文章
Miss Chen
2018年04月05日
Description: This herbaceous plant is an annual vine up to 25' long that develops multiple lanky stems. This vine can climb over adjacent vegetation and fences using its branched tendrils, otherwise it sprawls across the ground. The stems are light green, terete, furrowed, and quite hairy. The alternate leaves are up to 8" long and across (excluding the petioles); they are orbicular-angular with 3-5 palmate lobes that are shallow to moderately deep. Leaf margins are slightly serrated. The upper surface of each leaf is yellowish green or medium green and relatively hairless, while the lower surface is finely pubescent, especially along the lower veins. The petiole of each leaf is up to 5" long; it is light green, rather stout, and quite hairy. The leaf blade is strongly indented at the base where it is connected to the petiole. Occasionally, branched tendrils and racemes of flowers occur oppositely from the alternate leaves along the vine. Bur Cucumber is usually monoecious and produces both staminate (male) and pistillate (female) flowers on the same plant.
Each staminate flower has a green calyx with 5 teeth, a greenish white corolla with 5 spreading lobes, and a central column of stamens that is knobby at its apex. The teeth of the calyx are short and broad with recurved tips. The lobes of the corolla have a network of green lines on a white background. The staminate flowers are individually about 1/3" across and they tend to bloom in small clusters toward the apex of the raceme. Each pistillate flower has a large ovary that is enclosed within an ovoid fruit about ½" long. The surface of this fruit is covered with sharp spines and long white hairs; it is initially green, but later turns brown. A single style is exerted from the terminal end of this fruit. The pistillate flowers are bunched together in a short raceme; a typical raceme has 3-10 pistillate flowers. The peduncles and pedicels of both staminate and pistillate racemes are light green and pubescent. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall and lasts about 3 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Each bur-like fruit contains a single large seed that is brown and flattened; this seed is tapered at one end more than the other and it has a rough surface. The root system consists of a shallow branched taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and a fertile soil that is loamy or silty. During hot dry weather, the large leaves have a tendency to droop during the middle of the day, but they usually recover at night if there is adequate moisture in the ground. The seeds germinate after the soil becomes warm.
Range & Habitat: The native Bur Cucumber occurs occasionally in scattered counties across Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include openings in floodplain forests, moist meadows in floodplain areas, thickets, banks of ditches and rivers, and edges of fields. Moist disturbed areas are preferred.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts long-tongued bees (including honeybees & bumblebees), Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, and various kinds of flies. Wasps are especially attracted by the accessible nectar of the staminate flowers. Some of the bees also collect pollen from the staminate flowers. Insects that feed on the foliage, plant juices, and other parts of Bur Cucumber include the leaf beetle Acalymma gouldi, Acalymma vittatum (Striped Cucumber Beetle), Diabrotica undecimpunctata (Spotted Cucumber Beetle), Anasa armigera (Horned Squash Bug), the squash bug Anasa repetita, and the Coreid bug Leptoglossus gonagra. The spiny fruits of Bur Cucumber can cling to the fur of mammals, which helps to distribute the seeds. Mammalian herbivores usually shun the foliage as a food source. The fruit is inedible.
Photographic Location: A flood-prone meadow (or thicket) along a drainage ditch in Champaign, Illinois. This meadow became a thicket in some areas because of scattered shrubs and vines.
Comments: Bur Cucumber is easy to identify once it begins to flower and forms fruits. It differs from Echinocytis lobata (Wild Cucumber) by its hairy stems, whereas the latter species has smooth stems. Both of these species produce bur-like fruits, but the fruits of Wild Cucumber are larger (about 2" long) and occur individually, rather than in small clusters. The staminate flowers of Wild Cucumber are usually more showy and occur on longer racemes. The cultivated members of the Gourd family are originally from Central America, South America, or Eurasia. This includes cucumbers, summer squash, winter squash, and many melons. While these cultivated plants occasionally escape into neighboring areas, they rarely persist. They have yellow flowers that are variable in size (from small to very large), while their fleshy fruits are often edible and larger in size than their wild counterparts.
Each staminate flower has a green calyx with 5 teeth, a greenish white corolla with 5 spreading lobes, and a central column of stamens that is knobby at its apex. The teeth of the calyx are short and broad with recurved tips. The lobes of the corolla have a network of green lines on a white background. The staminate flowers are individually about 1/3" across and they tend to bloom in small clusters toward the apex of the raceme. Each pistillate flower has a large ovary that is enclosed within an ovoid fruit about ½" long. The surface of this fruit is covered with sharp spines and long white hairs; it is initially green, but later turns brown. A single style is exerted from the terminal end of this fruit. The pistillate flowers are bunched together in a short raceme; a typical raceme has 3-10 pistillate flowers. The peduncles and pedicels of both staminate and pistillate racemes are light green and pubescent. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall and lasts about 3 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Each bur-like fruit contains a single large seed that is brown and flattened; this seed is tapered at one end more than the other and it has a rough surface. The root system consists of a shallow branched taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and a fertile soil that is loamy or silty. During hot dry weather, the large leaves have a tendency to droop during the middle of the day, but they usually recover at night if there is adequate moisture in the ground. The seeds germinate after the soil becomes warm.
Range & Habitat: The native Bur Cucumber occurs occasionally in scattered counties across Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include openings in floodplain forests, moist meadows in floodplain areas, thickets, banks of ditches and rivers, and edges of fields. Moist disturbed areas are preferred.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts long-tongued bees (including honeybees & bumblebees), Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, and various kinds of flies. Wasps are especially attracted by the accessible nectar of the staminate flowers. Some of the bees also collect pollen from the staminate flowers. Insects that feed on the foliage, plant juices, and other parts of Bur Cucumber include the leaf beetle Acalymma gouldi, Acalymma vittatum (Striped Cucumber Beetle), Diabrotica undecimpunctata (Spotted Cucumber Beetle), Anasa armigera (Horned Squash Bug), the squash bug Anasa repetita, and the Coreid bug Leptoglossus gonagra. The spiny fruits of Bur Cucumber can cling to the fur of mammals, which helps to distribute the seeds. Mammalian herbivores usually shun the foliage as a food source. The fruit is inedible.
Photographic Location: A flood-prone meadow (or thicket) along a drainage ditch in Champaign, Illinois. This meadow became a thicket in some areas because of scattered shrubs and vines.
Comments: Bur Cucumber is easy to identify once it begins to flower and forms fruits. It differs from Echinocytis lobata (Wild Cucumber) by its hairy stems, whereas the latter species has smooth stems. Both of these species produce bur-like fruits, but the fruits of Wild Cucumber are larger (about 2" long) and occur individually, rather than in small clusters. The staminate flowers of Wild Cucumber are usually more showy and occur on longer racemes. The cultivated members of the Gourd family are originally from Central America, South America, or Eurasia. This includes cucumbers, summer squash, winter squash, and many melons. While these cultivated plants occasionally escape into neighboring areas, they rarely persist. They have yellow flowers that are variable in size (from small to very large), while their fleshy fruits are often edible and larger in size than their wild counterparts.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年04月04日
Description: This herbaceous perennial wildflower is 3-6' tall and unbranched or sparingly so. The central stem is green, stout, and terete, bluntly angular, or ribbed; it is sparsely short-pubescent along the upper half of its length, becoming glabrous below. Alternate compound leaves occur along the entire length of the stem that are evenly pinnate with 6-12 pairs of leaflets. Individual leaflets are 1¼-2½" long and ½-1" across; they are oblong-elliptic in shape and smooth along their margins. The upper leaflet surface is medium green or bluish green and hairless, while the lower surface is pale green or bluish green, often glaucous, and hairless. At the base of each leaflet, there is a short petiolule (basal stalklet) 1/8" (3 mm.) long or less. The petioles of compound leaves are 2-6" long, light green, grooved along their upper surfaces, and either sparsely short-pubescent or hairless. At the base of each petiole, there is a pair of small stipules that are linear-lanceolate in shape and tardily deciduous. Along the upper side of each petiole near its base, there is a small gland that functions as an extra-floral nectary; this gland is often dome-shaped and dark gray-purple, with or without a short stalk at its base. The crushed foliage has an unpleasant scent.
Both terminal and axillary inflorescences are produced. The terminal inflorescence is ½-1' long, consisting of either a raceme or panicle of flowers. The axillary inflorescences are up to ½' long, consisting of racemes of flowers. Individual flowers are about ¾" across, consisting of 5 spreading yellow petals, 5 spreading greenish yellow sepals, 10 stamens with dark brown anthers, and a pistil with a style that curls upward at its tip. The sepals are smaller than the petals; the former are joined together at the base and obovate in shape. The stamens are organized into three groups: the lower 3 stamens have long filaments and long anthers, the middle 4 stamens have short filaments and long anthers, while the upper 3 stamens have short filaments and short anthers. Of these, the lower and middle stamens are fertile, while the upper stamens are sterile. The slender green styles are covered with short appressed hairs. The flowers are without nectaries. The stalks of each inflorescence are green, often angular, and usually short-pubescent. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer for about 3-4 weeks.
Shortly afterwards, the flowers are replaced by drooping seedpods. These seedpods are narrowly oblong in shape and flattened with single-seeded segments. They are initially green and their sides are covered with appressed short hairs, but they become dark brown and more hairless at maturity, dividing into two parts along its length to release the seeds. Individual seeds are a little less than ¼" long, dark-colored, oblongoid-ovoid in shape, flattened, and more pointed on one end than the other. The shallow root system is fibrous and long-rhizomatous. Small colonies of clonal plants often develop from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist well-drained conditions, and soil containing loam, sand, rocky material, or other soil types. The root system does not add nitrogen to the soil, unlike many species in the closely related Bean family (Fabaceae). This tall flowering plant is easy to cultivate in gardens.
Range & Distribution: The native Maryland Senna is widely distributed throughout Illinois, but it is relatively uncommon (see Distribution Map). Populations of this species appear to be declining. Habitats include moist prairies, openings in wooded areas, thickets, savannas, riverbanks, and limestone glades. Occasionally this wildflower is cultivated in gardens. In wooded natural areas, some disturbance is required to reduce competition from trees and shrubs.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by bumblebees, which collect pollen from the flowers. The extra-floral nectaries attract ants and occasionally flies, which feed on the nectar. The foliage of Maryland Senna and the closely related Wild Senna (Senna hebecarpa) is consumed by caterpillars of the butterflies Eurema nicippe (Sleepy Orange), Phoebis philea (Orange-barred Sulfur), and Phoebis sennae (Cloudless Sulfur). The foliage is also eaten by the caterpillars of Epargyreus clarus (Silver-Spotted Skipper) and Ascalapha odorata (Black Witch), while the flowers are eaten by caterpillars of the polyphagous moth, Pleuroprucha insulsaria (Common Tan Wave). A negro bug, Cydnoides ciliatus orientis, has been found in association with Maryland Senna, other Senna spp. (Sennas), and Cassia spp. (Partridge Peas); they are possible host plants of this insect. Because the foliage is somewhat toxic and cathartic, it is usually avoided by White-Tailed Deer and other mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A woodland opening at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: A scientific synonym of this species is Cassia marilandica. Another common name of this wildflower is Southern Wild Senna, because its range doesn't extend as far north as a closely related species, Senna hebecarpa (Wild Senna). These two species are very similar in appearance and they are occasionally confused with each other. The flowers of Maryland Senna have styles with short appressed hairs, while the flowers of Wild Senna have styles with long spreading hairs. Maryland Senna also tends to produce fewer flowers than Wild Senna, although variations in environmental conditions can produce exceptions to this rule.
Both terminal and axillary inflorescences are produced. The terminal inflorescence is ½-1' long, consisting of either a raceme or panicle of flowers. The axillary inflorescences are up to ½' long, consisting of racemes of flowers. Individual flowers are about ¾" across, consisting of 5 spreading yellow petals, 5 spreading greenish yellow sepals, 10 stamens with dark brown anthers, and a pistil with a style that curls upward at its tip. The sepals are smaller than the petals; the former are joined together at the base and obovate in shape. The stamens are organized into three groups: the lower 3 stamens have long filaments and long anthers, the middle 4 stamens have short filaments and long anthers, while the upper 3 stamens have short filaments and short anthers. Of these, the lower and middle stamens are fertile, while the upper stamens are sterile. The slender green styles are covered with short appressed hairs. The flowers are without nectaries. The stalks of each inflorescence are green, often angular, and usually short-pubescent. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer for about 3-4 weeks.
Shortly afterwards, the flowers are replaced by drooping seedpods. These seedpods are narrowly oblong in shape and flattened with single-seeded segments. They are initially green and their sides are covered with appressed short hairs, but they become dark brown and more hairless at maturity, dividing into two parts along its length to release the seeds. Individual seeds are a little less than ¼" long, dark-colored, oblongoid-ovoid in shape, flattened, and more pointed on one end than the other. The shallow root system is fibrous and long-rhizomatous. Small colonies of clonal plants often develop from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist well-drained conditions, and soil containing loam, sand, rocky material, or other soil types. The root system does not add nitrogen to the soil, unlike many species in the closely related Bean family (Fabaceae). This tall flowering plant is easy to cultivate in gardens.
Range & Distribution: The native Maryland Senna is widely distributed throughout Illinois, but it is relatively uncommon (see Distribution Map). Populations of this species appear to be declining. Habitats include moist prairies, openings in wooded areas, thickets, savannas, riverbanks, and limestone glades. Occasionally this wildflower is cultivated in gardens. In wooded natural areas, some disturbance is required to reduce competition from trees and shrubs.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by bumblebees, which collect pollen from the flowers. The extra-floral nectaries attract ants and occasionally flies, which feed on the nectar. The foliage of Maryland Senna and the closely related Wild Senna (Senna hebecarpa) is consumed by caterpillars of the butterflies Eurema nicippe (Sleepy Orange), Phoebis philea (Orange-barred Sulfur), and Phoebis sennae (Cloudless Sulfur). The foliage is also eaten by the caterpillars of Epargyreus clarus (Silver-Spotted Skipper) and Ascalapha odorata (Black Witch), while the flowers are eaten by caterpillars of the polyphagous moth, Pleuroprucha insulsaria (Common Tan Wave). A negro bug, Cydnoides ciliatus orientis, has been found in association with Maryland Senna, other Senna spp. (Sennas), and Cassia spp. (Partridge Peas); they are possible host plants of this insect. Because the foliage is somewhat toxic and cathartic, it is usually avoided by White-Tailed Deer and other mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A woodland opening at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: A scientific synonym of this species is Cassia marilandica. Another common name of this wildflower is Southern Wild Senna, because its range doesn't extend as far north as a closely related species, Senna hebecarpa (Wild Senna). These two species are very similar in appearance and they are occasionally confused with each other. The flowers of Maryland Senna have styles with short appressed hairs, while the flowers of Wild Senna have styles with long spreading hairs. Maryland Senna also tends to produce fewer flowers than Wild Senna, although variations in environmental conditions can produce exceptions to this rule.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年04月04日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is largely unbranched and up to 6' tall. The stout central stem is light green, and slightly hairy in the upper stem and at the base of the upper compound leaves. The compound leaves are evenly pinnate with about 5-10 pairs of leaflets. The gray-green to medium green leaflets are individually up to 2½" long and ¾" across. Each leaflet is oblong or elliptic-oblong and smooth along the margins; it has a small pointed tip and a short petiolule (basal stalklet) that is 1/8" (3 mm.) in length or less. On the upper side of a petiole near its base is a small club-shaped gland; it is ovoid or dome-shaped above a short stalk. This gland secretes nectar to attract certain kinds of insects (see below for more information). At the base of each petiole, there is a pair of small linear-lanceolate stipules; they are tardily deciduous.
The central stem terminates in either a raceme or panicle of flowers about ½-1' long. In addition, smaller racemes of flowers often develop from the axils of upper compound leaves. Each flower is about ¾" across; it has 5 pale yellow sepals, 5 yellow petals, 10 stamens with dark brown anthers, and a pistil with spreading white hairs. The petals have a tendency to turn white as they age, while the hairy pistil eventually develops into a seedpod. In each flower, the stamens are divided into 3 groups: the lower 3 stamens have long anthers and long filaments, the middle 4 stamens have long anthers and short filaments, while the upper 3 anthers have short anthers and short filaments. Of these, the lower and middle stamens are fertile, while the upper stamens are sterile. The flowers have no nectaries. The blooming period is mid- to late summer, which lasts about a month. There is no noticeable floral scent. The flattened seedpods are about 3-4" long, ½" across, and dark brown when they are fully mature; each seedpod has 10-18 segments, and each segment contains a single seed that is less than than ¼" long. The seeds are ovoid-rhombic in shape and flattened; they are nearly as wide as they are long. The root system consists of fibrous roots and rhizomes. This plant often forms vegetative colonies from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial to full sun, and moist to mesic conditions. A rich loamy soil is preferred, although sandy and rocky soil are also tolerated. This plant can become quite tall when the soil is fertile and moist; it may flop over while the flowers and seedpods are developing.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Senna occurs in scattered counties throughout Illinois; it is perhaps a little more common in the east than the west (see Distribution Map). This species is occasional in some areas, and uncommon or absent in others. Populations in the wild are probably declining as a result of modern development. Habitats include moist meadows near rivers, savannas, fens, pastures, and roadsides. Some disturbance is beneficial when it reduces competition from shrubs and trees. Occasionally, Wild Senna is found in flower gardens because of the showy flowers.
Faunal Associations: The flowers atttract bumblebees primarily, which seek pollen. Halictid bees also visit the flowers for pollen, but are less likely to achieve cross-pollination. The extra-floral nectaries, on the other hand, attract primarily ants and a few other insects, including ladybird beetles and flies. It is possible that some of these insects protect the plant from other insects that would attack the foliage. The caterpillars of some Sulfur butterflies rely on the foliage of Senna spp. (Sennas) as a source of food. In Illinois, this includes Eurema nicippe (Sleepy Orange), Phoebis philea (Orange-Barred Sulfur), and Phoebis sennae eubule (Cloudless Sulfur). Other insects that feed on Sennas include caterpillars of the moths Ascalapha odorata (Black Witch) and Pleuroprucha insulsaria (Common Tan Wave); caterpillars of the last species feed on the flowers. Mammalian herbivores usually avoid consumption of the foliage, which has purgative properties. The seeds may be eaten by some upland gamebirds, particularly the Bobwhite.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken of plants growing in an herbal garden at Meadowbrook Park, Urbana, Illinois, and in the wildflower garden of the webmaster in the same city.
Comments: This is a striking plant while in bloom and it has attractive foliage. It is difficult to distinguish Wild Senna from Senna marilandica (Maryland Senna), which has a very similar appearance. Generally, Wild Senna has a more northern distribution than Maryland Senna, but in Illinois their ranges overlap. On Wild Senna, the pistils of the flowers have long white hairs, while in Maryland Senna these hairs are shorter and more appressed. Wild Senna has a tendency to produce a greater abundance of flowers than Maryland Senna, although this characteristic is influenced by environmental conditions, such as the abundance of sunlight. Another scientific name for Wild Senna is Cassia hebecarpa.
The central stem terminates in either a raceme or panicle of flowers about ½-1' long. In addition, smaller racemes of flowers often develop from the axils of upper compound leaves. Each flower is about ¾" across; it has 5 pale yellow sepals, 5 yellow petals, 10 stamens with dark brown anthers, and a pistil with spreading white hairs. The petals have a tendency to turn white as they age, while the hairy pistil eventually develops into a seedpod. In each flower, the stamens are divided into 3 groups: the lower 3 stamens have long anthers and long filaments, the middle 4 stamens have long anthers and short filaments, while the upper 3 anthers have short anthers and short filaments. Of these, the lower and middle stamens are fertile, while the upper stamens are sterile. The flowers have no nectaries. The blooming period is mid- to late summer, which lasts about a month. There is no noticeable floral scent. The flattened seedpods are about 3-4" long, ½" across, and dark brown when they are fully mature; each seedpod has 10-18 segments, and each segment contains a single seed that is less than than ¼" long. The seeds are ovoid-rhombic in shape and flattened; they are nearly as wide as they are long. The root system consists of fibrous roots and rhizomes. This plant often forms vegetative colonies from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial to full sun, and moist to mesic conditions. A rich loamy soil is preferred, although sandy and rocky soil are also tolerated. This plant can become quite tall when the soil is fertile and moist; it may flop over while the flowers and seedpods are developing.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Senna occurs in scattered counties throughout Illinois; it is perhaps a little more common in the east than the west (see Distribution Map). This species is occasional in some areas, and uncommon or absent in others. Populations in the wild are probably declining as a result of modern development. Habitats include moist meadows near rivers, savannas, fens, pastures, and roadsides. Some disturbance is beneficial when it reduces competition from shrubs and trees. Occasionally, Wild Senna is found in flower gardens because of the showy flowers.
Faunal Associations: The flowers atttract bumblebees primarily, which seek pollen. Halictid bees also visit the flowers for pollen, but are less likely to achieve cross-pollination. The extra-floral nectaries, on the other hand, attract primarily ants and a few other insects, including ladybird beetles and flies. It is possible that some of these insects protect the plant from other insects that would attack the foliage. The caterpillars of some Sulfur butterflies rely on the foliage of Senna spp. (Sennas) as a source of food. In Illinois, this includes Eurema nicippe (Sleepy Orange), Phoebis philea (Orange-Barred Sulfur), and Phoebis sennae eubule (Cloudless Sulfur). Other insects that feed on Sennas include caterpillars of the moths Ascalapha odorata (Black Witch) and Pleuroprucha insulsaria (Common Tan Wave); caterpillars of the last species feed on the flowers. Mammalian herbivores usually avoid consumption of the foliage, which has purgative properties. The seeds may be eaten by some upland gamebirds, particularly the Bobwhite.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken of plants growing in an herbal garden at Meadowbrook Park, Urbana, Illinois, and in the wildflower garden of the webmaster in the same city.
Comments: This is a striking plant while in bloom and it has attractive foliage. It is difficult to distinguish Wild Senna from Senna marilandica (Maryland Senna), which has a very similar appearance. Generally, Wild Senna has a more northern distribution than Maryland Senna, but in Illinois their ranges overlap. On Wild Senna, the pistils of the flowers have long white hairs, while in Maryland Senna these hairs are shorter and more appressed. Wild Senna has a tendency to produce a greater abundance of flowers than Maryland Senna, although this characteristic is influenced by environmental conditions, such as the abundance of sunlight. Another scientific name for Wild Senna is Cassia hebecarpa.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年04月04日
Description: This perennial plant is 2-3' tall and little branched, except near the apex. The erect central stem is whitish green, bluntly 4-angled, and finely pubescent. The opposite leaves are up to 3" long and 1½" across; they are ovate in shape and crenate along their margins. The upper leaf surface is pale-medium or yellowish green and glabrous or nearly so (except for young leaves), while the lower leaf surface is whitish green and finely pubescent. The pubescence on the elevated veins of the leaf undersides is somewhat longer than the pubescence between the veins. The petioles are short (up to ½" in length), whitish green, and finely pubescent. From the middle to upper leaf axils, short secondary stems with smaller leaves may form.
Racemes of Flowers
The upper stems terminate in spike-like racemes of flowers up to 6" in length. These racemes are held upright and they have densely-spaced pairs of flowers. Each flower has a 2-lipped tubular corolla about ¾" long that is mostly blue-violet, and a short tubular calyx about ¼" long that is whitish green and finely pubescent. The reproductive organs of the flower are inserted within the corolla. The upper lip of the corolla is hood-like with lateral margins that are curled back, while its lower lip is larger and broader; there is a conspicuous patch of white in front of the throat of corolla. A very fine pubescence (canescence) covers the outer surface of the flower, particularly on the hood (visible with a 10x hand lens). The calyx has a conspicuous protuberance on its upper side. Both the central rachis of each raceme and the pedicels of the flowers (up to ¼" in length) are whitish green and finely pubescent. At the base of each pedicel on a raceme, there is a small leafy bract up to ½" long that is lanceolate or elliptic in shape. None of the hairs on this plant are glandular or sticky.
The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer, lasting about 1-1½ months. There is no noticeable floral scent. The flowers are replaced by oddly shaped capsules that contain 2-4 nutlets. The upper surface of each capsule is concave with a protuberance on one side. At maturity, these capsules turn brown and split open to release their nutlets; this process may be facilitated by raindrop logistics. The root system is rhizomatous, often forming tight colonies of clonal plants.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun and mesic to dry-mesic conditions. Full sun or light shade and moist conditions are also tolerated. The soil can contain loam, clay-loam, or some rocky material, which corresponds to the conditions in which this plant normally grows. Foliar disease rarely bothers this plant; some of the lower leaves may turn yellow and drop off the stem if there is a severe drought, but this member of the Mint family withstands dry conditions rather well. Occasionally, insects may chew holes in the leaves, sometimes causing major damage. Overall, this plant is easy to grow in a garden setting.
Range & Habitat: The native Downy Skullcap occurs occasionally in the southern half of Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is largely absent (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the northern range limit of this species. Habitats include upland forests, rocky slopes of woodlands, thinly wooded bluffs, rocky slopes along rivers, upland meadows in wooded areas, thickets, and roadsides that run through woodlands. Downy Skullcap usually occurs in and around upland forests, but it occasionally strays into adjacent meadows. This plant is usually found in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated by bumblebees primarily, which suck nectar or collect pollen. Less common visitors are bee flies, skippers, or small butterflies, but these visitors are less likely to cross-pollinate the flowers. Some species of wasps may perforate the base of the flower and steal nectar (specifically, the Eumenid wasp Euodynerus foraminatus has been observed to do this), and Halictid bees sometimes take advantage of these perforations to suck nectar themselves. Insects that feed destructively on Downy Skullcap and other Skullcaps (Scutellaria spp.) include the flea beetles Phyllobrotica circumdata and Phyllobrotica limbata, the leaf-mining larvae of Caloptilia scutellariella (Skullcap Caloptilia Moth), and the larvae of Prochoreutis inflatella (Skullcap Skeletonizer Moth). Because the foliage is bitter-tasting and possibly toxic, mammalian herbivores usually don't bother this plant to any significant degree.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Downy Skullcap has attractive foliage and flowers; it is one of the more showy species in this genus. It is similar to Agastache foeniculum (Anise Hyssop) in the appearance of its foliage and habitat preferences, but its flowers are larger and more attractive. Therefore, it's surprising that this plant is not grown in flower gardens more often. Distinguishing Scutellaria spp. (Skullcaps) is rather tricky, but here are some key characteristics of Downy Skullcap: 1) Except for the lowest leaves, the leaf bases are well-rounded, rather than heart-shaped; 2) this species of Skullcap blooms later and grows taller than most; 3) except for the upper leaf surfaces, the entire plant is finely pubescent, and it has no sticky glandular hairs; and 4) the racemes of its flowers are terminal, rather than axillary.
Racemes of Flowers
The upper stems terminate in spike-like racemes of flowers up to 6" in length. These racemes are held upright and they have densely-spaced pairs of flowers. Each flower has a 2-lipped tubular corolla about ¾" long that is mostly blue-violet, and a short tubular calyx about ¼" long that is whitish green and finely pubescent. The reproductive organs of the flower are inserted within the corolla. The upper lip of the corolla is hood-like with lateral margins that are curled back, while its lower lip is larger and broader; there is a conspicuous patch of white in front of the throat of corolla. A very fine pubescence (canescence) covers the outer surface of the flower, particularly on the hood (visible with a 10x hand lens). The calyx has a conspicuous protuberance on its upper side. Both the central rachis of each raceme and the pedicels of the flowers (up to ¼" in length) are whitish green and finely pubescent. At the base of each pedicel on a raceme, there is a small leafy bract up to ½" long that is lanceolate or elliptic in shape. None of the hairs on this plant are glandular or sticky.
The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer, lasting about 1-1½ months. There is no noticeable floral scent. The flowers are replaced by oddly shaped capsules that contain 2-4 nutlets. The upper surface of each capsule is concave with a protuberance on one side. At maturity, these capsules turn brown and split open to release their nutlets; this process may be facilitated by raindrop logistics. The root system is rhizomatous, often forming tight colonies of clonal plants.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun and mesic to dry-mesic conditions. Full sun or light shade and moist conditions are also tolerated. The soil can contain loam, clay-loam, or some rocky material, which corresponds to the conditions in which this plant normally grows. Foliar disease rarely bothers this plant; some of the lower leaves may turn yellow and drop off the stem if there is a severe drought, but this member of the Mint family withstands dry conditions rather well. Occasionally, insects may chew holes in the leaves, sometimes causing major damage. Overall, this plant is easy to grow in a garden setting.
Range & Habitat: The native Downy Skullcap occurs occasionally in the southern half of Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is largely absent (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the northern range limit of this species. Habitats include upland forests, rocky slopes of woodlands, thinly wooded bluffs, rocky slopes along rivers, upland meadows in wooded areas, thickets, and roadsides that run through woodlands. Downy Skullcap usually occurs in and around upland forests, but it occasionally strays into adjacent meadows. This plant is usually found in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated by bumblebees primarily, which suck nectar or collect pollen. Less common visitors are bee flies, skippers, or small butterflies, but these visitors are less likely to cross-pollinate the flowers. Some species of wasps may perforate the base of the flower and steal nectar (specifically, the Eumenid wasp Euodynerus foraminatus has been observed to do this), and Halictid bees sometimes take advantage of these perforations to suck nectar themselves. Insects that feed destructively on Downy Skullcap and other Skullcaps (Scutellaria spp.) include the flea beetles Phyllobrotica circumdata and Phyllobrotica limbata, the leaf-mining larvae of Caloptilia scutellariella (Skullcap Caloptilia Moth), and the larvae of Prochoreutis inflatella (Skullcap Skeletonizer Moth). Because the foliage is bitter-tasting and possibly toxic, mammalian herbivores usually don't bother this plant to any significant degree.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Downy Skullcap has attractive foliage and flowers; it is one of the more showy species in this genus. It is similar to Agastache foeniculum (Anise Hyssop) in the appearance of its foliage and habitat preferences, but its flowers are larger and more attractive. Therefore, it's surprising that this plant is not grown in flower gardens more often. Distinguishing Scutellaria spp. (Skullcaps) is rather tricky, but here are some key characteristics of Downy Skullcap: 1) Except for the lowest leaves, the leaf bases are well-rounded, rather than heart-shaped; 2) this species of Skullcap blooms later and grows taller than most; 3) except for the upper leaf surfaces, the entire plant is finely pubescent, and it has no sticky glandular hairs; and 4) the racemes of its flowers are terminal, rather than axillary.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月04日
Description: This perennial herbaceous plant is 3-6' tall, branching occasionally. The stems are light green, terete, and sometimes slightly furrowed; they are covered with spreading hairs. The lower to middle leaves usually have 3-5 deep lobes; they are up to 8" long and 4½" across. The upper leaves usually lack lobes; they are up to 3" long and 1" across. The lobes of the lower to middle leaves are more or less lanceolate in shape and coarsely dentate along their margins; the terminal lobes usually taper to petiole-like bases. The upper leaves are elliptic, lanceolate, or ovate in shape, while their margins are sparsely to moderately dentate. The upper leaf surfaces are medium green and rough-textured from short stiff hairs that are sparsely distributed, while the lower leaf surfaces are light-medium green and hairy, especially along the undersides of major veins. The petioles of alternate leaves are up to 1½" long, becoming shorter as they ascend the stems; the uppermost leaves are often sessile, or nearly so. The petioles are pubescent to hairy.
The upper stems terminate in solitary flowerheads on long peduncles. The peduncles are up to 8" long, light green, terete, and hairy. The daisy-like flowerheads are 2–3½" across, consisting of 10-20 ray florets that surround numerous disk florets. The central disks of the flowerheads are hemispheric in shape; they are fragrant after being crushed. The petaloid rays are bright yellow, narrowly oblong, and slightly notched at their tips; they are widely spreading. The corollas of the disk florets are narrowly tubular in shape and dark reddish purple (at least above). The ray florets are infertile, while the disk florets are fertile. Around the base of each flowerhead, there are many overlapping phyllaries (floral bracts). Individual phyllaries are up to ½" long, light-medium green, linear-lanceolate in shape, and pubescent. The blooming period occurs during mid- to late summer, lasting about 1–1½ months. Afterwards, fertile disk florets are replaced by narrow achenes. These achenes are 2-3 mm. long, dark-colored, and narrow in shape; their apices are truncate, sometimes with minute scales. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and soil consisting of loam or sandy loam. This plant is relatively easy to cultivate, although it may topple over if it is spoiled by too much water or fertilizer.
Range & Habitat: Sweet Coneflower is occasional in most areas of Illinois, where it is native. It tends to be more common in central and northern Illinois than in the southern section of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include black soil prairies, sand prairies, cemetery prairies, typical savannas and sandy savannas, thickets, openings in deciduous woodlands, woodland borders, gravelly seeps, banks of streams, and banks of ditches. This plant is often cultivated in flower gardens, from where it occasionally escapes. Sweet Coneflower is usually found in higher quality natural areas, although it also colonizes disturbed areas. Fidelity to any particular habitat is low.
Faunal Associations: Many kinds of insects visit the flowerheads for either nectar or pollen. These species include little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), Epeoline cuckoo bees, digger bees (Melissodes spp., Svastra spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees, dagger bees (Heterosarus spp.), Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, Syrphid flies, bee flies (Bombyliidae), Tachinid flies, small- to medium-sized butterflies, skippers, beetles, and true bugs (Robertson, 1929). Among these species, bees are the most important pollinators. One bee species, Heterosarus rudbeckiae, is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Rudbeckia spp. Other insects feed destructively on the foliage, flowerheads, and roots of Sweet Coneflower and other Rudbeckia spp. They include larvae of a leaf-mining fly (Calycomyza frickiana), Asphondylia rudbeckiaeconspicua (Coneflower Gall Midge), Neolasioptera rudbeckiae (Coneflower Stem Midge), larvae of another gall fly (Lestodiplosis rudbeckiae), larvae of a sawfly (Macrophya simillima), and a few aphids (Uroleucon leonardi, Uroleucon rudbeckiae); see Spencer & Steyskal (1986), Felt (1917), Smith (2006), and Blackman & Eastop (2013). The caterpillars of a butterfly, Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot), sometimes feed on Rudbeckia spp. as host plants, as do the caterpillars of such moths as Epiblema carolinana (Gray-blotched Epiblema), Epiblema tandana, Epiblema tripartitana, Eupithecia miserulata (Common Pug), and Synchlora aerata (Wavy-lined Emerald); see Opler & Krizek (1984), Miller (1987), and Wagner (2005).
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a prairie garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Sweet Coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa) is also called Fragrant Coneflower. It is more long-lived than two similar species, Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) and Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba). Compared to the Black-eyed Susan, Sweet Coneflower is a taller plant with many deeply lobed leaves. The leaves of Black-eyed Susan lack lobes. Compared to Brown-eyed Susan, the flowerheads of Sweet Coneflower are larger in size with longer and more abundant petaloid rays. Otherwise they are quite similar to each other in appearance. Another species, Orange Coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida), also lacks lobes on its leaves and it is a shorter plant. All of these species are native to Illinois and they sometimes share the same habitats.
The upper stems terminate in solitary flowerheads on long peduncles. The peduncles are up to 8" long, light green, terete, and hairy. The daisy-like flowerheads are 2–3½" across, consisting of 10-20 ray florets that surround numerous disk florets. The central disks of the flowerheads are hemispheric in shape; they are fragrant after being crushed. The petaloid rays are bright yellow, narrowly oblong, and slightly notched at their tips; they are widely spreading. The corollas of the disk florets are narrowly tubular in shape and dark reddish purple (at least above). The ray florets are infertile, while the disk florets are fertile. Around the base of each flowerhead, there are many overlapping phyllaries (floral bracts). Individual phyllaries are up to ½" long, light-medium green, linear-lanceolate in shape, and pubescent. The blooming period occurs during mid- to late summer, lasting about 1–1½ months. Afterwards, fertile disk florets are replaced by narrow achenes. These achenes are 2-3 mm. long, dark-colored, and narrow in shape; their apices are truncate, sometimes with minute scales. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and soil consisting of loam or sandy loam. This plant is relatively easy to cultivate, although it may topple over if it is spoiled by too much water or fertilizer.
Range & Habitat: Sweet Coneflower is occasional in most areas of Illinois, where it is native. It tends to be more common in central and northern Illinois than in the southern section of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include black soil prairies, sand prairies, cemetery prairies, typical savannas and sandy savannas, thickets, openings in deciduous woodlands, woodland borders, gravelly seeps, banks of streams, and banks of ditches. This plant is often cultivated in flower gardens, from where it occasionally escapes. Sweet Coneflower is usually found in higher quality natural areas, although it also colonizes disturbed areas. Fidelity to any particular habitat is low.
Faunal Associations: Many kinds of insects visit the flowerheads for either nectar or pollen. These species include little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), Epeoline cuckoo bees, digger bees (Melissodes spp., Svastra spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees, dagger bees (Heterosarus spp.), Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, Syrphid flies, bee flies (Bombyliidae), Tachinid flies, small- to medium-sized butterflies, skippers, beetles, and true bugs (Robertson, 1929). Among these species, bees are the most important pollinators. One bee species, Heterosarus rudbeckiae, is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Rudbeckia spp. Other insects feed destructively on the foliage, flowerheads, and roots of Sweet Coneflower and other Rudbeckia spp. They include larvae of a leaf-mining fly (Calycomyza frickiana), Asphondylia rudbeckiaeconspicua (Coneflower Gall Midge), Neolasioptera rudbeckiae (Coneflower Stem Midge), larvae of another gall fly (Lestodiplosis rudbeckiae), larvae of a sawfly (Macrophya simillima), and a few aphids (Uroleucon leonardi, Uroleucon rudbeckiae); see Spencer & Steyskal (1986), Felt (1917), Smith (2006), and Blackman & Eastop (2013). The caterpillars of a butterfly, Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot), sometimes feed on Rudbeckia spp. as host plants, as do the caterpillars of such moths as Epiblema carolinana (Gray-blotched Epiblema), Epiblema tandana, Epiblema tripartitana, Eupithecia miserulata (Common Pug), and Synchlora aerata (Wavy-lined Emerald); see Opler & Krizek (1984), Miller (1987), and Wagner (2005).
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a prairie garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Sweet Coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa) is also called Fragrant Coneflower. It is more long-lived than two similar species, Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) and Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba). Compared to the Black-eyed Susan, Sweet Coneflower is a taller plant with many deeply lobed leaves. The leaves of Black-eyed Susan lack lobes. Compared to Brown-eyed Susan, the flowerheads of Sweet Coneflower are larger in size with longer and more abundant petaloid rays. Otherwise they are quite similar to each other in appearance. Another species, Orange Coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida), also lacks lobes on its leaves and it is a shorter plant. All of these species are native to Illinois and they sometimes share the same habitats.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月03日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 3-8' tall; it branches occasionally in the upper half. The stems are light green, terete, usually glabrous, and sometimes glaucous. The alternate leaves are up to 12" long and 12" across, becoming gradually smaller as they ascend the stems. These leaves spread outward from their stems on narrowly winged petioles and they have a tendency to droop. The lower to middle leaves have 3-7 large lobes and smooth to coarsely dentate margins. The lobes of these leaves are elliptic to ovate in shape; the terminal lobes of some leaves are subdivided into 2 smaller lobes. Sometimes the lower leaves are pinnate with a pair of basal leaflets and a lobed terminal leaflet. The uppermost leaves on the flowering stalks are much smaller in size and lanceolate to ovate in shape; they lack lobes. The upper leaf surface is dark green and hairless to sparingly short-hairy, while the lower leaf surface is pale-medium green and glabrous to sparingly hairy.
Flowering Plants
The upper stems terminate in either individual or cyme-like clusters of flowerheads on stalks 2" or more in length. Each flowerhead spans about 2-3" across; it has a daisy-like structure consisting of a globoid central cone that is surrounded by 6-12 ray florets. The central cone is light green while immature, but it later becomes yellow and resembles a pincushion to some extent because of the corollas of its tubular disk florets. The petaloid rays surrounding the central cone are yellow, oblong in shape, and drooping. The base of each flowerhead is defined by 8-15 floral bracts (phyllaries); these bracts are light green, oblong-ovate in shape, and hairless to hairy. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall and lasts about 1-2 months. Each disk floret is replaced by an oblongoid achene (3-4.5 mm. in length) that has a crown of tiny blunt teeth at its apex. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Clonal colonies of plants are often formed from the long rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist conditions, and fertile loam or silt-loam. At a site that is too sunny and dry, the leaves may droop excessively and wither away, otherwise this plant is easy to cultivate. In some areas, it may spread aggressively by means of its rhizomes.
Range & Habitat: Cutleaf Coneflower is widely distributed and occasional to locally common in most areas of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Habitats include open bottomland forests, moist meadows in wooded areas, woodland borders, moist thickets, sloughs in partially shaded areas, low areas along rivers, partially shaded river banks, calcareous seeps, margins of poorly drained fields, and pastures. Occasionally, this species is grown in flower gardens. It prefers partially shaded areas that are poorly drained and may be prone to occasional flooding during the spring.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract many kinds of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, predatory wasps, butterflies, skippers, moths, and various kinds of flies. Insects that feed destructively on the Cutleaf Coneflower include the leaf beetle Sumitrosis inequalis, Uroleucon rudbeckiae (Golden Glow Aphid), larvae of the fruit fly Strauzia intermedia, leaf-mining larvae of the moth Marmara auratella, and larvae of the butterfly, Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot). Other insects that feed on this and other coneflowers (Rudbeckia spp.) include the larvae of gall flies, larvae of the sawfly Macrophya simillima, and larvae of some Tortricid moths. Larvae of such moths as Synchlora aerata (Wavy-Lined Emerald) and Eupithecia miserulata (Common Pug) feed on the florets. A bird, the Common Goldfinch, eats the seeds to a limited extent. The foliage of Cutleaf Coneflower may be somewhat poisonous to some mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois, and an area that is adjacent to a pond at Crystal Lake Park in the same city.
Comments: This is a tall-growing wildflower with a rather lanky appearance. A cultivar of this species, called 'Golden Glow' has double flowerheads with more ray florets (greater than 12) than the wild form. Cutleaf Coneflower is one of several Rudbeckia spp. with yellow flowerheads. It has larger and more widely separated disk florets than these other species, which provides the mature central cone of its flowerheads with a slight pincushion appearance. The central cones of Cutleaf Coneflower are light green to yellow (depending on their maturity), while the central cones of other Rudbeckia spp. are dark brown to black (e.g., Rudbeckia hirta, Rudbeckia triloba, & Rudbeckia fulgida) or grey to brown (e.g., Rudbeckia pinnata). The leaves of Cutleaf Coneflower have 3-7 deep lobes, while the leaves of other Rudbeckia spp. have fewer lobes or none. An exception is Rudbeckia pinnata (Yellow Coneflower), which has leaves with as many lobes. However, the lobes on its leaves are more narrow than those of Cutleaf Coneflower. Other common names of Rudbeckia laciniata include Green-headed Coneflower and Wild Golden Glow.
Flowering Plants
The upper stems terminate in either individual or cyme-like clusters of flowerheads on stalks 2" or more in length. Each flowerhead spans about 2-3" across; it has a daisy-like structure consisting of a globoid central cone that is surrounded by 6-12 ray florets. The central cone is light green while immature, but it later becomes yellow and resembles a pincushion to some extent because of the corollas of its tubular disk florets. The petaloid rays surrounding the central cone are yellow, oblong in shape, and drooping. The base of each flowerhead is defined by 8-15 floral bracts (phyllaries); these bracts are light green, oblong-ovate in shape, and hairless to hairy. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall and lasts about 1-2 months. Each disk floret is replaced by an oblongoid achene (3-4.5 mm. in length) that has a crown of tiny blunt teeth at its apex. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Clonal colonies of plants are often formed from the long rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist conditions, and fertile loam or silt-loam. At a site that is too sunny and dry, the leaves may droop excessively and wither away, otherwise this plant is easy to cultivate. In some areas, it may spread aggressively by means of its rhizomes.
Range & Habitat: Cutleaf Coneflower is widely distributed and occasional to locally common in most areas of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Habitats include open bottomland forests, moist meadows in wooded areas, woodland borders, moist thickets, sloughs in partially shaded areas, low areas along rivers, partially shaded river banks, calcareous seeps, margins of poorly drained fields, and pastures. Occasionally, this species is grown in flower gardens. It prefers partially shaded areas that are poorly drained and may be prone to occasional flooding during the spring.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract many kinds of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, predatory wasps, butterflies, skippers, moths, and various kinds of flies. Insects that feed destructively on the Cutleaf Coneflower include the leaf beetle Sumitrosis inequalis, Uroleucon rudbeckiae (Golden Glow Aphid), larvae of the fruit fly Strauzia intermedia, leaf-mining larvae of the moth Marmara auratella, and larvae of the butterfly, Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot). Other insects that feed on this and other coneflowers (Rudbeckia spp.) include the larvae of gall flies, larvae of the sawfly Macrophya simillima, and larvae of some Tortricid moths. Larvae of such moths as Synchlora aerata (Wavy-Lined Emerald) and Eupithecia miserulata (Common Pug) feed on the florets. A bird, the Common Goldfinch, eats the seeds to a limited extent. The foliage of Cutleaf Coneflower may be somewhat poisonous to some mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois, and an area that is adjacent to a pond at Crystal Lake Park in the same city.
Comments: This is a tall-growing wildflower with a rather lanky appearance. A cultivar of this species, called 'Golden Glow' has double flowerheads with more ray florets (greater than 12) than the wild form. Cutleaf Coneflower is one of several Rudbeckia spp. with yellow flowerheads. It has larger and more widely separated disk florets than these other species, which provides the mature central cone of its flowerheads with a slight pincushion appearance. The central cones of Cutleaf Coneflower are light green to yellow (depending on their maturity), while the central cones of other Rudbeckia spp. are dark brown to black (e.g., Rudbeckia hirta, Rudbeckia triloba, & Rudbeckia fulgida) or grey to brown (e.g., Rudbeckia pinnata). The leaves of Cutleaf Coneflower have 3-7 deep lobes, while the leaves of other Rudbeckia spp. have fewer lobes or none. An exception is Rudbeckia pinnata (Yellow Coneflower), which has leaves with as many lobes. However, the lobes on its leaves are more narrow than those of Cutleaf Coneflower. Other common names of Rudbeckia laciniata include Green-headed Coneflower and Wild Golden Glow.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月03日
Description: This woody vine produces stems up to 15' long that trail along the ground; some of the flowering stems are more erect and up to 4' tall. Old stems are brown and woody with scattered hooked prickles. Young stems are green with scattered hooked prickles; they are also more or less hairy. Alternate compound leaves occur at intervals along the stems. They are usually trifoliate with 3 leaflets; less often, compound leaves with 5 leaflets occur. These leaflets are up to 3" long and 1" across; they are ovate, doubly serrate along the margins, and mostly hairless. The underside of each leaflet is pale green, rather than white or velvety. Most leaflets have wedge-shaped bottoms and tips that taper gradually. The terminal leaflet has a short petiole (petiolule), while the lateral leaflets are sessile. Each compound leaf is connected to the stem by a long petiole. At the base of this petiole, there is a pair of small linear stipules.
Flowers & Leaflets
Young stems often terminate in a corymb of 1-5 flowers. Each flower is about 1-1¼" across when fully open; it consists of 5 white petals, 5 lanceolate green sepals, and numerous stamens that surround a green cluster of carpels. The petals are longer than the sepals and they often have a somewhat wrinkled appearance. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer and lasts about 1-2 months. The flowers open up during the day and close at night. Each fertilized flower is replaced by a compound drupe up to 1" long that is longer than it is broad. A fully ripened drupe becomes purple-black or black and it has a tart-sweet flavor. This drupe does not detach from its receptacle easily. The root system consists of a woody taproot. This woody vine spreads by reseeding itself; sometimes, the tips of young stems will root in the ground, forming vegetative offsets.
Cultivation: This plant typically grows in full to partial sun and mesic to dry conditions. It tolerates different kinds of soil, including those containing loam, clay-loam, sand, or rocky material.
Range & Habitat: The native Common Dewberry is common in the southern half of Illinois; it is less common or absent in the northern half of the state, particularly in the NW area (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic to dry savannas and sandy savannas, woodland borders, meadows in wooded areas, and abandoned fields. Common Dewberry is found in both sandy and non-sandy habitats. Occasional wildfires that remove tall woody vegetation tend to increase the population of Common Dewberry.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract both long-tongued and short-tongued bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, Mason bees, Leaf-Cutting bees, Cuckoo bees (Nomadine), and Miner bees (Eucerine). These insects suck nectar or collect pollen. The flowers also attract butterflies, skippers, and various flies. Insects that feed on various parts of Common Dewberry and other Rubus spp. include Siphonophora rubi (Blackberry Aphid; sucks juices), Edwardsiana rosae (Rose Leafhopper; sucks juices), Metallus rubi (Blackberry Leafminer; sawfly maggot tunnels through leaves), Agrilus ruficollis (Red-Necked Cane Borer; beetle grub bores through stems), and the caterpillars of many moths. The drupes of Common Dewberry and other Rubus spp. are an important source of summer food to many upland gamebirds and songbirds (see Bird Table). The Raccoon, Fox Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk, White-Footed Mouse, and other mammals also eat the fruits, while the Cottontail Rabbit and White-Tailed Deer browse on the leaves and stems.
Photographic Location: A meadow in a wooded area at Orchid Hill in Vermilion County, Illinois; a sandy meadow at Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve in Lucas County, Ohio; and the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: The compound drupes (fruits) of Common Dewberry are edible to humans; when they are fully ripened, their flavor is pleasant. Common Dewberry can be distinguished from most Rubus spp. (Blackberries) by its vine-like habit. There are other Rubus spp. that are woody vines in various areas of the state, but they are less common. One of them, Rubus trivialis (Southern Dewberry) is restricted to southern Illinois. Its appearance and growth habit is similar to Common Dewberry, but the young stems of Southern Dewberry usually have sharp bristles and prickles. The young stems of Common Dewberry have soft hairs and prickles, but not sharp bristles. The leaves of Southern Dewberry are evergreen, while those of Common Dewberry are deciduous. The appearance of Common Dewberry is somewhat variable across its broad range, although different varieties have not been described for Illinois.
Flowers & Leaflets
Young stems often terminate in a corymb of 1-5 flowers. Each flower is about 1-1¼" across when fully open; it consists of 5 white petals, 5 lanceolate green sepals, and numerous stamens that surround a green cluster of carpels. The petals are longer than the sepals and they often have a somewhat wrinkled appearance. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer and lasts about 1-2 months. The flowers open up during the day and close at night. Each fertilized flower is replaced by a compound drupe up to 1" long that is longer than it is broad. A fully ripened drupe becomes purple-black or black and it has a tart-sweet flavor. This drupe does not detach from its receptacle easily. The root system consists of a woody taproot. This woody vine spreads by reseeding itself; sometimes, the tips of young stems will root in the ground, forming vegetative offsets.
Cultivation: This plant typically grows in full to partial sun and mesic to dry conditions. It tolerates different kinds of soil, including those containing loam, clay-loam, sand, or rocky material.
Range & Habitat: The native Common Dewberry is common in the southern half of Illinois; it is less common or absent in the northern half of the state, particularly in the NW area (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic to dry savannas and sandy savannas, woodland borders, meadows in wooded areas, and abandoned fields. Common Dewberry is found in both sandy and non-sandy habitats. Occasional wildfires that remove tall woody vegetation tend to increase the population of Common Dewberry.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract both long-tongued and short-tongued bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, Mason bees, Leaf-Cutting bees, Cuckoo bees (Nomadine), and Miner bees (Eucerine). These insects suck nectar or collect pollen. The flowers also attract butterflies, skippers, and various flies. Insects that feed on various parts of Common Dewberry and other Rubus spp. include Siphonophora rubi (Blackberry Aphid; sucks juices), Edwardsiana rosae (Rose Leafhopper; sucks juices), Metallus rubi (Blackberry Leafminer; sawfly maggot tunnels through leaves), Agrilus ruficollis (Red-Necked Cane Borer; beetle grub bores through stems), and the caterpillars of many moths. The drupes of Common Dewberry and other Rubus spp. are an important source of summer food to many upland gamebirds and songbirds (see Bird Table). The Raccoon, Fox Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk, White-Footed Mouse, and other mammals also eat the fruits, while the Cottontail Rabbit and White-Tailed Deer browse on the leaves and stems.
Photographic Location: A meadow in a wooded area at Orchid Hill in Vermilion County, Illinois; a sandy meadow at Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve in Lucas County, Ohio; and the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: The compound drupes (fruits) of Common Dewberry are edible to humans; when they are fully ripened, their flavor is pleasant. Common Dewberry can be distinguished from most Rubus spp. (Blackberries) by its vine-like habit. There are other Rubus spp. that are woody vines in various areas of the state, but they are less common. One of them, Rubus trivialis (Southern Dewberry) is restricted to southern Illinois. Its appearance and growth habit is similar to Common Dewberry, but the young stems of Southern Dewberry usually have sharp bristles and prickles. The young stems of Common Dewberry have soft hairs and prickles, but not sharp bristles. The leaves of Southern Dewberry are evergreen, while those of Common Dewberry are deciduous. The appearance of Common Dewberry is somewhat variable across its broad range, although different varieties have not been described for Illinois.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月02日
Description: This shrub develops first-year and second-year canes that are 2-6' high; the canes often bend or arch to one side, sometimes touching the ground at their tips. The slightly woody canes are light green to dark red, stout, angular, furrowed or ridged, and glabrous; they have sharp prickles less than ¼" long that are straight to slightly curved. The alternate leaves are palmately compound. First-year canes have palmate leaves with 5 leaflets; these leaflets are 3-5" long, 1-2¼" across, elliptic to ovate, and sharply toothed. Second-year canes have palmate leaves with 3 leaflets; these leaflets are similar to the leaflets of first-year canes, except they are a little smaller in size. The upper surface of the leaflets is medium green or yellowish green, indented along the veins, and either hairless or sparsely covered with appressed hairs. The lower surface of the leaflets is pale green with prominent veins; the vein undersides are either hairless or covered with appressed hairs, while the lower surface between the veins is hairless to sparsely hairy. The basal stalklets (petiolules) of the leaflets are light green or yellowish green and either hairless or covered with appressed hairs; they vary in length from 1/8" or 3 mm. (for lower lateral leaflets) to 1/2" or 6 mm. (for terminal leaflets). The petioles of the leaves are 2-4" long; they are light green to yellowish green and either hairless or covered with appressed hairs. The petioles have small prickles along their undersides. At the base of each petiole, there is a pair of deciduous linear stipules (less than ½" long).
Second-year canes develop elongated racemes of 5-20 flowers about 2-6" long. The peduncle and pedicels of each raceme are light green to yellowish green and more or less covered with appressed woolly hairs that are white to pale brown; these hairs are non-glandular. The pedicels are ascending to widely spreading. The leafy bracts of each raceme are small, inconspicuous, and deciduous. Individual flowers are about ¾-1" across, consisting of 5 white petals, 5 light green sepals, a greenish compound pistil with multiple styles, and a ring of many stamens. The widely spreading petals are oblong to elliptic in shape, while the sepals are lanceolate, recurved, and densely covered with appressed white hairs. The blooming period occurs during the late spring and lasts about 3 weeks. During the summer, the flowers are replaced by fruits that are compound drupes. At maturity, these compound drupes change from bright red to black; they are about 1/3-2/3" (8-16 mm.) in length and globoid to ovoid in shape. Each drupelet of a drupe contains a single yellow seed. Mature drupes are juicy and vary in flavor from sour to sweet-tart. Second-year canes die down after bearing fruits, but they are replaced by new canes from underground runners.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, silt, sand, or gravel. At drier sites, this blackberry does better when it receives some protection from the afternoon sun.
Range & Habitat: The native Highbush Blackberry is occasional to locally common in most areas of Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is less common in the northern section of the state than elsewhere because Illinois lies close to its northern range limit. Habitats include savannas and sandy savannas, thickets and sandy thickets, riverbottom prairies and moist sand prairies, woodland borders, and acidic gravelly seeps. This blackberry is usually found in areas where there has been some disturbance from natural or human-related causes. It is a pioneer species.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract a variety of insects, especially long-tongued and short-tongued bees. Other floral visitors include wasps, flies, butterflies, and skippers. Other insects feed on the foliage, bore through the canes, or use other parts of blackberries as a food source. These species include the caterpillars of Satyrium liparops strigosum (Striped Hairstreak); also the caterpillars of such moths as Chlorochlamys chloroleuca (Blackberry Looper Moth), Olethreutes permundana (Raspberry Leafroller), Pennisetia marginata (Raspberry Crown Borer), and others (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include the larvae of Hartigia trimaculata (Rose Shoot Sawfly) and Metallus rohweri (Blackberry Leafminer); Trioza tripunctata (Blackberry Psyllid); the treehoppers Stictocephala albescens and Stictocephala taurina; Typhlocyba rosae (Rose Leafhopper), Erythroneura octonotata (Eight-Spotted Leafhopper), and other leafhoppers; the aphids Amphorophora sensoriata, Aphis rubicola, and Aphis rubifolii; the plant bug Dicyphus famelicus; the larvae of such wood-boring beetles as Agrilus ruficollis (Red-Necked Cane Borer) and Oberea bimaculata (Raspberry Cane Borer); the leaf beetles Neochlamisus eubati and Neochlamisus gibbosus; and Byturus unicolor (Raspberry Fruitworm Beetle). The Insect Table provides a more complete listing of these various insect species. The fruits of blackberries are an important source of food to many upland gamebirds and songbirds (see Bird Table), and they are also eaten by such mammals as the Black Bear, Gray Fox, Red Fox, Opossum, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, Fox Squirrel, Gray Squirrel, Red Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk, White-Footed Mouse, Woodland Deer Mouse, and Jumping Mouse. Notwithstanding the prickles, both the Cottontail Rabbit and White-Tailed Deer occasionally browse on the foliage and tender first-year canes. Blackberry thickets also provide nesting habitat for various songbirds, including the Cardinal, Yellow-Breasted Chat, Indigo Bunting, and Field Sparrow. Such thickets also provide good protective cover for many birds, mammals, and other wildlife.
Photographic Location: A moist sand prairie at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in NW Indiana.
Comments: Highbush Blackberry has a similar appearance to Rubus allegheniensis (Common Blackberry). Both of these species produce elongated racemes of flowers (or drupes) that have small and insignificant bracts. While the racemes of Highbush Blackberry have stalks with woolly non-glandular hairs, the racemes of Common Blackberry have stalks with sticky-glandular hairs. The drupes of Common Blackberry are usually longer (½-¾" ) than those of Highbush Blackberry, its leaflets are usually more broad in shape, and the petals of its flowers are slightly wider and tend to overlap. With the exception of the presence or absence of glandular hairs, these differences are more subtle than dramatic. Another common species, Rubus pensilvanicus (Leafy-Bracted Blackberry), produces its flowers (and drupes) in flat-headed corymbs that have large leafy bracts. As a result, its flowers and fruits are sometimes partially hidden by these bracts. In the Rubus genus, there has been excessive taxonomic splitting in the past. As a result, some older species of blackberry are now regarded as variants of current species of blackberry; Rubus ostryifolius and several others are considered scientific synonyms of Rubus argutus (Highbush Blackberry). Other common names of this species are Sawtooth Blackberry, Sharp-Toothed Blackberry, and Florida Prickly Blackberry.
Second-year canes develop elongated racemes of 5-20 flowers about 2-6" long. The peduncle and pedicels of each raceme are light green to yellowish green and more or less covered with appressed woolly hairs that are white to pale brown; these hairs are non-glandular. The pedicels are ascending to widely spreading. The leafy bracts of each raceme are small, inconspicuous, and deciduous. Individual flowers are about ¾-1" across, consisting of 5 white petals, 5 light green sepals, a greenish compound pistil with multiple styles, and a ring of many stamens. The widely spreading petals are oblong to elliptic in shape, while the sepals are lanceolate, recurved, and densely covered with appressed white hairs. The blooming period occurs during the late spring and lasts about 3 weeks. During the summer, the flowers are replaced by fruits that are compound drupes. At maturity, these compound drupes change from bright red to black; they are about 1/3-2/3" (8-16 mm.) in length and globoid to ovoid in shape. Each drupelet of a drupe contains a single yellow seed. Mature drupes are juicy and vary in flavor from sour to sweet-tart. Second-year canes die down after bearing fruits, but they are replaced by new canes from underground runners.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, silt, sand, or gravel. At drier sites, this blackberry does better when it receives some protection from the afternoon sun.
Range & Habitat: The native Highbush Blackberry is occasional to locally common in most areas of Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is less common in the northern section of the state than elsewhere because Illinois lies close to its northern range limit. Habitats include savannas and sandy savannas, thickets and sandy thickets, riverbottom prairies and moist sand prairies, woodland borders, and acidic gravelly seeps. This blackberry is usually found in areas where there has been some disturbance from natural or human-related causes. It is a pioneer species.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract a variety of insects, especially long-tongued and short-tongued bees. Other floral visitors include wasps, flies, butterflies, and skippers. Other insects feed on the foliage, bore through the canes, or use other parts of blackberries as a food source. These species include the caterpillars of Satyrium liparops strigosum (Striped Hairstreak); also the caterpillars of such moths as Chlorochlamys chloroleuca (Blackberry Looper Moth), Olethreutes permundana (Raspberry Leafroller), Pennisetia marginata (Raspberry Crown Borer), and others (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include the larvae of Hartigia trimaculata (Rose Shoot Sawfly) and Metallus rohweri (Blackberry Leafminer); Trioza tripunctata (Blackberry Psyllid); the treehoppers Stictocephala albescens and Stictocephala taurina; Typhlocyba rosae (Rose Leafhopper), Erythroneura octonotata (Eight-Spotted Leafhopper), and other leafhoppers; the aphids Amphorophora sensoriata, Aphis rubicola, and Aphis rubifolii; the plant bug Dicyphus famelicus; the larvae of such wood-boring beetles as Agrilus ruficollis (Red-Necked Cane Borer) and Oberea bimaculata (Raspberry Cane Borer); the leaf beetles Neochlamisus eubati and Neochlamisus gibbosus; and Byturus unicolor (Raspberry Fruitworm Beetle). The Insect Table provides a more complete listing of these various insect species. The fruits of blackberries are an important source of food to many upland gamebirds and songbirds (see Bird Table), and they are also eaten by such mammals as the Black Bear, Gray Fox, Red Fox, Opossum, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, Fox Squirrel, Gray Squirrel, Red Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk, White-Footed Mouse, Woodland Deer Mouse, and Jumping Mouse. Notwithstanding the prickles, both the Cottontail Rabbit and White-Tailed Deer occasionally browse on the foliage and tender first-year canes. Blackberry thickets also provide nesting habitat for various songbirds, including the Cardinal, Yellow-Breasted Chat, Indigo Bunting, and Field Sparrow. Such thickets also provide good protective cover for many birds, mammals, and other wildlife.
Photographic Location: A moist sand prairie at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in NW Indiana.
Comments: Highbush Blackberry has a similar appearance to Rubus allegheniensis (Common Blackberry). Both of these species produce elongated racemes of flowers (or drupes) that have small and insignificant bracts. While the racemes of Highbush Blackberry have stalks with woolly non-glandular hairs, the racemes of Common Blackberry have stalks with sticky-glandular hairs. The drupes of Common Blackberry are usually longer (½-¾" ) than those of Highbush Blackberry, its leaflets are usually more broad in shape, and the petals of its flowers are slightly wider and tend to overlap. With the exception of the presence or absence of glandular hairs, these differences are more subtle than dramatic. Another common species, Rubus pensilvanicus (Leafy-Bracted Blackberry), produces its flowers (and drupes) in flat-headed corymbs that have large leafy bracts. As a result, its flowers and fruits are sometimes partially hidden by these bracts. In the Rubus genus, there has been excessive taxonomic splitting in the past. As a result, some older species of blackberry are now regarded as variants of current species of blackberry; Rubus ostryifolius and several others are considered scientific synonyms of Rubus argutus (Highbush Blackberry). Other common names of this species are Sawtooth Blackberry, Sharp-Toothed Blackberry, and Florida Prickly Blackberry.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月02日
Description: This woody shrub is about 2-4' tall, branching occasionally. Young branches are green, but older branches become grey or brown and woody. The branches have two different kinds of thorns: large straight thorns (about ½" or longer) that are reddish brown and small straight thorns (¼" or less) that are brown. The large thorns occur in bunches of 1-3 where the petioles of the leaves occur (or used to occur), while the small thorns are abundant on the larger branches. However, smaller branches may lack small thorns altogether. The deciduous leaves occur alternately along the stems in bunches of 1-3. Each leaf is up to 2" long and across and palmately lobed; there are 3-5 major lobes and several smaller lobes (or large teeth that are crenate). Each lobe is cleft and tapers to a blunt point. The base of each leaf is slightly cordate, truncate, or obtuse. The upper surface of each leaf is hairless to slightly pubescent, while the lower surface is nearly hairless to pubescent. The petiole of each leaf is somewhat hairy and about 1–1½" long.
Near the base of some leaf petioles, a raceme or corymb of 1-3 flowers is produced. The stalk of this inflorescence spreads horizontally, while the flowers droop downward on slender pedicels. Each flower has a narrow tubular calyx with 4-5 linear-oblong lobes, a similar number of strongly exerted stamens, and a smooth ovary at its base; this flower is up to ½" long (including the stamens). The tubular calyx and its lobes are white (sometimes tinted green or purple); the stamens are at least twice as long as the tubular calyx. The blooming period occurs during late spring and lasts about 2 weeks. Each fertilized flower is replaced by a globoid berry about 1/3" (8 mm.) across or a little larger; this berry is initially green and glabrous, but it later becomes dull red or dull purple. There are no prickles on the surface. The berries are juicy and contain many minute seeds. The root system is woody and branching.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to slightly dry conditions, and loamy or rocky soil with organic material to retain moisture. In excessive shade, flowers and fruit may not be produced. Gooseberries and currants (both Ribes spp.) can be hosts to White Pine blister rust. This is not usually a problem in Illinois, as White Pine and its relatives occur in boreal areas to the north of the state.
Range & Habitat: The native Missouri Gooseberry is occasional to locally common in central, northern, and SW Illinois, but it is absent in the SE and south-central areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic to dry open woodlands, savannas, woodland borders, thickets, powerline clearances and small meadows in wooded areas, abandoned fields, and partially shaded fence rows. Occasional disturbance is beneficial if it removes some of the overhead tree canopy.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract bees primarily; this includes both long-tongued and short-tongued bees. Less common insect visitors include flies, butterflies, Hummingbird moths, and wasps. Bees with long-tongues are more effective at pollinating the flowers than other visitors. Examples of such bees are bumblebees, Anthophorid bees, Mason bees, and Digger bees (Eucerine). The caterpillars of the butterflies Polygonia faunus (Green Comma) and Polygonia progne (Gray Comma) feed on the foliage of Ribes spp. (Gooseberries, Currants). The Insect Table lists other species that feed on Gooseberries and Currants. The fruit is occasionally eaten by some songbirds, including the Catbird, Robin, Brown Thrasher, and Cedar Waxwing. The fruit is also eaten by some mammals, including the Red Fox, Eastern Skunk, Raccoon, Red Squirrel, Deer Mouse, and White-Footed Mouse. These animals help to distribute the seeds to new locations.
Photographic Location: The edge of a deciduous woodland at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois. The fruit in the lower photograph is still green.
Leaf Underside & Fruit
Comments: This is the most common Gooseberry in Illinois (excluding cultivated forms). Like many other Gooseberries, it is a rather spiny shrub with palmately cleft leaves and odd drooping flowers. Missouri Gooseberry differs from Ribes cynosbati (Prickly Gooseberry), a less common species in Illinois, by the smooth surface of its berries; the latter has berries with a conspicuously prickly surface. The leaf bases of Prickly Gooseberry are usually more cordate than those of Missouri Gooseberry, and the stamens of its flowers are not exerted beyond the tubular calyx. Another species, Ribes hirtellum (Northern Gooseberry), is restricted to northern Illinois. This species has yellowish green flowers with tubular calyxes that are more broad, and its exerted stamens are up to twice the length of the corollas. Missouri Gooseberry has flowers that are more or less white; they have narrow tubular calyxes with exerted stamens that are at least twice the length of the calyx tubes (excluding their lobes). The branches of Missouri Gooseberry are usually more thorny than those of Northern Gooseberry; the larger thorns of the former are ½" or more in length, while the thorns of the latter are less than ½" in length.
Near the base of some leaf petioles, a raceme or corymb of 1-3 flowers is produced. The stalk of this inflorescence spreads horizontally, while the flowers droop downward on slender pedicels. Each flower has a narrow tubular calyx with 4-5 linear-oblong lobes, a similar number of strongly exerted stamens, and a smooth ovary at its base; this flower is up to ½" long (including the stamens). The tubular calyx and its lobes are white (sometimes tinted green or purple); the stamens are at least twice as long as the tubular calyx. The blooming period occurs during late spring and lasts about 2 weeks. Each fertilized flower is replaced by a globoid berry about 1/3" (8 mm.) across or a little larger; this berry is initially green and glabrous, but it later becomes dull red or dull purple. There are no prickles on the surface. The berries are juicy and contain many minute seeds. The root system is woody and branching.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to slightly dry conditions, and loamy or rocky soil with organic material to retain moisture. In excessive shade, flowers and fruit may not be produced. Gooseberries and currants (both Ribes spp.) can be hosts to White Pine blister rust. This is not usually a problem in Illinois, as White Pine and its relatives occur in boreal areas to the north of the state.
Range & Habitat: The native Missouri Gooseberry is occasional to locally common in central, northern, and SW Illinois, but it is absent in the SE and south-central areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include mesic to dry open woodlands, savannas, woodland borders, thickets, powerline clearances and small meadows in wooded areas, abandoned fields, and partially shaded fence rows. Occasional disturbance is beneficial if it removes some of the overhead tree canopy.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract bees primarily; this includes both long-tongued and short-tongued bees. Less common insect visitors include flies, butterflies, Hummingbird moths, and wasps. Bees with long-tongues are more effective at pollinating the flowers than other visitors. Examples of such bees are bumblebees, Anthophorid bees, Mason bees, and Digger bees (Eucerine). The caterpillars of the butterflies Polygonia faunus (Green Comma) and Polygonia progne (Gray Comma) feed on the foliage of Ribes spp. (Gooseberries, Currants). The Insect Table lists other species that feed on Gooseberries and Currants. The fruit is occasionally eaten by some songbirds, including the Catbird, Robin, Brown Thrasher, and Cedar Waxwing. The fruit is also eaten by some mammals, including the Red Fox, Eastern Skunk, Raccoon, Red Squirrel, Deer Mouse, and White-Footed Mouse. These animals help to distribute the seeds to new locations.
Photographic Location: The edge of a deciduous woodland at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois. The fruit in the lower photograph is still green.
Leaf Underside & Fruit
Comments: This is the most common Gooseberry in Illinois (excluding cultivated forms). Like many other Gooseberries, it is a rather spiny shrub with palmately cleft leaves and odd drooping flowers. Missouri Gooseberry differs from Ribes cynosbati (Prickly Gooseberry), a less common species in Illinois, by the smooth surface of its berries; the latter has berries with a conspicuously prickly surface. The leaf bases of Prickly Gooseberry are usually more cordate than those of Missouri Gooseberry, and the stamens of its flowers are not exerted beyond the tubular calyx. Another species, Ribes hirtellum (Northern Gooseberry), is restricted to northern Illinois. This species has yellowish green flowers with tubular calyxes that are more broad, and its exerted stamens are up to twice the length of the corollas. Missouri Gooseberry has flowers that are more or less white; they have narrow tubular calyxes with exerted stamens that are at least twice the length of the calyx tubes (excluding their lobes). The branches of Missouri Gooseberry are usually more thorny than those of Northern Gooseberry; the larger thorns of the former are ½" or more in length, while the thorns of the latter are less than ½" in length.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月02日
Description: This woody shrub is about 2-4' tall, branching occasionally. Young branches are green, while older branches are grey or brown. They have two kinds of thorns: long thorns about ½" long that occur in groups of 1-3 near the petioles of the leaves (or where the petioles used to be located), and shorter thorns about ¼" or less that are abundant on major branches, but fewer in number or absent on smaller branches. These thorns are straight and brown to reddish brown. The leaves occur alternately along the branches in groups of 1-3. Each leaf is up to 2" long and across; it is palmately lobed and crenate along the margins. There are usually 3-5 major lobes per leaf, and several lesser lobes; they are cleft and taper to blunt tips. The upper surface of each leaf is slightly pubescent to hairless, while the lower surface is pubescent to slightly pubescent. Each leaf is cordate (indented) at the base where the petiole joins the blade. The petioles are usually hairy and up to 1½" long. Flowers are produced in groups of 1-3 near the petioles of some leaves; the inflorescence is either a branched cyme or a short raceme, from which the flowers droop downward. The slender pedicels of the flowers are green and pubescent or slightly hairy.
Each flower is about 1/3" (8 mm.) long and greenish yellow; it consists of short tubular calyx with 4-5 spreading lobes, a similar number of stamens, and a prickly or bristly ovary underneath. The short lobes are oblong to oval in shape, while the stamens extend no farther than the tubular calyx (they are not exerted). The petals are smaller than the calyx lobes and insignificant. The blooming period occurs during late spring and lasts about 2 weeks. Each fertilized flower develops into a globoid berry about 1/3" (8 mm.) across or a little larger. Immature berries are shiny and green, but they later become dull red or dull purple. All berries have conspicuous prickles. The berries are juicy and contain several minute seeds. The root system is branching and woody.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and loamy or rocky soil. In excessive shade, flowers and fruit may fail to develop. Gooseberries and currants (Ribes spp.) are alternate hosts to White Pine Blister rust.
Range & Habitat: The native Prickly Gooseberry occurs occasionally in central and northern Illinois, while in the southern part of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include thin rocky woodlands, wooded slopes, woodland borders, and limestone bluffs. Some disturbance is beneficial to this species if it reduces the overhead tree canopy.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract honeybees, bumblebees, Large Carpenter bees, Andrenid bees, Syrphid flies, and various ants; most of these visitors suck nectar from the flowers, although Andrenid bees also collect pollen. The bees are more effective pollinators than either flies or ants. The caterpillars of the butterflies Polygonia faunus (Green Comma) and Polygonia progne (Gray Comma) feed on the foliage of Ribes spp. (Gooseberries, Currants). The Insect Table lists additional insects that feed on gooseberries and currants. Some songbirds eat the fruit, including the Catbird, Robin, Brown Thrasher, and Cedar Waxwing. Various mammals eat the fruit as well, including the Red Fox, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, Red Squirrel, Deer Mouse, and White-Footed Mouse. These animals help to distribute the seeds to new locations. To some extent, White-Tailed Deer browse on the branches and leaves, notwithstanding the presence of thorns.
Photographic Location: A rocky bluff with oak trees in Vermilion County, Illinois. In the photograph of leafy branches, there is some evidence of browsing by deer.
Comments: The most striking feature of this shrub is its prickly berries. It is unclear what advantage this provides in comparison to berries without prickles. Other species of plants produce prickly fruits as well – e.g., some Opuntia spp. (Prickly Pear Cacti) have prickly fruits that are offered for sale in grocery stores. In addition to its prickly berries, Prickly Gooseberry can be distinguished from other Ribes spp. (Gooseberries) by the inserted stamens of its flowers and leaves with indented bases (cordate). Other Gooseberries in Illinois have non-prickly berries, flowers with exerted stamens, and leaf bases that are truncate, rounded (obtuse), or less indented. Those Ribes spp. that are Currants have larger clusters of flowers/berries (5 or more). Prickly Gooseberry is more common in areas that are located to the north and east of Illinois.
Each flower is about 1/3" (8 mm.) long and greenish yellow; it consists of short tubular calyx with 4-5 spreading lobes, a similar number of stamens, and a prickly or bristly ovary underneath. The short lobes are oblong to oval in shape, while the stamens extend no farther than the tubular calyx (they are not exerted). The petals are smaller than the calyx lobes and insignificant. The blooming period occurs during late spring and lasts about 2 weeks. Each fertilized flower develops into a globoid berry about 1/3" (8 mm.) across or a little larger. Immature berries are shiny and green, but they later become dull red or dull purple. All berries have conspicuous prickles. The berries are juicy and contain several minute seeds. The root system is branching and woody.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and loamy or rocky soil. In excessive shade, flowers and fruit may fail to develop. Gooseberries and currants (Ribes spp.) are alternate hosts to White Pine Blister rust.
Range & Habitat: The native Prickly Gooseberry occurs occasionally in central and northern Illinois, while in the southern part of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include thin rocky woodlands, wooded slopes, woodland borders, and limestone bluffs. Some disturbance is beneficial to this species if it reduces the overhead tree canopy.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract honeybees, bumblebees, Large Carpenter bees, Andrenid bees, Syrphid flies, and various ants; most of these visitors suck nectar from the flowers, although Andrenid bees also collect pollen. The bees are more effective pollinators than either flies or ants. The caterpillars of the butterflies Polygonia faunus (Green Comma) and Polygonia progne (Gray Comma) feed on the foliage of Ribes spp. (Gooseberries, Currants). The Insect Table lists additional insects that feed on gooseberries and currants. Some songbirds eat the fruit, including the Catbird, Robin, Brown Thrasher, and Cedar Waxwing. Various mammals eat the fruit as well, including the Red Fox, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, Red Squirrel, Deer Mouse, and White-Footed Mouse. These animals help to distribute the seeds to new locations. To some extent, White-Tailed Deer browse on the branches and leaves, notwithstanding the presence of thorns.
Photographic Location: A rocky bluff with oak trees in Vermilion County, Illinois. In the photograph of leafy branches, there is some evidence of browsing by deer.
Comments: The most striking feature of this shrub is its prickly berries. It is unclear what advantage this provides in comparison to berries without prickles. Other species of plants produce prickly fruits as well – e.g., some Opuntia spp. (Prickly Pear Cacti) have prickly fruits that are offered for sale in grocery stores. In addition to its prickly berries, Prickly Gooseberry can be distinguished from other Ribes spp. (Gooseberries) by the inserted stamens of its flowers and leaves with indented bases (cordate). Other Gooseberries in Illinois have non-prickly berries, flowers with exerted stamens, and leaf bases that are truncate, rounded (obtuse), or less indented. Those Ribes spp. that are Currants have larger clusters of flowers/berries (5 or more). Prickly Gooseberry is more common in areas that are located to the north and east of Illinois.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月01日
Description: This perennial herbaceous plant is 1½–3¼' tall, branching occasionally to frequently. The stems are light green to brownish red, terete, and hairless to hairy. Sessile leaves alternate along the stems. The early leaves of this plant, after it emerges from the ground during the spring, are trifoliate-pinnatifid in structure. and their leaflets are sessile. The middle leaflet is cleft into 1-2 pairs of larger lateral lobes and a prominent terminal lobe; it also has smaller cleft lobes or coarse teeth along its margins. The lateral leaflets are more asymmetric in shape; the lateral leaflets typically are cleft into 1-2 larger outer lobes, 0-1 larger inner lobes, and there are several smaller lobes or coarse teeth along their margins. The lobes of these early leaves are oblong-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate in shape. Later leaves are trifoliate with simple leaflets; their sessile leaflets are 2–3½" long, narrowly lanceolate or elliptic in shape, and the margins of these leaflets are coarsely serrate or double-serrate (or rarely shallowly cleft). The upper leaf surface is yellowish green to medium green and sparsely short-pubescent to hairless, while the lower leaf surface is more pale and sparsely to abundantly glandular short-pubescent. Young leaves are more yellowish and hairy than mature leaves. At the leaf bases, there are pairs of persistent leafy stipules about ½–1" long; they are sessile. Individual stipules are ovate to reniform-orbicular in shape; they are shallowly cleft or coarsely serrated along their margins. The upper and lower surfaces of the stipules are similar to those of the leaves.
Upper stems terminate in either individual flowers or small cymes of 2-5 flowers. The branches of the cymes and pedicels of the flowers are slender and hairless to sparsely short-pubescent; the pedicels are ½–2" long. Individual flowers are ¾–1¼" across when they are fully open. Each flower consists of a short-cylindrical calyx with 5 upright teeth, 5 spreading white petals, 10-20 stamens, and 5 clustered pistils. The calyx is about ¼" long, light green to red, and hairless to sparsely short-pubescent; its small teeth are triangular in shape. The petals are narrowly elliptic or narrowly oblanceolate-elliptic in shape. The stamens have short filaments and light brown to dark brown anthers. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer, lasting about 2-3 weeks. Afterwards, individual flowers are replaced by 5 clustered follicles that are partially exserted from the persistent calyx. Individual follicles are about ½" long, 3-angled-ovoid in shape with slender beaks, and few-seeded; they eventually split open to release their seeds. Mature individual seeds are about 2.5 mm. long, reddish brown, broadly oblongoid-ellipsoid in shape, flattened along one side, and minutely pitted. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. During the autumn, the foliage of this plant becomes pinkish yellow or red.
Cultivation: The preference is mesic to dry-mesic conditions, partial sun, and clay-loam, loam, or rocky ground. This wildflower should be cultivated more often.
Range & Habitat: The native American Ipecac (Porteranthus stipulatus) occurs occasionally in the southern half of Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is absent or rare (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the northern range-limit of this species. Habitats include upland woodlands, rocky wooded slopes, upland savannas, and limestone glades. Oak trees (Quercus spp.) are usually the dominant canopy trees in these habitats. Occasional wildfires are probably beneficial in maintaining populations of this species. It usually occurs in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily bees, including Anthophorine bees (Anthophora spp.), little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), resin bees (Heriades spp.), mason bees (Hoplitis spp., Osmia spp.), leaf-cutter bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees (Lasioglossum spp.), and dagger bees (Calliopsis spp.). Other insect pollinators include nectar-seeking butterflies, skippers, bee flies (Bombyliidae), and thick-headed flies (Conopidae); see Robertson (1929) and Rudolph et al. (2006). The foliage is toxic to mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: An upland woodland along Lake Charleston in Coles County, Illinois, and the wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: American Ipecac (Porteranthus stipulatus) has a distinctive appearance, particularly during the relatively short period when it is in bloom. The stipules of this plant are unusually large in size and persistent. Another similar species, Bowman's Root (Porteranthus trifoliatus), occurs further to the east in the Appalachian Mountains, but it has not been found in Illinois as a native or naturalized wildflower. Compared to American Ipecac, this latter species has much smaller stipules along its stems and they are early-deciduous, rather than persistent. Bowman's Root has flowers with slightly longer petals and a longer cylindrical calyx; the leaflets of this plant are also wider than those of American Ipecac. Both of these plants have been referred to as Indian Physic, and some authorities assign them to the Gillenia genus. Thus, a scientific synonym of American Ipecac is Gillenia stipulata.
Upper stems terminate in either individual flowers or small cymes of 2-5 flowers. The branches of the cymes and pedicels of the flowers are slender and hairless to sparsely short-pubescent; the pedicels are ½–2" long. Individual flowers are ¾–1¼" across when they are fully open. Each flower consists of a short-cylindrical calyx with 5 upright teeth, 5 spreading white petals, 10-20 stamens, and 5 clustered pistils. The calyx is about ¼" long, light green to red, and hairless to sparsely short-pubescent; its small teeth are triangular in shape. The petals are narrowly elliptic or narrowly oblanceolate-elliptic in shape. The stamens have short filaments and light brown to dark brown anthers. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer, lasting about 2-3 weeks. Afterwards, individual flowers are replaced by 5 clustered follicles that are partially exserted from the persistent calyx. Individual follicles are about ½" long, 3-angled-ovoid in shape with slender beaks, and few-seeded; they eventually split open to release their seeds. Mature individual seeds are about 2.5 mm. long, reddish brown, broadly oblongoid-ellipsoid in shape, flattened along one side, and minutely pitted. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. During the autumn, the foliage of this plant becomes pinkish yellow or red.
Cultivation: The preference is mesic to dry-mesic conditions, partial sun, and clay-loam, loam, or rocky ground. This wildflower should be cultivated more often.
Range & Habitat: The native American Ipecac (Porteranthus stipulatus) occurs occasionally in the southern half of Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is absent or rare (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies along the northern range-limit of this species. Habitats include upland woodlands, rocky wooded slopes, upland savannas, and limestone glades. Oak trees (Quercus spp.) are usually the dominant canopy trees in these habitats. Occasional wildfires are probably beneficial in maintaining populations of this species. It usually occurs in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily bees, including Anthophorine bees (Anthophora spp.), little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), resin bees (Heriades spp.), mason bees (Hoplitis spp., Osmia spp.), leaf-cutter bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees (Lasioglossum spp.), and dagger bees (Calliopsis spp.). Other insect pollinators include nectar-seeking butterflies, skippers, bee flies (Bombyliidae), and thick-headed flies (Conopidae); see Robertson (1929) and Rudolph et al. (2006). The foliage is toxic to mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: An upland woodland along Lake Charleston in Coles County, Illinois, and the wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: American Ipecac (Porteranthus stipulatus) has a distinctive appearance, particularly during the relatively short period when it is in bloom. The stipules of this plant are unusually large in size and persistent. Another similar species, Bowman's Root (Porteranthus trifoliatus), occurs further to the east in the Appalachian Mountains, but it has not been found in Illinois as a native or naturalized wildflower. Compared to American Ipecac, this latter species has much smaller stipules along its stems and they are early-deciduous, rather than persistent. Bowman's Root has flowers with slightly longer petals and a longer cylindrical calyx; the leaflets of this plant are also wider than those of American Ipecac. Both of these plants have been referred to as Indian Physic, and some authorities assign them to the Gillenia genus. Thus, a scientific synonym of American Ipecac is Gillenia stipulata.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月01日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 1-1¾' tall, producing one or more leafy stems from the root system that are erect to ascending. These stems are light green to reddish purple, terete, and usually unbranched; they are rough-canescent above and mostly glabrous below. Alternate leaves occur along these stems that are variable in size: toward the bottom of each central stem, the leaf blades are small and scale-like, while along the middle to upper parts of the stem they are 1-2½" long and ¼-¾" across. The middle to upper leaf blades are narrowly lanceolate to ovate and smooth to finely serrated along their margins; the margins are often slightly ciliate. The typical variety of Seneca Snakeroot has narrow leaf blades less than ½" across, while var. latifolia has wider leaf blades that sometimes exceed ½" across. The upper blade surface is yellowish to medium green and glabrous to sparsely canescent, while the lower blade surface is pale green and sparsely canescent. The petioles of the leaves are 1/8" (3 mm.) long or less.
The central stem (and any lateral stems) terminates in a spike-like raceme of flowers about 1½-3" long; the small flowers are arranged densely along the central stalk of the raceme, blooming from the bottom to the top. The central stalk of the raceme is light green and canescent. Individual flowers are about 1/8" (3 mm.) across, consisting of 3 white petals, 2 white petaloid sepals, 3 light green to purple non-petaloid sepals, 8 stamens that are arranged in 2 rows, and a pistil with a single style. The petals form a tubular corolla around the reproductive organs of the flower, while the petaloid sepals form lateral wings. One of the petals is usually fringed. The inconspicuous pedicels of the flowers are less than 1/8" (3 mm.) in length. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 3-4 weeks. The flowers are replaced by 2-celled seed capsules that 2-4 mm. long, 3-4 mm. across, and somewhat flattened. Each cell of the capsule contains a single lanceoloid seed about 1/8" long that is slightly hairy toward the bottom. The root system consists of a slightly woody crown or taproot with secondary fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, clay-loam, or rocky material.
Range & Habitat: Seneca Snakeroot is occasional in northern and central Illinois, while in the southern part of the state it is largely absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland gravel prairies, hill prairies, savannas, wooded slopes along rivers or lakes, and abandoned fields. Occasional wildfires and other kinds of disturbance are beneficial if they reduce competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Various small to medium-sized bees visit the flowers for nectar or pollen. Caterpillars of the moth, Phytometra rhodarialis (Pink-Border Yellow), feed on Polygala spp. (Milkworts). Mammalian herbivores probably feed on the foliage only to a limited extent, if at all, because of its bitterness.
Photographic Location: The Coneflower Hill Prairie near Lake Shelbyville in Moultrie County, Illinois. The photographed plant is the wide-leaved variety of Seneca Snakeroot, Polygala senega latifolia.
Comments: The flowers of Seneca Snakeroot have a bud-like appearance even when they are open. For this species, there is some significant variability in the width of the leaves and the size of the seed capsules and their seeds. In Illinois, other Polygala spp. (Milkworts) have non-white flowers or their leaves are whorled, rather than alternate. They also tend to be smaller in size overall than Seneca Snakeroot. Therefore, it is fairly easy to distinguish Seneca Snakeroot from these other species. This species also superficially resembles some Persicaria spp. (Smartweeds) with white flowers, however the latter have conspicuous ochreae (sheaths) that wrap around their stems and they prefer wetter habitats. Seneca Snakeroot also has floral racemes that superficially resemble those of Orbexilum pedunculatum (Sampson's Snakeroot), but the latter species can be easily distinguished by its trifoliate leaves.
The central stem (and any lateral stems) terminates in a spike-like raceme of flowers about 1½-3" long; the small flowers are arranged densely along the central stalk of the raceme, blooming from the bottom to the top. The central stalk of the raceme is light green and canescent. Individual flowers are about 1/8" (3 mm.) across, consisting of 3 white petals, 2 white petaloid sepals, 3 light green to purple non-petaloid sepals, 8 stamens that are arranged in 2 rows, and a pistil with a single style. The petals form a tubular corolla around the reproductive organs of the flower, while the petaloid sepals form lateral wings. One of the petals is usually fringed. The inconspicuous pedicels of the flowers are less than 1/8" (3 mm.) in length. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 3-4 weeks. The flowers are replaced by 2-celled seed capsules that 2-4 mm. long, 3-4 mm. across, and somewhat flattened. Each cell of the capsule contains a single lanceoloid seed about 1/8" long that is slightly hairy toward the bottom. The root system consists of a slightly woody crown or taproot with secondary fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, clay-loam, or rocky material.
Range & Habitat: Seneca Snakeroot is occasional in northern and central Illinois, while in the southern part of the state it is largely absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland gravel prairies, hill prairies, savannas, wooded slopes along rivers or lakes, and abandoned fields. Occasional wildfires and other kinds of disturbance are beneficial if they reduce competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Various small to medium-sized bees visit the flowers for nectar or pollen. Caterpillars of the moth, Phytometra rhodarialis (Pink-Border Yellow), feed on Polygala spp. (Milkworts). Mammalian herbivores probably feed on the foliage only to a limited extent, if at all, because of its bitterness.
Photographic Location: The Coneflower Hill Prairie near Lake Shelbyville in Moultrie County, Illinois. The photographed plant is the wide-leaved variety of Seneca Snakeroot, Polygala senega latifolia.
Comments: The flowers of Seneca Snakeroot have a bud-like appearance even when they are open. For this species, there is some significant variability in the width of the leaves and the size of the seed capsules and their seeds. In Illinois, other Polygala spp. (Milkworts) have non-white flowers or their leaves are whorled, rather than alternate. They also tend to be smaller in size overall than Seneca Snakeroot. Therefore, it is fairly easy to distinguish Seneca Snakeroot from these other species. This species also superficially resembles some Persicaria spp. (Smartweeds) with white flowers, however the latter have conspicuous ochreae (sheaths) that wrap around their stems and they prefer wetter habitats. Seneca Snakeroot also has floral racemes that superficially resemble those of Orbexilum pedunculatum (Sampson's Snakeroot), but the latter species can be easily distinguished by its trifoliate leaves.
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Miss Chen
2018年04月01日
Description: This biennial wildflower is 4-12" tall, developing one or more leafy stems from a taproot. These stems are erect, ascending, or sprawling; they are light green, glabrous, angular, and usually unbranched (although they may branch after the blooming period). Numerous alternate leaves occur along each stem that are ascending to widely spreading. Individual leaves are narrowly oblong or narrowly oblong-oblanceolate and smooth along their margins; they are medium green, glabrous, and sessile. Each leaf has a single prominent vein.
Each stem terminates in a spike-like raceme of purple flowers about ¾-4" in length. The central stalk of the raceme is light green to purplish green and glabrous. Each flower is about ¼" long and across when it is fully open, consisting of 3 petals, 5 sepals, several inserted stamens, and a pistil with a single style. Two sepals are enlarged, rosy pink to purple, and petaloid, forming a pair of lateral wings. The remaining three sepals are smaller in size, light green to purple, and ovate in shape. The 3 petals form a fringed tubular structure that surrounds the stamens and style; they are rosy pink to purple, often becoming more white toward their tips. The short glabrous pedicels of the flowers are light green to purple, slender, and often nodding. Sometimes a few cleistogamous (self-fertile) flowers develop toward the base of the raceme; they are bud-like and inconspicuous. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer and lasts about 3 weeks. Only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. Afterwards, they are replaced by 2-celled seed capsules; each cell of a capsule contains a single hairy seed. In addition to the above-ground flowers, Purple Milkwort also produces cleistogamous flowers along underground stems. The root system consists of a taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Purple Milkwort is occasional in sandy areas of the northern half of Illinois, while in the southern half of the state it is absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats consist of upland sand prairies, upland sandy savannas, interdunal flats and stabilized sand dunes, and abandoned sandy fields. Habitat destruction, off-road vehicle use, and trampling by park visitors in heavily populated areas are threats to current populations of this plant.
Faunal Associations: Information about floral-faunal relationships for Purple Milkwort and other milkworts (Polygala spp.) is limited. The flowers of Purple Milkwort are cross-pollinated by masked bees (Hylaeus spp.) and other small bees. Even though Purple Milkwort and other milkworts have bitter foliage, they are sometimes grazed by White-Tailed Deer and possibly other herbivores (Martin et al., 1951/1961).
Photographic Location: A stabilized sand dune with scattered oak trees at Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: The flowers of Purple Milkwort are small, but attractive and ornamental, resembling miniature orchid flowers if they are examined closely. It can be distinguished from other milkworts (Polygala spp.) in Illinois by its slender racemes with distinct pedicels and purple flowers. Other milkworts have stout floral spikes with pedicels that are absent or hidden, or they have slender racemes with white flowers. Pink Milkwort (Polygala incarnata) is something of an exception, but it has floral spikes that are more dense and leaves that are scale-like. In addition, the tubular structure of its flowers is more elongated than the corresponding structure of Purple Milkwort's flowers. Another common name of Polygala polygama is Racemed Milkwort.
Each stem terminates in a spike-like raceme of purple flowers about ¾-4" in length. The central stalk of the raceme is light green to purplish green and glabrous. Each flower is about ¼" long and across when it is fully open, consisting of 3 petals, 5 sepals, several inserted stamens, and a pistil with a single style. Two sepals are enlarged, rosy pink to purple, and petaloid, forming a pair of lateral wings. The remaining three sepals are smaller in size, light green to purple, and ovate in shape. The 3 petals form a fringed tubular structure that surrounds the stamens and style; they are rosy pink to purple, often becoming more white toward their tips. The short glabrous pedicels of the flowers are light green to purple, slender, and often nodding. Sometimes a few cleistogamous (self-fertile) flowers develop toward the base of the raceme; they are bud-like and inconspicuous. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer and lasts about 3 weeks. Only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. Afterwards, they are replaced by 2-celled seed capsules; each cell of a capsule contains a single hairy seed. In addition to the above-ground flowers, Purple Milkwort also produces cleistogamous flowers along underground stems. The root system consists of a taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Purple Milkwort is occasional in sandy areas of the northern half of Illinois, while in the southern half of the state it is absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats consist of upland sand prairies, upland sandy savannas, interdunal flats and stabilized sand dunes, and abandoned sandy fields. Habitat destruction, off-road vehicle use, and trampling by park visitors in heavily populated areas are threats to current populations of this plant.
Faunal Associations: Information about floral-faunal relationships for Purple Milkwort and other milkworts (Polygala spp.) is limited. The flowers of Purple Milkwort are cross-pollinated by masked bees (Hylaeus spp.) and other small bees. Even though Purple Milkwort and other milkworts have bitter foliage, they are sometimes grazed by White-Tailed Deer and possibly other herbivores (Martin et al., 1951/1961).
Photographic Location: A stabilized sand dune with scattered oak trees at Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: The flowers of Purple Milkwort are small, but attractive and ornamental, resembling miniature orchid flowers if they are examined closely. It can be distinguished from other milkworts (Polygala spp.) in Illinois by its slender racemes with distinct pedicels and purple flowers. Other milkworts have stout floral spikes with pedicels that are absent or hidden, or they have slender racemes with white flowers. Pink Milkwort (Polygala incarnata) is something of an exception, but it has floral spikes that are more dense and leaves that are scale-like. In addition, the tubular structure of its flowers is more elongated than the corresponding structure of Purple Milkwort's flowers. Another common name of Polygala polygama is Racemed Milkwort.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月31日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 2-4' tall and usually unbranched, except near the apex where the flowers occur. The central stem is light green, round, and usually hairless. Sometimes fine purple streaks occur along the stem. The opposite leaves are up to 6" long and 1" across. They are narrowly ovate or ovate-oblong, with smooth margins and conspicuous pinnate and secondary venation. The margins are slightly ciliate, otherwise the leaves are hairless. The lower leaves have short petioles, while some of the upper leaves may be sessile and rounded at the base.
The central stem and a few secondary stems near the apex of the plant terminate in rather flat-headed or gently rounded panicles of flowers. These flowering stems (peduncles) are often finely pubescent. The individual flowers are about 1" long and ½–¾" across, and can occur in a variety of colors, including bright rosy pink, lavender, and white. Each flower has a long tubular corolla with 5 spreading petals that are well-rounded and overlap slightly. The tubular calyx is green (sometimes with purplish tints) and much smaller than the corolla. The teeth of this calyx are long and narrow. Sometimes the calyx is pubescent or hairy. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer and lasts about 1½ months. The flowers are quite fragrant. The small seed capsules have 3-cells and are oval in shape. Each cell usually contains 2 small seeds. The root system consists of a taproot. Small clumps of plants are often formed.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist conditions, and fertile loamy soil. Light shade is tolerated, but flowers will be produced less abundantly. In full sun, the leaves have a tendency to turn yellowish green and the plants are in greater danger of drying out. Sometimes the leaves are attacked by various kinds of foliar disease, such as powdery mildew. This appears to occur less often among plants growing in the wild than among the cultivated strains that are typically grown in flower gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native Summer Phlox has been observed in most counties of Illinois, except in the NW where it is often absent (see Distribution Map). While this plant is widely distributed here and there, it is rather uncommon in natural habitats, occurring as isolated clumps of plants. Some populations are undoubtedly derived from cultivated forms of the plant that have escaped. Habitats include openings in moist to mesic woodlands, woodland borders, thickets, and semi-shaded areas along rivers. Because of the attractive flowers, Summer Phlox is quite common in flower gardens.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts butterflies, skippers, and moths, including Hummingbird moths and Sphinx moths. Other insects don't have long enough mouthparts to extract the nectar from the base of the corolla. Small flower flies may feed on the pollen, but are not effective pollinators. Some insects suck juices from Phlox spp., including Lopidea davisi (Phlox Scarlet Plant Bug) and Poecilocapsus lineatus (Four-Lined Plant Bug), while the adults of Epicauta pensylvanica (Black Blister Beetle) eat the flowers or foliage. The caterpillars of some moth species feed on the foliage or flowers as well, including Lacinipolia olivacea (Olive Arches) and Heliothis phloxiphagus (Spotted Straw). Mammalian herbivores occasionally eat the foliage of this and other Phlox spp., including deer, rabbits, and livestock.
Photographic Location: A moist woodland edge at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Summer Phlox is the largest of the Phlox spp. in Illinois. This plant is easy to identify because of its leaves, which have conspicuous secondary veins on their upper surface. In other Phlox spp., only the central vein is prominent. A mature specimen of Summer Phlox will have some leaves that easily exceed ½" in width, while the leaves of other Phlox spp. are less than ½" in width. Summer Phlox usually blooms later than other species in this genus, although its blooming period may overlap with Phlox glaberrima (Smooth Phlox) to a limited extent. Another common name for Phlox paniculata is Garden Phlox.
The central stem and a few secondary stems near the apex of the plant terminate in rather flat-headed or gently rounded panicles of flowers. These flowering stems (peduncles) are often finely pubescent. The individual flowers are about 1" long and ½–¾" across, and can occur in a variety of colors, including bright rosy pink, lavender, and white. Each flower has a long tubular corolla with 5 spreading petals that are well-rounded and overlap slightly. The tubular calyx is green (sometimes with purplish tints) and much smaller than the corolla. The teeth of this calyx are long and narrow. Sometimes the calyx is pubescent or hairy. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer and lasts about 1½ months. The flowers are quite fragrant. The small seed capsules have 3-cells and are oval in shape. Each cell usually contains 2 small seeds. The root system consists of a taproot. Small clumps of plants are often formed.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist conditions, and fertile loamy soil. Light shade is tolerated, but flowers will be produced less abundantly. In full sun, the leaves have a tendency to turn yellowish green and the plants are in greater danger of drying out. Sometimes the leaves are attacked by various kinds of foliar disease, such as powdery mildew. This appears to occur less often among plants growing in the wild than among the cultivated strains that are typically grown in flower gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native Summer Phlox has been observed in most counties of Illinois, except in the NW where it is often absent (see Distribution Map). While this plant is widely distributed here and there, it is rather uncommon in natural habitats, occurring as isolated clumps of plants. Some populations are undoubtedly derived from cultivated forms of the plant that have escaped. Habitats include openings in moist to mesic woodlands, woodland borders, thickets, and semi-shaded areas along rivers. Because of the attractive flowers, Summer Phlox is quite common in flower gardens.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts butterflies, skippers, and moths, including Hummingbird moths and Sphinx moths. Other insects don't have long enough mouthparts to extract the nectar from the base of the corolla. Small flower flies may feed on the pollen, but are not effective pollinators. Some insects suck juices from Phlox spp., including Lopidea davisi (Phlox Scarlet Plant Bug) and Poecilocapsus lineatus (Four-Lined Plant Bug), while the adults of Epicauta pensylvanica (Black Blister Beetle) eat the flowers or foliage. The caterpillars of some moth species feed on the foliage or flowers as well, including Lacinipolia olivacea (Olive Arches) and Heliothis phloxiphagus (Spotted Straw). Mammalian herbivores occasionally eat the foliage of this and other Phlox spp., including deer, rabbits, and livestock.
Photographic Location: A moist woodland edge at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Summer Phlox is the largest of the Phlox spp. in Illinois. This plant is easy to identify because of its leaves, which have conspicuous secondary veins on their upper surface. In other Phlox spp., only the central vein is prominent. A mature specimen of Summer Phlox will have some leaves that easily exceed ½" in width, while the leaves of other Phlox spp. are less than ½" in width. Summer Phlox usually blooms later than other species in this genus, although its blooming period may overlap with Phlox glaberrima (Smooth Phlox) to a limited extent. Another common name for Phlox paniculata is Garden Phlox.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月31日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 3-9' tall, consisting of a central stem that is more or less erect, and occasional lateral stems in the upper half of the plant that are ascending. These stems are light green, terete, glabrous to sparsely pubescent, and often glaucous. The alternate leaves can be quite large, up to 18" long and 18" across, becoming smaller as they ascend the stems. They have 3-5 palmate lobes; both the sinuses and tips of the lobes are acutely angled. The leaf margins are coarsely dentate. The upper leaf surfaces are medium to dark green and glabrous, while the lower leaf surfaces are pale green and glabrous to sparsely pubescent.
The petioles are usually a little shorter than the leaves (up to 8" long); they are light green and glabrous to sparsely pubescent. At the base of each petiole, there is a pair of linear stipules about ¼" in length. The central and upper stems terminate in one or more panicles of flowers up to 2' long and 2' across. The branches and pedicels of these panicles are light green and glabrous to sparsely pubescent. There are small leafy bracts (less than 3" long) that are located where the branches of the panicle diverge. The flowers tend to be organized into clusters near the tips of the terminal branches; their pedicels are up to 1" long. Because Glade Mallow is dioecious, each flowering plant has either all male (staminate) or all female (pistillate) flowers, but not both. Each male flower is about ½-¾" across, consisting of a short-tubular calyx with 5 broad teeth, 5 white petals, and several stamens; the latter are joined together into a narrow white column. At the apex of this column, the stamens become separated into short white filaments and small plumes of tan to pink anthers. The calyx is light green and glabrous, while the petals are widely spreading and obovate to oblanceolate in shape.
Each female flower is about ½-¾" across, consisting of a short-tubular calyx with 5 broad teeth, 5 white petals, and a compound pistil with several white styles. The calyx is light green and glabrous, while the petals are widely spreading and obovate in shape. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer, lasting about 1 month. There is a pleasant floral fragrance. Afterwards, the female flowers are replaced by dry fruits (schizocarps); there are 8-10 seeds per fruit that are probably distributed to some extent by water. The root system consists of a hollow taproot that branches occasionally, and it also produces rhizomes. Colonies of plants can develop from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial to full sun, moist conditions, and soil consisting of loam or silt-loam with decaying organic matter. This plant doesn't like to dry out, and the leaves will wilt rapidly and become ragged in appearance if this is allowed to happen. It may also topple over in a strong wind, particularly when the flowering stage is reached. Therefore, plant the Glade Mallow in a moist, sheltered location. Disease does not appear to be a significant problem. Propagation can be accomplished by seed through cold moist stratification or by division of the rhizomes.
Habitat & Range: The Glade Mallow is an uncommon plant that occurs sporadically in the northern half of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. This plant is endemic to the Midwest. Habitats include river-bottom prairies, soggy thickets, openings in floodplain forests, terraces along rivers, low areas along streams, and depressions along railroads. This plant doesn't occur in glades in the hillier parts of southern Illinois, contrary to what its common name suggests. Occasional wildfires, particularly during the spring or autumn, are probably beneficial as this reduces the encroachment of woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by bumblebees (Bombus spp.), Halictid bees (Lasioglossum spp.), and Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.); they are also visited by Syrphid flies and Calliphorid flies. These insects are attracted to the nectar and pollen of the flowers (Iltis, 1963). The foliage of Glade Mallow is readily browsed by cattle and other farm animals, and it may also be consumed by deer. Because this is a large leafy plant that often forms colonies, it provides significant cover for a variety of vertebrate animals and insects.
Photographic Location: Dave Monk's postage stamp prairie in downtown Champaign, Illinois, and a wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois. The population of plants at the former location no longer exists.
Comments: Overall, this wildflower is very showy while it is in bloom. It is the only member of the genus that occurs in Illinois. Because of its unisexual flowers, the Glade Mallow is one of the more unusual members of the Mallow family. Its range is restricted to only a few states in the Midwest. Its flowers are much smaller in size than those of the native Rose Mallows (Hibiscus spp.) and rare Kankakee Mallow (Iliamna remota), but they are more numerous. The most similar species to the Glade Mallow is the River Mallow (Sida hermaphrodita). Like the Glade Mallow, the River Mallow is a tall-growing mallow with small white flowers that are produced in abundance; both of these species prefer similar damp habitats. This latter species, however, has bisexual flowers and the lobes of its palmate leaves are more narrow and pointed than those of the Glade Mallow. The River Mallow is not found in Illinois; it has a more eastern distribution.
The petioles are usually a little shorter than the leaves (up to 8" long); they are light green and glabrous to sparsely pubescent. At the base of each petiole, there is a pair of linear stipules about ¼" in length. The central and upper stems terminate in one or more panicles of flowers up to 2' long and 2' across. The branches and pedicels of these panicles are light green and glabrous to sparsely pubescent. There are small leafy bracts (less than 3" long) that are located where the branches of the panicle diverge. The flowers tend to be organized into clusters near the tips of the terminal branches; their pedicels are up to 1" long. Because Glade Mallow is dioecious, each flowering plant has either all male (staminate) or all female (pistillate) flowers, but not both. Each male flower is about ½-¾" across, consisting of a short-tubular calyx with 5 broad teeth, 5 white petals, and several stamens; the latter are joined together into a narrow white column. At the apex of this column, the stamens become separated into short white filaments and small plumes of tan to pink anthers. The calyx is light green and glabrous, while the petals are widely spreading and obovate to oblanceolate in shape.
Each female flower is about ½-¾" across, consisting of a short-tubular calyx with 5 broad teeth, 5 white petals, and a compound pistil with several white styles. The calyx is light green and glabrous, while the petals are widely spreading and obovate in shape. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer, lasting about 1 month. There is a pleasant floral fragrance. Afterwards, the female flowers are replaced by dry fruits (schizocarps); there are 8-10 seeds per fruit that are probably distributed to some extent by water. The root system consists of a hollow taproot that branches occasionally, and it also produces rhizomes. Colonies of plants can develop from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial to full sun, moist conditions, and soil consisting of loam or silt-loam with decaying organic matter. This plant doesn't like to dry out, and the leaves will wilt rapidly and become ragged in appearance if this is allowed to happen. It may also topple over in a strong wind, particularly when the flowering stage is reached. Therefore, plant the Glade Mallow in a moist, sheltered location. Disease does not appear to be a significant problem. Propagation can be accomplished by seed through cold moist stratification or by division of the rhizomes.
Habitat & Range: The Glade Mallow is an uncommon plant that occurs sporadically in the northern half of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. This plant is endemic to the Midwest. Habitats include river-bottom prairies, soggy thickets, openings in floodplain forests, terraces along rivers, low areas along streams, and depressions along railroads. This plant doesn't occur in glades in the hillier parts of southern Illinois, contrary to what its common name suggests. Occasional wildfires, particularly during the spring or autumn, are probably beneficial as this reduces the encroachment of woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by bumblebees (Bombus spp.), Halictid bees (Lasioglossum spp.), and Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.); they are also visited by Syrphid flies and Calliphorid flies. These insects are attracted to the nectar and pollen of the flowers (Iltis, 1963). The foliage of Glade Mallow is readily browsed by cattle and other farm animals, and it may also be consumed by deer. Because this is a large leafy plant that often forms colonies, it provides significant cover for a variety of vertebrate animals and insects.
Photographic Location: Dave Monk's postage stamp prairie in downtown Champaign, Illinois, and a wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois. The population of plants at the former location no longer exists.
Comments: Overall, this wildflower is very showy while it is in bloom. It is the only member of the genus that occurs in Illinois. Because of its unisexual flowers, the Glade Mallow is one of the more unusual members of the Mallow family. Its range is restricted to only a few states in the Midwest. Its flowers are much smaller in size than those of the native Rose Mallows (Hibiscus spp.) and rare Kankakee Mallow (Iliamna remota), but they are more numerous. The most similar species to the Glade Mallow is the River Mallow (Sida hermaphrodita). Like the Glade Mallow, the River Mallow is a tall-growing mallow with small white flowers that are produced in abundance; both of these species prefer similar damp habitats. This latter species, however, has bisexual flowers and the lobes of its palmate leaves are more narrow and pointed than those of the Glade Mallow. The River Mallow is not found in Illinois; it has a more eastern distribution.
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