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Miss Chen
2018年05月21日
Description: This perennial wildflower has fertile shoots about 1-1½' tall and infertile shoots that are less than 1' tall. Their stems are light green to reddish brown, terete, and pubescent to glandular-hairy. Pairs of opposite leaves occur along these stems that are up to 2½" long and ¾" across. These leaves are medium green, narrowly lanceolate to ovate in shape, and sparsely short-pubescent to short-hairy. The leaf bases are sessile or they slightly clasp their stems. The leaf tips tend to be blunt, especially those of the infertile shoots.
The central stem of each fertile shoot terminates in a rounded cluster of flowers about 2-3½" across. Each flower is about 1" across, consisting of a corolla with 5 spreading lobes, a calyx with 5 teeth, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil. The corolla can be light blue-violet, lavender, pink, or white and its throat consists of a narrow opening. The corolla base is narrowly tubular. For this subspecies of Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata divaricata), the corolla lobes are oblanceolate, but shallowly notched at their tips to a depth of 1-3 mm. The sepals are light green to purple and glandular-hairy. The teeth of sepals are linear in shape; they extend to nearly the entire length of the sepals. The branches and pedicels of the inflorescence are light green to purple, terete, and glandular-hairy. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 1 month. The flowers have a pleasant fragrance. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about 4 mm. in length. Each capsule contains several small seeds. The root system is stoloniferous, forming small clonal colonies of plants.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight to light shade, mesic conditions, and a rich loam with abundant organic matter. Fertile shoots die down shortly after flowering, while infertile shoots can retain their leaves into the winter.
Range & Habitat: This subspecies of Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata divaricata) has not been observed in Illinois, even though it occurs across the border in Indiana (see Distribution Map). For this wildflower, the typical subspecies has a more eastern range, while ssp. laphamii has a more western range (which includes Illinois). The ranges of these two subspecies overlap in Indiana. It is possible, however, that isolated populations of the typical subspecies occur in Illinois, but they have not been reported. Habitats include rich woodlands, open woodlands, and areas adjacent to woodland paths. In these wooded areas, Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple) and other deciduous trees are typically dominant. Woodland Phlox is one of the spring wildflowers that is vulnerable to habitat destruction and invasion of wooded areas by Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata).
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Woodland Phlox are cross-pollinated by bumblebees, bee flies (Bombyliidae), butterflies (especially swallowtails), skippers, and moths (including Hummingbird Clearwing & Sphinx moths). These insect obtain nectar from the flowers. Other insects feed destructively on Woodland Phlox and other Phlox species. These species include the leaf beetles Galeruca externa and Scelolyperus cyanellus, the stem-boring larvae of the long-horned beetle Oberea flavipes, Lopidea davisi (Phlox Plant Bug), and caterpillars of such moths as Heliothis turbatus (Spotted Straw) and Papaipema nebris (Stalk Borer Moth); see Clark et al. (2004), Yanega (1996), Knight (1941), Covell (1984/2005), and Eastman (1992) for more information. In addition, White-tailed Deer browse on the foliage of Woodland Phlox sparingly.
Photographic Location: A deciduous woodland at the Pine Hills State Nature Preserve in west-central Indiana.
Comments: This is another attractive wildflower that blooms during the spring in deciduous woodlands. The typical subspecies of Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata divaricata) is very similar in appearance to Phlox divaricata laphamii, except the corolla lobes of the typical subspecies have notched tips, while the corolla lobes of ssp. laphamii have rounded or bluntly angular tips. In addition, the typical subspecies is more likely to produce pinkish flowers than spp. laphamii. Where their ranges overlap, it is possible to find some evidence of hybridization between these two subspecies.
The central stem of each fertile shoot terminates in a rounded cluster of flowers about 2-3½" across. Each flower is about 1" across, consisting of a corolla with 5 spreading lobes, a calyx with 5 teeth, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil. The corolla can be light blue-violet, lavender, pink, or white and its throat consists of a narrow opening. The corolla base is narrowly tubular. For this subspecies of Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata divaricata), the corolla lobes are oblanceolate, but shallowly notched at their tips to a depth of 1-3 mm. The sepals are light green to purple and glandular-hairy. The teeth of sepals are linear in shape; they extend to nearly the entire length of the sepals. The branches and pedicels of the inflorescence are light green to purple, terete, and glandular-hairy. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 1 month. The flowers have a pleasant fragrance. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about 4 mm. in length. Each capsule contains several small seeds. The root system is stoloniferous, forming small clonal colonies of plants.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight to light shade, mesic conditions, and a rich loam with abundant organic matter. Fertile shoots die down shortly after flowering, while infertile shoots can retain their leaves into the winter.
Range & Habitat: This subspecies of Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata divaricata) has not been observed in Illinois, even though it occurs across the border in Indiana (see Distribution Map). For this wildflower, the typical subspecies has a more eastern range, while ssp. laphamii has a more western range (which includes Illinois). The ranges of these two subspecies overlap in Indiana. It is possible, however, that isolated populations of the typical subspecies occur in Illinois, but they have not been reported. Habitats include rich woodlands, open woodlands, and areas adjacent to woodland paths. In these wooded areas, Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple) and other deciduous trees are typically dominant. Woodland Phlox is one of the spring wildflowers that is vulnerable to habitat destruction and invasion of wooded areas by Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata).
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Woodland Phlox are cross-pollinated by bumblebees, bee flies (Bombyliidae), butterflies (especially swallowtails), skippers, and moths (including Hummingbird Clearwing & Sphinx moths). These insect obtain nectar from the flowers. Other insects feed destructively on Woodland Phlox and other Phlox species. These species include the leaf beetles Galeruca externa and Scelolyperus cyanellus, the stem-boring larvae of the long-horned beetle Oberea flavipes, Lopidea davisi (Phlox Plant Bug), and caterpillars of such moths as Heliothis turbatus (Spotted Straw) and Papaipema nebris (Stalk Borer Moth); see Clark et al. (2004), Yanega (1996), Knight (1941), Covell (1984/2005), and Eastman (1992) for more information. In addition, White-tailed Deer browse on the foliage of Woodland Phlox sparingly.
Photographic Location: A deciduous woodland at the Pine Hills State Nature Preserve in west-central Indiana.
Comments: This is another attractive wildflower that blooms during the spring in deciduous woodlands. The typical subspecies of Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata divaricata) is very similar in appearance to Phlox divaricata laphamii, except the corolla lobes of the typical subspecies have notched tips, while the corolla lobes of ssp. laphamii have rounded or bluntly angular tips. In addition, the typical subspecies is more likely to produce pinkish flowers than spp. laphamii. Where their ranges overlap, it is possible to find some evidence of hybridization between these two subspecies.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月20日
Description: This biennial plant is 1-2' tall, branching occasionally. The stems are light green, terete, and covered with spreading hairs; these hairs are often glandular. The alternate leaves are simple-pinnate; they are usually divided into 3-5 leaflets (rarely 7). The leaf blades are up to 5" long and 3" across; the petioles of these leaves become shorter as they ascend the stems. The leaflets of each blade are ovate, broadly ovate, oblong, or oblanceolate in shape; they are shallowly to deeply cleft and bluntly dentate along their margins. Often, the terminal leaflets are more deeply cleft than the lateral leaflets. Both leaf blades and petioles are more or less hairy. The upper surfaces of mature blades are medium to dark green; however, theClose-up of Flower earliest leaf-blades of the year have upper surfaces with silver-grey blotches. The upper stems terminate in racemes of 4-12 flowers; often there are a few secondary racemes that develop from the axils of the upper leaves. Buds and flowers are typically concentrated toward the apex of each raceme, while the developing fruits are located below on spreading pedicels. These pedicels are glandular-hairy and about ½" long. Each flower is about ½" across when it is in bloom; it consists of a 5-lobed corolla, a calyx with 5 sepals, 5 stamens, a slender style, and an ovary. The corolla can vary in color from pale lavender to deep blue-violet. The green sepals are linear-lanceolate and hairy; they become recurved during and after the blooming period. The style of each flower divides into 2 parts toward the middle of its length, while the stamens have finely hairy filaments and brownish anthers. The blooming period occurs during the late spring and lasts about a month. Each flower is replaced by an ovoid seed capsule that divides into 2 parts to release its seeds. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight to light shade, moist conditions, and a rather rich loam or silt-loam containing organic matter. After the flowering period, more shade from canopy trees is tolerated because this plant dies down. While this plant doesn't grow on rocks like some ferns, it tolerates soil that is somewhat thin and rocky from underlying bedrock if there is enough moisture.
Range & Habitat: The native Forest Phacelia occurs occasionally in the southern half of Illinois, while in the northern half of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist areas of deciduous woodlands and rocky woodlands, rocky banks and low areas along woodland streams, moist depressions of bluffs, bottoms of sandstone canyons, and lower slopes of ravines. This wildflower is typically found in various moist areas of rocky woodlands.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily bees (long-tongued & short-tongued); less common floral visitors include butterflies, skippers, and wasps. The foliage of Phacelia spp. (Phacelias) is eaten by the the oligophagous Scelolyperus wilcoxi (Skeletonizing Leaf Beetle sp.). Information about the edibility of the foliage to mammalian herbivores is unavailable.
Photographic Location: The bottom of a sandstone canyon along a woodland stream at the Portland Arch in west-central Indiana.
Comments: Forest Phacelia is another lovely woodland wildflower in the Waterleaf family. This species and other Phacelia spp. (Phacelias) are closely related to the Hydrophyllum spp. (Waterleaf species), which also occur in woodlands and bloom at about the same time. Among the species in Illinois, the style of a Phacelia is divided toward the middle of its length, while the style of a Waterleaf is divided toward its apex; this is the easiest way to distinguish these two groups of very similar wildflowers. Compared to other Phacelias in Illinois, Forest Phacelia usually has larger flowers (about ½" across, if not more) and the lobes of its corollas are smooth, rather than conspicuously fringed. Some species of Waterleaf are similar to it, but they lack tripartite leaves or the lobes of their corollas are less widely spreading when the flowers are blooming. If all else fails, they can be distinguished by their styles, as described above. Another common of Phacelia bipinnatifida is Loose-Flowered Phacelia.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight to light shade, moist conditions, and a rather rich loam or silt-loam containing organic matter. After the flowering period, more shade from canopy trees is tolerated because this plant dies down. While this plant doesn't grow on rocks like some ferns, it tolerates soil that is somewhat thin and rocky from underlying bedrock if there is enough moisture.
Range & Habitat: The native Forest Phacelia occurs occasionally in the southern half of Illinois, while in the northern half of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist areas of deciduous woodlands and rocky woodlands, rocky banks and low areas along woodland streams, moist depressions of bluffs, bottoms of sandstone canyons, and lower slopes of ravines. This wildflower is typically found in various moist areas of rocky woodlands.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily bees (long-tongued & short-tongued); less common floral visitors include butterflies, skippers, and wasps. The foliage of Phacelia spp. (Phacelias) is eaten by the the oligophagous Scelolyperus wilcoxi (Skeletonizing Leaf Beetle sp.). Information about the edibility of the foliage to mammalian herbivores is unavailable.
Photographic Location: The bottom of a sandstone canyon along a woodland stream at the Portland Arch in west-central Indiana.
Comments: Forest Phacelia is another lovely woodland wildflower in the Waterleaf family. This species and other Phacelia spp. (Phacelias) are closely related to the Hydrophyllum spp. (Waterleaf species), which also occur in woodlands and bloom at about the same time. Among the species in Illinois, the style of a Phacelia is divided toward the middle of its length, while the style of a Waterleaf is divided toward its apex; this is the easiest way to distinguish these two groups of very similar wildflowers. Compared to other Phacelias in Illinois, Forest Phacelia usually has larger flowers (about ½" across, if not more) and the lobes of its corollas are smooth, rather than conspicuously fringed. Some species of Waterleaf are similar to it, but they lack tripartite leaves or the lobes of their corollas are less widely spreading when the flowers are blooming. If all else fails, they can be distinguished by their styles, as described above. Another common of Phacelia bipinnatifida is Loose-Flowered Phacelia.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月20日
Description: This annual plant is about ½–1½' tall and usually unbranched. The central stem is green, 4-angled, and pubescent or hairy. The alternate leaves are up to 3½" long and ¾" across. They are lanceolate, finely pubescent, and smooth or slightly undulate along the margins. Near the base of the upper surface of each leaf, there is a major vein and 2 sides veins that are clearly visible. At the axils of the middle to upper leaves, there are small clusters of bracts and flowers. Each flower is surrounded by several green linear bracts that are hairy or pubescent; these bracts are about 1/6" (4.5 mm.) in length and they are longer than the flowers. The green flowers are staminate (male), pistillate (female), or perfect (male & female). These different kinds of flowers can appear together in the same clusters. All of these flowers have 4 green sepals and no petals. Each staminate flower has 4 stamens, while each female flower has a superior ovary with a style. The perfect flowers have both types of reproductive organs. The blooming period occurs during the summer and lasts about 2-3 months. Cross-pollination of the flowers is by the wind. Each flower with an ovary develops a single ovoid achene. The root system consists of a tuft of fibrous roots. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself and it often forms colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade, moist to slightly dry conditions, and a loamy soil. This species also tolerates partial sun and rocky soil. Generally, it prefers shaded areas where there is little competition from other low-growing plants.
Range & Habitat: The native Pennsylvania Pellitory is a common plant that occurs in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic deciduous woodlands, savannas (underneath trees), thickets, limestone glades, areas along cliff bases, fence rows with woody vegetation, shaded areas along buildings and stone walls, barren areas underneath yard trees, and small openings in hedges. This plant occurs in both natural and disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: Information about floral-fauna relationships for this species is limited. The caterpillars of the butterfly Vanessa atalanta (Red Admiral) feed on the foliage of Pennsylvania Pellitory and other members of the Nettle family. The seeds are eaten by Melospiza lincolnii (Lincoln's Sparrow) during its fall migration through the eastern prairie region (Martin et al., 1951/1961). There is some evidence that deer browse on the foliage, as populations of Pennsylvania Pellitory increased in a savanna after White-Tailed Deer were removed from this habitat (Bradstreet & Bowles, 2003, p. 48).
Photographic Location: Along a stone wall near a back alley in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This inconspicuous little plant is easy to overlook. Notwithstanding its lack of showy flowers, this species should be included in more field guides of wildflowers. Pennsylvania Pellitory superficially resembles some Acalypha spp. from the Spurge family, but its leaves lack teeth and its flowers are surrounded by several linear bracts. The flowers of Acalypha spp. are surrounded by a single lobed bract, and their leaves are serrated along the margins. Unlike some other members of the Nettle family, Pennsylvania Pellitory lacks stinging hairs and its foliage is harmless. It is usually a shorter plant than other members of the Nettle family, and its leaves are less broad (¾" across or less).
Cultivation: The preference is light shade, moist to slightly dry conditions, and a loamy soil. This species also tolerates partial sun and rocky soil. Generally, it prefers shaded areas where there is little competition from other low-growing plants.
Range & Habitat: The native Pennsylvania Pellitory is a common plant that occurs in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic deciduous woodlands, savannas (underneath trees), thickets, limestone glades, areas along cliff bases, fence rows with woody vegetation, shaded areas along buildings and stone walls, barren areas underneath yard trees, and small openings in hedges. This plant occurs in both natural and disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: Information about floral-fauna relationships for this species is limited. The caterpillars of the butterfly Vanessa atalanta (Red Admiral) feed on the foliage of Pennsylvania Pellitory and other members of the Nettle family. The seeds are eaten by Melospiza lincolnii (Lincoln's Sparrow) during its fall migration through the eastern prairie region (Martin et al., 1951/1961). There is some evidence that deer browse on the foliage, as populations of Pennsylvania Pellitory increased in a savanna after White-Tailed Deer were removed from this habitat (Bradstreet & Bowles, 2003, p. 48).
Photographic Location: Along a stone wall near a back alley in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This inconspicuous little plant is easy to overlook. Notwithstanding its lack of showy flowers, this species should be included in more field guides of wildflowers. Pennsylvania Pellitory superficially resembles some Acalypha spp. from the Spurge family, but its leaves lack teeth and its flowers are surrounded by several linear bracts. The flowers of Acalypha spp. are surrounded by a single lobed bract, and their leaves are serrated along the margins. Unlike some other members of the Nettle family, Pennsylvania Pellitory lacks stinging hairs and its foliage is harmless. It is usually a shorter plant than other members of the Nettle family, and its leaves are less broad (¾" across or less).
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Miss Chen
2018年05月20日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 3-8" tall. It has an unbranched stem that terminates in a whorl of compound leaves and a single flowering stalk. The central stem is light green to dull red and hairless. The compound leaves are palmate with 3-5 leaflets. Individual leaflets are ¾-1½" long and about one-third as much across; they are oblanceolate or elliptic, serrated along their margins, and sessile (or nearly so). The upper surface of the leaves is medium green and hairless. The petioles of the compound leaves are ¾-2" long, light green to dull red, and hairless. The flowering stalk rises 1-3" above the leaves, terminating in a small umbel of white flowers about ¾" across. Like the central stem, it is light green to dull red and hairless. Individual flowers are about 1/8" (3 mm.) across, consisting of 5 white petals, a short white calyx, and 5 white stamens. The flowers of some plants are all staminate (male), while the flowers of other plants are perfect (male & female). Each staminate flower has a single non-functional style, while each perfect flower has 3 styles and a 3-celled ovary. Individual plants are capable of changing their gender from year-to-year. Like the flowers, the pedicels are also white.
The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring and lasts about 3 weeks. Umbels of perfect flowers are replaced by small clusters of berries. These berries are initially green, but they later become yellow; their texture is rather dry. Each berry contains 2-3 seeds. The white seeds are up to 3 mm. long and 2 mm. across; they are somewhat reniform in shape and their surfaces are reticulated. The root system consists of a globoid tuberous root about ½" across and it occasionally produces rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade, moist conditions, and a rich loam with abundant organic material. This wildflower develops quickly during the spring, but dies down during early summer.
Range & Habitat: Dwarf Ginseng is not known to occur in Illinois outside of cultivation (see Distribution Map), although it is native to both Wisconsin and Indiana in areas that are closest to the NE section of the state. Dwarf Ginseng is found in moist rich woodlands where deciduous trees are dominant and the original ground flora is still intact.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. The flowers are probably cross-pollinated by small bees and flies.
Photographic Location: A damp area of Goll Woods in NW Ohio.
Comments: It's a pity that Dwarf Ginseng has not been found in Illinois: it is a lovely wildflower. Its closest relative is probably Panax quinquefolius (American Ginseng), which is a larger plant that blooms later in the year. Unlike Dwarf Ginseng, American Ginseng has leaflets with significant petiolules (small basal stalks) and its berries are red, rather than yellow. While it is reportedly edible, the tuberous root of Dwarf Ginseng is not used in herbal medicine. The flavor of this root is supposed to be pungent.
The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring and lasts about 3 weeks. Umbels of perfect flowers are replaced by small clusters of berries. These berries are initially green, but they later become yellow; their texture is rather dry. Each berry contains 2-3 seeds. The white seeds are up to 3 mm. long and 2 mm. across; they are somewhat reniform in shape and their surfaces are reticulated. The root system consists of a globoid tuberous root about ½" across and it occasionally produces rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade, moist conditions, and a rich loam with abundant organic material. This wildflower develops quickly during the spring, but dies down during early summer.
Range & Habitat: Dwarf Ginseng is not known to occur in Illinois outside of cultivation (see Distribution Map), although it is native to both Wisconsin and Indiana in areas that are closest to the NE section of the state. Dwarf Ginseng is found in moist rich woodlands where deciduous trees are dominant and the original ground flora is still intact.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. The flowers are probably cross-pollinated by small bees and flies.
Photographic Location: A damp area of Goll Woods in NW Ohio.
Comments: It's a pity that Dwarf Ginseng has not been found in Illinois: it is a lovely wildflower. Its closest relative is probably Panax quinquefolius (American Ginseng), which is a larger plant that blooms later in the year. Unlike Dwarf Ginseng, American Ginseng has leaflets with significant petiolules (small basal stalks) and its berries are red, rather than yellow. While it is reportedly edible, the tuberous root of Dwarf Ginseng is not used in herbal medicine. The flavor of this root is supposed to be pungent.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月19日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is about 1-2½' tall, branching occasionally. The stems are light green to reddish purple, terete, and glabrous (var. longistylis) to hairy (var. villicaulis). The alternate leaves are ternately compound; the lower compound leaves are up to 9" long and 9" across, while the upper compound leaves are much smaller in size. Each compound leaf is divided into 3 compound leaflets; the terminal compound leaflet is the largest. Each compound leaflet is further divided into 3 subleaflets; the terminal subleaflet is the largest, sometimes appearing to be divided into 3 even smaller subleaflets. The subleaflets are 1-4" long, ½-1½" across, and lanceolate to oval-ovate shape in shape; their margins are coarsely serrated-crenate or shallowly cleft. The upper subleaflet surface is yellowish green to green and nearly glabrous (var. longistylis) to moderately covered with appressed hairs (var. villicaulis).
The petioles of compound leaves are light green to reddish purple and up to 6" in length. The petiolules of leaflets are light green to reddish green and up to 2" long, while those of subleaflets are nearly sessile to ¼" (6 mm.) long. The foliage of this plant releases a mild anise fragrance when it is rubbed. The upper stems terminate in compound umbels of white flowers about 1½-3" across. There are about 3-6 umbellets per compound umbel on rays (floral stalks) up to 2" long. An umbellet has 7-16 flowers that are clustered together on rays (floral stalklets) up to ¼" (6 mm.) long. Each flower (about 3 mm. across) has 5 white petals with incurved tips, 5 white stamens, a pistil with a divided white style (stylopodium), and an insignificant calyx that is light green. At the base of each compound umbel, there are several linear-lanceolate bracts with ciliate margins; they are up to 8 mm. in length. At the base of each umbellet, there are several linear-lanceolate bractlets with ciliate margins; they are also up to 8 mm. in length.
The blooming period occurs during the late spring or early summer, lasting about 2-3 weeks. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by 2-seeded fruits (schizocarps). While these fruits are still immature, the persistent divided style is 2.0-3.5 mm. in length (it is smaller than this when the flowers are still in bloom). The small seeds are narrowly ellipsoid-oblanceoloid, 5-ribbed, and slightly bristly along their ribs. The root system consists of a cluster of fleshy roots with a strong anise fragrance.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight to moderate shade, moist to mesic conditions, and rich loamy soil with decaying organic matter. In a garden situation, this plant will probably thrive in a sheltered area underneath a deciduous tree.
Range & Habitat: The native Aniseroot occurs in most counties of central and northern Illinois, where it is occasional to locally common; in southern Illinois, it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). This map combines information for both varieties of Aniseroot; the typical variety is slightly more common than the hairy variety (var. villicaulis). Habitats include moist to mesic deciduous woodlands and gentle slopes of wooded ravines, where a variety of deciduous trees are dominant. Aniseroot can be found in average to high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract small to medium-sized bees, wasps, beetles, and flies, including cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.), Halictid bees (Agapostemon spp., Augochloropsis spp., Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.), masked bees (Hylaeus spp.), Syrphid flies, bee flies (Bombyliidae), dance flies (Empis spp.), Tachinid flies, and Anthomyiid flies. The caterpillars of the butterfly Papilio polyxenes asturias (Black Swallowtail) feed on the foliage. The slightly bristly seeds may cling to the fur of mammals, the feathers of birds, and the clothing of humans to some extent, dispersing them to new locations.
Photographic Location: A mesic deciduous woodland at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Aniseroot (Osmorhiza longistylis) can be distinguished from many similar species in the Carrot family by the anise fragance of its foliage and roots. This species closely resembles Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza claytonii) and they are often confused with each other. However, Sweet Cicely has only 4-7 flowers per umbellet, while Aniseroot has 7-16 flowers per umbellet. While the fruits of these two species are still immature, the persistent styles of Sweet Cicely are 1.0-2.0 mm. in length, while the persistent styles of Aniseroot are 2.0-3.5 mm. in length. The foliage and roots of Aniseroot have a stronger anise scent than those of Sweet Cicely, and its root can be used as a substitute for black licorice.
The petioles of compound leaves are light green to reddish purple and up to 6" in length. The petiolules of leaflets are light green to reddish green and up to 2" long, while those of subleaflets are nearly sessile to ¼" (6 mm.) long. The foliage of this plant releases a mild anise fragrance when it is rubbed. The upper stems terminate in compound umbels of white flowers about 1½-3" across. There are about 3-6 umbellets per compound umbel on rays (floral stalks) up to 2" long. An umbellet has 7-16 flowers that are clustered together on rays (floral stalklets) up to ¼" (6 mm.) long. Each flower (about 3 mm. across) has 5 white petals with incurved tips, 5 white stamens, a pistil with a divided white style (stylopodium), and an insignificant calyx that is light green. At the base of each compound umbel, there are several linear-lanceolate bracts with ciliate margins; they are up to 8 mm. in length. At the base of each umbellet, there are several linear-lanceolate bractlets with ciliate margins; they are also up to 8 mm. in length.
The blooming period occurs during the late spring or early summer, lasting about 2-3 weeks. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by 2-seeded fruits (schizocarps). While these fruits are still immature, the persistent divided style is 2.0-3.5 mm. in length (it is smaller than this when the flowers are still in bloom). The small seeds are narrowly ellipsoid-oblanceoloid, 5-ribbed, and slightly bristly along their ribs. The root system consists of a cluster of fleshy roots with a strong anise fragrance.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight to moderate shade, moist to mesic conditions, and rich loamy soil with decaying organic matter. In a garden situation, this plant will probably thrive in a sheltered area underneath a deciduous tree.
Range & Habitat: The native Aniseroot occurs in most counties of central and northern Illinois, where it is occasional to locally common; in southern Illinois, it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). This map combines information for both varieties of Aniseroot; the typical variety is slightly more common than the hairy variety (var. villicaulis). Habitats include moist to mesic deciduous woodlands and gentle slopes of wooded ravines, where a variety of deciduous trees are dominant. Aniseroot can be found in average to high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract small to medium-sized bees, wasps, beetles, and flies, including cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.), Halictid bees (Agapostemon spp., Augochloropsis spp., Halictus spp., Lasioglossum spp.), masked bees (Hylaeus spp.), Syrphid flies, bee flies (Bombyliidae), dance flies (Empis spp.), Tachinid flies, and Anthomyiid flies. The caterpillars of the butterfly Papilio polyxenes asturias (Black Swallowtail) feed on the foliage. The slightly bristly seeds may cling to the fur of mammals, the feathers of birds, and the clothing of humans to some extent, dispersing them to new locations.
Photographic Location: A mesic deciduous woodland at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Aniseroot (Osmorhiza longistylis) can be distinguished from many similar species in the Carrot family by the anise fragance of its foliage and roots. This species closely resembles Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza claytonii) and they are often confused with each other. However, Sweet Cicely has only 4-7 flowers per umbellet, while Aniseroot has 7-16 flowers per umbellet. While the fruits of these two species are still immature, the persistent styles of Sweet Cicely are 1.0-2.0 mm. in length, while the persistent styles of Aniseroot are 2.0-3.5 mm. in length. The foliage and roots of Aniseroot have a stronger anise scent than those of Sweet Cicely, and its root can be used as a substitute for black licorice.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月19日
Description: This wildflower is a winter annual or biennial about ½–1½' tall that is unbranched or branches occasionally. The stems are light green, terete or angular, and covered with long white hairs. The alternate leaves are ½–2" long and about one-third as wide; they are light green, oblong or oblanceolate, smooth and ciliate along the margins, and usually hairy on both the upper and lower surfaces. Each leaf has aFlowers & Upper Leaves prominent central vein. The leaves are mostly sessile against their stems; the lowest leaves taper to petiole-like bases. The central stem and upper lateral stems (if present) terminate in elongated racemes of small white flowers about 2-8" long. Each raceme has about 8-24 flowers on a hairy stalk; there are no bracts alongside the flowers. The flowers bloom toward the apex of each raceme, where it is typically curled like a scorpion's tail; the hairy ovoid fruits develop below. Each flower is 1/8" across, consisting of a white corolla with 5 rounded lobes, a hairy calyx with 5 lanceolate sepals, 5 stamens (inconspicuous), and a pistil. Sometimes the hairs of the calyx are hooked at their tips. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer and lasts about 2 months. The racemes become longer as their dry fruits (seed capsules) develop; these fruits have pedicels that are more or less erect. At this stage of development, the pedicels are a little shorter than their fruits. Each fruit contains 4 seeds. The root system consists of a taproot and secondary fibrous roots. This wildflower reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist to dry conditions, and barren soil containing sand, gravel, or clay. Most growth and development occurs during the spring.
Range & Habitat: The native Spring Scorpion Grass is occasional to locally common in the southern half of Illinois, while in the northern half of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland open woodlands, barren wooded slopes, areas along woodland paths, sandy savannas, sand prairies, fields, roadside embankments, and areas along railroads. This little wildflower occurs in barren areas where there is little ground vegetation – frequently where there is some history of disturbance. Occasionally, it is found in damp areas.
Faunal Associations: Small bees and small butterflies visit the flowers for nectar. Robertson (1929) observed only two floral visitors: the Halictid bee Augochlorella striata and the butterfly Pontia protodice (Checkered White). The flea beetle Longitarsus melanurus feeds on the foliage of Spring Scorpion Grass and other species in the Borage family. LeConte's Sparrow and possibly other birds eat the seeds of this wildflower and the closely related Myosotis macrosperma (Big-Seeded Scorpion Grass); this was observed at Tucker's Prairie in Missouri. The hairy fruits can cling to the fur of mammals and clothing of humans; this helps to distribute the seeds to new locations.
Photographic Location: A wooded slope near Charleston, Illinois.
Comments: This wildflower has small flowers and is fairly easy to overlook. In spite of its common name, Spring Scorpion Grass is a member of the Borage family, rather than the Grass family (Poaceae). This species is very similar to Myosotis macrosperma (Big-Seeded Scorpion Grass); sometimes they are considered different varieties of the same species. According to Mohlenbrock (2002), Spring Scorpion Grass has fruits with more erect pedicels and smaller seeds than Big-Fruited Scorpion Grass; in Illinois, the latter is restricted to a few southern counties. Another similar species is Buglossoides arvense (Corn Gromwell). Corn Gromwell has leafy bracts alongside its flowers, while the flowers of Spring Scorpion Grass (and other Myosotis spp.) lack such bracts. There are also several Myosotis spp. (Forget-Me-Not species) from Europe that occasionally escape from cultivation. These introduced species have blue flowers. Another common name of Myosotis verna is White Forget-Me-Not.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist to dry conditions, and barren soil containing sand, gravel, or clay. Most growth and development occurs during the spring.
Range & Habitat: The native Spring Scorpion Grass is occasional to locally common in the southern half of Illinois, while in the northern half of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland open woodlands, barren wooded slopes, areas along woodland paths, sandy savannas, sand prairies, fields, roadside embankments, and areas along railroads. This little wildflower occurs in barren areas where there is little ground vegetation – frequently where there is some history of disturbance. Occasionally, it is found in damp areas.
Faunal Associations: Small bees and small butterflies visit the flowers for nectar. Robertson (1929) observed only two floral visitors: the Halictid bee Augochlorella striata and the butterfly Pontia protodice (Checkered White). The flea beetle Longitarsus melanurus feeds on the foliage of Spring Scorpion Grass and other species in the Borage family. LeConte's Sparrow and possibly other birds eat the seeds of this wildflower and the closely related Myosotis macrosperma (Big-Seeded Scorpion Grass); this was observed at Tucker's Prairie in Missouri. The hairy fruits can cling to the fur of mammals and clothing of humans; this helps to distribute the seeds to new locations.
Photographic Location: A wooded slope near Charleston, Illinois.
Comments: This wildflower has small flowers and is fairly easy to overlook. In spite of its common name, Spring Scorpion Grass is a member of the Borage family, rather than the Grass family (Poaceae). This species is very similar to Myosotis macrosperma (Big-Seeded Scorpion Grass); sometimes they are considered different varieties of the same species. According to Mohlenbrock (2002), Spring Scorpion Grass has fruits with more erect pedicels and smaller seeds than Big-Fruited Scorpion Grass; in Illinois, the latter is restricted to a few southern counties. Another similar species is Buglossoides arvense (Corn Gromwell). Corn Gromwell has leafy bracts alongside its flowers, while the flowers of Spring Scorpion Grass (and other Myosotis spp.) lack such bracts. There are also several Myosotis spp. (Forget-Me-Not species) from Europe that occasionally escape from cultivation. These introduced species have blue flowers. Another common name of Myosotis verna is White Forget-Me-Not.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月19日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 2-8" tall. It is ascending to erect with either unbranched or sparingly branched stems. The slender stems are light green, terete, and usually short-pubescent. There are pairs of opposite leaves at intervals along these stems. The leaves are ½-1¼" long and about one-third as much across; they are medium green, glabrous above, and either glabrous or short-pubescent below. The leaves are oblong-elliptic to broadly oblong-elliptic in shape and smooth along their margins; they are either sessile or have short petioles (1 mm. in length). The stems terminate in small clusters of 2-5 flowers (less often individual flowers). In addition, axillary clusters of flowers may originate from the upper two pairs of leaves. Individual flowers are up to 1/3" across (8 mm.), consisting of 5 white petals, 5 light green sepals, a light green superior ovary with 3 styles, and 10 stamens. The widely spreading petals are oblong-elliptic in shape and about twice as long as the sepals. The sepals are lanceolate to ovate with blunt tips and either glabrous or short-pubescent. The very slender pedicels are up to 1" long and usually short-pubescent. The blooming period occurs during late spring to early summer and lasts about 1 month. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about ¼" long. Along the upper rim of a mature seed capsule, there are 6 recurved teeth. Each seed capsule contains only a few seeds that are about 1 mm. in length, reniform and somewhat flattened in shape, and smooth along their outer surfaces. Attached to each seed, there is a spongy food appendage (elaisome). The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Clonal offsets often develop from the rhizomes, forming small colonies of plants.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil that is loamy, gravelly, or sandy with decaying organic matter.
Range & Habitat: The native Grove Sandwort is uncommon in the northern half of Illinois, while in the southern half of the state it is absent (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the southern range limit of this species, which has a circumboreal distribution that includes North America, Europe, and Asia. Habitats consist primarily of open woodlands, sandy oak woodlands, woodland borders, and gravelly or rocky borders of streams in wooded areas. Less often, this wildflower occurs in meadows and prairies as an understory plant.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers probably attract small bees (Halictid, Andrenid) and flies (Syrphid). Otherwise, little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is a delicate and attractive small wildflower that can be easily overlooked. Across local populations of plants, there is some variability in hairiness of the foliage and width of the leaves. Grove Sandwort can be distinguished from similar species in the Pink family by the shape of its leaves, the characteristics of its flowers, and the number of teeth of its seed capsules. Unlike chickweeds (both Stellaria spp. & Cerastium spp.), Grove Sandwort has petals that are neither notched at their tips nor deeply bifurcated. Its flowers are similar to those of Minuartia spp. (Sandworts), but it has wider leaves than the latter and its seed capsules have 6 teeth, instead of 3. Grove Sandwort is also similar to Arenaria serpyllifolia (Thyme-Leaved Sandwort), but its leaves are more long and narrow in shape. Grove Sandwort differs from all of these species by the food appendages (elaisomes) that are attached to its seeds. This is a highly unusual characteristic for a species in the Pink family. A scientific synonym of Grove Sandwort is Arenaria lateriflora.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil that is loamy, gravelly, or sandy with decaying organic matter.
Range & Habitat: The native Grove Sandwort is uncommon in the northern half of Illinois, while in the southern half of the state it is absent (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the southern range limit of this species, which has a circumboreal distribution that includes North America, Europe, and Asia. Habitats consist primarily of open woodlands, sandy oak woodlands, woodland borders, and gravelly or rocky borders of streams in wooded areas. Less often, this wildflower occurs in meadows and prairies as an understory plant.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers probably attract small bees (Halictid, Andrenid) and flies (Syrphid). Otherwise, little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is a delicate and attractive small wildflower that can be easily overlooked. Across local populations of plants, there is some variability in hairiness of the foliage and width of the leaves. Grove Sandwort can be distinguished from similar species in the Pink family by the shape of its leaves, the characteristics of its flowers, and the number of teeth of its seed capsules. Unlike chickweeds (both Stellaria spp. & Cerastium spp.), Grove Sandwort has petals that are neither notched at their tips nor deeply bifurcated. Its flowers are similar to those of Minuartia spp. (Sandworts), but it has wider leaves than the latter and its seed capsules have 6 teeth, instead of 3. Grove Sandwort is also similar to Arenaria serpyllifolia (Thyme-Leaved Sandwort), but its leaves are more long and narrow in shape. Grove Sandwort differs from all of these species by the food appendages (elaisomes) that are attached to its seeds. This is a highly unusual characteristic for a species in the Pink family. A scientific synonym of Grove Sandwort is Arenaria lateriflora.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月18日
Description: This small vine is slightly woody, forming a low mat of evergreen leaves up to 4" tall and 1' or more across. The stems are mostly light green to light brown and either glabrous or hairy; old stems become brown, smooth, and woody. Pairs of opposite leaves occur along these stems on short petioles up to ¼" long. The leaves are ¼-1" long and similarly across; they are oval to orbicular in shape and smooth to slightly undulate along their margins. The upper leaf surface is glabrous, shiny, and mostly dark green, although it is often nearly white along the central vein and some of the lateral veins. The lower leaf surface is glabrous and more pale.
Pairs of upright flowers occur at the tips of branches or from the axils of leaves. Each flower has a hairy white corolla about ½" long, 4 stamens, and a pistil with single style. Each pair of flowers share the same short-tubular calyx. The corolla is trumpet-shaped with 4 spreading lobes, while the calyx is light green with tiny teeth along its upper rim. There are 4 filiform stigmata per style. There are two types of flowers: those with long stamens and short styles, and those with short stamens and long styles. However, only one type of flower can be found on any individual plant. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer. The flowers are fragrant. As a result of the fusion of their ovaries, each pair of fertile flowers is replaced by a single berry. The berries are bright red, subgloboid inDistribution Map shape, and up to 1/3" (8 mm.) across. Toward the tip of each berry, there is a pair of shallow dimples. The berry interior is fleshy and rather tasteless, containing up to 8 seeds. The berries can persist throughout the winter and into the spring of the following year. The root system is fibrous. Adventitious fibrous roots can develop when the prostrate stems have contact with moist soil.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and an acidic soil containing sand or rocky material (e.g., sandstone). Partridge Berry is not aggressive and it can be difficult to establish. However, it can be cultivated in a partially shaded rock garden where the soil is shallow and competition from other plants is restricted. Flowers and fruits are sparingly produced.
Range & Habitat: The native Partridge Berry occurs occasionally in NE Illinois and southern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is uncommon or absent. This small vine is distributed across a wide area of eastern North America. Habitats include rocky upland woodlands, sandy savannas, slopes of wooded sand dunes, sandstone cliffs, sandstone ledges along ravines, mossy boulders in wooded ravines, rocky river banks, edges of Red Maple swamps, and bogs. Partridge Berry is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by bumblebees (Hicks et al., 1985). The primary floral reward for these insects is nectar. Apparently very few insects feed on the foliage of Partridge Berry. Some upland gamebirds feed on the fruits of this vine, including such species as the Ruffed Grouse, Bobwhite Quail, Wild Turkey, and the now extinct Passenger Pigeon (Martin et al., 1951/1961; Bennetts, 1900; Schorger, 1955). Mammals that feed on the fruits include the Red Fox, Eastern Skunk, Eastern Chipmunk, White-Footed Mouse, and Woodland Deer Mouse (Martin et al., 1951/1961; Hamilton, 1941). These animals spread the seeds of the berries to new locations.
Photographic Location: A shaded sandstone ledge along a river at the The Potholes in west-central Indiana.
Comments: This is the only species of its genus in North America. Partridge Berry has ornamental foliage, flowers, and berries. It can distinguished from other woody vines by its small size, pairs of showy white flowers, and long-lasting red berries. Another common for this species is Twinberry.
Pairs of upright flowers occur at the tips of branches or from the axils of leaves. Each flower has a hairy white corolla about ½" long, 4 stamens, and a pistil with single style. Each pair of flowers share the same short-tubular calyx. The corolla is trumpet-shaped with 4 spreading lobes, while the calyx is light green with tiny teeth along its upper rim. There are 4 filiform stigmata per style. There are two types of flowers: those with long stamens and short styles, and those with short stamens and long styles. However, only one type of flower can be found on any individual plant. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer. The flowers are fragrant. As a result of the fusion of their ovaries, each pair of fertile flowers is replaced by a single berry. The berries are bright red, subgloboid inDistribution Map shape, and up to 1/3" (8 mm.) across. Toward the tip of each berry, there is a pair of shallow dimples. The berry interior is fleshy and rather tasteless, containing up to 8 seeds. The berries can persist throughout the winter and into the spring of the following year. The root system is fibrous. Adventitious fibrous roots can develop when the prostrate stems have contact with moist soil.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and an acidic soil containing sand or rocky material (e.g., sandstone). Partridge Berry is not aggressive and it can be difficult to establish. However, it can be cultivated in a partially shaded rock garden where the soil is shallow and competition from other plants is restricted. Flowers and fruits are sparingly produced.
Range & Habitat: The native Partridge Berry occurs occasionally in NE Illinois and southern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is uncommon or absent. This small vine is distributed across a wide area of eastern North America. Habitats include rocky upland woodlands, sandy savannas, slopes of wooded sand dunes, sandstone cliffs, sandstone ledges along ravines, mossy boulders in wooded ravines, rocky river banks, edges of Red Maple swamps, and bogs. Partridge Berry is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by bumblebees (Hicks et al., 1985). The primary floral reward for these insects is nectar. Apparently very few insects feed on the foliage of Partridge Berry. Some upland gamebirds feed on the fruits of this vine, including such species as the Ruffed Grouse, Bobwhite Quail, Wild Turkey, and the now extinct Passenger Pigeon (Martin et al., 1951/1961; Bennetts, 1900; Schorger, 1955). Mammals that feed on the fruits include the Red Fox, Eastern Skunk, Eastern Chipmunk, White-Footed Mouse, and Woodland Deer Mouse (Martin et al., 1951/1961; Hamilton, 1941). These animals spread the seeds of the berries to new locations.
Photographic Location: A shaded sandstone ledge along a river at the The Potholes in west-central Indiana.
Comments: This is the only species of its genus in North America. Partridge Berry has ornamental foliage, flowers, and berries. It can distinguished from other woody vines by its small size, pairs of showy white flowers, and long-lasting red berries. Another common for this species is Twinberry.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月18日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 1–2½' tall, branching occasionally. The central stem is terete, hairless, and usually light green (less often purplish green or purple). The alternate leaves are up to 7" long and 3½" across. They are light green or greyish green and hairless with a soft floppy texture. The leaves are ovate-oval or ovate-oblong in shape, smooth (entire) along their margins, and pinnately veined. The leaves usually taper to winged petioles up to 2½" long, although some of the upper leaves are sessile. The upper stems terminate in nodding cymes of flowers. Individual flowers are about ¾–1¼" in length.
The corolla of each flower is tubular at its base, but it is more bell-shaped (campanulate) toward its outer rim, where there are 5 shallow lobes that are barely discernible. Inserted within the corolla, there are 5 white stamens with light brown anthers and a white style that is long and slender. The small greyish green calyx of each flower is about ¼" (6 mm.) long; it is divided into 5 elliptic teeth. The flower buds are pink, bluish pink, or purple, while the corollas of mature flowers are light blue (rarely white or pink). The pedicels of the flowers are greyish green to purple, terete, and up to ¼" (6 mm.) long. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring, lasting about 3 weeks. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by 4-lobed fruits (schizocarps), which contain the nutlets (4 nutlets per flower). The small nutlets are dark brown, ovoid, and flattened on one side; their surfaces are minutely wrinkled or pitted. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant often forms colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to partial sun in moist areas with rich loamy soil. This plant develops very quickly during the spring after danger of hard frost has passed. Its foliage dies down by mid-summer.
Range & Habitat: Virginia Bluebells is a fairly common plant that occurs in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Habitats include floodplain woodlands, bottomland woodlands, mesic woodlands, and wooded bluffs. Sometimes this wildflower forms sizable colonies in semi-shaded floodplain areas along rivers or streams, where it often competes with Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis). It is also cultivated in flower gardens.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by long-tongued bees primarily, including honeybees, bumblebees, Anthophorid bees (Anthophora spp., Synhalonia spp.), and mason bees (Osmia spp.); these insects obtain nectar and/or collect pollen. Other visitors of the flowers include the Giant Bee Fly (Bombylius major), butterflies, skippers, and Sphinx moths, including a hummingbird moth (Hemaris thysbe). This group of visitors suck nectar from the flowers. Halictid bees and Syrphid flies sometimes visit the flowers, but they are too small in size to be effective pollinators. In some areas, the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird has been observed to visit the flowers. White-Tailed Deer browse on the foliage occasionally during the spring. When this plant forms large colonies, it provides protective cover for many kinds of wildlife during the spring.
Photographic Location: A moist wooded area of Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: It is easy to see why Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) is a favorite woodland wildflower. The pastel colors of the flowers and foliage are soft and soothing. There are other Mertensia spp. in the United States with a similar appearance, but they occur north or west of Illinois. They usually have smaller flowers and/or pubescent foliage.
The corolla of each flower is tubular at its base, but it is more bell-shaped (campanulate) toward its outer rim, where there are 5 shallow lobes that are barely discernible. Inserted within the corolla, there are 5 white stamens with light brown anthers and a white style that is long and slender. The small greyish green calyx of each flower is about ¼" (6 mm.) long; it is divided into 5 elliptic teeth. The flower buds are pink, bluish pink, or purple, while the corollas of mature flowers are light blue (rarely white or pink). The pedicels of the flowers are greyish green to purple, terete, and up to ¼" (6 mm.) long. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring, lasting about 3 weeks. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by 4-lobed fruits (schizocarps), which contain the nutlets (4 nutlets per flower). The small nutlets are dark brown, ovoid, and flattened on one side; their surfaces are minutely wrinkled or pitted. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant often forms colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to partial sun in moist areas with rich loamy soil. This plant develops very quickly during the spring after danger of hard frost has passed. Its foliage dies down by mid-summer.
Range & Habitat: Virginia Bluebells is a fairly common plant that occurs in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Habitats include floodplain woodlands, bottomland woodlands, mesic woodlands, and wooded bluffs. Sometimes this wildflower forms sizable colonies in semi-shaded floodplain areas along rivers or streams, where it often competes with Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis). It is also cultivated in flower gardens.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by long-tongued bees primarily, including honeybees, bumblebees, Anthophorid bees (Anthophora spp., Synhalonia spp.), and mason bees (Osmia spp.); these insects obtain nectar and/or collect pollen. Other visitors of the flowers include the Giant Bee Fly (Bombylius major), butterflies, skippers, and Sphinx moths, including a hummingbird moth (Hemaris thysbe). This group of visitors suck nectar from the flowers. Halictid bees and Syrphid flies sometimes visit the flowers, but they are too small in size to be effective pollinators. In some areas, the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird has been observed to visit the flowers. White-Tailed Deer browse on the foliage occasionally during the spring. When this plant forms large colonies, it provides protective cover for many kinds of wildlife during the spring.
Photographic Location: A moist wooded area of Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: It is easy to see why Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) is a favorite woodland wildflower. The pastel colors of the flowers and foliage are soft and soothing. There are other Mertensia spp. in the United States with a similar appearance, but they occur north or west of Illinois. They usually have smaller flowers and/or pubescent foliage.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月18日
Description: This perennial wildflower forms a rosette of ascending to spreading basal leaves. Individual basal leaves are 6-12" long and 2-4" across; they are dull green, elliptic to ovate in shape, smooth along their margins, and hairless. The basal leaves have parallel veins and they are longitudinally pleated. During some years, Wood's Bunchflower produces an unbranched flowering stalk about 3-6' tall. Relatively few alternate leaves are located along the lower-half of each stalk. The alternate leaves are similar to the basal leaves, except their bases are more slender, and they become much smaller in size while ascending the flower stalk. The bases of these alternate leaves partially sheath each stalk. Each central stalk is light green, terete, and pubescent, terminating in an inflorescence about 1-2' long.
This inflorescence consists of either a narrow raceme or elongated panicle of flowers. On each inflorescence, the upper flowers are perfect, while the lower flowers are staminate (male). The peduncle, lateral branches, and pedicels of the inflorescence are light green and pubescent, becoming dark brown with age. When lateral branches are present, they are 2-8" long and ascending to spreading (usually the former). The pedicels of the flowers are short (less than ½" long). Usually, there are narrow leafy bracts less than ½" long at the bases of the branches and pedicels. Perfect flowers are ½-¾" across, consisting of 6 widely spreading tepals, a small superior ovary, 6 stamens, and 3 styles. The narrow tepals are reddish brown (maroon) overall. The tepals have pairs of dark red glands at their bases, while toward the middle of each tepal there is often a transverse band of pale green or pale yellow. The ovary of each flower is light green, finely short-pubescent, and ovoid-conical in shape. Staminate flowers are the same as perfect flowers, except they lack an ovary and styles. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer for about 1 month.
Afterwards, the perfect flowers are replaced by 3-celled seed capsules that become, when they are mature, about ¾-1" long and about one-half as much across. These capsules have 3 longitudinal lobes with sharp ridges; they are usually sparsely pubescent and change color from green to dark brown. Each capsule usually contains only 0-3 seeds, although sometimes there are more. The tan-colored angular seeds are up to ½" long and ¼" across. The root system is rhizomatous. Sometimes vegetative offsets develop from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight or light shade, moist conditions, and a rich soil that is often derived from glacial till. This wildflower has very few problems with insects pests and disease organisms. In any given year, entire colonies of plants may fail to produce flowers.
Range & Habitat: The native Wood's Bunchflower is restricted to central Illinois, where it is uncommon. In the past, this wildflower was state-listed as 'threatened,' but it was recently removed from this list as additional colonies of plants were discovered. Wood's Bunchflower is uncommon throughoutDistribution Map its range; it occurs primarily in Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. Habitats include north- or east-facing wooded slopes along rivers, areas near streams in hilly woodlands, and shaded ravines. This wildflower is restricted to high quality deciduous woodlands where the original ground flora is still intact.
Faunal Associations: Almost nothing is known about floral-faunal relationships for Wood's Bunchflower. The maroon-colored flowers are probably cross-pollinated by flies and beetles. The caterpillars of a highly polyphagous moth, Xestia smithii (Smith's Dart), reportedly feed on this or a closely related species. Generally, Melanthium spp. (Bunchflowers) and the closely related Veratrum spp. (False Hellebores) have foliage, roots, and seeds that are considered highly poisonous to mammalian herbivores. There is some evidence that these plants are teratogenic, causing fatal birth defects in sheep. However, it is not uncommon to encounter specimens of Wood's Bunchflower that have been partially eaten by White-Tailed Deer.
Photographic Location: The photograph of the basal leaves was taken on a wooded slope facing a river in Vermilion County, Illinois, while the photograph of the seed capsules was taken in a hilly woodland near a stream in Coles County, Illinois.
Comments: Taxonomists are still divided regarding the classification of this wildflower: Some authorities refer to this species as Melanthium woodii (Wood's Bunchflower), as described here, while others refer to it as Veratrum woodii (Wood's False Hellebore). Perhaps additional genetic analysis will be helpful in resolving this conflict. The large basal leaves of Wood's Bunchflower are very conspicuous. This is one of the tallest wildflowers to bloom in woodlands during the summer, but the flowers are not produced reliably from year-to-year. The reason for this inconsistent flowering is not clear. Wood's Bunchflower is closely related to Melanthium virginicum (Virginia Bunchflower), but the latter species is found in damp sunny habitats. Virginia Bunchflower has white flowers, rather than maroon ones, and its leaves are more slender than those of Wood's Bunchflower. Both species are unusual in having conspicuous glands at the bases of their tepals.
This inflorescence consists of either a narrow raceme or elongated panicle of flowers. On each inflorescence, the upper flowers are perfect, while the lower flowers are staminate (male). The peduncle, lateral branches, and pedicels of the inflorescence are light green and pubescent, becoming dark brown with age. When lateral branches are present, they are 2-8" long and ascending to spreading (usually the former). The pedicels of the flowers are short (less than ½" long). Usually, there are narrow leafy bracts less than ½" long at the bases of the branches and pedicels. Perfect flowers are ½-¾" across, consisting of 6 widely spreading tepals, a small superior ovary, 6 stamens, and 3 styles. The narrow tepals are reddish brown (maroon) overall. The tepals have pairs of dark red glands at their bases, while toward the middle of each tepal there is often a transverse band of pale green or pale yellow. The ovary of each flower is light green, finely short-pubescent, and ovoid-conical in shape. Staminate flowers are the same as perfect flowers, except they lack an ovary and styles. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer for about 1 month.
Afterwards, the perfect flowers are replaced by 3-celled seed capsules that become, when they are mature, about ¾-1" long and about one-half as much across. These capsules have 3 longitudinal lobes with sharp ridges; they are usually sparsely pubescent and change color from green to dark brown. Each capsule usually contains only 0-3 seeds, although sometimes there are more. The tan-colored angular seeds are up to ½" long and ¼" across. The root system is rhizomatous. Sometimes vegetative offsets develop from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight or light shade, moist conditions, and a rich soil that is often derived from glacial till. This wildflower has very few problems with insects pests and disease organisms. In any given year, entire colonies of plants may fail to produce flowers.
Range & Habitat: The native Wood's Bunchflower is restricted to central Illinois, where it is uncommon. In the past, this wildflower was state-listed as 'threatened,' but it was recently removed from this list as additional colonies of plants were discovered. Wood's Bunchflower is uncommon throughoutDistribution Map its range; it occurs primarily in Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. Habitats include north- or east-facing wooded slopes along rivers, areas near streams in hilly woodlands, and shaded ravines. This wildflower is restricted to high quality deciduous woodlands where the original ground flora is still intact.
Faunal Associations: Almost nothing is known about floral-faunal relationships for Wood's Bunchflower. The maroon-colored flowers are probably cross-pollinated by flies and beetles. The caterpillars of a highly polyphagous moth, Xestia smithii (Smith's Dart), reportedly feed on this or a closely related species. Generally, Melanthium spp. (Bunchflowers) and the closely related Veratrum spp. (False Hellebores) have foliage, roots, and seeds that are considered highly poisonous to mammalian herbivores. There is some evidence that these plants are teratogenic, causing fatal birth defects in sheep. However, it is not uncommon to encounter specimens of Wood's Bunchflower that have been partially eaten by White-Tailed Deer.
Photographic Location: The photograph of the basal leaves was taken on a wooded slope facing a river in Vermilion County, Illinois, while the photograph of the seed capsules was taken in a hilly woodland near a stream in Coles County, Illinois.
Comments: Taxonomists are still divided regarding the classification of this wildflower: Some authorities refer to this species as Melanthium woodii (Wood's Bunchflower), as described here, while others refer to it as Veratrum woodii (Wood's False Hellebore). Perhaps additional genetic analysis will be helpful in resolving this conflict. The large basal leaves of Wood's Bunchflower are very conspicuous. This is one of the tallest wildflowers to bloom in woodlands during the summer, but the flowers are not produced reliably from year-to-year. The reason for this inconsistent flowering is not clear. Wood's Bunchflower is closely related to Melanthium virginicum (Virginia Bunchflower), but the latter species is found in damp sunny habitats. Virginia Bunchflower has white flowers, rather than maroon ones, and its leaves are more slender than those of Wood's Bunchflower. Both species are unusual in having conspicuous glands at the bases of their tepals.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月17日
Description: This perennial plant is about 1½–2½' tall, branching occasionally. The stems are light green and densely covered with white hairs. The alternate leaves are up to 5½" long and 2" across; they are lanceolate to ovate, smooth along the margins, and sessile. The upper surface of each leaf is dark green, sparsely covered with short hairs, and pinnately veined; the lower surface is light green and densely covered with short white hairs. The lateral veins are conspicuous on both sides of the leaves. The flowers bloom near the apex of the stems. They occur individually from the axils of the leaves; their pedicels are short. Each flower is about ¼" across, consisting of a hairy green calyx with 5 linear-lanceolate teeth and a pale yellow corolla with 5 spreading lobes and a narrow throat. The tube of the corolla is no longer than the teeth of the calyx. The reproductive organs are hidden within the corolla. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer. Only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. They are replaced by ovoid-globoid nutlets with an outer coat that is white, smooth, and hard. The root system consists of a taproot, which may send up more than one stem.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight during the spring and light to medium shade during the remainder of the year. The soil should be moist to slightly dry, fertile and loamy, containing abundant organic matter. The hard white seeds are difficult to germinate.
Range & Habitat: The native American Gromwell is scattered across Illinois; it is an uncommon plant (see Distribution Map). Populations of this species within the state have probably declined. Habitats include rich deciduous woodlands, wooded slopes, and shaded riverbanks. This conservative species prefers high quality woodlands where the original ground flora is largely intact.
Faunal Associations: The structure of the flowers suggests that the pollinators are long-tongued bees and butterflies. More specific information about floral-faunal relationships is currently unavailable.
Photographic Location: Toward the bottom of a moist wooded slope in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: American Gromwell is one of the woodland wildflowers that blooms during the spring, but it is often overlooked and many field guides fail to describe it, probably because its flowers are not very showy. American Gromwell resembles Lithospermum officinale (European Gromwell) in its overall appearance. This latter species produces flowers in flat-headed cymes and its leaves are more slender. In contrast, American Gromwell produces individual flowers from the axils of the leaves. Another European species, Buglossoides arvense (Corn Gromwell), produces individual flowers from the axils of the leaves, but these flowers are bright white and its leaves are smaller in size. Corn Gromwell produces nutlets that are brown and wrinkled, rather than smooth and white. Other Lithospermum spp. in Illinois are native prairie plants that also produce flowers in flat-headed cymes. The flowers of these latter species have longer corollas that are a brilliant yellow or orange-yellow.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight during the spring and light to medium shade during the remainder of the year. The soil should be moist to slightly dry, fertile and loamy, containing abundant organic matter. The hard white seeds are difficult to germinate.
Range & Habitat: The native American Gromwell is scattered across Illinois; it is an uncommon plant (see Distribution Map). Populations of this species within the state have probably declined. Habitats include rich deciduous woodlands, wooded slopes, and shaded riverbanks. This conservative species prefers high quality woodlands where the original ground flora is largely intact.
Faunal Associations: The structure of the flowers suggests that the pollinators are long-tongued bees and butterflies. More specific information about floral-faunal relationships is currently unavailable.
Photographic Location: Toward the bottom of a moist wooded slope in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: American Gromwell is one of the woodland wildflowers that blooms during the spring, but it is often overlooked and many field guides fail to describe it, probably because its flowers are not very showy. American Gromwell resembles Lithospermum officinale (European Gromwell) in its overall appearance. This latter species produces flowers in flat-headed cymes and its leaves are more slender. In contrast, American Gromwell produces individual flowers from the axils of the leaves. Another European species, Buglossoides arvense (Corn Gromwell), produces individual flowers from the axils of the leaves, but these flowers are bright white and its leaves are smaller in size. Corn Gromwell produces nutlets that are brown and wrinkled, rather than smooth and white. Other Lithospermum spp. in Illinois are native prairie plants that also produce flowers in flat-headed cymes. The flowers of these latter species have longer corollas that are a brilliant yellow or orange-yellow.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月17日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is about 2-4' tall and either branched or unbranched. The stems are light to medium green and abundantly covered with stiff white hairs that have the capacity to sting when they are rubbed against. The lower to middle leaves are alternate, while the upper leaves are opposite. These leaves are up to 6" long and 4" across; they are medium to dark green, ovate-cordate to oval-ovate in shape, and coarsely serrated or serrated-crenate. Young leaves are densely hairy and wrinkled in appearance, while older leaves become less hairy and wrinkled with age. Leaf venation is pinnate. The petioles are up to 4" long and abundantly covered with stinging hairs, like the stems. The leaves may have a few stinging hairs as well, particularly along the central veins of their undersides. Some plants have a tendency to loose many of their stinging hairs as the season progresses. Individual plants are either monoecious (separate male and female flowers on the same plant) or unisexual.
The male flowers occur in branching cymes from the axils of the leaves. These cymes spread outward from the stem and they are about the same length as the petioles of the leaves. Each male flower is greenish white to white and less than 1/8" (3 mm.) across, consisting of 5 narrow sepals, 5 stamens, and no petals. The female flowers occur in branching cymes toward the apex of the plant. These cymes are erect to spreading and 4" or more in length. Each female flower is more or less green and about 1/8" (3 mm.) across, consisting of 4 sepals of unequal size (2 large and 2 small) and an ovary with a long style. The blooming period usually occurs during mid- to late summer. The flowers are wind-pollinated. Each female flower is replaced by a small dry fruit that is curved and ovoid in shape. This plant often forms colonies of variable size.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to medium shade, moist conditions, and a fertile loamy soil with abundant organic matter. Because of its stinging hairs and tendency to spread, you probably would not want to cultivate this plant near the house, except possibly as a privacy barrier.
Range & Habitat: The native Wood Nettle is common in central and northern Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent in parts of southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist floodplain woodlands, moist bottomland woodlands, mesic woodlands, shady seeps, and other moist places in wooded areas. Various deciduous trees (e.g., elms, maples, or sycamore) dominate the habitats where the Wood Nettle occurs.
Faunal Associations: The caterpillars of the following butterflies feed on the foliage: Polygonia comma (Comma), Polygonia interrogationis (Question Mark), and Vanessa atalanta (Red Admiral). Other insect feeders include caterpillars of the moths Bomolocha edictalis (Large Bomolocha) and Bomolocha sordidula (Sordid Bomolocha), leaf-mining larvae of the fly Agromyza subnigripes, and the stink bug Proxys punctulatus. White-tailed Deer also browse on the foliage of Wood Nettle occasionally, notwithstanding the stinging hairs. When this plant forms dense colonies in wooded areas, it provides valuable cover for wildlife.
Photographic Location: A floodplain woodland in Vermilion County, Illinois. The Wood Nettle in the photographs wasn't in bloom.
Comments: This native plant is often mistaken for the introduced Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle). Both species have stinging hairs and a similar appearance. However, the Wood Nettle has some alternate leaves, while Stinging Nettle has pairs of opposite leaves only. There are also differences in the characteristics of their flowers. Another similar species, Boehmeria cylindrica (False Nettle), also has opposite leaves, but it lacks stinging hairs altogether. Like other members of the Nettle family, the Wood Nettle lacks showy flowers because they are wind-pollinated, rather than pollinated by insects. Some people may regard this species as an undesirable woodland weed because of its stinging hairs and unassuming appearance, but it is an important host plant of some native butterflies.
The male flowers occur in branching cymes from the axils of the leaves. These cymes spread outward from the stem and they are about the same length as the petioles of the leaves. Each male flower is greenish white to white and less than 1/8" (3 mm.) across, consisting of 5 narrow sepals, 5 stamens, and no petals. The female flowers occur in branching cymes toward the apex of the plant. These cymes are erect to spreading and 4" or more in length. Each female flower is more or less green and about 1/8" (3 mm.) across, consisting of 4 sepals of unequal size (2 large and 2 small) and an ovary with a long style. The blooming period usually occurs during mid- to late summer. The flowers are wind-pollinated. Each female flower is replaced by a small dry fruit that is curved and ovoid in shape. This plant often forms colonies of variable size.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to medium shade, moist conditions, and a fertile loamy soil with abundant organic matter. Because of its stinging hairs and tendency to spread, you probably would not want to cultivate this plant near the house, except possibly as a privacy barrier.
Range & Habitat: The native Wood Nettle is common in central and northern Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent in parts of southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist floodplain woodlands, moist bottomland woodlands, mesic woodlands, shady seeps, and other moist places in wooded areas. Various deciduous trees (e.g., elms, maples, or sycamore) dominate the habitats where the Wood Nettle occurs.
Faunal Associations: The caterpillars of the following butterflies feed on the foliage: Polygonia comma (Comma), Polygonia interrogationis (Question Mark), and Vanessa atalanta (Red Admiral). Other insect feeders include caterpillars of the moths Bomolocha edictalis (Large Bomolocha) and Bomolocha sordidula (Sordid Bomolocha), leaf-mining larvae of the fly Agromyza subnigripes, and the stink bug Proxys punctulatus. White-tailed Deer also browse on the foliage of Wood Nettle occasionally, notwithstanding the stinging hairs. When this plant forms dense colonies in wooded areas, it provides valuable cover for wildlife.
Photographic Location: A floodplain woodland in Vermilion County, Illinois. The Wood Nettle in the photographs wasn't in bloom.
Comments: This native plant is often mistaken for the introduced Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle). Both species have stinging hairs and a similar appearance. However, the Wood Nettle has some alternate leaves, while Stinging Nettle has pairs of opposite leaves only. There are also differences in the characteristics of their flowers. Another similar species, Boehmeria cylindrica (False Nettle), also has opposite leaves, but it lacks stinging hairs altogether. Like other members of the Nettle family, the Wood Nettle lacks showy flowers because they are wind-pollinated, rather than pollinated by insects. Some people may regard this species as an undesirable woodland weed because of its stinging hairs and unassuming appearance, but it is an important host plant of some native butterflies.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月17日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 1-2' tall, branching sparingly. The stems are green, reddish green, or reddish brown, and they are glabrous to slightly hairy. When they are present, these hairs are curved or appressed against their stems. The alternate leaves are up to 6" long and 4" across (excluding the petioles); they are pinnately divided into 3-5 leaflets or deep lobes, and their margins are coarsely toothed or shallowly cleft. The lobes of these leaves are relatively narrow and they have acute tips. The earliest leaves in spring have small patches of white that are scattered across their upper surfaces; these white patches don't develop in later leaves. The petioles are up to 2" long, light green to reddish brown, and glabrous to short-pubescent; they are flat or furrowed along their upper sides and convex below. Each upper stem terminates in 1 or 2 cymes of flowers. The flowering stalks (or peduncles) of these cymes are up to 4" long; they are terete and glabrous to short-pubescent.
The stalks terminate in dense cymes of flowers about 1-2" across; each cyme contains about 8-20 flowers. Each flower is about 8-12 mm. long, consisting of a corolla with 5 lobes, a hairy green calyx with 5 linear teeth, 5 stamens, and a slender white style that is divided at its tip. The corolla is white, pink, or light lavender; its oblong lobes spread apart only slightly when the flower is fully open. The stamens are strongly exerted from the corolla and quite conspicuous; they have hairy white filaments and brownish anthers. The pedicels of the flowers are up to 12 mm. (½") in length; they are terete and glabrous to short-pubescent. The blooming period occurs during late spring to early summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks; some plants may bloom a little earlier or later than this. Each flower is replaced by a seed capsule that splits open to release its seeds. The root system consists of a tuft of fibrous roots and rhizomes. Occasionally, this plant forms colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and a rich loamy soil with decaying leaves. This plant can be cultivated in gardens where there is some shade from deciduous trees.
Range & Habitat: The native Virginia Waterleaf is occasional to locally common in central and northern Illinois, while in southern Illinois it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include deciduous woodlands, savannas, areas along woodland paths, wooded slopes along rivers, bluffs, edges of clearings in wooded areas, and powerline clearances in wooded areas. This wildflower benefits from occasional disturbance if it removes excessive woody vegetation, and populations of this species decline in response to invasion from Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata).
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract bumblebees, long-horned bees (Synhalonia spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.), Halictid bees (Lasioglossum spp., Augochlorella spp., etc.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), and bee flies (Bombyliidae). An Andrenid bee, Andrena geranii, is a specialist pollinator of Hydrophyllum spp. Syrphid flies sometimes feed on the pollen of the flowers, but they are less effective at cross-pollination. The foliage is browsed by White-tailed Deer occasionally.
Photographic Location: Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is probably the most common Hydrophyllum sp. in Illinois. Virginia Waterleaf has attractive flowers and foliage; it blooms a little later than most spring-blooming wildflowers in woodlands. The following characteristics distinguish this species from other Hydrophyllum spp. that occur in the state: 1) There are no curved appendages between the teeth of the calyx, 2) the stems are hairless, or they have lines of hairs that are curved or appressed against the stem, 3) the leaves are pinnately lobed and they are usually a little longer than wide, 4) the lobes of the corolla spread apart only a little, 5) the stamens and styles are longer than their corollas, and 6) the lobes of the leaves have acute tips. Other Hydrophyllum spp. have little appendages between the teeth of their calyxes, or they have stems with abundant spreading hairs, or they have palmately lobed leaves that are as wide as they are long, or the lobes of their corollas spread widely apart, or their stamens and styles are no longer than their corollas, or the lobes of their leaves have blunt tips. While this set of distinctions may sound complicated, it is usually easy to identify Virginia Waterleaf in the field.
The stalks terminate in dense cymes of flowers about 1-2" across; each cyme contains about 8-20 flowers. Each flower is about 8-12 mm. long, consisting of a corolla with 5 lobes, a hairy green calyx with 5 linear teeth, 5 stamens, and a slender white style that is divided at its tip. The corolla is white, pink, or light lavender; its oblong lobes spread apart only slightly when the flower is fully open. The stamens are strongly exerted from the corolla and quite conspicuous; they have hairy white filaments and brownish anthers. The pedicels of the flowers are up to 12 mm. (½") in length; they are terete and glabrous to short-pubescent. The blooming period occurs during late spring to early summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks; some plants may bloom a little earlier or later than this. Each flower is replaced by a seed capsule that splits open to release its seeds. The root system consists of a tuft of fibrous roots and rhizomes. Occasionally, this plant forms colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and a rich loamy soil with decaying leaves. This plant can be cultivated in gardens where there is some shade from deciduous trees.
Range & Habitat: The native Virginia Waterleaf is occasional to locally common in central and northern Illinois, while in southern Illinois it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include deciduous woodlands, savannas, areas along woodland paths, wooded slopes along rivers, bluffs, edges of clearings in wooded areas, and powerline clearances in wooded areas. This wildflower benefits from occasional disturbance if it removes excessive woody vegetation, and populations of this species decline in response to invasion from Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata).
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract bumblebees, long-horned bees (Synhalonia spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.), Halictid bees (Lasioglossum spp., Augochlorella spp., etc.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), and bee flies (Bombyliidae). An Andrenid bee, Andrena geranii, is a specialist pollinator of Hydrophyllum spp. Syrphid flies sometimes feed on the pollen of the flowers, but they are less effective at cross-pollination. The foliage is browsed by White-tailed Deer occasionally.
Photographic Location: Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is probably the most common Hydrophyllum sp. in Illinois. Virginia Waterleaf has attractive flowers and foliage; it blooms a little later than most spring-blooming wildflowers in woodlands. The following characteristics distinguish this species from other Hydrophyllum spp. that occur in the state: 1) There are no curved appendages between the teeth of the calyx, 2) the stems are hairless, or they have lines of hairs that are curved or appressed against the stem, 3) the leaves are pinnately lobed and they are usually a little longer than wide, 4) the lobes of the corolla spread apart only a little, 5) the stamens and styles are longer than their corollas, and 6) the lobes of the leaves have acute tips. Other Hydrophyllum spp. have little appendages between the teeth of their calyxes, or they have stems with abundant spreading hairs, or they have palmately lobed leaves that are as wide as they are long, or the lobes of their corollas spread widely apart, or their stamens and styles are no longer than their corollas, or the lobes of their leaves have blunt tips. While this set of distinctions may sound complicated, it is usually easy to identify Virginia Waterleaf in the field.
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Miss Chen
2018年05月16日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is about 1½–3' tall, branching occasionally. The stems are green, terete to angular, and either glabrous or sparsely hairy along two opposite lines. The opposite leaves are up to 5" long and 3" across; they are lanceolate to ovate in shape and smooth or slightly undulate along their margins. The upper leaf surface is yellowish green to dark green and glabrous (or nearly so), while the lower leaf surface is pale to medium green and glabrous to sparsely hairy along the undersides of the veins. The petioles are ¼–½" long. From the axils of the middle to upper leaves, there develops 1-3 flowers that are nearly sessile. Less often, such flowers will terminate a lateral stem that is up to 6" long, directly above a pair of leaves.
Each flower is about 2" long and 1½" across, consisting of a funnelform corolla that is pinkish lavender to bluish violet (rarely white, except at its base), a green short-tubular calyx with long slender teeth, 4 inserted stamens, and a pistil with an inserted style. The corolla is narrowly tubular at the base, but it spreads outward to form 5 rounded lobes. The lobes of the corolla have undulate edges and a delicate appearance. At the throat of the corolla, there are several fine veins that are purple and somewhat reticulated; they function as nectar guides for visiting insects. The tubular portion of the calyx is about ¼" long or a little less, while its teeth are ½–1" long, linear-lanceolate in shape, strongly ciliate along their margins, and 2-3 mm. across.
The blooming period occurs during the summer for 2-3 months. Each diurnal flower lasts only a single day; a single mature plant will have about 0-2 flowers in bloom during a typical summer day. The flowers are often partially hidden by the foliage. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by glabrous seed capsules that are up to ¾" long. Each of these capsules contains several seeds that are released explosively. Individual seeds are about 3 mm. (1/8") across, flattened-globoid in shape, and brown to dark brown. There is a less common form of this plant that produces non-showy cleistogamous flowers (f. cleistantha); it usually has more narrow leaves than the typical form (f. strepens).
Cultivation: The preference is light shade or partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and either loamy or rocky soil containing some organic matter. This plant is not often bothered by either disease and insect pests. It may fail to flower in areas with medium to dense shade.
Range & Habitat: The native Smooth Wild Petunia occurs occasionally in southern and central Illinois, while it is absent in the northern section of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic open woodlands, woodland edges, areas along woodland paths, thickets, thinly wooded slopes along rivers, and rocky banks of streams. In woodlands where there is an absence of fire or other disturbance, populations of this plant may decline because of excessive shade, particularly when those woodlands have become dominated by Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) and other woody vegetation that cast heavy shade.
Faunal Associations: The flowers have few visitors, although their nectar and pollen occasionally attract the smaller long-tongued bees (personal observation). Robertson (1929) observed the long-horned bee, Synhalonia speciosa, visiting the flowers of Smooth Wild Petunia. According to MacRae (1991), the adults of some metallic wood-boring beetles (Acmaeodera spp.) also visit the flowers. Sometimes pieces of the corolla are used by leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.) in the construction of their brood nests; these bees may also visit the flowers for nectar and pollen. The caterpillars of a butterfly, Junonia coenia (Buckeye), have been observed feeding on the foliage of Ruellia spp. (Wild Petunias). Otherwise, little is known about floral-faunal relationships for plants in this genus.
Photographic Location: Along a path in a mesic area of Busey Woods, Urbana, Illinois, and along the rocky bank of a stream in southern Illinois.
Comments: The flowers of Ruellia spp. (Wild Petunias) have a striking resemblance to the flowers of the cultivated Petunia (Petunia × hybrida), which has been introduced from South America and belongs to a different family of plants (Solanaceae). However, the flowers of Wild Petunias have less diversity of color. Mohlenbrock (2003) describes 4 Ruellia spp. in Illinois; some of these are restricted to the southern one-third of the state. Smooth Wild Petunia (Ruellia strepens) is very similar in appearance to Carolina Wild Petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis) and Stalked Wild Petunia (Ruellia pedunculata). Its calyx teeth are wider (2.0–3.0 mm. across), whereas the latter two species have linear calyx teeth that are only 1.0–1.5 mm. across. Stalked Wild Petunia also differs by producing terminal flowers on long lateral stems only, rather than non-terminal flowers from the axils of leaves, and its stems are more hairy. Some authors regard Smooth Wild Petunia and Carolina Wild Petunia as variants of the same species. The remaining species of this genus in Illinois, Hairy Wild Petunia Smooth (Ruellia humilis), is a shorter plant with much hairier stems and leaves than Smooth Wild Petunia. Hairy Wild Petunia also prefers habitats that are more sunny and dry, such as prairies.
Each flower is about 2" long and 1½" across, consisting of a funnelform corolla that is pinkish lavender to bluish violet (rarely white, except at its base), a green short-tubular calyx with long slender teeth, 4 inserted stamens, and a pistil with an inserted style. The corolla is narrowly tubular at the base, but it spreads outward to form 5 rounded lobes. The lobes of the corolla have undulate edges and a delicate appearance. At the throat of the corolla, there are several fine veins that are purple and somewhat reticulated; they function as nectar guides for visiting insects. The tubular portion of the calyx is about ¼" long or a little less, while its teeth are ½–1" long, linear-lanceolate in shape, strongly ciliate along their margins, and 2-3 mm. across.
The blooming period occurs during the summer for 2-3 months. Each diurnal flower lasts only a single day; a single mature plant will have about 0-2 flowers in bloom during a typical summer day. The flowers are often partially hidden by the foliage. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by glabrous seed capsules that are up to ¾" long. Each of these capsules contains several seeds that are released explosively. Individual seeds are about 3 mm. (1/8") across, flattened-globoid in shape, and brown to dark brown. There is a less common form of this plant that produces non-showy cleistogamous flowers (f. cleistantha); it usually has more narrow leaves than the typical form (f. strepens).
Cultivation: The preference is light shade or partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and either loamy or rocky soil containing some organic matter. This plant is not often bothered by either disease and insect pests. It may fail to flower in areas with medium to dense shade.
Range & Habitat: The native Smooth Wild Petunia occurs occasionally in southern and central Illinois, while it is absent in the northern section of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to mesic open woodlands, woodland edges, areas along woodland paths, thickets, thinly wooded slopes along rivers, and rocky banks of streams. In woodlands where there is an absence of fire or other disturbance, populations of this plant may decline because of excessive shade, particularly when those woodlands have become dominated by Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) and other woody vegetation that cast heavy shade.
Faunal Associations: The flowers have few visitors, although their nectar and pollen occasionally attract the smaller long-tongued bees (personal observation). Robertson (1929) observed the long-horned bee, Synhalonia speciosa, visiting the flowers of Smooth Wild Petunia. According to MacRae (1991), the adults of some metallic wood-boring beetles (Acmaeodera spp.) also visit the flowers. Sometimes pieces of the corolla are used by leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.) in the construction of their brood nests; these bees may also visit the flowers for nectar and pollen. The caterpillars of a butterfly, Junonia coenia (Buckeye), have been observed feeding on the foliage of Ruellia spp. (Wild Petunias). Otherwise, little is known about floral-faunal relationships for plants in this genus.
Photographic Location: Along a path in a mesic area of Busey Woods, Urbana, Illinois, and along the rocky bank of a stream in southern Illinois.
Comments: The flowers of Ruellia spp. (Wild Petunias) have a striking resemblance to the flowers of the cultivated Petunia (Petunia × hybrida), which has been introduced from South America and belongs to a different family of plants (Solanaceae). However, the flowers of Wild Petunias have less diversity of color. Mohlenbrock (2003) describes 4 Ruellia spp. in Illinois; some of these are restricted to the southern one-third of the state. Smooth Wild Petunia (Ruellia strepens) is very similar in appearance to Carolina Wild Petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis) and Stalked Wild Petunia (Ruellia pedunculata). Its calyx teeth are wider (2.0–3.0 mm. across), whereas the latter two species have linear calyx teeth that are only 1.0–1.5 mm. across. Stalked Wild Petunia also differs by producing terminal flowers on long lateral stems only, rather than non-terminal flowers from the axils of leaves, and its stems are more hairy. Some authors regard Smooth Wild Petunia and Carolina Wild Petunia as variants of the same species. The remaining species of this genus in Illinois, Hairy Wild Petunia Smooth (Ruellia humilis), is a shorter plant with much hairier stems and leaves than Smooth Wild Petunia. Hairy Wild Petunia also prefers habitats that are more sunny and dry, such as prairies.
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