlands, wooded clay slopes, shaded areas near cliffs, and rocky ravines. In Illinois, this species is typically found in Maple-Basswood woodlands. It blooms before the canopy trees have fully developed their leaves.
Faunal Associations: The caterpillars of the following Noctuid moths feed on Thalictrum spp. (Meadow Rue species) – Calyptra canadensis (Canadian Owlet), Papaipema unimoda (Borer Moth sp.), and Pseudeva purpurigera (Straight-Lined Looper Moth). White-Tailed Deer browse on the foliage of Early Meadow Rue sparingly.
Photographic Location: A mesic woodland in east-central Illinois. The photographed plant is staminate (male).
Comments: Early Meadow Rue is shorter in stature and blooms earlier than other Thalictrum spp. in Illinois. It also has greater fidelity to shady woodlands as a habitat. All of these species have elegant foliage and unusual wind-pollinated flowers. The male flowers of Early Meadow Rue are more showy than the female flowers; this is primarily because the anthers of the male flowers are yellow, while the styles of the female flowers are dull-colored. The leaflets of Early Meadow Rue have more terminal lobes (usually 5-9) than the leaflets of other Thalictrum spp. in the state (usually 3-5). Because of this distinctive characteristic, it is easy to identify.
The central stem terminates in a large floral panicle up to 1' tall and across; each branch of the panicle terminates in a corymb of about 5 flowers. Because Early Meadow Rue is dioecious, some plants produce all male (staminate) flowers, while other plants produce all female (pistillate) flowers. The male flowers droop downward from their branches to a greater extent than the female flowers. Each male flower is about ¼" across and ½" long; it consists of 4-5 sepals and 10 or more stamens. The sepals are broadly oblong, pale green, light-veined, and white-margined; the stamens have long yellow anthers and slender filaments. Each female flower is about the same size as the male flower; it consists of 4-5 sepals and up to 15 pistils. The sepals are similar to those of the male flowers, while the pistils are grey with flat-sided styles. Neither male nor female flowers have petals. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring. Cross-pollination is by wind and there is no floral fragrance. The male flowers soon wither away, while the fertile female flowers are replaced by ellipsoid achenes that are pointed at both ends and strongly ribbed. After flowering plants die down during the summer, low basal leaves develop during the fall. Their appearance is similar to the alternate compound leaves, as described above. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. This wildflower can reproduce by its rhizomes or achenes.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade, mesic conditions, and a loam or clay-loam soil. Most vegetative growth occurs during the spring and early summer.
Range & Habitat: The native Early Meadow Rue is occasional in eastern central and northern Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent elsewhere in the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include rich mesic woodlands, wooded clay slopes, shaded areas near cliffs, and rocky ravines. In Illinois, this species is typically found in Maple-Basswood woodlands. It blooms before the canopy trees have fully developed their leaves.
Faunal Associations: The caterpillars of the following Noctuid moths feed on Thalictrum spp. (Meadow Rue species) – Calyptra canadensis (Canadian Owlet), Papaipema unimoda (Borer Moth sp.), and Pseudeva purpurigera (Straight-Lined Looper Moth). White-Tailed Deer browse on the foliage of Early Meadow Rue sparingly.
Photographic Location: A mesic woodland in east-central Illinois. The photographed plant is staminate (male).
Comments: Early Meadow Rue is shorter in stature and blooms earlier than other Thalictrum spp. in Illinois. It also has greater fidelity to shady woodlands as a habitat. All of these species have elegant foliage and unusual wind-pollinated flowers. The male flowers of Early Meadow Rue are more showy than the female flowers; this is primarily because the anthers of the male flowers are yellow, while the styles of the female flowers are dull-colored. The leaflets of Early Meadow Rue have more terminal lobes (usually 5-9) than the leaflets of other Thalictrum spp. in the state (usually 3-5). Because of this distinctive characteristic, it is easy to identify.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月26日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 2–3½' tall, branching occasionally in the upper half. It is more or less erect, although the weight of the inflorescence often causes the entire plant to lean sideways. The slender stems are light green, terete, and either glabrous, sparsely pubescent, or hairy in lines. The alternate leaves are up to 6" long and 2" across, becoming gradually smaller as they ascend the stems. The petioles are very slender and about 1" long on the lower leaves, while the upper leaves are nearly sessile. The petioles are light green and often hairy. The lower to middle leaves are lanceolate-ovate with indented bases, while the upper leaves are lanceolate with rounded bases. All leaves taper gradually into slender acute tips, while their margins are smooth and often slightly ciliate. The upper leaf surface is medium green and glabrous (or nearly so), while the lower leaf surface is light green and either sparsely pubescent, hairy along the central vein, or glabrous. The lower leaf surface also has a reticulated network of fine secondary veins. The central stem (and any upper lateral stems) terminates in a panicle of flowerheads up to 1½' long and ¾' across.
Each flowerhead is about ¾–1" across, consisting of 10-20 ray florets that surround a similar number of disk florets. The petaloid rays of these flowerheads are lavender or pale blue-violet (rarely white), and they are individually linear-oblong in shape. The corollas of the disk florets are short-tubular with 5 minute lobes at their apices. Initially, these corollas are yellow, but they become reddish purple with age. On unusual specimens, these corollas are light pink to nearly white. At the base of each flowerhead, the overlapping phyllaries (scaly floral bracts) are linear-lanceolate and glabrous to finely pubescent. Depending on the stage of their maturity, the phyllaries have patches of dark green that are diamond-shaped near their tips, or they have central veins that are dark green. Otherwise, the phyllaries are light green. The blooming period occurs from late summer through the fall, lasting about 1–1½ months. Both the ray and disk florets can produce fertile achenes. These achenes are 2-3 mm. long and oblongoid in shape; they have small tufts of light brown hair at their apices. As a result, the achenes are distributed primarily by the wind. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous; older plants sometimes develop a small caudex. Clonal colonies of plants can develop from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and soil that contains loam or some rocky material with decaying organic matter. Calcareous ground with a higher than normal pH is tolerated. Like many other asters (Symphyotrichum spp.), the foliage can be attacked by many kinds of insects and disease organisms. The plants have a tendency to flop over while in bloom.
Range & Habitat: The native Short's Aster is a fairly common species that occurs in the majority of counties in Illinois. However, it is less common in some southern areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic to upland woodlands, rocky open woodlands and slopes, limestone bluffs, woodland borders, and areas along woodland paths. Short's Aster occurs in both oak-hickory woodlands and maple-basswood woodlands. This aster often occurs in areas where limestone is close to the surface of the ground; it is usually found in higher quality natural areas. Wildfires and other kinds of disturbance can be beneficial if they reduce excessive shade from overhead canopy trees, or they reduce competition from invasive shrubs.
Faunal Associations: The flowerheads of asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) attract many kinds of insects, especially long-tongued bees, small-tongued bees, butterflies, skippers, and flies. These insects obtain nectar or pollen from the flowerheads. Some bees are specialist pollinators of asters and sometimes goldenrods (Solidago spp.); these species include the plasterer bee Colletes simulans armata, and such Andrenid bees as Andrena asteris, Andrena asteroides, Andrena hirticincta, Andrena nubecula, Andrena simplex, and Andrena solidaginis. The caterpillars of two butterflies, Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) and Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescent), feed on the foliage of asters. In addition, the caterpillars of such moths as Cucullia asteroides (The Asteroid), Carmenta corni (Aster Borer Moth), and many others feed on various parts of asters (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include Exema canadensis and other leaf beetles, larvae of Calycomyza humeralis (Aster Leafminer Fly), larvae of several fruit flies, many aphids (especially Uroleucon spp.), Macrosteles fascifrons (Aster Leafhopper), the plant bug Plagiognathus cuneatus, and Corythucha marmorata (Goldenrod Lace Bug). Among birds, the Wild Turkey and Ruffed Grouse occasionally eat the seeds and foliage of these plants in woodland areas. Among mammals, both the White-tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbit undoubtedly feed on the rather smooth foliage of Short's Aster and similar asters.
Photographic Location: A woodland edge near Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is one of the more attractive woodland asters with flowers that are larger than average in size. Short's Aster (Symphyotrichum shortii) can be distinguished from other asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) by carefully considering the appearance of the foliage and flowerheads. The lower to middle leaves of Short's Aster are indented at the base with narrow petioles. Some asters, such as Symphyotrichum sagittifolium (Arrow-Leaved Aster), have winged petioles on their lower to middle leaves, while other asters have rounded or wedge-shaped bases on their lower to middle leaves. The margins of leaves in Short's Aster are devoid of teeth (or nearly so), while other woodland asters, such as Symphyotrichum cordifolium (Blue Wood Aster), have leaf margins with conspicuous teeth. Similarly, the upper leaf surface in Short's Aster is hairless (or nearly so), while the upper leaf surface of Symphyotrichum drummondii (Drummond's Aster) is pubescent. Finally, the flowerheads of Short's Aster are usually ¾" across or more, while the flowerheads of other woodland asters are usually less than ¾" across. A scientific synonym of this species is Aster shortii.
Each flowerhead is about ¾–1" across, consisting of 10-20 ray florets that surround a similar number of disk florets. The petaloid rays of these flowerheads are lavender or pale blue-violet (rarely white), and they are individually linear-oblong in shape. The corollas of the disk florets are short-tubular with 5 minute lobes at their apices. Initially, these corollas are yellow, but they become reddish purple with age. On unusual specimens, these corollas are light pink to nearly white. At the base of each flowerhead, the overlapping phyllaries (scaly floral bracts) are linear-lanceolate and glabrous to finely pubescent. Depending on the stage of their maturity, the phyllaries have patches of dark green that are diamond-shaped near their tips, or they have central veins that are dark green. Otherwise, the phyllaries are light green. The blooming period occurs from late summer through the fall, lasting about 1–1½ months. Both the ray and disk florets can produce fertile achenes. These achenes are 2-3 mm. long and oblongoid in shape; they have small tufts of light brown hair at their apices. As a result, the achenes are distributed primarily by the wind. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous; older plants sometimes develop a small caudex. Clonal colonies of plants can develop from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and soil that contains loam or some rocky material with decaying organic matter. Calcareous ground with a higher than normal pH is tolerated. Like many other asters (Symphyotrichum spp.), the foliage can be attacked by many kinds of insects and disease organisms. The plants have a tendency to flop over while in bloom.
Range & Habitat: The native Short's Aster is a fairly common species that occurs in the majority of counties in Illinois. However, it is less common in some southern areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic to upland woodlands, rocky open woodlands and slopes, limestone bluffs, woodland borders, and areas along woodland paths. Short's Aster occurs in both oak-hickory woodlands and maple-basswood woodlands. This aster often occurs in areas where limestone is close to the surface of the ground; it is usually found in higher quality natural areas. Wildfires and other kinds of disturbance can be beneficial if they reduce excessive shade from overhead canopy trees, or they reduce competition from invasive shrubs.
Faunal Associations: The flowerheads of asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) attract many kinds of insects, especially long-tongued bees, small-tongued bees, butterflies, skippers, and flies. These insects obtain nectar or pollen from the flowerheads. Some bees are specialist pollinators of asters and sometimes goldenrods (Solidago spp.); these species include the plasterer bee Colletes simulans armata, and such Andrenid bees as Andrena asteris, Andrena asteroides, Andrena hirticincta, Andrena nubecula, Andrena simplex, and Andrena solidaginis. The caterpillars of two butterflies, Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) and Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescent), feed on the foliage of asters. In addition, the caterpillars of such moths as Cucullia asteroides (The Asteroid), Carmenta corni (Aster Borer Moth), and many others feed on various parts of asters (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include Exema canadensis and other leaf beetles, larvae of Calycomyza humeralis (Aster Leafminer Fly), larvae of several fruit flies, many aphids (especially Uroleucon spp.), Macrosteles fascifrons (Aster Leafhopper), the plant bug Plagiognathus cuneatus, and Corythucha marmorata (Goldenrod Lace Bug). Among birds, the Wild Turkey and Ruffed Grouse occasionally eat the seeds and foliage of these plants in woodland areas. Among mammals, both the White-tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbit undoubtedly feed on the rather smooth foliage of Short's Aster and similar asters.
Photographic Location: A woodland edge near Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is one of the more attractive woodland asters with flowers that are larger than average in size. Short's Aster (Symphyotrichum shortii) can be distinguished from other asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) by carefully considering the appearance of the foliage and flowerheads. The lower to middle leaves of Short's Aster are indented at the base with narrow petioles. Some asters, such as Symphyotrichum sagittifolium (Arrow-Leaved Aster), have winged petioles on their lower to middle leaves, while other asters have rounded or wedge-shaped bases on their lower to middle leaves. The margins of leaves in Short's Aster are devoid of teeth (or nearly so), while other woodland asters, such as Symphyotrichum cordifolium (Blue Wood Aster), have leaf margins with conspicuous teeth. Similarly, the upper leaf surface in Short's Aster is hairless (or nearly so), while the upper leaf surface of Symphyotrichum drummondii (Drummond's Aster) is pubescent. Finally, the flowerheads of Short's Aster are usually ¾" across or more, while the flowerheads of other woodland asters are usually less than ¾" across. A scientific synonym of this species is Aster shortii.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月25日
Description: This perennial plant is 1-3' tall, branching occasionally in the upper half. The light green to reddish brown stems are usually glabrous; sometimes the central stem has sparse lines of hairs. The alternate leaves are up to 5" long and 3" across (excluding the petioles), becoming smaller as they ascend the stems; they are medium to dark green above and light to medium green below. The lower leaves are cordate, while the upper leaves are cordate-ovate or ovate; their margins are coarsely serrated. Leaf upper surfaces are glabrous, while their lower surfaces are either glabrous or there are hairs along the major veins. The narrow petioles of the leaves are about one-half to almost as long as their blades (up to 3½" in length); they are either unwinged or slightly winged, becoming shorter among the upper leaves. The upper stem terminates in a panicle of flowerheads about ½-1½' long. This panicle is longer than it is wide and it is more broad toward the bottom than the apex. When upper lateral stems are present, much smaller panicles may be produced. The central stalk, lateral branches, and peduncles of each panicle are light to medium green, terete, and glabrous to short-pubescent.
Each small flowerhead is about ½" across, consisting of 7-15 ray florets that surround a similar number of disk florets. The petaloid rays of these flowerheads are lavender, light blue-violet, or less often white; they are linear-oblong in shape. The corollas of the disk florets are short-tubular in shape; these corollas are initially cream-colored or pale yellow, but they later become pale purple to reddish purple with age. The apices of these corollas are 5-lobed; these lobes are short and erect. The base of each flowerhead is surrounded by slender floral bracts (phyllaries) that overlap each other in several series. These scaly bracts are light green, except for diamond-shaped patches of dark green toward their tips; they are linear-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate in shape and about 3-5 mm. in length. The peduncles of the flowerheads are short (less than ½" in length). Among the branches of each panicle, there are leafy bracts up to 1" long; they are elliptic or linear-oblong in shape. The blooming period occurs from late summer into the fall and lasts about 1-2 months. Afterwards, the florets are replaced by achenes with small tufts of white hair. Individual achenes are 2-3 mm. long and oblongoid-oblanceoloid in shape. The root system is fibrous and short-rhizomatous. This aster reproduces by reseeding itself and vegetatively through its rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil that contains loam, clay-loam, or some rocky material. Occasionally the foliage is affected by powdery mildew and other kinds of disease organisms during the fall. During hot dry weather, the lower leaves may wilt and fall off. Plant size is variable depending on the fertility of the soil and moisture conditions. Plants that are grown in shade will produce smaller panicles of flowers than those that are grown in more sunlight.
Range & Habitat: The native Blue Wood Aster occurs occasionally in scattered counties across Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is more common in the northern half of the state than in the southern half. Habitats include moist to dry deciduous woodlands, woodland borders, areas adjacent to woodland paths, thinly wooded bluffs, shaded areas along streambanks, and rocky wooded slopes. Some disturbance is beneficial in heavily wooded areas if it reduces excessive shade from overhead canopy trees or excessive competition from shrubs.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract many kinds of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, skippers, and beetles. Bees are particularly important pollinators of the flowers. Caterpillars of the butterflies Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) and Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescent) feed on the foliage of asters (Symphyotrichum spp.), as do the caterpillars of many moth species (see Moth Table). Some moth caterpillars also feed on the flowers, developing seeds, stems, and roots. Other insects that feed on these plants include leaf beetles, the larvae of leaf-mining flies and fruit flies, plant bugs, stink bugs, lace bugs, aphids, and leafhoppers (see the Insect Table for a more complete listing of these species). Mammalian herbivores, including rabbits, groundhogs, deer, and livestock, browse on the foliage of asters occasionally. The Wild Turkey and Ruffed Grouse eat both the foliage and seeds to some extent.
Photographic Location: A rocky woodland in west-central Indiana. The inflorescence is small because the photographed plant was growing in a dry upland area of a shady woodland.
Comments: In Illinois, the Blue Wood Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) often hybridizes with Arrow-Leaved Aster (Symphyotrichum sagittifolium) and Drummond's Aster (Symphyotrichum drummondii), which can make the identification of some field specimens from this aster complex very difficult. The Blue Wood Aster can be distinguished from both Arrow-Leaved Aster and Drummond's Aster by its narrow petioles; the petioles of the latter two species are conspicuously winged with narrow green margins. Unlike Drummond's Aster, the Blue Wood Aster has stems and leaf undersides that are hairless or they have lines of hair; the stems and leaf undersides of Drummond's Aster are evenly pubescent. Some authorities consider the preceding species of asters to be varieties of each other, in which case the Blue Wood Aster is the typical variety, Symphyotrichum cordifolium cordifolium. Another woodland species, Short's Aster (Symphyotrichum shortii), is also similar to Blue Wood Aster in appearance, but Short's Aster has larger flowerheads (¾–1" across) and its leaves are smooth to slightly serrated along their margins. Another common name of Symphyotrichum cordifolium is Heart-Leaved Aster. A scientific synonym of this aster is Aster cordifolius.
Each small flowerhead is about ½" across, consisting of 7-15 ray florets that surround a similar number of disk florets. The petaloid rays of these flowerheads are lavender, light blue-violet, or less often white; they are linear-oblong in shape. The corollas of the disk florets are short-tubular in shape; these corollas are initially cream-colored or pale yellow, but they later become pale purple to reddish purple with age. The apices of these corollas are 5-lobed; these lobes are short and erect. The base of each flowerhead is surrounded by slender floral bracts (phyllaries) that overlap each other in several series. These scaly bracts are light green, except for diamond-shaped patches of dark green toward their tips; they are linear-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate in shape and about 3-5 mm. in length. The peduncles of the flowerheads are short (less than ½" in length). Among the branches of each panicle, there are leafy bracts up to 1" long; they are elliptic or linear-oblong in shape. The blooming period occurs from late summer into the fall and lasts about 1-2 months. Afterwards, the florets are replaced by achenes with small tufts of white hair. Individual achenes are 2-3 mm. long and oblongoid-oblanceoloid in shape. The root system is fibrous and short-rhizomatous. This aster reproduces by reseeding itself and vegetatively through its rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil that contains loam, clay-loam, or some rocky material. Occasionally the foliage is affected by powdery mildew and other kinds of disease organisms during the fall. During hot dry weather, the lower leaves may wilt and fall off. Plant size is variable depending on the fertility of the soil and moisture conditions. Plants that are grown in shade will produce smaller panicles of flowers than those that are grown in more sunlight.
Range & Habitat: The native Blue Wood Aster occurs occasionally in scattered counties across Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is more common in the northern half of the state than in the southern half. Habitats include moist to dry deciduous woodlands, woodland borders, areas adjacent to woodland paths, thinly wooded bluffs, shaded areas along streambanks, and rocky wooded slopes. Some disturbance is beneficial in heavily wooded areas if it reduces excessive shade from overhead canopy trees or excessive competition from shrubs.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract many kinds of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, skippers, and beetles. Bees are particularly important pollinators of the flowers. Caterpillars of the butterflies Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) and Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescent) feed on the foliage of asters (Symphyotrichum spp.), as do the caterpillars of many moth species (see Moth Table). Some moth caterpillars also feed on the flowers, developing seeds, stems, and roots. Other insects that feed on these plants include leaf beetles, the larvae of leaf-mining flies and fruit flies, plant bugs, stink bugs, lace bugs, aphids, and leafhoppers (see the Insect Table for a more complete listing of these species). Mammalian herbivores, including rabbits, groundhogs, deer, and livestock, browse on the foliage of asters occasionally. The Wild Turkey and Ruffed Grouse eat both the foliage and seeds to some extent.
Photographic Location: A rocky woodland in west-central Indiana. The inflorescence is small because the photographed plant was growing in a dry upland area of a shady woodland.
Comments: In Illinois, the Blue Wood Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) often hybridizes with Arrow-Leaved Aster (Symphyotrichum sagittifolium) and Drummond's Aster (Symphyotrichum drummondii), which can make the identification of some field specimens from this aster complex very difficult. The Blue Wood Aster can be distinguished from both Arrow-Leaved Aster and Drummond's Aster by its narrow petioles; the petioles of the latter two species are conspicuously winged with narrow green margins. Unlike Drummond's Aster, the Blue Wood Aster has stems and leaf undersides that are hairless or they have lines of hair; the stems and leaf undersides of Drummond's Aster are evenly pubescent. Some authorities consider the preceding species of asters to be varieties of each other, in which case the Blue Wood Aster is the typical variety, Symphyotrichum cordifolium cordifolium. Another woodland species, Short's Aster (Symphyotrichum shortii), is also similar to Blue Wood Aster in appearance, but Short's Aster has larger flowerheads (¾–1" across) and its leaves are smooth to slightly serrated along their margins. Another common name of Symphyotrichum cordifolium is Heart-Leaved Aster. A scientific synonym of this aster is Aster cordifolius.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月25日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 1-1½' tall, consisting of both basal leaves and a flowering stem with a pair of opposite leaves. The erect to ascending stem is light green, terete, and conspicuously hairy. Both types of leaves are up to 6" long and 4" across (excluding the petioles); they are bipinnatifid, consisting of 1-3 pairs of primary lateral lobes and a primary terminal lobe. The primary lateral lobes are up to 2" long and 1" across, while the primary terminal lobe is up to 2" long and 2" across. Both types of lobes have shallow to moderately deep secondary lobes with rounded tips. For mature leaves, the upper leaf surface is yellowish green to dark green and glabrous, while the lower leaf surface is pale green and pubescent to hairy. Immature leaves may have short appressed hairs on their upper surfaces. The petioles of the leaves are up to 4" long and sparsely hairy. There is little difference in the appearance of the basal and opposite leaves, although the latter have shorter petioles. The foliage contains a yellow-orange sap.
The upper stem terminates in either an individual flower or an umbel of 2-4 flowers. Each flower is about 1¼-2¼" across, consisting of 4 yellow petals, 2 early-deciduous sepals, numerous stamens with golden yellow anthers, and a pistil with a single stout style and knobby stigma. The petals are orbicular-obovate in shape, while the sepals are light green and very hairy. The ovary of the pistil is ¼-½" in length, narrowly ovoid in shape, more or less yellow, and finely hairy. The pedicels are ¼-2" long, light green, hairy, and terete; they are ascending to erect while the flowers are in bloom. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring, lasting about 2-3 weeks. In the absence of insect pollination, the flowers can self-pollinate. Shortly afterward, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about ¾-1" long that nod from their pedicels; these capsules are 4-segmented and densely hairy. Numerous seeds are released after each capsule splits apart. They are dark brown and about 1.5 mm. in diameter; there is a white fringe of oil bodies (elaisomes) along one side of each seed. The root system consists of a woody caudex with coarse fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The Celandine Poppy should be grown in dappled sunlight underneath a tree, or along the foundation of a building in partial shade. It adapts best to rich loamy soil and moist to mesic conditions. Most vegetative growth and development occurs during the spring before the trees fully leaf out. This plant adapts to flower gardens readily.
Range & Habitat: The native Celandine Poppy is an uncommon plant that occurs primarily in southern Illinois; it has also been observed in Vermilion and Cook counties further to the north (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic deciduous woodlands, lower slopes of ravines, bases and lower slopes of bluffs, and rocky banks of streams. The Celandine Poppy is found in high quality woodlands; it is one of the woodland wildflowers that is threatened by the invasion of Alliaria petiolata (Garlic Mustard) and Microstegium vimineum (Japanese Stiltgrass).
Faunal Associations: Little is known about the floral-faunal relationships for this species. The flowers provide only pollen as a reward to floral visitors. MacRae (1991) has observed adults of some metallic wood-boring beetles (Acmaeodera spp.) visiting the flowers. It is also likely that the flowers are visited by various bees and flies. The seeds are distributed to new locations by ants, which are attracted to their oily appendages (elaisomes). Woodland mice eat the seeds. The toxic foliage is avoided by mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The Celandine Poppy has attractive flowers and foliage. It resembles another species of the Poppy family, Celandine (Chelidonium majus), but the latter has yellow flowers that are smaller in size (¾" across or less) and its seed capsules are hairless, narrowly cylindrical, and erect. Celandine is a somewhat weedy species that was introduced from Europe; it is a biennial that blooms during the summer. Other species of the Poppy family in Illinois have flowers that are white, pink, orange-red, or purplish red. Most of these species have been introduced from Eurasia, although one of them, Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is native to Illinois. Another common name of Stylophorum diphyllum is the Wood Poppy.
The upper stem terminates in either an individual flower or an umbel of 2-4 flowers. Each flower is about 1¼-2¼" across, consisting of 4 yellow petals, 2 early-deciduous sepals, numerous stamens with golden yellow anthers, and a pistil with a single stout style and knobby stigma. The petals are orbicular-obovate in shape, while the sepals are light green and very hairy. The ovary of the pistil is ¼-½" in length, narrowly ovoid in shape, more or less yellow, and finely hairy. The pedicels are ¼-2" long, light green, hairy, and terete; they are ascending to erect while the flowers are in bloom. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring, lasting about 2-3 weeks. In the absence of insect pollination, the flowers can self-pollinate. Shortly afterward, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about ¾-1" long that nod from their pedicels; these capsules are 4-segmented and densely hairy. Numerous seeds are released after each capsule splits apart. They are dark brown and about 1.5 mm. in diameter; there is a white fringe of oil bodies (elaisomes) along one side of each seed. The root system consists of a woody caudex with coarse fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The Celandine Poppy should be grown in dappled sunlight underneath a tree, or along the foundation of a building in partial shade. It adapts best to rich loamy soil and moist to mesic conditions. Most vegetative growth and development occurs during the spring before the trees fully leaf out. This plant adapts to flower gardens readily.
Range & Habitat: The native Celandine Poppy is an uncommon plant that occurs primarily in southern Illinois; it has also been observed in Vermilion and Cook counties further to the north (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic deciduous woodlands, lower slopes of ravines, bases and lower slopes of bluffs, and rocky banks of streams. The Celandine Poppy is found in high quality woodlands; it is one of the woodland wildflowers that is threatened by the invasion of Alliaria petiolata (Garlic Mustard) and Microstegium vimineum (Japanese Stiltgrass).
Faunal Associations: Little is known about the floral-faunal relationships for this species. The flowers provide only pollen as a reward to floral visitors. MacRae (1991) has observed adults of some metallic wood-boring beetles (Acmaeodera spp.) visiting the flowers. It is also likely that the flowers are visited by various bees and flies. The seeds are distributed to new locations by ants, which are attracted to their oily appendages (elaisomes). Woodland mice eat the seeds. The toxic foliage is avoided by mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The Celandine Poppy has attractive flowers and foliage. It resembles another species of the Poppy family, Celandine (Chelidonium majus), but the latter has yellow flowers that are smaller in size (¾" across or less) and its seed capsules are hairless, narrowly cylindrical, and erect. Celandine is a somewhat weedy species that was introduced from Europe; it is a biennial that blooms during the summer. Other species of the Poppy family in Illinois have flowers that are white, pink, orange-red, or purplish red. Most of these species have been introduced from Eurasia, although one of them, Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is native to Illinois. Another common name of Stylophorum diphyllum is the Wood Poppy.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月25日
Description: This perennial wildflower is about 6-12" tall and unbranched, or sparingly so. Both fertile and infertile shoots are produced; the latter develop later in the year and don't produce flowers. The central stem is light green to pale purplish green and glabrous to moderately pubescent. The opposite leaves are up to 3" long and 1¼" across; they are ovate, lanceolate, oblanceolate, elliptic, or broadly oblong. The upper surface of these leaves is medium to dark green and finely pubescent (sometimes sparsely); their margins are smooth (entire) and ciliate. The leaf bases are sessile or nearly sessile, while their tips are either acute or blunt; lower leaves are more likely to have short petioles and blunt tips than upper leaves.
The central stem of each fertile shoot produces a terminal cyme of flowers; occasional individual flowers may develop from the axils of the upper leaves. Each flower is about ½" across, consisting of 5 green sepals, 5 white petals (looking like 10 petals, because each petal is deeply bifurcated), a white ovary with 3 styles at its apex, and 10 stamens with reddish brown anthers. The petals are about the same length or a little longer than the sepals. Each sepal is lanceolate to ovate and pubescent. The pedicel of each flower is up to 1" long and pubescent. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring and lasts about a month. Each flower is replaced by an ovoid capsule that is open at its apex; it has 6 curved teeth around its upper rim. Each capsule contains many small seeds that are globoid, somewhat flattened, and minutely warty. Each seed is often slightly notched on one side. The root system consists of a taproot with slender fibrous roots. Small colonies of plants are occasionally formed.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight to light shade during the spring, followed by light to medium shade. The soil should be well-drained but consistently moist, with an abundance of organic matter and a layer of decaying leaves. It should also be somewhat acidic. Shallow rocky ground and slopes help to reduce competition from taller plants.
Range & Habitat: The native Star Chickweed is a rare plant in Illinois, where it is state-listed as 'endangered.' It has been found in Pope County of southern Illinois, and a few counties in NE Illinois (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies at the NW corner of the range for this species. It is more common in the southern half of Indiana and other states. Habitats include edges of rocky meadows, rocky wooded slopes, wooded bluffs, and the upper slopes of sandstone ravines. Outside of Illinois, another typical habitat is rich mesic woodlands. This conservative species is found in high quality woodlands, especially where sandstone is close to the ground surface.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Star Chickweed attract cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.), Halictid bees (Augochlorella spp., Lasioglossum spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), the Giant Bee Fly (Bombylius major), Syrphid flies, and other miscellaneous flies. Butterflies and skippers are rare visitors of the flowers. These insects are attracted primarily to the nectar of the flowers, although some of the bees collect pollen for their larvae and some of the flies feed on pollen as adults. Insects that feed on Stellaria spp., including possibly this chickweed, are the aphid Abstrusomyzus phloxae, the Pale Tortoise Beetle (Cassida flaveola), and caterpillars of a moth, Lobocleta ossularia (Drab Brown Wave). Information about this chickweed's ecological relationships with vertebrate animals is currently unavailable.
Photographic Location: The edge of a rocky meadow and the wooded upper slope of a sandstone ravine at Shades State Park in west-central Indiana.
Comments: Of all the chickweeds (whether native or introduced), Star Chickweed is arguably the most attractive. It's a pity that this species isn't more common in Illinois. The only other chickweed in Illinois that resembles it is Myosoton aquaticum (Water Chickweed), which is native to Eurasia. This latter species can become larger in size than Star Chickweed, and its leaves are usually more broad toward their bases. Even more importantly, the flowers of Water Chickweed have 5 styles and its seed capsules have 5 teeth. In contrast, Star Chickweed has flowers with 3 styles and seed capsules with 6 teeth. Water Chickweed, as its common name suggests, also prefers damp water-logged habitats, such as roadside ditches and low areas along rivers. Other common names of Stellaria pubera are Giant Chickweed and Great Chickweed; these names sometimes refer to Myosoton aquaticum as well.
The central stem of each fertile shoot produces a terminal cyme of flowers; occasional individual flowers may develop from the axils of the upper leaves. Each flower is about ½" across, consisting of 5 green sepals, 5 white petals (looking like 10 petals, because each petal is deeply bifurcated), a white ovary with 3 styles at its apex, and 10 stamens with reddish brown anthers. The petals are about the same length or a little longer than the sepals. Each sepal is lanceolate to ovate and pubescent. The pedicel of each flower is up to 1" long and pubescent. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring and lasts about a month. Each flower is replaced by an ovoid capsule that is open at its apex; it has 6 curved teeth around its upper rim. Each capsule contains many small seeds that are globoid, somewhat flattened, and minutely warty. Each seed is often slightly notched on one side. The root system consists of a taproot with slender fibrous roots. Small colonies of plants are occasionally formed.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight to light shade during the spring, followed by light to medium shade. The soil should be well-drained but consistently moist, with an abundance of organic matter and a layer of decaying leaves. It should also be somewhat acidic. Shallow rocky ground and slopes help to reduce competition from taller plants.
Range & Habitat: The native Star Chickweed is a rare plant in Illinois, where it is state-listed as 'endangered.' It has been found in Pope County of southern Illinois, and a few counties in NE Illinois (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies at the NW corner of the range for this species. It is more common in the southern half of Indiana and other states. Habitats include edges of rocky meadows, rocky wooded slopes, wooded bluffs, and the upper slopes of sandstone ravines. Outside of Illinois, another typical habitat is rich mesic woodlands. This conservative species is found in high quality woodlands, especially where sandstone is close to the ground surface.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Star Chickweed attract cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.), Halictid bees (Augochlorella spp., Lasioglossum spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), the Giant Bee Fly (Bombylius major), Syrphid flies, and other miscellaneous flies. Butterflies and skippers are rare visitors of the flowers. These insects are attracted primarily to the nectar of the flowers, although some of the bees collect pollen for their larvae and some of the flies feed on pollen as adults. Insects that feed on Stellaria spp., including possibly this chickweed, are the aphid Abstrusomyzus phloxae, the Pale Tortoise Beetle (Cassida flaveola), and caterpillars of a moth, Lobocleta ossularia (Drab Brown Wave). Information about this chickweed's ecological relationships with vertebrate animals is currently unavailable.
Photographic Location: The edge of a rocky meadow and the wooded upper slope of a sandstone ravine at Shades State Park in west-central Indiana.
Comments: Of all the chickweeds (whether native or introduced), Star Chickweed is arguably the most attractive. It's a pity that this species isn't more common in Illinois. The only other chickweed in Illinois that resembles it is Myosoton aquaticum (Water Chickweed), which is native to Eurasia. This latter species can become larger in size than Star Chickweed, and its leaves are usually more broad toward their bases. Even more importantly, the flowers of Water Chickweed have 5 styles and its seed capsules have 5 teeth. In contrast, Star Chickweed has flowers with 3 styles and seed capsules with 6 teeth. Water Chickweed, as its common name suggests, also prefers damp water-logged habitats, such as roadside ditches and low areas along rivers. Other common names of Stellaria pubera are Giant Chickweed and Great Chickweed; these names sometimes refer to Myosoton aquaticum as well.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月25日
Description: This perennial wildflower is about 1-2¼' tall, consisting of loose clumps of unbranched leafy stems that are more or less erect. The central stem of each plant is medium green, slender, terete, and glabrous; it has a pair of longitudinal wings (about 0.5 mm. in length). At intervals, pairs of opposite sessile leaves occur at intervals along each stem. These leaves are 2-4" long and 1-2½" across; they are ovate-cordate, ovate, or lanceolate in shape and their margins are smooth (entire). The upper leaf surface is dark green and glabrous, while the lower leaf surface is medium green and either glabrous or pubescent along the veins. Leaf venation is pinnate; the lateral veins are curved, rather than straight. Above the uppermost pair of leaves, there occurs a spike-like raceme of flowers on a peduncle about 2" long. This raceme is about 1-4" long and curves to one side; about 2-10 flowers occur along the upper side of the raceme, where they are ascending to erect. Each flower is about 1½" long, consisting of a scarlet tubular corolla with 5 upper yellow lobes, a short green calyx with 5 narrow teeth, 5 slightly exerted stamens, and a pistil with a strongly exerted style. The tubular corolla is more narrow toward the bottom than the top; its upper lobes are slightly recurved, widely spreading to ascending, triangular in shape, and about 8-12 mm. in length. The teeth of the calyx are 5-8 mm. long and narrowly linear-lanceolate in shape. The base of the calyx is tubular and very short. The short pedicels of the flowers are up to 2.0 mm. in length.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer (rarely later), lasting about 1 month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by 2-celled seed capsules that are 4-6 mm. tall and 6-10 mm. across at maturity. Each cell of the capsule contains a few seeds. Later in the summer, these capsules split open to discharge their seeds explosively. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Clonal offsets often develop from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist conditions, and a fertile loam with abundant organic matter. This plant can be propagated from stem cuttings (dipped in growth hormone) or by division of the root system. Seeds should be planted in the ground as soon as possible. Insect pests and disease organisms rarely bother the foliage. Indian Pink can be cultivated in areas that are north of its natural range (in Zones 4 or 5).
Range & Habitat: The native Indian Pink is occasional in southern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is absent (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the northern range-limit of this species. Habitats include bottomland woodlands, wooded areas along streams, and edges of swamps. This wildflower is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds cross-pollinate the flowers, from which they receive nectar. Aside from this, little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. The foliage and roots of Indian Pink are usually avoided by mammalian herbivores because of their toxicity from alkaloids and calcium oxalate crystals. However, White-tailed Deer may browse on the foliage sparingly in some areas.
Photographic Location: A bottomland woodland in southern Illinois.
Comments: Indian Pink has attractive flowers with striking colors. It is the only member of the Logania family (Loganiaceae) that is native to Illinois. Once the distinctive flowers are in bloom, it is very easy to identify this plant. In the past, the roots of Indian Pink were used as a vermifuge (to expel intestinal worms), however this practice has been largely discontinued because of the potentially dangerous side-effects. Other common names of this plant are Pinkroot and Worm-Grass.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer (rarely later), lasting about 1 month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by 2-celled seed capsules that are 4-6 mm. tall and 6-10 mm. across at maturity. Each cell of the capsule contains a few seeds. Later in the summer, these capsules split open to discharge their seeds explosively. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Clonal offsets often develop from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist conditions, and a fertile loam with abundant organic matter. This plant can be propagated from stem cuttings (dipped in growth hormone) or by division of the root system. Seeds should be planted in the ground as soon as possible. Insect pests and disease organisms rarely bother the foliage. Indian Pink can be cultivated in areas that are north of its natural range (in Zones 4 or 5).
Range & Habitat: The native Indian Pink is occasional in southern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is absent (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the northern range-limit of this species. Habitats include bottomland woodlands, wooded areas along streams, and edges of swamps. This wildflower is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds cross-pollinate the flowers, from which they receive nectar. Aside from this, little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. The foliage and roots of Indian Pink are usually avoided by mammalian herbivores because of their toxicity from alkaloids and calcium oxalate crystals. However, White-tailed Deer may browse on the foliage sparingly in some areas.
Photographic Location: A bottomland woodland in southern Illinois.
Comments: Indian Pink has attractive flowers with striking colors. It is the only member of the Logania family (Loganiaceae) that is native to Illinois. Once the distinctive flowers are in bloom, it is very easy to identify this plant. In the past, the roots of Indian Pink were used as a vermifuge (to expel intestinal worms), however this practice has been largely discontinued because of the potentially dangerous side-effects. Other common names of this plant are Pinkroot and Worm-Grass.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月24日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is about 1¼-3' tall and usually unbranched, except toward the apex where the flowers occur. The central stem is light green, terete, and glabrous to slightly hairy. The alternate leaves are up to 4" long and 1¾" across, becoming gradually smaller as they ascend the stems. They are lanceolate to ovate, serrated along their margins, and pinnately veined. The upper leaf surface is medium green and glabrous to sparsely short-pubescent, while the lower surface is light green and mostly glabrous, except for some hairs along the major veins. The bases of lower leaves taper into short winged petioles, while the bases of upper leaves are sessile. The tips of leaves are mostly acute (less often bluntly acute). The central stem terminates in a panicle of flowerheads up to 1' tall and 1' across. The major branches of this panicle are arching, widely spreading, and racemose (raceme-like in appearance). The flowerheads are borne on short lateral branchlets along the major branches, facing upward; they are nearly sessile. Both the branches and branchlets are light to medium green and pubescent. The panicle is rather open in structure and it often causes the entire plant to lean over because of the weight of the flowerheads.
Each flowerhead is about 3 mm. (1/8") across, consisting of several ray florets (3-8) that surround a similar number of disk florets. Both the petaloid rays and corollas of the florets are yellow; the petaloid rays are linear-oblong, while the corollas are short-tubular and minutely lobed above. Surrounding the base of each flowerhead, there are several overlapping series of phyllaries (scaly floral bracts); these phyllaries are light green to yellowish green, appressed together, and linear-lanceolate in shape. In addition to the flowerheads, small leafy bracts (up to 1" long) occur along the branches and branchlets of the panicle. On robust plants, smaller secondary panicles or racemes of flowerheads often develop from the axils of upper leaves. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall and lasts about 3-4 weeks. Afterwards, fertile florets are replaced by small achenes with tufts of hair at their apices. These achenes are oblongoid in shape and 2-3 mm. long; they are dispersed by the wind. The root system consists of a branching caudex with secondary fibrous roots; rhizomes are also produced, enabling this plant to form clonal colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to partial sun, moist to slightly dry conditions, and soil containing loam, sandy loam, glacial till, or some rocky material. This goldenrod readily adapts to cultivation and it should be planted in gardens more often.
Range & Habitat: The native Elm-Leaved Goldenrod is a common plant that has been observed in nearly all counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Among woodland goldenrods (Solidago spp.), it is the most common species in the state. Habitats include mesic to upland woodlands, woodland edges, thinly wooded bluffs, edges of limestone glades, partially shaded banks of rivers, and thickets. This goldenrod can spread to edges of lawns in semi-shaded areas from adjacent woodlands. It is found in both higher quality and degraded habitats. Wildfires and other kinds of disturbance are beneficial if they reduce excessive shade from overhead canopy trees and competing shrubs.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract various kinds of bees, wasps, and flies. These insects seek nectar; bees also collect pollen. Among the bees, are such floral visitors as miner bees (Melissodes spp.), Halictid bees, masked bees (Hylaeus spp.), plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), Andrenid bees, dagger bees (Panurginae), and leaf-Cutting bees (Megachile spp.). Many insects feed destructively on Elm-Leaved Goldenrod and other goldenrods (Solidago spp.); this includes Sumitrosis inaequalis and other leaf beetles, the Goldenrod Plant Bug (Lopidea media) and other plant bugs, the Green Stink Bug (Acrosternum hilaris) and other stink bugs, the Goldenrod Lace Bug (Corythucha marmorata), Acuticauda solidaginifoliae and other aphids, various leafhoppers and treehoppers, and caterpillars of the Goldenrod Flower Moth (Schinia nundina) and many other moths (see the Moth Table). Some vertebrate animals also feed on goldenrods. For example, the Ruffed Grouse, Cottontail Rabbit, and White-Tailed Deer browse on the foliage occasionally, while such granivorous songbirds as the Eastern Goldfinch, Slate-Colored Junco, and Tree Sparrow eat the seeds during the autumn and winter.
Photographic Location: At the edge of a wooded area in Crystal Lake Park, Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This woodland goldenrod has a terminal inflorescence that is rather lanky and spreading, while its lower leaves are lanceolate-ovate and coarsely serrated (superficially resembling the leaves of American Elm, but more narrow and thin-textured). Elm-Leaved Goldenrod is similar in appearance to Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), but the latter has lower leaves with 3 parallel veins (a central vein and two lateral veins). Canada Goldenrod also has more hairy leaves and stems, and the major branches of its panicles are usually less divergent than those of Elm-Leaved Goldenrod. Other goldenrods (Solidago spp.) can be distinguished by some combination of characteristics involving the appearance of their leaves, stems, or inflorescences. Because there are many goldenrod species in Illinois, they can be difficult to distinguish.
Each flowerhead is about 3 mm. (1/8") across, consisting of several ray florets (3-8) that surround a similar number of disk florets. Both the petaloid rays and corollas of the florets are yellow; the petaloid rays are linear-oblong, while the corollas are short-tubular and minutely lobed above. Surrounding the base of each flowerhead, there are several overlapping series of phyllaries (scaly floral bracts); these phyllaries are light green to yellowish green, appressed together, and linear-lanceolate in shape. In addition to the flowerheads, small leafy bracts (up to 1" long) occur along the branches and branchlets of the panicle. On robust plants, smaller secondary panicles or racemes of flowerheads often develop from the axils of upper leaves. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall and lasts about 3-4 weeks. Afterwards, fertile florets are replaced by small achenes with tufts of hair at their apices. These achenes are oblongoid in shape and 2-3 mm. long; they are dispersed by the wind. The root system consists of a branching caudex with secondary fibrous roots; rhizomes are also produced, enabling this plant to form clonal colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to partial sun, moist to slightly dry conditions, and soil containing loam, sandy loam, glacial till, or some rocky material. This goldenrod readily adapts to cultivation and it should be planted in gardens more often.
Range & Habitat: The native Elm-Leaved Goldenrod is a common plant that has been observed in nearly all counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Among woodland goldenrods (Solidago spp.), it is the most common species in the state. Habitats include mesic to upland woodlands, woodland edges, thinly wooded bluffs, edges of limestone glades, partially shaded banks of rivers, and thickets. This goldenrod can spread to edges of lawns in semi-shaded areas from adjacent woodlands. It is found in both higher quality and degraded habitats. Wildfires and other kinds of disturbance are beneficial if they reduce excessive shade from overhead canopy trees and competing shrubs.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract various kinds of bees, wasps, and flies. These insects seek nectar; bees also collect pollen. Among the bees, are such floral visitors as miner bees (Melissodes spp.), Halictid bees, masked bees (Hylaeus spp.), plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), Andrenid bees, dagger bees (Panurginae), and leaf-Cutting bees (Megachile spp.). Many insects feed destructively on Elm-Leaved Goldenrod and other goldenrods (Solidago spp.); this includes Sumitrosis inaequalis and other leaf beetles, the Goldenrod Plant Bug (Lopidea media) and other plant bugs, the Green Stink Bug (Acrosternum hilaris) and other stink bugs, the Goldenrod Lace Bug (Corythucha marmorata), Acuticauda solidaginifoliae and other aphids, various leafhoppers and treehoppers, and caterpillars of the Goldenrod Flower Moth (Schinia nundina) and many other moths (see the Moth Table). Some vertebrate animals also feed on goldenrods. For example, the Ruffed Grouse, Cottontail Rabbit, and White-Tailed Deer browse on the foliage occasionally, while such granivorous songbirds as the Eastern Goldfinch, Slate-Colored Junco, and Tree Sparrow eat the seeds during the autumn and winter.
Photographic Location: At the edge of a wooded area in Crystal Lake Park, Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This woodland goldenrod has a terminal inflorescence that is rather lanky and spreading, while its lower leaves are lanceolate-ovate and coarsely serrated (superficially resembling the leaves of American Elm, but more narrow and thin-textured). Elm-Leaved Goldenrod is similar in appearance to Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), but the latter has lower leaves with 3 parallel veins (a central vein and two lateral veins). Canada Goldenrod also has more hairy leaves and stems, and the major branches of its panicles are usually less divergent than those of Elm-Leaved Goldenrod. Other goldenrods (Solidago spp.) can be distinguished by some combination of characteristics involving the appearance of their leaves, stems, or inflorescences. Because there are many goldenrod species in Illinois, they can be difficult to distinguish.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月24日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 2-3' tall and usually unbranched. The central stem is light green, terete or angular, and glabrous to hairy; it has a tendency to zigzag between the alternate leaves. The leaf blades are 2-5" long and 1-4" across, becoming shorter and more narrow where the flowers occur; they areFlowering Plant widely spreading. The lower to middle leaves are ovate to broadly ovate, while the upper leaves are more lanceolate. The leaf margins are coarsely serrated. The upper surfaces of the leaves are medium to dark green and glabrous, while their lowers surfaces are more pale and glabrous to slightly hairy. The petioles are ¼–1½" long and somewhat winged near the bases of the leaf blades. At the apex of the central stem, there is a terminal inflorescence about 1½–5" long and about one-third as much across. This inflorescence is either a raceme or narrow panicle of flowerheads. There are also smaller axillary racemes about ½–1½" long that develop from the middle to upper leaves; they are shorter than the leaves. The branches of each inflorescence are light green and glabrous. Each flowerhead is about ¼" across or a little less, consisting of 3-4 yellow ray florets, 4-8 yellow disk florets, and several series of floral bracts at its base. The floral bracts are light green and appressed. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall and lasts about 1 month. Both ray and disk florets are fertile. During the fall, the florets are replaced by achenes with small tufts of hair; they are distributed by the wind. The small achenes are bullet-shaped and pubescent. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Vegetative colonies of plants are sometimes formed from the spreading rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is light to medium shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions in sheltered situations, and fertile loamy soil with decaying organic matter. This is one of the most shade-tolerant goldenrods.
Range & Habitat: The native Zigzag Goldenrod is occasional in central and northern Illinois, becoming uncommon or absent in the southern section of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include rich deciduous woodlands, protected wooded slopes facing north or east, calcareous seeps in wooded areas, low areas along woodland streams, shaded limestone cliffs, and edges of limestone glades. This wildflower is usually found in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowerheads are pollinated by many kinds of insects, including long-tongued bees, small-tongued bees, wasps, flies, and butterflies. Several bees are oligoleges of Solidago spp. (Goldenrods). These species include: Andrena hirticincta, Andrena nubecula, Andrena placata, Andrena simplex, Andrena solidaginis, and Colletes simulans armata. Many insects feed on the leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots of goldenrods. These insect feeders include plant bugs, stink bugs, aphids, leaf beetles, and the caterpillars of many moths (see the Moth Table and the Insect Table for a listing of these species). These insects are a source of food to many woodland songbirds and some upland gamebirds. White-tailed Deer readily browse on the foliage of Zigzag Goldenrod.
Photographic Location: A wooded slope at Turkey Run State Park in west-central Indiana.
Comments: Zigzag Goldenrod is a member of a small group of woodland goldenrods (Solidago spp.); other species in this group include Solidago caesia (Bluestem Goldenrod) and Solidago ulmifolia (Elm-Leaved Goldenrod). Zigzag Goldenrod often occurs more moist habitats than the latter two goldenrods, but it also occurs in drier areas of woodlands that are sheltered from the prevailing winds and afternoon sunlight. Because of its broad coarsely toothed leaves and axillary racemes of flowerheads, it is one of the easiest goldenrods to identify. Another common name of this species is Broad-Leaved Goldenrod.
Cultivation: The preference is light to medium shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions in sheltered situations, and fertile loamy soil with decaying organic matter. This is one of the most shade-tolerant goldenrods.
Range & Habitat: The native Zigzag Goldenrod is occasional in central and northern Illinois, becoming uncommon or absent in the southern section of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include rich deciduous woodlands, protected wooded slopes facing north or east, calcareous seeps in wooded areas, low areas along woodland streams, shaded limestone cliffs, and edges of limestone glades. This wildflower is usually found in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowerheads are pollinated by many kinds of insects, including long-tongued bees, small-tongued bees, wasps, flies, and butterflies. Several bees are oligoleges of Solidago spp. (Goldenrods). These species include: Andrena hirticincta, Andrena nubecula, Andrena placata, Andrena simplex, Andrena solidaginis, and Colletes simulans armata. Many insects feed on the leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots of goldenrods. These insect feeders include plant bugs, stink bugs, aphids, leaf beetles, and the caterpillars of many moths (see the Moth Table and the Insect Table for a listing of these species). These insects are a source of food to many woodland songbirds and some upland gamebirds. White-tailed Deer readily browse on the foliage of Zigzag Goldenrod.
Photographic Location: A wooded slope at Turkey Run State Park in west-central Indiana.
Comments: Zigzag Goldenrod is a member of a small group of woodland goldenrods (Solidago spp.); other species in this group include Solidago caesia (Bluestem Goldenrod) and Solidago ulmifolia (Elm-Leaved Goldenrod). Zigzag Goldenrod often occurs more moist habitats than the latter two goldenrods, but it also occurs in drier areas of woodlands that are sheltered from the prevailing winds and afternoon sunlight. Because of its broad coarsely toothed leaves and axillary racemes of flowerheads, it is one of the easiest goldenrods to identify. Another common name of this species is Broad-Leaved Goldenrod.
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