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Miss Chen
2018年03月30日
Description: This perennial wildflower consists of a pair of basal leaves and a flowering stalk. The basal leaves are 3-6" long and about one-half as much across; they are medium green, glabrous, oval-ovate in shape, slightly succulent, and smooth along their margins. The lower side of each basal leaf is slightly keeled. The inflorescence is an erect raceme about 4-10" tall that bears 5-30 flowers. The central stem of the raceme is light green, hairless, and rather stout. Individual flowers are about ¾–1" across, consisting of 3 sepals, 3 petals, and a short reproductive column. Each sepal is up to ½" long, greenish white, and linear in shape. The 2 lateral petals are up to ½" long, pale purple, filiform (worm-like) in shape, and drooping. The lower petal is the lip of the flower; it is about ½" long, pale purple, obovate in shape with faint purple veins, and either flat or gently curved. Above the base of the lip, there is an incurved reproductive column less than ¼" in length that is greenish.
Each flower has a slender pedicel about ¾" long that is reddish purple and glabrous. At the base of each pedicel, there is a small triangular bract. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer and lasts 3-4 weeks for a colony of plants. The flowers begin to bloom from the bottom of the raceme to its apex. There is no noticeable floral scent. Successfully fertilized flowers produce seed capsules about ½" long or a little longer. Individual capsules are erect on their pedicels; they are ellipsoid with several longitudinal veins. Eventually, they split open to release numerous tiny seeds, which are distributed by the wind. The root system consists of a bulbous corm and slightly fleshy fibrous roots. A new corm develops adjacently to the old corm, from which future flowers and leaves will be produced; the old corm eventually withers away.
Cultivation: Purple Twayblade prefers partial sunlight to light shade and moist to dry-mesic conditions in well-drained areas. This orchid adapts to many soil types, including rich loam, sandy loam, glacial till, and thin rocky soil with a slightly acid pH. To flourish, this orchid and its seeds require the presence of a particular strain of a Rhizoctonia/Tulasnella fungus. Otherwise, it cannot survive.
Range & Habitat: The native Purple Twayblade is widely distributed throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map). Depending on the area, its abundance varies from rare to occasional. Habitats include open upland woodlands, small openings in wooded areas from fallen trees, upland savannas and sandy savannas, sandstone glades and partially shaded cliffs, sparse thickets in barren areas, abandoned shrubby fields, pine plantations (if not too shady), and small meadows in wooded areas. Purple Twayblade is associated with oak-hickory woodlands and mixed woodlands (pines and deciduous trees) in mesic to upland areas. Because excessive shade from canopy trees and shrubs can cause entire colonies of plants to die out, occasional reduction of woody vegetation from wildfires, wind-thrown trees, etc., helps to maintain existing populations of this orchid.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships. If the flowers are not cross-pollinated by insect visitors, they fail to develop seed capsules. Unfortunately, such insect visitors are uncommon and largely unknown at the present time. Charles Robertson observed the Anthomyiid fly Pegoplata juvenalis and the plant bug Lopidea medius (aka Lopidea media) visiting the flowers, but he did not regard them as effective pollinators. Christensen (1994) has suggested that the floral pollinators are flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) because the pale purple color and veins of the flowers may resemble carrion. It is possible that the flowers produce an odor that the relatively insensitive human nose cannot detect. The succulent basal leaves are browsed by both White-Tailed Deer and the Cottontail Rabbit. Where these animals are abundant, populations of this orchid may experience a significant decline from excessive herbivory.
Photographic Location: A small meadow in Vermilion County, Illinois, and a savanna in Champaign County, Illinois.
Comments: The flowers of this small orchid have an unusual spidery appearance. Lacking bright distinctive colors, they have a tendency to blend into the background. Because no other orchid in Illinois closely resembles Purple Twayblade, it is easy to identify. Its nearest relative in the state, Liparis loeselii (Lesser Twayblade), has less showy flowers that are smaller in size, yellow-green, and self-fertile. Instead of Purple Twayblade, other common names of Liparis liliifolia are Large Twayblade and Lily-Leaved Twayblade.
Each flower has a slender pedicel about ¾" long that is reddish purple and glabrous. At the base of each pedicel, there is a small triangular bract. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer and lasts 3-4 weeks for a colony of plants. The flowers begin to bloom from the bottom of the raceme to its apex. There is no noticeable floral scent. Successfully fertilized flowers produce seed capsules about ½" long or a little longer. Individual capsules are erect on their pedicels; they are ellipsoid with several longitudinal veins. Eventually, they split open to release numerous tiny seeds, which are distributed by the wind. The root system consists of a bulbous corm and slightly fleshy fibrous roots. A new corm develops adjacently to the old corm, from which future flowers and leaves will be produced; the old corm eventually withers away.
Cultivation: Purple Twayblade prefers partial sunlight to light shade and moist to dry-mesic conditions in well-drained areas. This orchid adapts to many soil types, including rich loam, sandy loam, glacial till, and thin rocky soil with a slightly acid pH. To flourish, this orchid and its seeds require the presence of a particular strain of a Rhizoctonia/Tulasnella fungus. Otherwise, it cannot survive.
Range & Habitat: The native Purple Twayblade is widely distributed throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map). Depending on the area, its abundance varies from rare to occasional. Habitats include open upland woodlands, small openings in wooded areas from fallen trees, upland savannas and sandy savannas, sandstone glades and partially shaded cliffs, sparse thickets in barren areas, abandoned shrubby fields, pine plantations (if not too shady), and small meadows in wooded areas. Purple Twayblade is associated with oak-hickory woodlands and mixed woodlands (pines and deciduous trees) in mesic to upland areas. Because excessive shade from canopy trees and shrubs can cause entire colonies of plants to die out, occasional reduction of woody vegetation from wildfires, wind-thrown trees, etc., helps to maintain existing populations of this orchid.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships. If the flowers are not cross-pollinated by insect visitors, they fail to develop seed capsules. Unfortunately, such insect visitors are uncommon and largely unknown at the present time. Charles Robertson observed the Anthomyiid fly Pegoplata juvenalis and the plant bug Lopidea medius (aka Lopidea media) visiting the flowers, but he did not regard them as effective pollinators. Christensen (1994) has suggested that the floral pollinators are flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) because the pale purple color and veins of the flowers may resemble carrion. It is possible that the flowers produce an odor that the relatively insensitive human nose cannot detect. The succulent basal leaves are browsed by both White-Tailed Deer and the Cottontail Rabbit. Where these animals are abundant, populations of this orchid may experience a significant decline from excessive herbivory.
Photographic Location: A small meadow in Vermilion County, Illinois, and a savanna in Champaign County, Illinois.
Comments: The flowers of this small orchid have an unusual spidery appearance. Lacking bright distinctive colors, they have a tendency to blend into the background. Because no other orchid in Illinois closely resembles Purple Twayblade, it is easy to identify. Its nearest relative in the state, Liparis loeselii (Lesser Twayblade), has less showy flowers that are smaller in size, yellow-green, and self-fertile. Instead of Purple Twayblade, other common names of Liparis liliifolia are Large Twayblade and Lily-Leaved Twayblade.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月30日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 2-4' tall and unbranched, except near the apex where the flowers occur. The central stem is light green, terete, glabrous, and often glaucous. At intervals along this stem, there are whorls of 3-8 leaves; 1 or 2 alternate leaves may occur along the upper portion of the stem. These leaves are up to 6" long and 1" across, narrowly ovate, smooth along the margins, and sessile. The upper surface of each leaf is medium to dark green and glabrous, while the lower surface is a lighter shade of green with finely short-pubescent hairs along the veins (a 10x hand lens may be necessary to see these minute hairs). The veins of the leaves are parallel. The upper stem terminates in 1-5 (rarely up to 20) yellow-orange to red-orange flowers on long stalks. Each of these stalks nods downward at its apex. Some stalks may have 1 or 2 leafy bracts that resemble the leaves, except they are smaller in size. Each trumpet-shaped flower is about 2½" long and across, consisting of 6 tepals, 6 stamens with red anthers, and a central pistil. The throat of the flower becomes yellow and it has purple dots. The tips of the tepals curve backward, but they don't extend to the base of the flower. The anthers and style of each flower are exerted only slightly from the corolla (the 6 tepals). The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer and lasts about 3 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Each fertile flower is replaced by an oblongoid seed capsule that is about 2" long. Each seed capsule is divided into 3 cells; within each cell, there is a stack of large flattened seeds. The root system consists of a scaly corm with fibrous roots. This wildflower reproduces by seed or from offsets of the corms.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight or partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and a rich loamy or slightly sandy soil. The number of flowers on each plant is variable.
Range & Habitat: Canada Lily has not been found in Illinois as either a native plant or an escaped cultivated plant. However, it occurs as a native plant in Indiana, thus it is possible that this species may establish itself in Illinois in the future. In Indiana and other eastern states, Canada Lily is found in open woodlands, wooded slopes, savannas, woodland openings, and moist meadows. Like other Lilium spp. (lilies), it is cultivated in gardens because of the large showy flowers.
Faunal Associations: The floral nectar attracts large butterflies, particularly Speyeria cybele (Great Spangled Fritillary) and various Swallowtail butterflies. Halictid bees (e.g., Lasioglossum spp.) collect pollen from the flowers, but they are ineffective at cross-pollination because of their small size. The caterpillars of Papaipema nebris (Common Borer Moth), Papaipema cataphracta (Burdock Borer Moth), and Papaipema cerina (Golden Borer Moth) bore through the stems of native Lilium spp. (lilies). The last of these three species is oligophagous (specialist feeder). Other insects that feed on native lilies include Acrolepiopsis incertella (Carrion Flower Moth; caterpillars bore into corms or stems of lilies), Merodon equestris (Narcissus Bulb Fly; maggots feed on corms), and the introduced Lilioceris lilii (Lily Leaf Beetle; feeds on leaves). The Lily Leaf Beetle occurs in some northeastern states, but it has not been observed in Illinois thus far. Deer, rabbits, and other mammalian herbivores readily browse on the foliage of native Lilies, while voles and chipmunks eat the corms.
Photographic Location: A garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This attractive lily is similar to other lilies with orange flowers, including Lilium superbum (Turk's Cap Lily), Lilium michiganense (Michigan Lily), and the introduced Lilium lancifolium (Tiger Lily). Like the flowers of Canada Lily, the flowers of Michigan Lily and Turk's Cap Lily often nod downward. However, the tepal tips of Michigan Lily curve back to the base of the flower, while the tepal tips of Turk's Cap Lily curve back and extend behind the base of the flower. The tepal tips of Canada Lily, in contrast, curve back only a little and remain in front of the base of the flower. The introduced Tiger Lily, in contrast to these native lilies, has dark bulbets in the axils of its leaves along the central stem, and its leaves are alternate (rather than whorled). Other orange-flowered lilies, whether native or introduced, typically have erect flowers. Of these various species, you are most likely to encounter the Michigan Lily in the natural areas of Illinois, although the Tiger Lily has become increasingly common.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight or partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and a rich loamy or slightly sandy soil. The number of flowers on each plant is variable.
Range & Habitat: Canada Lily has not been found in Illinois as either a native plant or an escaped cultivated plant. However, it occurs as a native plant in Indiana, thus it is possible that this species may establish itself in Illinois in the future. In Indiana and other eastern states, Canada Lily is found in open woodlands, wooded slopes, savannas, woodland openings, and moist meadows. Like other Lilium spp. (lilies), it is cultivated in gardens because of the large showy flowers.
Faunal Associations: The floral nectar attracts large butterflies, particularly Speyeria cybele (Great Spangled Fritillary) and various Swallowtail butterflies. Halictid bees (e.g., Lasioglossum spp.) collect pollen from the flowers, but they are ineffective at cross-pollination because of their small size. The caterpillars of Papaipema nebris (Common Borer Moth), Papaipema cataphracta (Burdock Borer Moth), and Papaipema cerina (Golden Borer Moth) bore through the stems of native Lilium spp. (lilies). The last of these three species is oligophagous (specialist feeder). Other insects that feed on native lilies include Acrolepiopsis incertella (Carrion Flower Moth; caterpillars bore into corms or stems of lilies), Merodon equestris (Narcissus Bulb Fly; maggots feed on corms), and the introduced Lilioceris lilii (Lily Leaf Beetle; feeds on leaves). The Lily Leaf Beetle occurs in some northeastern states, but it has not been observed in Illinois thus far. Deer, rabbits, and other mammalian herbivores readily browse on the foliage of native Lilies, while voles and chipmunks eat the corms.
Photographic Location: A garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This attractive lily is similar to other lilies with orange flowers, including Lilium superbum (Turk's Cap Lily), Lilium michiganense (Michigan Lily), and the introduced Lilium lancifolium (Tiger Lily). Like the flowers of Canada Lily, the flowers of Michigan Lily and Turk's Cap Lily often nod downward. However, the tepal tips of Michigan Lily curve back to the base of the flower, while the tepal tips of Turk's Cap Lily curve back and extend behind the base of the flower. The tepal tips of Canada Lily, in contrast, curve back only a little and remain in front of the base of the flower. The introduced Tiger Lily, in contrast to these native lilies, has dark bulbets in the axils of its leaves along the central stem, and its leaves are alternate (rather than whorled). Other orange-flowered lilies, whether native or introduced, typically have erect flowers. Of these various species, you are most likely to encounter the Michigan Lily in the natural areas of Illinois, although the Tiger Lily has become increasingly common.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月29日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 2½–5' tall, erect, and unbranched. The central stem is medium green, glabrous to short-pubescent, and terete. Numerous alternate leaves are arranged densely around the stem; they are widely spreading. The lower leaves are up to 12" long and 1½" across; they are broadly linear to elliptic oblong in shape. The middle to upper leaves become gradually smaller as they ascend the stem, becoming linear in shape and as little as 3" long. All of the leaves are medium green and their margins are smooth; they are usually hairless, except for their margins, which are often slightly ciliate. The lower leaves usually have petioles, while the middle to upper leaves are sessile. The inflorescence consists of a narrow raceme of flowerheads up to 2' long. The flowerheads begin to bloom from the top of inflorescence, then they gradually bloom below until the bottom is reached. Each inflorescence has 10-40 flowerheads. Each flowerhead is located at the apex of an ascending stalk (peduncle) about ½–3½" long; a stalk may branch to produce 2-3 flowerheads, but this is atypical. At the base of each stalk, there is a sessile leafy bract that resembles the upper leaves. Both the central stalk and lateral stalks of the raceme are short-pubescent.
Individual flowerheads span 1-2" across, consisting of 25-80 pink disk florets and no ray florets. The tubular disk florets have 5 spreading narrow lobes. The bifurcated styles are light pink and strongly exerted from the disk florets, providing the flowerheads with a shaggy appearance. At the base of each flowerhead, there are scale-like floral bracts (phyllaries) that are arranged together in about 5 overlapping series; they are ascending to slightly spreading, but neither recurved nor appressed. Individual floral bracts are oval or obovate in shape and ciliate along their margins; they become dark reddish purple when their flowerheads bloom, otherwise they are dull green. The blooming period occurs from late summer to mid-fall and lasts about 1½ months. The disk florets are replaced by bullet-shaped achenes, which have tufts of barbed tawny hairs. The root system consists of a bulb-like corm with fibrous roots. Vegetative offsets are produced from new corms.
Cultivation: This wildflower can adapt to full or partial sun, moist or mesic conditions, and different kinds of soil, including those that are loamy, sandy, or gravelly. It can tolerate a little more shade than other Liatris spp. (Blazingstars). In the garden, individual plants can become top-heavy during the blooming period and topple over, unless they are tied to stakes.
Range & Habitat: The native Savanna Blazingstar is found in west-central and NE Illinois, where it is rare; in other sections of the state, it is absent (see Distribution Map). This species is state-listed as 'threatened.' Habitats consist of oak savannas and prairies; sometimes these habitats are sandy. In other states, this species is found in rocky glades and savannas with pine trees. Savanna Blazingstar is found in high quality habitats. It is endemic to the Midwest.
Faunal Associations: The flowerheads attract butterflies and skippers primarily, especially Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus). The caterpillars of some oligophagous moths are known to feed on Liatris spp. (Blazingstars). These species include Schinia sanguinea (Bleeding Flower Moth), Schinia gloriosa (Glorious Flower Moth), Papaipema beeriana (Blazingstar Borer Moth), and Carmenta anthracipennis (Liatris Borer Moth). There is also an oligophagous aphid, Aphis laciniariae, that sucks juices from Blazingstars. The foliage is readily eaten by deer, rabbits, groundhogs, cattle, and other mammalian herbivores. Voles sometimes feed on the corms. This wildflower benefits from occasional wildfires as this reduces the encroachment of woody vegetation.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This blazingstar can become quite tall and it produces hefty flowerheads that are larger than those of other Liatris spp. (Blazingstars). It is a very beautiful plant that should be cultivated more often. Sometimes Savanna Blazingstar is considered a distinct species, in which case it is referred to as Liatris nieuwlandii. The typical variety of Liatris scariosa (Northern Blazingstar), is found in areas to the east of Illinois, and there is another variety that is found in New England. Savanna Blazingstar can be distinguished from Liatris aspera (Rough Blazingstar) by the ascending stalks of its flowerheads; the flowerheads of Rough Blazingstar are sessile (or nearly so) and they have fewer disk florets.
Individual flowerheads span 1-2" across, consisting of 25-80 pink disk florets and no ray florets. The tubular disk florets have 5 spreading narrow lobes. The bifurcated styles are light pink and strongly exerted from the disk florets, providing the flowerheads with a shaggy appearance. At the base of each flowerhead, there are scale-like floral bracts (phyllaries) that are arranged together in about 5 overlapping series; they are ascending to slightly spreading, but neither recurved nor appressed. Individual floral bracts are oval or obovate in shape and ciliate along their margins; they become dark reddish purple when their flowerheads bloom, otherwise they are dull green. The blooming period occurs from late summer to mid-fall and lasts about 1½ months. The disk florets are replaced by bullet-shaped achenes, which have tufts of barbed tawny hairs. The root system consists of a bulb-like corm with fibrous roots. Vegetative offsets are produced from new corms.
Cultivation: This wildflower can adapt to full or partial sun, moist or mesic conditions, and different kinds of soil, including those that are loamy, sandy, or gravelly. It can tolerate a little more shade than other Liatris spp. (Blazingstars). In the garden, individual plants can become top-heavy during the blooming period and topple over, unless they are tied to stakes.
Range & Habitat: The native Savanna Blazingstar is found in west-central and NE Illinois, where it is rare; in other sections of the state, it is absent (see Distribution Map). This species is state-listed as 'threatened.' Habitats consist of oak savannas and prairies; sometimes these habitats are sandy. In other states, this species is found in rocky glades and savannas with pine trees. Savanna Blazingstar is found in high quality habitats. It is endemic to the Midwest.
Faunal Associations: The flowerheads attract butterflies and skippers primarily, especially Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus). The caterpillars of some oligophagous moths are known to feed on Liatris spp. (Blazingstars). These species include Schinia sanguinea (Bleeding Flower Moth), Schinia gloriosa (Glorious Flower Moth), Papaipema beeriana (Blazingstar Borer Moth), and Carmenta anthracipennis (Liatris Borer Moth). There is also an oligophagous aphid, Aphis laciniariae, that sucks juices from Blazingstars. The foliage is readily eaten by deer, rabbits, groundhogs, cattle, and other mammalian herbivores. Voles sometimes feed on the corms. This wildflower benefits from occasional wildfires as this reduces the encroachment of woody vegetation.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This blazingstar can become quite tall and it produces hefty flowerheads that are larger than those of other Liatris spp. (Blazingstars). It is a very beautiful plant that should be cultivated more often. Sometimes Savanna Blazingstar is considered a distinct species, in which case it is referred to as Liatris nieuwlandii. The typical variety of Liatris scariosa (Northern Blazingstar), is found in areas to the east of Illinois, and there is another variety that is found in New England. Savanna Blazingstar can be distinguished from Liatris aspera (Rough Blazingstar) by the ascending stalks of its flowerheads; the flowerheads of Rough Blazingstar are sessile (or nearly so) and they have fewer disk florets.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月29日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is ½–2' tall or long, branching occasionally. The stems are light green to brown, terete, and sparsely appressed-pubescent; they are erect, ascending, or sprawling. Alternate trifoliate leaves occur along these stems, becoming smaller in size toward the tips or apices of these stems. The leaflets are ½–1½" long and about one-half to one-third as much across; they are oblong-elliptic to broadly oblong-elliptic in shape and their margins are entire (toothless). Usually, the terminal leaflets are slightly larger in size than the lateral leaflets. The upper surface of these leaflets is medium green and hairless to sparsely appressed-pubescent, while the lower surface of these leaflets is light green or whitish green and moderately to densely appressed-pubescent. Leaflet venation is pinnate with prominent central veins and weaker lateral veins; the lateral veins are straight and run parallel to each other. Petioles of trifoliate leaves are ¼–1½" long; they are light green, terete, and sparsely appressed-pubescent. The petiolules (basal stalklets) of the terminal leaflets are 2-5 mm. long, while the petiolules of the lateral leaflets are 0.5–1 mm. long. At the bases of petioles along the stems, there are pairs of small stipules. These stipules are 2-5 mm. long and linear in shape; they have a tendency to wither early.
Leafy Plant with Seedpods
Racemes and/or sparingly branched panicles of 3-8 flowers are produced on long ascending peduncles from either the axils of upper leaves or directly from the upper stems. These peduncles extend beyond the compound leaves. The inflorescences are also produced from the axils of middle leaves, although their peduncles tend to be about as long as the petioles of compound leaves. Each flower is about 6-10 mm. in length, consisting of a light green calyx with 5 teeth, 5 whitish purple to purple petals, 10 stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The flowers have a typical pea-like floral structure, consisting of a large upright banner (upper petal), a pair of wings that are slightly spreading and extend forward (2 lower outer petals), and an inner keel that extends forward (2 lower inner petals). The wings of each flower are slightly shorter than its keel. At the base of the banner, there is an arch-shaped patch of dark rosy purple. The calyx is sparsely appressed pubescent and it extends to about one-half of the length of the flower. The pedicels of the flowers are short (1-4 mm. in length). In addition to the preceding chasmogamous flowers, there are also inconspicuous cleistogamous (self-fertile) flowers that develop from the axils of the leaves. These cleistogamous flowers are held close to the stems on short pedicels (1-4 mm. in length). The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer, lasting about 1 month.
Afterwards, fertile flowers are replaced by small seedpods that become 4-7 mm. long at maturity, the latter changing in color from green to dark brown. Usually, the chasmogamous flowers don't produce seedpods, while the cleistogamous flowers almost always do. The seedpods are orbicular-ovate in shape and flattened, tapering abruptly at their tips into short beaks; they are sparsely appressed-pubescent along their sides. Each seedpod contains a single reniform (kidney-shaped) seed. The root system consists of a taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, dry-mesic conditions, and somewhat sterile soil containing some clay or rocky material. Competition from taller and more aggressive ground vegetation is not well-tolerated. This legume fixes nitrogen in the soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Violet Bush Clover is occasional in the southern half of Illinois, while in the northern half of the state it is uncommon (see Distribution Map). However, it can be found in scattered areas throughout the state. Habitats include upland rocky woodlands, thinly wooded bluffs along rivers, upland savannas, hill prairies, dry grassy openings in upland woodlands, and roadside embankments along hilly woodlands. Violet Bush Clover is found primarily in average to high quality natural areas. It probably benefits from occasional wildfires that reduce competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The chasmogamous flowers of Violet Bush Clover are cross-pollinated primarily by bees, including leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), digger bees (Melissodes spp.) and Halictid bees. Small butterflies and skippers may also visit these flowers, but they are less effective at cross-pollination. The showier chasmogamous flowers of Violet Bush Clover probably require insect cross-pollination before they can produce seedpods, while the cleistogamous flowers do not. Miscellaneous insects feed destructively on the foliage, seeds, and other parts of bush clovers (Lespedeza spp.). These insects include the seed-eating larvae of a weevil (Coelocephalapion decoloratum), various leaf beetles and their larvae (Anomoea laticlavia, Odontota horni, Phyllecthris dorsalis, etc.), foliage-eating larvae of a sawfly (Atomacera debilis), seed-eating broad-headed bugs (Alydus spp.), an aphid (Microparsus singularis), the Prairie Walking Stick (Diapheromera velii), and Tick Trefoil Thrips (Neohydatothrips desmodianus); see Sauer (2005), Clark et al. (2004), Smith (2006), Schaefer (1980), Blackman & Eastop (2013), Arment (2006), and Stannard (1968). The caterpillars of some skippers feed on the foliage of bush clovers; these species include the Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades), Southern Duskywing (Thorybes bathyllus), and Northern Duskywing (Thorybes pylades). In addition, the larvae of some moths feed on these plants. Examples of such moths include the Bella Moth (Utetheisa bella), Common Ptichodis (Ptichodis herbarum), Black-spotted Prominent (Dasylophia anguina), a Cosmopterigid moth (Triclonella pergandeella), and a Gracillariid moth (Parectopa lespedezaefoliella); see Opler & Krizek (1984) Covell (1984/2005), and Needham et al. (1928). The larvae of the last two moths are leaf-miners. Among vertebrate animals, the seeds of bush clovers are eaten by the Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Bobwhite Quail, Mourning Dove, and Slate-colored Junco; they are also eaten by the Prairie Deer Mouse. The foliage is palatable to White-tailed Deer and other hoofed mammalian herbivores, including cattle (Martin et al., 1951/1961; Whitaker, 1966; Georgia, 1913).
Photographic Location: A grassy opening of an upland woodland at Merwin Nature Preserve in McLain County, Illinois.
Comments: In the past, Violet Bush Clover was referred to as Lespedeza violacea, while another species, Wand-like Bush Clover, was referred to as Lespedeza intermedia. However, it is now thought that the original herbarium specimen of Lespedeza violacea actually refers to Wand-like Bush Clover. Therefore, the appropriate scientific name for Violet Bush Clover (as described here) is Lespedeza frutescens. This changeover in names will be, no doubt, a source of confusion in the future. Because the flowers of Violet Bush Clover are more violet than those of Wand-like Bush Clover, the common names have been retained. Violet Bush Clover is one of several bush clovers (Lespedeza spp.) that occur in Illinois; most of them are native. It can be distinguished from similar species by its semi-erect habit, the long peduncles of its inflorescences (for chasmogamous flowers), the presence of inconspicuous cleistogamous flowers near its stems, and the structure of its flowers (their wings are shorter than their keels). Other bush clovers are either more erect or they are widely spreading vines. Bush clovers can be distinguished from similar-appearing tick trefoils (Desmodium spp.) by their seedpods: bush clovers have short single-seeded pods that are non-sticky, while tick trefoils have longer multiseeded pods that can cling to various surfaces by their hooked hairs.
Leafy Plant with Seedpods
Racemes and/or sparingly branched panicles of 3-8 flowers are produced on long ascending peduncles from either the axils of upper leaves or directly from the upper stems. These peduncles extend beyond the compound leaves. The inflorescences are also produced from the axils of middle leaves, although their peduncles tend to be about as long as the petioles of compound leaves. Each flower is about 6-10 mm. in length, consisting of a light green calyx with 5 teeth, 5 whitish purple to purple petals, 10 stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The flowers have a typical pea-like floral structure, consisting of a large upright banner (upper petal), a pair of wings that are slightly spreading and extend forward (2 lower outer petals), and an inner keel that extends forward (2 lower inner petals). The wings of each flower are slightly shorter than its keel. At the base of the banner, there is an arch-shaped patch of dark rosy purple. The calyx is sparsely appressed pubescent and it extends to about one-half of the length of the flower. The pedicels of the flowers are short (1-4 mm. in length). In addition to the preceding chasmogamous flowers, there are also inconspicuous cleistogamous (self-fertile) flowers that develop from the axils of the leaves. These cleistogamous flowers are held close to the stems on short pedicels (1-4 mm. in length). The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer, lasting about 1 month.
Afterwards, fertile flowers are replaced by small seedpods that become 4-7 mm. long at maturity, the latter changing in color from green to dark brown. Usually, the chasmogamous flowers don't produce seedpods, while the cleistogamous flowers almost always do. The seedpods are orbicular-ovate in shape and flattened, tapering abruptly at their tips into short beaks; they are sparsely appressed-pubescent along their sides. Each seedpod contains a single reniform (kidney-shaped) seed. The root system consists of a taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, dry-mesic conditions, and somewhat sterile soil containing some clay or rocky material. Competition from taller and more aggressive ground vegetation is not well-tolerated. This legume fixes nitrogen in the soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Violet Bush Clover is occasional in the southern half of Illinois, while in the northern half of the state it is uncommon (see Distribution Map). However, it can be found in scattered areas throughout the state. Habitats include upland rocky woodlands, thinly wooded bluffs along rivers, upland savannas, hill prairies, dry grassy openings in upland woodlands, and roadside embankments along hilly woodlands. Violet Bush Clover is found primarily in average to high quality natural areas. It probably benefits from occasional wildfires that reduce competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The chasmogamous flowers of Violet Bush Clover are cross-pollinated primarily by bees, including leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), digger bees (Melissodes spp.) and Halictid bees. Small butterflies and skippers may also visit these flowers, but they are less effective at cross-pollination. The showier chasmogamous flowers of Violet Bush Clover probably require insect cross-pollination before they can produce seedpods, while the cleistogamous flowers do not. Miscellaneous insects feed destructively on the foliage, seeds, and other parts of bush clovers (Lespedeza spp.). These insects include the seed-eating larvae of a weevil (Coelocephalapion decoloratum), various leaf beetles and their larvae (Anomoea laticlavia, Odontota horni, Phyllecthris dorsalis, etc.), foliage-eating larvae of a sawfly (Atomacera debilis), seed-eating broad-headed bugs (Alydus spp.), an aphid (Microparsus singularis), the Prairie Walking Stick (Diapheromera velii), and Tick Trefoil Thrips (Neohydatothrips desmodianus); see Sauer (2005), Clark et al. (2004), Smith (2006), Schaefer (1980), Blackman & Eastop (2013), Arment (2006), and Stannard (1968). The caterpillars of some skippers feed on the foliage of bush clovers; these species include the Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades), Southern Duskywing (Thorybes bathyllus), and Northern Duskywing (Thorybes pylades). In addition, the larvae of some moths feed on these plants. Examples of such moths include the Bella Moth (Utetheisa bella), Common Ptichodis (Ptichodis herbarum), Black-spotted Prominent (Dasylophia anguina), a Cosmopterigid moth (Triclonella pergandeella), and a Gracillariid moth (Parectopa lespedezaefoliella); see Opler & Krizek (1984) Covell (1984/2005), and Needham et al. (1928). The larvae of the last two moths are leaf-miners. Among vertebrate animals, the seeds of bush clovers are eaten by the Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Bobwhite Quail, Mourning Dove, and Slate-colored Junco; they are also eaten by the Prairie Deer Mouse. The foliage is palatable to White-tailed Deer and other hoofed mammalian herbivores, including cattle (Martin et al., 1951/1961; Whitaker, 1966; Georgia, 1913).
Photographic Location: A grassy opening of an upland woodland at Merwin Nature Preserve in McLain County, Illinois.
Comments: In the past, Violet Bush Clover was referred to as Lespedeza violacea, while another species, Wand-like Bush Clover, was referred to as Lespedeza intermedia. However, it is now thought that the original herbarium specimen of Lespedeza violacea actually refers to Wand-like Bush Clover. Therefore, the appropriate scientific name for Violet Bush Clover (as described here) is Lespedeza frutescens. This changeover in names will be, no doubt, a source of confusion in the future. Because the flowers of Violet Bush Clover are more violet than those of Wand-like Bush Clover, the common names have been retained. Violet Bush Clover is one of several bush clovers (Lespedeza spp.) that occur in Illinois; most of them are native. It can be distinguished from similar species by its semi-erect habit, the long peduncles of its inflorescences (for chasmogamous flowers), the presence of inconspicuous cleistogamous flowers near its stems, and the structure of its flowers (their wings are shorter than their keels). Other bush clovers are either more erect or they are widely spreading vines. Bush clovers can be distinguished from similar-appearing tick trefoils (Desmodium spp.) by their seedpods: bush clovers have short single-seeded pods that are non-sticky, while tick trefoils have longer multiseeded pods that can cling to various surfaces by their hooked hairs.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月29日
Description: This perennial plant is ½–1½' tall and abundantly branched, particularly along the upper two-thirds of its length. The pale green stems are sparsely to moderately covered with white hairs that are upwardly appressed or ascending. Small leaves about 8-15 mm. (1/3–2/3") long and about one-third as much across occur along the stems: they are alternate,Seed Capsules & Leafy Bracts opposite, or whorled. The leaf blades are green (turning yellow during the fall), smooth and ciliate along their margins, and elliptic-oblong with blunt tips; the base of each leaf blade is sessile, or it is has a short petiole. The upper surfaces of the blades are hairless to sparsely hairy, while the lower surfaces of the blades are usually hairy, particularly along the midveins. Similar to the hairs on the stems, the hairs on the leaves are appressed or curve outward toward their tips. The middle to upper stems produce overlapping panicles of flowers. Individual panicles are longer than they are wide, and they produce leafy bracts that are similar to the leaves, except the former are smaller in size. The small flowers are borne individually on the secondary and tertiary branches of the panicles. Each flower is about 2 mm. long and a little less across, consisting of 5 persistent purplish red petals, 5 ascending green sepals (sometimes becoming red later), 3 or more stamens, and a 3-celled ovary with short stigmata at its apex (there are no filaments). Each flower has a short slender pedicel about 1 mm. long. The blooming period occurs during the late summer for about a month; only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. The flowers are probably cross-pollinated by wind, at least in part. Each flower is replaced by an ovoid seed capsule about 2 mm. long that typically contains 2-3 seeds; because of the persistent petals and sepals, it is purplish red or greenish red in appearance. The 2 outer sepals are the same length or longer than the seed capsule (2 mm. in length or more) and they are linear in shape. The 3 inner sepals are shorter than the seed capsule (less than 2 mm. in length) and they are ovate in shape. After the seed capsules open, the small seeds are dispersed primarily by gravity and usually fall only a short distance from the mother plant. During the late fall, the flowering plant withers away and it is replaced by a low rosette of little-branched stems with whorled or opposite leaves; this rosette spans about 3-4" across and usually survives the winter until it is replaced by a flowering plant during the next spring. The basal leaves are similar to the cauline leaves of the flowering plant, except they are more wide in shape (oval-ovate). The root system consists of a slender taproot with fibrous secondary roots; sometimes the taproot is barely distinguishable from these secondary roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry conditions, and either sandy or very rocky soil. The seeds are slow to germinate, often remaining dormant for several years.
Range & Habitat: The native Small Pinweed is an uncommon plant that is found in NE Illinois and scattered locations elsewhere in the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include sand prairies, openings and edges of sandy oak woodlands, sandy oak savannas, rocky bluffs and cliffs, partially wooded sand dunes near Lake Michigan, and edges of sandy marshes. In many areas, populations of Small Pinweed have declined as a result of habitat destruction from various development projects. Like other Lechea spp. (Pinweeds), it is adapted to occasional disturbance (wildfires, shifting dunes), but dislikes extreme orLower Stem & Leaves more frequent modifications of its environment.
Faunal Associations: In general, very little is known about the floral-fauna relationships of Lechea spp. (Pinweeds); they have not been studied adequately, thus some of the following information is speculative. The flowers offer no nectar to insect visitors; only pollen is available as a food reward. It is possible that various flies, small bees, and other small insects are minor pollinators of the flowers, which are self-fertile and probably cross-pollinated by the wind. It has been found that White-Tailed Deer preferentially browse on Lechea maritima (Beach Pinweed) in Virginia (see Keiper, 1990), and thus they may browse on other Pinweeds in other areas as well.
Photographic Location: Edge of a sandy oak woodland that is located near a wet sand prairie at the Iroquois County Conservation Area in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: In most of Illinois, Lechea spp. (Pinweeds) are restricted to sandy habitats, although in southern Illinois some species (including Small Pinweed) can be found along cliffs and upland woodlands that are rocky. The various species are very similar to each other in appearance and can be difficult to differentiate. The presence of mature fruits on a prospective plant greatly facilitates its identification and, to a lesser extent, the shape of the leaves and type of hairs on the stems facilitates species identification as well. Small Pinweed can be distinguished from other similar Pinweed species as follows: 1) it has wider leaves than some other species, which are more linear in shape, 2) the hairs on its stems are upwardly appressed or ascending, rather than widely spreading or absent, 3) the seed capsules are ovoid in shape, rather than globoid or subgloboid, and 4) the outer sepals of Small Pinweed are longer than the inner sepals and they are as long or longer than the seed capsules. The only other Pinweed in Illinois with the last characteristic is Lechea tenuifolia (Slender Pinweed), which differs by having linear leaves and it tends to be smaller in size. Another common name of Lechea minor is Thyme-Leaved Pinweed.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry conditions, and either sandy or very rocky soil. The seeds are slow to germinate, often remaining dormant for several years.
Range & Habitat: The native Small Pinweed is an uncommon plant that is found in NE Illinois and scattered locations elsewhere in the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include sand prairies, openings and edges of sandy oak woodlands, sandy oak savannas, rocky bluffs and cliffs, partially wooded sand dunes near Lake Michigan, and edges of sandy marshes. In many areas, populations of Small Pinweed have declined as a result of habitat destruction from various development projects. Like other Lechea spp. (Pinweeds), it is adapted to occasional disturbance (wildfires, shifting dunes), but dislikes extreme orLower Stem & Leaves more frequent modifications of its environment.
Faunal Associations: In general, very little is known about the floral-fauna relationships of Lechea spp. (Pinweeds); they have not been studied adequately, thus some of the following information is speculative. The flowers offer no nectar to insect visitors; only pollen is available as a food reward. It is possible that various flies, small bees, and other small insects are minor pollinators of the flowers, which are self-fertile and probably cross-pollinated by the wind. It has been found that White-Tailed Deer preferentially browse on Lechea maritima (Beach Pinweed) in Virginia (see Keiper, 1990), and thus they may browse on other Pinweeds in other areas as well.
Photographic Location: Edge of a sandy oak woodland that is located near a wet sand prairie at the Iroquois County Conservation Area in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: In most of Illinois, Lechea spp. (Pinweeds) are restricted to sandy habitats, although in southern Illinois some species (including Small Pinweed) can be found along cliffs and upland woodlands that are rocky. The various species are very similar to each other in appearance and can be difficult to differentiate. The presence of mature fruits on a prospective plant greatly facilitates its identification and, to a lesser extent, the shape of the leaves and type of hairs on the stems facilitates species identification as well. Small Pinweed can be distinguished from other similar Pinweed species as follows: 1) it has wider leaves than some other species, which are more linear in shape, 2) the hairs on its stems are upwardly appressed or ascending, rather than widely spreading or absent, 3) the seed capsules are ovoid in shape, rather than globoid or subgloboid, and 4) the outer sepals of Small Pinweed are longer than the inner sepals and they are as long or longer than the seed capsules. The only other Pinweed in Illinois with the last characteristic is Lechea tenuifolia (Slender Pinweed), which differs by having linear leaves and it tends to be smaller in size. Another common name of Lechea minor is Thyme-Leaved Pinweed.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月27日
Description: This perennial herbaceous wildflower is 1-3' tall and semi-erect to erect in habit. Its stems are light green to purplish brown, angular or terete, glabrous, and sometimes glaucous. Alternate compound leaves occur along these stems at intervals; they are widely spreading to ascending and evenly pinnate. Each compound leaf consists of 4-10 pairs of leaflets along a rachis (central stalk) that is light green to purplish brown and glabrous. The tip of each compound leaf terminates in a branched tendril that can cling to adjacent vegetation, fences, and other objects.
Individual leaflets are 1-2" long and ½-1¼" across; they are oval-ovate in shape, smooth along their margins, and glabrous. The upper leaflet surface is medium green, while the lower surface is pale green. Each leaflet has a short narrow petiole at its base that connects to the rachis of the compound leaf. Where each compound leaf joins the stem, there is a pair of leafy stipules about ½-1" in length. Each stipule is half-cordate in shape, forming a rounded basal lobe, where there are 1-3 small secondary lobes with blunt tips. Narrow racemes of 5-12 flowers (about 2½-5" in length) are borne on long naked peduncles that are shorter than the compound leaves. Individual flowers are ½-¾" long, consisting of 5 white or cream-colored petals, a light green to nearly white tubular calyx with 5 teeth, several hidden stamens, and a pistil with a single style. Each flower has aDistribution Map typical pea-like floral structure, where one upper petal forms the banner (or standard), 2 lateral petals form the wings, and 2 petals form the keel that is enclosed by the wings. The pedicels of the flowers are short and narrow. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer. Each flower is replaced by a 2-valved seedpod that becomes 2-3" long at maturity. Each seedpod is cylindrical, somewhat flattened, and glabrous, tapering at its tip into a curved beak. When they are fully mature, the seedpods divide into 2 parts to release their seeds. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist to dry conditions, sandy or rocky soil with some organic matter, and relatively cool temperatures during the summer.
Range & Habitat: Pale Vetchling is native to Illinois, where it is uncommon and state-listed as 'threatened.' It is found primarily in northern Illinois, although there are a few isolated populations in the southern part of the state. This wildflower is more common in areas lying north of the state. Habitats include upland woodlands, upland savannas, sandy bluffs, wooded slopes, the slopes of rocky ravines, and riverbanks. In Illinois, Pale Vetchling often occurs where oak trees are dominant.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated by bumblebees and other long-tongued bees, where they seek nectar and pollen. The caterpillars of the butterfly Glaucopsyche lygdamus (Silvery Blue) sometimes feed on vetchlings (Lathyrus spp.), although they are more often found on Vetches (Vicia spp.); this insect has a boreal range that is similar to Pale Vetchling. An aphid, Nearctaphis crataegifoliae, and other aphids may feed on this plant as well. The Ruffed Grouse sometimes eats the seeds and foliage of vetchlings.
Photographic Location: A woodland in NE Illinois. The photograph was taken by Tobin Fraley (Copyright © 2010).
Comments: Pale Vetchling is one of several Lathyrus spp. (vetchlings) in Illinois. Sometimes it is referred to as 'Cream Pea' or 'Cream Peavine.' This species can be distinguished from others in this genus by its white or cream-colored flowers, relatively broad leaflets, and distinctive stipules, which have rounded basal lobes with one or more secondary lobes. Other species in this genus often have purple-lavender flowers, narrow leaflets (less than one-third as wide as long), and their stipules lack secondary lobes. Pale Vetchling would probably be adaptable to cultivation in partially shaded gardens.
Individual leaflets are 1-2" long and ½-1¼" across; they are oval-ovate in shape, smooth along their margins, and glabrous. The upper leaflet surface is medium green, while the lower surface is pale green. Each leaflet has a short narrow petiole at its base that connects to the rachis of the compound leaf. Where each compound leaf joins the stem, there is a pair of leafy stipules about ½-1" in length. Each stipule is half-cordate in shape, forming a rounded basal lobe, where there are 1-3 small secondary lobes with blunt tips. Narrow racemes of 5-12 flowers (about 2½-5" in length) are borne on long naked peduncles that are shorter than the compound leaves. Individual flowers are ½-¾" long, consisting of 5 white or cream-colored petals, a light green to nearly white tubular calyx with 5 teeth, several hidden stamens, and a pistil with a single style. Each flower has aDistribution Map typical pea-like floral structure, where one upper petal forms the banner (or standard), 2 lateral petals form the wings, and 2 petals form the keel that is enclosed by the wings. The pedicels of the flowers are short and narrow. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer. Each flower is replaced by a 2-valved seedpod that becomes 2-3" long at maturity. Each seedpod is cylindrical, somewhat flattened, and glabrous, tapering at its tip into a curved beak. When they are fully mature, the seedpods divide into 2 parts to release their seeds. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun, moist to dry conditions, sandy or rocky soil with some organic matter, and relatively cool temperatures during the summer.
Range & Habitat: Pale Vetchling is native to Illinois, where it is uncommon and state-listed as 'threatened.' It is found primarily in northern Illinois, although there are a few isolated populations in the southern part of the state. This wildflower is more common in areas lying north of the state. Habitats include upland woodlands, upland savannas, sandy bluffs, wooded slopes, the slopes of rocky ravines, and riverbanks. In Illinois, Pale Vetchling often occurs where oak trees are dominant.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated by bumblebees and other long-tongued bees, where they seek nectar and pollen. The caterpillars of the butterfly Glaucopsyche lygdamus (Silvery Blue) sometimes feed on vetchlings (Lathyrus spp.), although they are more often found on Vetches (Vicia spp.); this insect has a boreal range that is similar to Pale Vetchling. An aphid, Nearctaphis crataegifoliae, and other aphids may feed on this plant as well. The Ruffed Grouse sometimes eats the seeds and foliage of vetchlings.
Photographic Location: A woodland in NE Illinois. The photograph was taken by Tobin Fraley (Copyright © 2010).
Comments: Pale Vetchling is one of several Lathyrus spp. (vetchlings) in Illinois. Sometimes it is referred to as 'Cream Pea' or 'Cream Peavine.' This species can be distinguished from others in this genus by its white or cream-colored flowers, relatively broad leaflets, and distinctive stipules, which have rounded basal lobes with one or more secondary lobes. Other species in this genus often have purple-lavender flowers, narrow leaflets (less than one-third as wide as long), and their stipules lack secondary lobes. Pale Vetchling would probably be adaptable to cultivation in partially shaded gardens.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月27日
Description: This perennial wildflower consists of a rosette of basal leaves, from which a flowering stalk about 1-2' tall is produced. The basal leaves are up to 7" long and 2" across; they are pale green to green, hairless, and oblanceolate or obovate in shape. Their margins are smooth, undulate, slightly dentate, or slightly pinnatifid. The flowering stalk is pale green, hairless, glaucous, terete, and erect. There are 1-2 cauline leaves on the flowering stalk that are ovate in shape and smooth or dentate along their margins. Where the uppermost cauline leaf occurs, the stalk branches into 2-5 ascending peduncles. Each peduncle terminates in a yellow or orange-yellow flowerhead about 1–1½" across. Each flowerhead has many spreading ray florets and no disk florets. Each ray floret is narrowly oblong and yellow or orange-yellow; it has a truncate tip with 5 small teeth. The base of the flowerhead is surrounded by several floral bracts in a single series; each bract is pale green, linear-lanceolate, hairless, glaucous, and about 1/3" (8 mm.) in length or a little longer. The blooming period can occur from late spring to mid-summer and lasts about a month. Later in the year, the ray florets are replaced by small achenes. Each achene is bullet-shaped and truncate at the apex, where it has a tuft of white hairs. The achenes are distributed by the wind. The root system consists of a thickened crown with fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is partial or dappled sunlight and mesic to dry conditions. Different kinds of soil are tolerated, including those containing loam, clay-loam, sand, or rocky material. Water-logged sites should be avoided.
Range & Habitat: The native Two-Flowered Cynthia is occasional to locally common throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open upland woodlands, open sandy woodlands, savannas and sandy savannas, rocky wooded slopes, thinly wooded bluffs, areas along woodland paths, rocky glades, and upland meadows. Two-Flowered Cynthia is often found in upland habitats where Oaks are dominant in areas with thin leaf cover and sparse ground vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The flowerheads attract long-tongued bees (bumblebees, honeybees, Little Carpenter bees, Cuckoo bees, Mason bees), short-tongued bees (Halictid bees, Masked bees), predatory wasps, flies (Syrphid, Tachinid, & others), butterflies, skippers, and beetles. These insects suck nectar, collect pollen, or feed on pollen from the flowerheads. An oligolectic visitor, Andrena krigiana (Krigia Andrenid Bee), is specifically attracted to the flowerheads of Krigia spp. In addition to these floral visitors, an aphid, Uroleucon brachychaetum, sucks plant juices from these plants. Thus far, I have not observed any evidence that White-Tailed Deer feed on the foliage of Two-Flowered Cynthia, which contains a bitter white latex, although I would not rule out this possibility.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken along the edge of two wooded bluffs in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: The flowerheads and foliage of this wildflower are quite attractive. Most members of the Aster family with dandelion-like flowerheads (including other Krigia spp. in Illinois) have yellow ray florets, but the ray florets of Two-Flowered Cynthia often have an orange tint. Two-Flowered Cynthia has larger flowerheads (1" across or more), longer floral bracts (1/3" or more), and its achenes have more bristly hairs (20 or more) than either Krigia virginica or Krigia caespitosa (both annuals). Another species, Krigia dandelion (Potato Dandelion) has unbranched flowering stalks that each produce a single flowerhead. In contrast, Two-Flowered Cynthia has flowering stalks that branch above their uppermost cauline leaves, each stalk producing 2-5 flowerheads on separate peduncles.
Cultivation: The preference is partial or dappled sunlight and mesic to dry conditions. Different kinds of soil are tolerated, including those containing loam, clay-loam, sand, or rocky material. Water-logged sites should be avoided.
Range & Habitat: The native Two-Flowered Cynthia is occasional to locally common throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open upland woodlands, open sandy woodlands, savannas and sandy savannas, rocky wooded slopes, thinly wooded bluffs, areas along woodland paths, rocky glades, and upland meadows. Two-Flowered Cynthia is often found in upland habitats where Oaks are dominant in areas with thin leaf cover and sparse ground vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The flowerheads attract long-tongued bees (bumblebees, honeybees, Little Carpenter bees, Cuckoo bees, Mason bees), short-tongued bees (Halictid bees, Masked bees), predatory wasps, flies (Syrphid, Tachinid, & others), butterflies, skippers, and beetles. These insects suck nectar, collect pollen, or feed on pollen from the flowerheads. An oligolectic visitor, Andrena krigiana (Krigia Andrenid Bee), is specifically attracted to the flowerheads of Krigia spp. In addition to these floral visitors, an aphid, Uroleucon brachychaetum, sucks plant juices from these plants. Thus far, I have not observed any evidence that White-Tailed Deer feed on the foliage of Two-Flowered Cynthia, which contains a bitter white latex, although I would not rule out this possibility.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken along the edge of two wooded bluffs in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: The flowerheads and foliage of this wildflower are quite attractive. Most members of the Aster family with dandelion-like flowerheads (including other Krigia spp. in Illinois) have yellow ray florets, but the ray florets of Two-Flowered Cynthia often have an orange tint. Two-Flowered Cynthia has larger flowerheads (1" across or more), longer floral bracts (1/3" or more), and its achenes have more bristly hairs (20 or more) than either Krigia virginica or Krigia caespitosa (both annuals). Another species, Krigia dandelion (Potato Dandelion) has unbranched flowering stalks that each produce a single flowerhead. In contrast, Two-Flowered Cynthia has flowering stalks that branch above their uppermost cauline leaves, each stalk producing 2-5 flowerheads on separate peduncles.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月27日
Description: This perennial wildflower is ½–1½' tall, sending up one or more unbranched leafy stems from the root system. These stems are erect, ascending, or sprawling; they are light green, tan, or reddish brown, terete, and canescent. Along each stem, there are densely spaced alternate leaves that appear to be whorled (pointing in all directions). Individual leaves are ¾–1½" long and 1/8" (3 mm.) across; they are linear in shape, smooth along their margins, stiff, and sessile (or nearly so). The upper surfaces of the leaves are medium to dark green and glabrous, while their lower surfaces are pale green and canescent. Each leaf has a prominent midvein.
The central stem terminates in a small cluster of flowerheads (sometimes only a single flowerhead is produced, but there are usually more). Individual flowerheads are born on unbranched peduncles about ½–2" long (rarely, they are longer). Along each peduncle, there are small bracts up to ¼" long that resemble the leaves, except they are much smaller in size. The daisy-like flowerheads span ¾–1¼" across, consisting of 10-20 ray florets and a similar number of disk florets. The petal-like rays are lavender or pale blue-violet, while the tiny corollas of the disk florets are bright yellow, later becoming orange-red. At the base of each flowerhead, there are 4-5 series of appressed floral bracts. Individual floral bracts are scale-like in appearance and linear-oblong in shape; each of these bracts is medium green along the upper one-half of its length, otherwise it is nearly white. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-fall and lasts about 1 month. Both disk and ray florets produce achenes.Stem & Leaves The small achenes are bullet-shaped and pubescent; there is a small tuft of hairs at the apex of each achene. For each tuft, the spreading inner hairs are long, while the outer hairs are short. The tufted achenes are distributed by the wind. The root system forms a caudex with fibrous roots; sometimes, spreading rhizomes are produced, from which vegetative offsets can develop.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, dry-mesic conditions, and an acidic soil that is sandy or rocky. This wildflower can be cultivated in rock gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native Flax-Leaved Aster is occasional in the northern half of Illinois, while in the southern half of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland sand prairies, upland sandy savannas, stabilized sand dunes, open rocky woodlands, rocky wooded slopes, and sandstone glades. This wildflower is found in high quality natural habitats with sparse ground cover. It benefits from occasional wildfires in wooded areas, as this reduces the encroachment of woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract many kinds of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, various flies, butterflies, skippers, and beetles. Several bees are pollinator specialists (oligoleges) of Aster spp. (Asters): Andrena asteris, Andrena asteroides, Andrena hirticincta, Andrena nubecula, Andrena simplex, Andrena solidaginis, and Colletes simulans armata. Some of these bees are also oligoleges of Solidago spp. (Goldenrods). Other insects feed on the leaves, flowers, seeds, plant juices, stalks, or roots of Asters. These species include the plant bug Plagiognathus cuneatus, the leafhopper Macrosteles quadrilineatus, Exema canadensis and other leaf beetles, the long-horned beetle Mecas pergrata, several aphids (mainly Uroleucon spp.), and caterpillars of the butterflies Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) and Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescent). There are also many moth species whose caterpillars feed on Asters (see Moth Table). Among vertebrate animals, the Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkey eat the leaves and seeds, while the Cottontail Rabbit and White-Tailed Deer browse on the foliage. The White-Footed Mouse and possibly other small rodents also eat the seeds.
Photographic Location: An upland sandy savanna at Hooper Branch Savanna Nature Preserve in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: This wildflower has an elegant appearance. What distinguishes Flax-Leaved Aster from species in the Aster genus are the tufted hairs of its achenes: they consist of a combination of long and short hairs, rather than hairs of uniform length. Nonetheless, it is sometimes referred to as Aster linariifolius because of its similarity to these species in other respects. Flax-Leaved Aster superficially resembles Aster oblongifolius (Aromatic Aster) to some extent, but it has unbranched stems, while the latter species has abundantly branched stems. Because of its short linear leaves, which are arranged in dense pseudo-whorls, Flax-Leaved Aster is relatively easy to identify. Another common name of this species is Stiff-Leaved Aster.
The central stem terminates in a small cluster of flowerheads (sometimes only a single flowerhead is produced, but there are usually more). Individual flowerheads are born on unbranched peduncles about ½–2" long (rarely, they are longer). Along each peduncle, there are small bracts up to ¼" long that resemble the leaves, except they are much smaller in size. The daisy-like flowerheads span ¾–1¼" across, consisting of 10-20 ray florets and a similar number of disk florets. The petal-like rays are lavender or pale blue-violet, while the tiny corollas of the disk florets are bright yellow, later becoming orange-red. At the base of each flowerhead, there are 4-5 series of appressed floral bracts. Individual floral bracts are scale-like in appearance and linear-oblong in shape; each of these bracts is medium green along the upper one-half of its length, otherwise it is nearly white. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-fall and lasts about 1 month. Both disk and ray florets produce achenes.Stem & Leaves The small achenes are bullet-shaped and pubescent; there is a small tuft of hairs at the apex of each achene. For each tuft, the spreading inner hairs are long, while the outer hairs are short. The tufted achenes are distributed by the wind. The root system forms a caudex with fibrous roots; sometimes, spreading rhizomes are produced, from which vegetative offsets can develop.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, dry-mesic conditions, and an acidic soil that is sandy or rocky. This wildflower can be cultivated in rock gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native Flax-Leaved Aster is occasional in the northern half of Illinois, while in the southern half of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include upland sand prairies, upland sandy savannas, stabilized sand dunes, open rocky woodlands, rocky wooded slopes, and sandstone glades. This wildflower is found in high quality natural habitats with sparse ground cover. It benefits from occasional wildfires in wooded areas, as this reduces the encroachment of woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract many kinds of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, various flies, butterflies, skippers, and beetles. Several bees are pollinator specialists (oligoleges) of Aster spp. (Asters): Andrena asteris, Andrena asteroides, Andrena hirticincta, Andrena nubecula, Andrena simplex, Andrena solidaginis, and Colletes simulans armata. Some of these bees are also oligoleges of Solidago spp. (Goldenrods). Other insects feed on the leaves, flowers, seeds, plant juices, stalks, or roots of Asters. These species include the plant bug Plagiognathus cuneatus, the leafhopper Macrosteles quadrilineatus, Exema canadensis and other leaf beetles, the long-horned beetle Mecas pergrata, several aphids (mainly Uroleucon spp.), and caterpillars of the butterflies Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) and Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescent). There are also many moth species whose caterpillars feed on Asters (see Moth Table). Among vertebrate animals, the Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkey eat the leaves and seeds, while the Cottontail Rabbit and White-Tailed Deer browse on the foliage. The White-Footed Mouse and possibly other small rodents also eat the seeds.
Photographic Location: An upland sandy savanna at Hooper Branch Savanna Nature Preserve in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: This wildflower has an elegant appearance. What distinguishes Flax-Leaved Aster from species in the Aster genus are the tufted hairs of its achenes: they consist of a combination of long and short hairs, rather than hairs of uniform length. Nonetheless, it is sometimes referred to as Aster linariifolius because of its similarity to these species in other respects. Flax-Leaved Aster superficially resembles Aster oblongifolius (Aromatic Aster) to some extent, but it has unbranched stems, while the latter species has abundantly branched stems. Because of its short linear leaves, which are arranged in dense pseudo-whorls, Flax-Leaved Aster is relatively easy to identify. Another common name of this species is Stiff-Leaved Aster.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月27日
Description: This is a perennial wildflower about 2½-6' tall that is either unbranched or sparingly branched. The central stem is light gray-green, densely pubescent, terete, and rather stout. Alternate leaves occur at intervals along this stem. Individual leaves are up to 7" long and 6" across; they are oval-cordate in outline with 3-7 palmate lobes and crenate-dentate margins. Usually the middle lobes of the leaves are larger than the lateral lobes. The upper surface of these leaves is medium green and hairless to sparsely pubescent, while their lower surface is light gray-green and pubescent. The petioles are up to 6" long, light gray-green, and pubescent. Sometimes short secondary stems with small leaves develop from the axils of the leaves on the central stem. Flowers are produced either individually or in clusters of 2-3 from the axils of the leaves along the upper half of each plant. The pedicels of these flowers are rather short (up to ¾" long), light gray-green, and pubescent. Each flower is 1¼-2½" across, consisting of 5 light pink petals (obcordate in shape), 5 light gray-green sepals (ovate in shape) that are joined together at the base, a central reproductive column, and 3 light gray-green floral bracts (linear in shape). Individual sepals are about ½" in length, while individual floral bracts are about the same length; both floral bracts and sepals are short-pubescent. The stamens are located along the outer half of the reproductive column, while the styles are located at its tip. The anthers of the stamens are pale yellow or white.
The blooming period occurs during the summer, lasting about 2 months. Individual flowers are short-lived and slightly fragrant. Afterwards, each fertile flower is replaced by a ring of carpels containing the seeds. The carpels are reniform and narrowly wedge-shaped; their outer edges are pubescent. Each carpel contains 2-4 seeds (about 3 mm. in length). The root system consists of a short stout taproot and rhizomes. Vegetative colonies of plants occasionally develop from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to mesic conditions that are well-drained, and soil containing some loam or rocky material. Germination of the seeds requires scarification of the seed coat through mechanical means or by fire. In a dormant state, the seeds can be remain viable for up to 50 years. Cross-pollination with genetically distinct plants is required for the production of viable seeds.
Range & Habitat: The native Kankakee Mallow has been found only in Kankakee County, where it is rare and state-listed as 'endangered' (see Distribution Map). Habitats consist of rocky riverbanks, woodland edges, open rocky woodlands, and abandoned fields. In all of these habitats within Illinois, the underlying bedrock of the thin soil consists of dolomite. Occasional wildfires are beneficial in maintaining populations of Kankakee Mallow as they stimulate the germination of seeds and reduce competition from woody vegetation. This wildflower has been cultivated successfully in gardens.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this rare wildflower. The flowers are probably cross-pollinated by various long-tongued and short-tongued bees. White-Tailed Deer and other mammalian herbivores readily browse on the foliage. It may be necessary to place wire cages over individual plants in order to protect them from such animals.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The Kankakee Mallow has attractive flowers and foliage. This rare wildflower is endemic to Illinois, although an adventive population has been found in Indiana near a railroad. It is thought that members of a Chicago wildflower society may have established this population by throwing seeds of the Kankakee Mallow out of the window of a passing train during the early 20th century. There are some differences of opinion regarding the taxonomic classification of the Kankakee Mallow. It has been classified as the typical variety of a more western species, Iliamna rivularis (Mountain Hollyhock), and sometimes it is considered the same species as the more eastern Iliamna corei (Peter's Mountain Mallow). This last species was discovered on a sandstone outcrop in Virginia, where it was under attack by feral goats. The Kankakee Mallow differs from Peter's Mountain Mallow by having flowers that are fragrant. In general, mallows of the Iliamna genus differ from many other mallows by having 3 linear floral bracts behind the sepals of each flower.
The blooming period occurs during the summer, lasting about 2 months. Individual flowers are short-lived and slightly fragrant. Afterwards, each fertile flower is replaced by a ring of carpels containing the seeds. The carpels are reniform and narrowly wedge-shaped; their outer edges are pubescent. Each carpel contains 2-4 seeds (about 3 mm. in length). The root system consists of a short stout taproot and rhizomes. Vegetative colonies of plants occasionally develop from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to mesic conditions that are well-drained, and soil containing some loam or rocky material. Germination of the seeds requires scarification of the seed coat through mechanical means or by fire. In a dormant state, the seeds can be remain viable for up to 50 years. Cross-pollination with genetically distinct plants is required for the production of viable seeds.
Range & Habitat: The native Kankakee Mallow has been found only in Kankakee County, where it is rare and state-listed as 'endangered' (see Distribution Map). Habitats consist of rocky riverbanks, woodland edges, open rocky woodlands, and abandoned fields. In all of these habitats within Illinois, the underlying bedrock of the thin soil consists of dolomite. Occasional wildfires are beneficial in maintaining populations of Kankakee Mallow as they stimulate the germination of seeds and reduce competition from woody vegetation. This wildflower has been cultivated successfully in gardens.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this rare wildflower. The flowers are probably cross-pollinated by various long-tongued and short-tongued bees. White-Tailed Deer and other mammalian herbivores readily browse on the foliage. It may be necessary to place wire cages over individual plants in order to protect them from such animals.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The Kankakee Mallow has attractive flowers and foliage. This rare wildflower is endemic to Illinois, although an adventive population has been found in Indiana near a railroad. It is thought that members of a Chicago wildflower society may have established this population by throwing seeds of the Kankakee Mallow out of the window of a passing train during the early 20th century. There are some differences of opinion regarding the taxonomic classification of the Kankakee Mallow. It has been classified as the typical variety of a more western species, Iliamna rivularis (Mountain Hollyhock), and sometimes it is considered the same species as the more eastern Iliamna corei (Peter's Mountain Mallow). This last species was discovered on a sandstone outcrop in Virginia, where it was under attack by feral goats. The Kankakee Mallow differs from Peter's Mountain Mallow by having flowers that are fragrant. In general, mallows of the Iliamna genus differ from many other mallows by having 3 linear floral bracts behind the sepals of each flower.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月27日
Description: This perennial vine is up to 30' long; it dies back to the ground each year. The stems are light green or light tan, stout, and smooth to prickly-bristly. The opposite leaves are up to 6" long and 4" across; smaller leaves are usually oval-cordate in shape, but larger leaves are palmate with 3 lobes (rarely with 5). These leaves have a rough texture and coarse serration along the margins; they are medium green or yellowish green on their upper surfaces, and whitish green below. The long petioles are light green or light tan, stout, and prickly-bristly. At the base of each petiole is a pair of lanceolate stipules. The hairiness or pubescence of the stems and leaves is variable, if it is present at all. Usually, there are small white hairs along the major veins on the leaf undersides; sometimes these veins are also prickly. American Hops is dioecious, with male (staminate) and female (pistillate) plants. The male plants produce drooping panicles of staminate flowers. These panicles are up to 12" long and 6" across; they contain numerous small flowers that are yellowish or whitish green. Each staminate flower has 5 sepals, 5 stamens, and no petals. It has a star-like appearance and spans about ¼" across, hanging downward from a slender pedicel that is often slightly pubescent. The non-sticky pollen is produced in great abundance and it is easily dispersed into the air.
The female plants produce odd-looking cone-shaped spikes of pistillate flowers (aments) from the axils of the leaves. A spike of pistillate flowers is up to 3" long, 2" across, and ovoid in shape; it usually hangs downward from a slender peduncle. The pistillate spike consists of overlapping green bracts that are ovate; there is a pair of pistillate flowers tucked between each adjacent pair of bracts. Each pistillate flower consists of little more than an ovary with a sticky stigma that is long and slender. Both the male and female flowers bloom during the late summer for about 2 weeks. The male flowers quickly turn brown and wither away, while the fruits (or aments) of the female flowers persist longer and gradually turn brown. Each pistillate flower produces a capsule with a single seed that is resinous and aromatic. This vine reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is partial or full sun, fertile soil, and moist to slightly dry conditions. This robust vine will also grow in poor soil that is rocky or gravelly. It can be quite aggressive and appears to have few problems with disease.
Range & Habitat: The native American Hops is a common plant that occurs in most areas of central and northern Illinois. However, it less common or absent from many areas of southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Other varieties of this vine also occur in Eurasia. American Hops occurs in openings of both upland and floodplain forests, woodland borders, thickets, and slopes of bluffs. In more developed areas, it is found along fence rows, vacant lots, areas along railroads, and miscellaneous waste areas. This plant favors areas that are more or less disturbed, whether from human activities or natural causes. It often clambers over surrounding vegetation, including shrubs and small trees.
Faunal Associations: Pollination is by wind, rather than insects. However, the abundant pollen of the staminate flowers attracts flower flies (Syrphidae) and small bees. The caterpillars of several butterflies feed on hops (Humulus spp.), including Vanessa atalanta (Red Admiral), Polygonia interrogationis (Question Mark), Polygonia comma (Comma), and Strymon melinus (Gray Hairstreak). The caterpillars of the latter species feed on the fruits and developing seeds. The caterpillars of some moths also feed on hops; they include Eudryas grata (Beautiful Wood Nymph), Hydraecia immanis (Hop Vine Borer Moth), Hypena humuli (Hop Looper), and Cnephasia longana (Omnivorous Leaftier). Other insect feeders include Taedia hawleyi (Hop Plant Bug), Phorodon humuli (Hop Aphid), Psylliodes punctulata (Hop Flea Beetle), larvae of Lasioptera humulicaulis (Hop Stem Gall Midge), and the thrips Neohydatothrips beachae. Little information appears to be available about this vine's relationships to vertebrate animals, however it undoubtedly provides protective cover for many species of birds and mammals.
Photographic Location: A sunny area along an abandoned railroad in Urbana, Illinois. This vine also occurred in partially shaded areas at the same locality.
Comments: American Hops has some resemblance to grapevines (Vitis spp.), but it is a coarser and more bristly vine that flowers late in the year, while the latter flowers during the spring. The female fruit of hops is used to flavor beer and prevent decay during fermentation from bacterial processes. It is possible that the wind-dispersed pollen may cause allergic reactions in some people. There are both European and American varieties of this species, and it is quite possible that they have interbred in the wild. Consequently, they are often hard to distinguish. There is a variety of American Hops that has unlobed leaves. There is an invasive non-native species of hops that occurs in the wild, Humulus japonicus (Japanese Hops). This is an annual vine that has leaves with more lobes (5-7) than American Hops. Furthermore, the lobes of its leaves are more narrow and pointed.
The female plants produce odd-looking cone-shaped spikes of pistillate flowers (aments) from the axils of the leaves. A spike of pistillate flowers is up to 3" long, 2" across, and ovoid in shape; it usually hangs downward from a slender peduncle. The pistillate spike consists of overlapping green bracts that are ovate; there is a pair of pistillate flowers tucked between each adjacent pair of bracts. Each pistillate flower consists of little more than an ovary with a sticky stigma that is long and slender. Both the male and female flowers bloom during the late summer for about 2 weeks. The male flowers quickly turn brown and wither away, while the fruits (or aments) of the female flowers persist longer and gradually turn brown. Each pistillate flower produces a capsule with a single seed that is resinous and aromatic. This vine reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is partial or full sun, fertile soil, and moist to slightly dry conditions. This robust vine will also grow in poor soil that is rocky or gravelly. It can be quite aggressive and appears to have few problems with disease.
Range & Habitat: The native American Hops is a common plant that occurs in most areas of central and northern Illinois. However, it less common or absent from many areas of southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Other varieties of this vine also occur in Eurasia. American Hops occurs in openings of both upland and floodplain forests, woodland borders, thickets, and slopes of bluffs. In more developed areas, it is found along fence rows, vacant lots, areas along railroads, and miscellaneous waste areas. This plant favors areas that are more or less disturbed, whether from human activities or natural causes. It often clambers over surrounding vegetation, including shrubs and small trees.
Faunal Associations: Pollination is by wind, rather than insects. However, the abundant pollen of the staminate flowers attracts flower flies (Syrphidae) and small bees. The caterpillars of several butterflies feed on hops (Humulus spp.), including Vanessa atalanta (Red Admiral), Polygonia interrogationis (Question Mark), Polygonia comma (Comma), and Strymon melinus (Gray Hairstreak). The caterpillars of the latter species feed on the fruits and developing seeds. The caterpillars of some moths also feed on hops; they include Eudryas grata (Beautiful Wood Nymph), Hydraecia immanis (Hop Vine Borer Moth), Hypena humuli (Hop Looper), and Cnephasia longana (Omnivorous Leaftier). Other insect feeders include Taedia hawleyi (Hop Plant Bug), Phorodon humuli (Hop Aphid), Psylliodes punctulata (Hop Flea Beetle), larvae of Lasioptera humulicaulis (Hop Stem Gall Midge), and the thrips Neohydatothrips beachae. Little information appears to be available about this vine's relationships to vertebrate animals, however it undoubtedly provides protective cover for many species of birds and mammals.
Photographic Location: A sunny area along an abandoned railroad in Urbana, Illinois. This vine also occurred in partially shaded areas at the same locality.
Comments: American Hops has some resemblance to grapevines (Vitis spp.), but it is a coarser and more bristly vine that flowers late in the year, while the latter flowers during the spring. The female fruit of hops is used to flavor beer and prevent decay during fermentation from bacterial processes. It is possible that the wind-dispersed pollen may cause allergic reactions in some people. There are both European and American varieties of this species, and it is quite possible that they have interbred in the wild. Consequently, they are often hard to distinguish. There is a variety of American Hops that has unlobed leaves. There is an invasive non-native species of hops that occurs in the wild, Humulus japonicus (Japanese Hops). This is an annual vine that has leaves with more lobes (5-7) than American Hops. Furthermore, the lobes of its leaves are more narrow and pointed.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月27日
Description: This perennial herbaceous plant is 1-4' tall and unbranched. The central stem is light green to purple, terete, glabrous to short-pubescent below, and short-pubescent above. About 6-30 alternate leaves are distributed evenly along the length of the stem; the leaves remain the same size, or become slightly smaller in size, as they ascend the stem. Individual leaves are 1½–4" long ¼–1¼" across; the length and width of these leaves varies with the robustness of the plant and the local ecotype or variety. Leaf shape is elliptic, lanceolate-elliptic, lanceolate, or lanceolate-ovate, while leaf margins are sparsely dentate, sparsely denticulate (minutely dentate), or smooth. The upper leaf surface is pale-medium to medium green and glabrous, while the lower leaf surface is pale green and glabrous to short-pubescent. Leaf bases are rounded to narrowly wedge-shaped, while their tips are acute. The leaves are either sessile or they clasp the stem; a few leaves may have short petioles (3 mm. or less) that are appressed against the stem.
The central stem terminates in a panicle of flowerheads that is often corymb-like in shape; a large panicle may have more than one corymb-like division. The size of these panicles is 3-20" long and 5-10" across; small panicles are sometimes more wide than they are across, while large panicles are longer in length than they are across. The branches of each panicle are light green, terete, short-pubescent, and largely naked; a few leafy bracts up to ¼" long may be present. The terminal branches produce individual flowerheads about ¾-1¼" across. Each flowerhead has 30-80 ray florets and no disk florets. The petaloid extensions (or rays) of these florets are bright yellow and narrowly oblong in shape; their tips are 5-toothed and truncate. The base of each flowerhead is surrounded by narrow green phyllaries in 2-3 series. The outermost phyllaries are the smallest. These phyllaries are glabrous or short-hairy; sometimes they have short glandular hairs. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall, lasting about 3-4 weeks for a colony of plants. In the absence of cross-pollination from other plants, the florets are self-fertile. Shortly afterwards, the florets are replaced by small achenes with sessile tufts of light brown hair. The achenes are about 2.5–3 mm. in length, bullet-shaped, ribbed along their sides, and truncate at their apices. They are distributed by the wind. The root system is fibrous, sometimes forming clonal offsets. On older plants, a small caudex may develop.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, mesic to dry conditions, and either sandy or rocky soil. This plant dislikes hot summer weather (90°F or higher temperatures). Plant size can vary considerably depending on the habitat, weather, and local ecotype.
Range & Habitat: Northern Hawkweed is occasional in northern Illinois, where it is native (see Distribution Map). It also occurs in Eurasia, although the latter continental mass has varieties that are distinct from those in North America. Habitats include sandy upland savannas, sand prairies, stabilized sand dunes, openings in sandy or rocky woodlands, sandy thickets, sandy fields, and roadsides. Northern Hawkweed can be found in either high quality or disturbed habitats. It probably benefits from occasional wildfires if this reduces competing woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Various bees and probably other insects visit the flowerheads for nectar and/or pollen, including Halictid bees. Some aphids suck plant juices from the flowering stems and other parts of hawkweeds (Hieracium spp.); these species include Hyperomyzus inflatus, Nasonovia ribisnigri (Currant-Lettuce Aphid), Uroleucon hieracicola (Hawkweed Aphid), and Uroleucon sonchi (Sow-Thistle Aphid). Another insect, the plant bug Lygus rubroclarus, feeds on hawkweeds and other members of the Aster family. These plants are also suspected hosts of Schinia bina (Bina Flower Moth). Among vertebrate animals, the Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkey eat the seeds and leaves of hawkweeds to some extent; the Cottontail Rabbit and White-Tailed Deer also browse on the leaves (Martin et al., 1951/1961).
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Northern Hawkweed is one of the showier native hawkweeds (Hieracium spp.) because it has larger flowerheads (about 1" across) than most. It also produces more leaves along its stems, and the branches of its inflorescence are short-pubescent, rather than glandular-hairy. The taxonomy of this hawkweed, at least in North America, is somewhat confused. In addition to Hieracium umbellatum (Northern Hawkweed), this plant is also referred to as Hieracium canadense (Canada Hawkweed) and Hieracium kalmii (Kalm's Hawkweed). The view taken here is that Hieracium umbellatum is a highly variable species that subsumes both Eurasian and North American plants. The primary difficulty in North America is that leaf width and the amount of dentition along leaf margins are highly variable. Populations of plants in northeastern United States and southeastern Canada tend to have wider leaves with more strongly defined teeth, while populations of plants in the upper midwest of the United States and south-central Canada tend to have more narrow leaves with poorly defined teeth. In Eurasia, this plant tends to have even more narrow leaves than what is observed in North America. These and other variations have led to the description of different varieties and subspecies that have varied in their popularity across time. Another common name of Hieracium umbellatum is Narrow-Leaved Hawkweed.
The central stem terminates in a panicle of flowerheads that is often corymb-like in shape; a large panicle may have more than one corymb-like division. The size of these panicles is 3-20" long and 5-10" across; small panicles are sometimes more wide than they are across, while large panicles are longer in length than they are across. The branches of each panicle are light green, terete, short-pubescent, and largely naked; a few leafy bracts up to ¼" long may be present. The terminal branches produce individual flowerheads about ¾-1¼" across. Each flowerhead has 30-80 ray florets and no disk florets. The petaloid extensions (or rays) of these florets are bright yellow and narrowly oblong in shape; their tips are 5-toothed and truncate. The base of each flowerhead is surrounded by narrow green phyllaries in 2-3 series. The outermost phyllaries are the smallest. These phyllaries are glabrous or short-hairy; sometimes they have short glandular hairs. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall, lasting about 3-4 weeks for a colony of plants. In the absence of cross-pollination from other plants, the florets are self-fertile. Shortly afterwards, the florets are replaced by small achenes with sessile tufts of light brown hair. The achenes are about 2.5–3 mm. in length, bullet-shaped, ribbed along their sides, and truncate at their apices. They are distributed by the wind. The root system is fibrous, sometimes forming clonal offsets. On older plants, a small caudex may develop.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, mesic to dry conditions, and either sandy or rocky soil. This plant dislikes hot summer weather (90°F or higher temperatures). Plant size can vary considerably depending on the habitat, weather, and local ecotype.
Range & Habitat: Northern Hawkweed is occasional in northern Illinois, where it is native (see Distribution Map). It also occurs in Eurasia, although the latter continental mass has varieties that are distinct from those in North America. Habitats include sandy upland savannas, sand prairies, stabilized sand dunes, openings in sandy or rocky woodlands, sandy thickets, sandy fields, and roadsides. Northern Hawkweed can be found in either high quality or disturbed habitats. It probably benefits from occasional wildfires if this reduces competing woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Various bees and probably other insects visit the flowerheads for nectar and/or pollen, including Halictid bees. Some aphids suck plant juices from the flowering stems and other parts of hawkweeds (Hieracium spp.); these species include Hyperomyzus inflatus, Nasonovia ribisnigri (Currant-Lettuce Aphid), Uroleucon hieracicola (Hawkweed Aphid), and Uroleucon sonchi (Sow-Thistle Aphid). Another insect, the plant bug Lygus rubroclarus, feeds on hawkweeds and other members of the Aster family. These plants are also suspected hosts of Schinia bina (Bina Flower Moth). Among vertebrate animals, the Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkey eat the seeds and leaves of hawkweeds to some extent; the Cottontail Rabbit and White-Tailed Deer also browse on the leaves (Martin et al., 1951/1961).
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Northern Hawkweed is one of the showier native hawkweeds (Hieracium spp.) because it has larger flowerheads (about 1" across) than most. It also produces more leaves along its stems, and the branches of its inflorescence are short-pubescent, rather than glandular-hairy. The taxonomy of this hawkweed, at least in North America, is somewhat confused. In addition to Hieracium umbellatum (Northern Hawkweed), this plant is also referred to as Hieracium canadense (Canada Hawkweed) and Hieracium kalmii (Kalm's Hawkweed). The view taken here is that Hieracium umbellatum is a highly variable species that subsumes both Eurasian and North American plants. The primary difficulty in North America is that leaf width and the amount of dentition along leaf margins are highly variable. Populations of plants in northeastern United States and southeastern Canada tend to have wider leaves with more strongly defined teeth, while populations of plants in the upper midwest of the United States and south-central Canada tend to have more narrow leaves with poorly defined teeth. In Eurasia, this plant tends to have even more narrow leaves than what is observed in North America. These and other variations have led to the description of different varieties and subspecies that have varied in their popularity across time. Another common name of Hieracium umbellatum is Narrow-Leaved Hawkweed.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月27日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 1-3½' tall, producing a leafy central stem that is unbranched and more or less erect. The central stem is light green and more or less covered with spreading hairs; some hairs along the upper section of this stem may be glandular, otherwise they are non-glandular. Several alternate leaves occur along the lower three-fourths of this stem, becoming gradually smaller in size and more widely spaced as they ascend toward the inflorescence. The leaf blades are 2-6" long and ½-2" across, lanceolate-oblanceolate to ovate-obovate with smooth to nearly smooth margins. Some larger leaves may have widely spaced dentate teeth that are poorly defined. The upper surface of the leaf blades is medium green and hairy, while the lower surface is pale green and hairy. Each leaf tapers gradually into a petiole-like base and its tip is relatively blunt. Both the central stem and leaves contain a milky latex.
The central stem terminates in an elongated panicle of flowerheads up to 1' long and ½' across. Individual flowerheads are ½-¾" across, consisting of 30-60 yellow ray florets and no disk florets. Around the base of each flowerhead, 12-20 floral bracts (phyllaries) are arranged in a single series. Individual floral bracts are light green, linear in shape, and often glandular-hairy. The branches of the inflorescence are light green to dull purple and glandular-hairy; there are often a small leafy bracts (less than 1" in length) where these branches divide. The glandular hairs along the branches of the inflorescence and the floral bracts of the flowerheads are often black. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall for about 3-4 weeks. The florets are self-fertile in the absence of cross-pollination. The florets are replaced by achenes with tufts of tawny hair. Individual mature achenes are about 1/8" (3 mm.) long, narrowly cylindrical in shape, truncate at the apex, and dark brown. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous; older plants may have a short underground caudex. Small colonies of plants are formed occasionally by the spreading rhizomes. A small rosette of basal leaves may be present during the winter after the flowering stalk with alternate leaves dies down.
Stem & LeavesCultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, sand, or rocky material. The size of individual plants and the abundance of their flowerheads is highly variable.
Range & Habitat: The native Rough Hawkweed is occasional in most areas of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include rocky upland woodlands, bluffs, wooded slopes, woodland openings, savannas and sandy savannas, partially shaded ledges, woodland borders, and sandy roadsides. This wildflower benefits from occasional disturbance to reduce competition from woody vines, shrubs, and trees.
Faunal Associations: Surprisingly little information is available for hawkweeds (Hieracium spp.) about their floral-faunal relationships. The flowerheads are probably cross-pollinated by long-tongued bees and other insects; both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards to such visitors. Hawkweeds are suspected host plants for the caterpillars of Schinia bina (Bina Flower Moth). The seeds or leaves are occasionally eaten by the Wild Turkey and Ruffed Grouse, while the foliage is browsed sparingly by the Cottontail Rabbit and White-Tailed Deer (Martin et al., 1951/1961). However, the bitter white latex and hairiness of the foliage does not make this species a preferred source of food for such animals.
Photographic Location: A deciduous woodland near an artificial lake at a state park in east-central Illinois.
Comments: This is one of several native hawkweeds (Hieracium spp.) in Illinois that have unbranched leafy stems and yellow flowerheads. Generally, they prefer semi-shaded wooded areas that are sandy or rocky, although Rough Hawkweed also occurs in woodlands with fertile loam. It is very similar in appearance to Hieracium gronovii (Gronovius' Hawkweed), but the latter species has spindle-shaped achenes with tapered upper tips (rather than truncate upper tips), relatively fewer florets per flowerhead (about 20-40), and leaves that are located toward the base of its central stem. Another similar species, Hieracium canadense (Canada Hawkweed), has larger flowerheads (¾-1¼" across) with more florets per flowerhead (40-100), inflorescence branches that are short-pubescent (rather than glandular-hairy), and more leaves along each central stem (often 12 or more). There are some hawkweeds that have been introduced from Europe, but their leaves are arranged in basal rosettes during the blooming period, unlike the native hawkweed species.
The central stem terminates in an elongated panicle of flowerheads up to 1' long and ½' across. Individual flowerheads are ½-¾" across, consisting of 30-60 yellow ray florets and no disk florets. Around the base of each flowerhead, 12-20 floral bracts (phyllaries) are arranged in a single series. Individual floral bracts are light green, linear in shape, and often glandular-hairy. The branches of the inflorescence are light green to dull purple and glandular-hairy; there are often a small leafy bracts (less than 1" in length) where these branches divide. The glandular hairs along the branches of the inflorescence and the floral bracts of the flowerheads are often black. The blooming period occurs from late summer to early fall for about 3-4 weeks. The florets are self-fertile in the absence of cross-pollination. The florets are replaced by achenes with tufts of tawny hair. Individual mature achenes are about 1/8" (3 mm.) long, narrowly cylindrical in shape, truncate at the apex, and dark brown. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous; older plants may have a short underground caudex. Small colonies of plants are formed occasionally by the spreading rhizomes. A small rosette of basal leaves may be present during the winter after the flowering stalk with alternate leaves dies down.
Stem & LeavesCultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, sand, or rocky material. The size of individual plants and the abundance of their flowerheads is highly variable.
Range & Habitat: The native Rough Hawkweed is occasional in most areas of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include rocky upland woodlands, bluffs, wooded slopes, woodland openings, savannas and sandy savannas, partially shaded ledges, woodland borders, and sandy roadsides. This wildflower benefits from occasional disturbance to reduce competition from woody vines, shrubs, and trees.
Faunal Associations: Surprisingly little information is available for hawkweeds (Hieracium spp.) about their floral-faunal relationships. The flowerheads are probably cross-pollinated by long-tongued bees and other insects; both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards to such visitors. Hawkweeds are suspected host plants for the caterpillars of Schinia bina (Bina Flower Moth). The seeds or leaves are occasionally eaten by the Wild Turkey and Ruffed Grouse, while the foliage is browsed sparingly by the Cottontail Rabbit and White-Tailed Deer (Martin et al., 1951/1961). However, the bitter white latex and hairiness of the foliage does not make this species a preferred source of food for such animals.
Photographic Location: A deciduous woodland near an artificial lake at a state park in east-central Illinois.
Comments: This is one of several native hawkweeds (Hieracium spp.) in Illinois that have unbranched leafy stems and yellow flowerheads. Generally, they prefer semi-shaded wooded areas that are sandy or rocky, although Rough Hawkweed also occurs in woodlands with fertile loam. It is very similar in appearance to Hieracium gronovii (Gronovius' Hawkweed), but the latter species has spindle-shaped achenes with tapered upper tips (rather than truncate upper tips), relatively fewer florets per flowerhead (about 20-40), and leaves that are located toward the base of its central stem. Another similar species, Hieracium canadense (Canada Hawkweed), has larger flowerheads (¾-1¼" across) with more florets per flowerhead (40-100), inflorescence branches that are short-pubescent (rather than glandular-hairy), and more leaves along each central stem (often 12 or more). There are some hawkweeds that have been introduced from Europe, but their leaves are arranged in basal rosettes during the blooming period, unlike the native hawkweed species.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月27日
Description: This perennial herbaceous wildflower is 3–6½' tall, sending up one or more erect leafy stems from its root system. The stems are light green, faded light yellow, or faded light brown; they are terete, stiffly short-pubescent, and sparingly branched above. Most of the leaves are located along the lower half of the primary stems, where they are opposite. Smaller alternate leaves occur sparingly along the upper primary and secondary stems. All of these stems are erect to ascending. The lower to middle leaves are up to 6" long and 5" across; they are broadly oblong to oval-ovate in shape with margins that are slightly serrated to doubly serrated. To a limited extent, the leaf margins are also horizontally undulate. The leaves abruptly contract to narrowly winged petioles up to 2" long. These petioles have short stiff hairs. The leaf blades are medium green or yellowish green above, and light green below. The upper blade surface is sparsely covered with minute stiff hairs, providing it with a rough texture. The lower blade surface has short stiff hairs along the primary veins and a sparse covering of minute stiff hairs between the veins. The leaves have a prominent central vein and two prominent lateral veins; the latter curve toward the leaf tips.
The upper stems terminate in either solitary flowerheads or small loose clusters of 2-3 flowerheads on long naked peduncles up to 1' long. These flowerheads tend to occur at different heights from the ground. The peduncles are similar to the stems, except they are a little more narrow in diameter. The flowerheads are held erect or at an angle facing partly upward; they span about 2-3" across. Each flowerhead has 10-20 ray florets and a central disk of numerous disk florets. The widely spreading petaloid rays are bright yellow and oblong in shape. The corollas of the disk florets are about 6 mm. (¼") long, tubular in shape with 5 upper lobes, and dark red above. The divided styles of the disk florets are bright yellow, while their tubular anthers are dark red. The ray florets are sterile, while the disk florets are perfect. Surrounding the base of each flowerhead, there are floral bracts (phyllaries) in 3 series; these bracts differ in size and they are appressed together. Individual floral bracts are light green and broadly oblong in shape; their tips are obtusely pointed or rounded. The margins of these bracts are toothless and ciliate; their outer surfaces between the margins are sparsely short-pubescent.
The blooming period occurs during early autumn, lasting about 3-4 weeks. Afterwards, fertile disk florets are replaced achenes about 4 mm. in length. These achenes are oblong-obovate, somewhat flattened, brown, and short-pubescent primarily toward their apices. Each achene has a pair of lanceolate scales about 2 mm. long at its apex. However, these scales are early-deciduous. Because the seeds are dispersed primarily by gravity, they usually do not travel far from the mother plant. The root system consists of a crown of fibrous roots and short rhizomes. Clonal offsets are produced sparingly from the short rhizomes.
Cultivation: This plant prefers full or partial sun and mesic to dry-mesic conditions; it adapts to different soil types, including those that contain sand, loam, clay, and rocky material. It is easy to cultivate this plant in gardens and it remains more or less erect, rather than flopping over. Because of its short rhizomes, it is a less aggressive spreader than some sunflower species.
Range & Habitat: Silphium Sunflower has been found in only 2 counties of southern Illinois (Alexander and St. Clair counties), where it is native and rare (see Distribution Map). It may be extirpated from Alexander county, but several populations of this plant still persist in St. Clair county. Illinois lies along the northern range-limit of this species. Silphium Sunflower is endemic to south-central and central United States, where it is found primarily in Arkansas, Missouri, and Tennessee. Habitats include sand prairies, upland prairies and glades, upland savannas, openings in rocky woodlands, low sandy ground along streams, roadsides, and fallow fields. This sunflower is found in both high quality natural areas and disturbed sites. In wooded habitats, it benefits from occasional wildfires. Destruction of habitat by development and invasion of exotic species are the primary threats to this rare plant in Illinois (Molano-Flores, 2004).
Faunal Association: While little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this particular sunflower species, considerable information is available about other sunflower species and sunflowers in general. Similar species of sunflowers attract such flower-visiting insects as bumblebees, long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), leaf-cutter bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees (Agapostemon spp., Lasioglossum spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), dagger bees (Heterosarus spp.), plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), cuckoo bees (Epeolus spp., Triepeolus spp.), miscellaneous wasps, Syrphid flies (Eristalis spp., Toxomerus spp.), bee flies (Exoprosopa spp.), miscellaneous butterflies, and miscellaneous skippers (Robertson, 1929, and others). Some bees are specialist pollinators (oligoleges) of sunflowers; they include Melissodes agilis, Dufourea marginata, Andrena accepta, Andrena aliciae, Andrena helianthi, and Pseudopanurgus rugosus. Other insects feed destructively on the leaves, stems, roots, seeds, and florets of sunflowers. These species include weevils, long-horned beetles, leaf beetles, billbugs, seed weevils, larvae of leaf-miner flies, larvae of gall midges, plant bugs, aphids, treehoppers, mealybugs, larvae of Tortricid moths, larvae of Noctuid moths, larvae of other moths, grasshoppers, and flower thrips. The caterpillars of some butterflies feed on sunflowers; these species include Chlosyne gorgone (Gorgon Checkerspot), Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot), and Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady); see Bouseman & Sternburg, 2001; Charlet & Gavloski, 2011. Some vertebrate animals use sunflowers as a source of food. Upland gamebirds and songbirds eat their nutritious seeds; the Mourning Dove, Bobwhite Quail, American Crow, Eastern Goldfinch, Common Grackle, Eastern Meadowlark, White-breasted Nuthatch, and various sparrows are examples of such birds (Lewis, 1993; Martin et al., 1951/1961). White-tailed Deer and domesticated grazing animals like to feed on the young stems and leaves of these plants (Georgia, 1913; Martin et al., 1951/1961). The seeds of sunflowers are dispersed to a limited extent by birds; sometimes they drop the seeds during flight before they consume them.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The Silphium Sunflower (Helianthus silphioides) is often overlooked in wildflower guidebooks and it is little-known by members of the public. This is partly because, for a long time, this sunflower was considered a variety of the Purple-disk Sunflower (Helianthus atrorubens). However, the Silphium Sunflower differs from the latter by having fewer long hairs on its stems, more narrow and less winged petioles, and achenes that are pubescent primarily toward their apices, rather than throughout. The Purple-disk Sunflower is found primarily in SE United States; it does not occur in Illinois. Scientific synonyms of the Silphium Sunflower include Helianthus atrorubens pubescens and Helianthus kentuckiensis. Other common names of this sunflower include Rosinweed Sunflower and Ozark Sunflower. The common names, Silphium Sunflower and Rosinweed Sunflower, refer to the superficial similarity of this sunflower to the prairie wildflower, Silphium integrifolium (Rosinweed). It also resembles Heliopsis helianthoides (False Sunflower) to a significant extent, but the flowerheads of Silphium Sunflower are borne on longer naked stalks than those of the False Sunflower, and it usually blooms later in the year than the latter species.
The upper stems terminate in either solitary flowerheads or small loose clusters of 2-3 flowerheads on long naked peduncles up to 1' long. These flowerheads tend to occur at different heights from the ground. The peduncles are similar to the stems, except they are a little more narrow in diameter. The flowerheads are held erect or at an angle facing partly upward; they span about 2-3" across. Each flowerhead has 10-20 ray florets and a central disk of numerous disk florets. The widely spreading petaloid rays are bright yellow and oblong in shape. The corollas of the disk florets are about 6 mm. (¼") long, tubular in shape with 5 upper lobes, and dark red above. The divided styles of the disk florets are bright yellow, while their tubular anthers are dark red. The ray florets are sterile, while the disk florets are perfect. Surrounding the base of each flowerhead, there are floral bracts (phyllaries) in 3 series; these bracts differ in size and they are appressed together. Individual floral bracts are light green and broadly oblong in shape; their tips are obtusely pointed or rounded. The margins of these bracts are toothless and ciliate; their outer surfaces between the margins are sparsely short-pubescent.
The blooming period occurs during early autumn, lasting about 3-4 weeks. Afterwards, fertile disk florets are replaced achenes about 4 mm. in length. These achenes are oblong-obovate, somewhat flattened, brown, and short-pubescent primarily toward their apices. Each achene has a pair of lanceolate scales about 2 mm. long at its apex. However, these scales are early-deciduous. Because the seeds are dispersed primarily by gravity, they usually do not travel far from the mother plant. The root system consists of a crown of fibrous roots and short rhizomes. Clonal offsets are produced sparingly from the short rhizomes.
Cultivation: This plant prefers full or partial sun and mesic to dry-mesic conditions; it adapts to different soil types, including those that contain sand, loam, clay, and rocky material. It is easy to cultivate this plant in gardens and it remains more or less erect, rather than flopping over. Because of its short rhizomes, it is a less aggressive spreader than some sunflower species.
Range & Habitat: Silphium Sunflower has been found in only 2 counties of southern Illinois (Alexander and St. Clair counties), where it is native and rare (see Distribution Map). It may be extirpated from Alexander county, but several populations of this plant still persist in St. Clair county. Illinois lies along the northern range-limit of this species. Silphium Sunflower is endemic to south-central and central United States, where it is found primarily in Arkansas, Missouri, and Tennessee. Habitats include sand prairies, upland prairies and glades, upland savannas, openings in rocky woodlands, low sandy ground along streams, roadsides, and fallow fields. This sunflower is found in both high quality natural areas and disturbed sites. In wooded habitats, it benefits from occasional wildfires. Destruction of habitat by development and invasion of exotic species are the primary threats to this rare plant in Illinois (Molano-Flores, 2004).
Faunal Association: While little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this particular sunflower species, considerable information is available about other sunflower species and sunflowers in general. Similar species of sunflowers attract such flower-visiting insects as bumblebees, long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), leaf-cutter bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees (Agapostemon spp., Lasioglossum spp.), Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), dagger bees (Heterosarus spp.), plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), cuckoo bees (Epeolus spp., Triepeolus spp.), miscellaneous wasps, Syrphid flies (Eristalis spp., Toxomerus spp.), bee flies (Exoprosopa spp.), miscellaneous butterflies, and miscellaneous skippers (Robertson, 1929, and others). Some bees are specialist pollinators (oligoleges) of sunflowers; they include Melissodes agilis, Dufourea marginata, Andrena accepta, Andrena aliciae, Andrena helianthi, and Pseudopanurgus rugosus. Other insects feed destructively on the leaves, stems, roots, seeds, and florets of sunflowers. These species include weevils, long-horned beetles, leaf beetles, billbugs, seed weevils, larvae of leaf-miner flies, larvae of gall midges, plant bugs, aphids, treehoppers, mealybugs, larvae of Tortricid moths, larvae of Noctuid moths, larvae of other moths, grasshoppers, and flower thrips. The caterpillars of some butterflies feed on sunflowers; these species include Chlosyne gorgone (Gorgon Checkerspot), Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot), and Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady); see Bouseman & Sternburg, 2001; Charlet & Gavloski, 2011. Some vertebrate animals use sunflowers as a source of food. Upland gamebirds and songbirds eat their nutritious seeds; the Mourning Dove, Bobwhite Quail, American Crow, Eastern Goldfinch, Common Grackle, Eastern Meadowlark, White-breasted Nuthatch, and various sparrows are examples of such birds (Lewis, 1993; Martin et al., 1951/1961). White-tailed Deer and domesticated grazing animals like to feed on the young stems and leaves of these plants (Georgia, 1913; Martin et al., 1951/1961). The seeds of sunflowers are dispersed to a limited extent by birds; sometimes they drop the seeds during flight before they consume them.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The Silphium Sunflower (Helianthus silphioides) is often overlooked in wildflower guidebooks and it is little-known by members of the public. This is partly because, for a long time, this sunflower was considered a variety of the Purple-disk Sunflower (Helianthus atrorubens). However, the Silphium Sunflower differs from the latter by having fewer long hairs on its stems, more narrow and less winged petioles, and achenes that are pubescent primarily toward their apices, rather than throughout. The Purple-disk Sunflower is found primarily in SE United States; it does not occur in Illinois. Scientific synonyms of the Silphium Sunflower include Helianthus atrorubens pubescens and Helianthus kentuckiensis. Other common names of this sunflower include Rosinweed Sunflower and Ozark Sunflower. The common names, Silphium Sunflower and Rosinweed Sunflower, refer to the superficial similarity of this sunflower to the prairie wildflower, Silphium integrifolium (Rosinweed). It also resembles Heliopsis helianthoides (False Sunflower) to a significant extent, but the flowerheads of Silphium Sunflower are borne on longer naked stalks than those of the False Sunflower, and it usually blooms later in the year than the latter species.
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Miss Chen
2018年03月26日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 2½-5' tall and unbranched, except where the flowerheads occur. The central stem is light green to reddish purple, terete, and more or less covered with either short stiff hairs or longer bristly hairs. Pairs of opposite leaves occur along the central stem; each pair of leaves rotates 90° from an adjacent pair of leaves. There may be 1-2 smaller alternate leaves along the top of the central stem, or along upper lateral stems, underneath the flowerheads. Leaf blades are 2½-6" long and ½-2½" across; they are narrowly lanceolate to ovate in shape and serrated to nearly toothless along their margins. The upper surface of the leaf blades is medium green and rough-textured from minute stiff hairs, while the lower surface is pale green and more or less pubescent. The short petioles are usually ¼-½" long.
The central stem and any lateral stems terminate in flowerheads on erect to ascending peduncles (flowering stalks) about 1-4" long. These peduncles have characteristics that are similar to the central stem. Individual flowerheads are 2-3" across, consisting of 10-15 ray florets that surround numerous disk florets. The ray florets have petal-like corollas that are yellow; they are sterile. The disk florets have yellow tubular corollas that are perfect and fertile; they are 5-lobed along their upper rims. Around the base of each flowerhead, there are light green phyllaries (floral bracts) in 3-4 overlapping series; they are narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate in shape and slightly ciliate. When the flowerheads bloom, the phyllaries are ascending to widely spreading. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall for about 2 months. Afterwards, the disk florets are replaced by achenes about 4 mm. long that are narrowly ovoid, somewhat flattened, and glabrous (hairless). Each achene has a pair of tiny chaffy scales at its apex that become detached easily. The root system is fibrous and long-rhizomatous. This wildflower often forms colonies of plants from the rhizomes.
Distribution Map
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil that contains clay-loam, loam, rocky material, or sand. Hairy Sunflower is easy to grow, but it may spread aggressively in some situations.
Range & Habitat: The native Hairy Sunflower is occasional throughout Illinois. Habitats include thinly wooded bluffs, upland savannas, borders of upland woodlands, black soil prairies, sand prairies, limestone glades, areas along railroads, and abandoned fields. In upland areas with woody vegetation, this wildflower is often associated with oak trees. It is found in both disturbed and higher quality habitats.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of Hairy Sunflower and other sunflowers attract a wide variety of insects, including long-tongued bees (honeybees, bumblebees, leaf-cutting bees, miner bees, cuckoo bees), short-tongued bees (Halictid bees & Andrenid bees), miscellaneous wasps, flies (Syrphid flies, bee flies, thick-headed flies, & others), butterflies and skippers, and occasional beetles. Several bees are specialist pollinators (oligoleges) of sunflowers: Andrena accepta, Andrena aliciae, Andrena helianthi, Dufourea marginatus, Melissodes agilis, and Pseudopanurgus rugosus. Other insects feed more destructively on the leaves, stems, flowerheads, plant juices, or roots. These species include caterpillars of the butterflies Chlosyne gorgone (Gorgon Checkerspot), Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot), and Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady); they also include caterpillars of the moths Dichomeris flavocostella (Cream-Bordered Dichomeris), Ogdoconta cinereola (Common Pinkband), and others (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include Aphis helianthi (Sunflower Aphid) and other aphids, several treehoppers and leafhoppers, Clastoptera xanthocephala (Sunflower Spittlebug), the plant bugs Ilnacora stalii and Plagiognathus nigronitens, the thrips Heterothrips auranticornis, the larvae of Apion occidentale (Black Sunflower Stem Weevil) and other weevils, the leaf beetles Exema dispar and Sumitrosis inaequalis, Euphoria inda (Bumble Flower Beetle), the larvae of Contarinia schulzi (Sunflower Midge), and several grasshoppers (see the Insect Table for a more complete list of species).
The nutritious seeds of Hairy Sunflower and other sunflowers are eaten by the Bobwhite, Mourning Dove, Eastern Goldfinch, Tufted Titmouse, Harris Sparrow, White-Throated Sparrow, and other birds. The seeds are also eaten by some mammals, including the Gray Squirrel, Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel, Prairie Vole, and White-Footed Mouse. The Plains Pocket Gopher eats the rhizomes of sunflowers, while the White-Tailed Deer, Cottontail Rabbit, and Groundhog feed on the foliage. Because sunflowers are tall leafy plants that often form colonies, they provide good ground cover for many kinds of wildlife.
Photographic Location: A wildflower garden at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana, Illinois. The photographed plant is Helianthus hirsutus trachyphyllus.
Comments: Because Hairy Sunflower is rather variable across local populations in Illinois and elsewhere, three different varieties have been described: the typical variety, var. trachyphyllus, and var. stenophyllus. The typical variety has long bristly hairs along its stems and its leaves are usually 1-2½" across; var. trachyphyllus has short stiff hairs along its stems and its leaves are usually 1-2½" across; and var. stenophyllus has leaves that are only ½-1" across. The distribution map of Hairy Sunflower does not distinguish between these different varieties. Other sunflower species that Hairy Sunflower can be confused with include Helianthus pauciflorus (Prairie Sunflower), Helianthus strumosus (Pale-Leaved Sunflower), and Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem Artichoke). Prairie Sunflower resembles the narrow-leaved variety of Hairy Sunflower (Helianthus hirsutus stenophyllus), but its disk florets are dark purple or maroon, rather than yellow; Prairie Sunflower also has wider phyllaries (floral bracts) that are deltate-ovate in shape. Pale-Leaved Sunflower differs from Hairy Sunflower by its smooth (or nearly smooth) stems and its tends to have slightly longer petioles (½-1" long); also the undersides of its leaf blades are less hairy than those of Hairy Sunflower. The Jerusalem Artichoke differs by having slightly wider leaves with longer petioles (1-2½" long); it also has more alternate leaves along its stems. There is no dominant common name for Helianthus hirsutus. In addition to Hairy Sunflower, this species is also referred to as the Bristly Sunflower, Rough Sunflower, Oblong Sunflower, and Stiff-Haired Sunflower!
The central stem and any lateral stems terminate in flowerheads on erect to ascending peduncles (flowering stalks) about 1-4" long. These peduncles have characteristics that are similar to the central stem. Individual flowerheads are 2-3" across, consisting of 10-15 ray florets that surround numerous disk florets. The ray florets have petal-like corollas that are yellow; they are sterile. The disk florets have yellow tubular corollas that are perfect and fertile; they are 5-lobed along their upper rims. Around the base of each flowerhead, there are light green phyllaries (floral bracts) in 3-4 overlapping series; they are narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate in shape and slightly ciliate. When the flowerheads bloom, the phyllaries are ascending to widely spreading. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall for about 2 months. Afterwards, the disk florets are replaced by achenes about 4 mm. long that are narrowly ovoid, somewhat flattened, and glabrous (hairless). Each achene has a pair of tiny chaffy scales at its apex that become detached easily. The root system is fibrous and long-rhizomatous. This wildflower often forms colonies of plants from the rhizomes.
Distribution Map
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil that contains clay-loam, loam, rocky material, or sand. Hairy Sunflower is easy to grow, but it may spread aggressively in some situations.
Range & Habitat: The native Hairy Sunflower is occasional throughout Illinois. Habitats include thinly wooded bluffs, upland savannas, borders of upland woodlands, black soil prairies, sand prairies, limestone glades, areas along railroads, and abandoned fields. In upland areas with woody vegetation, this wildflower is often associated with oak trees. It is found in both disturbed and higher quality habitats.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of Hairy Sunflower and other sunflowers attract a wide variety of insects, including long-tongued bees (honeybees, bumblebees, leaf-cutting bees, miner bees, cuckoo bees), short-tongued bees (Halictid bees & Andrenid bees), miscellaneous wasps, flies (Syrphid flies, bee flies, thick-headed flies, & others), butterflies and skippers, and occasional beetles. Several bees are specialist pollinators (oligoleges) of sunflowers: Andrena accepta, Andrena aliciae, Andrena helianthi, Dufourea marginatus, Melissodes agilis, and Pseudopanurgus rugosus. Other insects feed more destructively on the leaves, stems, flowerheads, plant juices, or roots. These species include caterpillars of the butterflies Chlosyne gorgone (Gorgon Checkerspot), Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot), and Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady); they also include caterpillars of the moths Dichomeris flavocostella (Cream-Bordered Dichomeris), Ogdoconta cinereola (Common Pinkband), and others (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include Aphis helianthi (Sunflower Aphid) and other aphids, several treehoppers and leafhoppers, Clastoptera xanthocephala (Sunflower Spittlebug), the plant bugs Ilnacora stalii and Plagiognathus nigronitens, the thrips Heterothrips auranticornis, the larvae of Apion occidentale (Black Sunflower Stem Weevil) and other weevils, the leaf beetles Exema dispar and Sumitrosis inaequalis, Euphoria inda (Bumble Flower Beetle), the larvae of Contarinia schulzi (Sunflower Midge), and several grasshoppers (see the Insect Table for a more complete list of species).
The nutritious seeds of Hairy Sunflower and other sunflowers are eaten by the Bobwhite, Mourning Dove, Eastern Goldfinch, Tufted Titmouse, Harris Sparrow, White-Throated Sparrow, and other birds. The seeds are also eaten by some mammals, including the Gray Squirrel, Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel, Prairie Vole, and White-Footed Mouse. The Plains Pocket Gopher eats the rhizomes of sunflowers, while the White-Tailed Deer, Cottontail Rabbit, and Groundhog feed on the foliage. Because sunflowers are tall leafy plants that often form colonies, they provide good ground cover for many kinds of wildlife.
Photographic Location: A wildflower garden at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana, Illinois. The photographed plant is Helianthus hirsutus trachyphyllus.
Comments: Because Hairy Sunflower is rather variable across local populations in Illinois and elsewhere, three different varieties have been described: the typical variety, var. trachyphyllus, and var. stenophyllus. The typical variety has long bristly hairs along its stems and its leaves are usually 1-2½" across; var. trachyphyllus has short stiff hairs along its stems and its leaves are usually 1-2½" across; and var. stenophyllus has leaves that are only ½-1" across. The distribution map of Hairy Sunflower does not distinguish between these different varieties. Other sunflower species that Hairy Sunflower can be confused with include Helianthus pauciflorus (Prairie Sunflower), Helianthus strumosus (Pale-Leaved Sunflower), and Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem Artichoke). Prairie Sunflower resembles the narrow-leaved variety of Hairy Sunflower (Helianthus hirsutus stenophyllus), but its disk florets are dark purple or maroon, rather than yellow; Prairie Sunflower also has wider phyllaries (floral bracts) that are deltate-ovate in shape. Pale-Leaved Sunflower differs from Hairy Sunflower by its smooth (or nearly smooth) stems and its tends to have slightly longer petioles (½-1" long); also the undersides of its leaf blades are less hairy than those of Hairy Sunflower. The Jerusalem Artichoke differs by having slightly wider leaves with longer petioles (1-2½" long); it also has more alternate leaves along its stems. There is no dominant common name for Helianthus hirsutus. In addition to Hairy Sunflower, this species is also referred to as the Bristly Sunflower, Rough Sunflower, Oblong Sunflower, and Stiff-Haired Sunflower!
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Miss Chen
2018年03月26日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 2½-6' tall with a central stem that becomes branched where the flowerheads occur. This stem is light green to dark purple, slender, terete (round in cross-section), glabrous to sparsely covered with short stiff hairs, and sometimes glaucous. Upper secondary stems have similar characteristics. Pairs of widely spreading opposite leaves occur along the central stem and any secondary stems; each pair of leaves rotates 90° from the pair of leaves below. Leaf blades are 2-6" long and ½-2" across; they are lanceolate-oblong to ovate-oblong in shape, and either toothless or with widely spaced teeth along their short-ciliate margins. The base of each leaf blade is rounded-truncate, while its tip is long and gradually tapering. The upper surface of the leaf blades is yellowish green to medium green and sparsely to moderately covered with short stiff hairs, while the pale lower surface is short-pubescent, especially along the major veins. Three prominent veins join together at the base of each leaf blade. The leaves are sessile or they have short ascending petioles (up to 1/8" or 3 mm. long).
The central and secondary stems terminate in flowerheads on slender peduncles. Individual flowerheads are 1½-3" across, consisting of 8-15 ray florets that surround numerous disk florets. The yellow corollas of the ray florets are petal-like and widely spreading.. The yellow corollas of the disk florets are narrowly tubular (less than 1/8" or 3 mm. long) with 5 spreading lobes. At the base of each flowerhead, there are light green phyllaries (floral bracts) that are arranged in several overlapping series. Individual phyllaries are linear-lanceolate and ciliate along their margins; the outer phyllaries are widely spreading or recurved when the flowerheads bloom. The peduncles of the flowerheads resemble the stems, except they are more likely to have short stiff hairs. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall for about 2 months. Afterwards, the disk florets are replaced by achenes about 2 mm. long; these achenes are ovoid-oblongoid and somewhat flattened. At the apex of each achene, there is a pair of tiny chaffy scales that easily become detached. The root system is long-rhizomatous. Vegetative colonies of plants are often formed by the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil that is loamy, sandy, or rocky. This wildflower is easy to cultivate, although it may spread aggressively.
Distribution MapRange & Habitat: The native Woodland Sunflower is common in NE and SE Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is occasional. Habitats include upland rocky woodlands, sandy woodlands, thinly wooded bluffs, upland savannas and sandy savannas, woodland borders, sandy and non-sandy thickets, limestone glades, hill prairies, and moist to dry-mesic sand prairies. While this sunflower is normally found in relatively dry upland habitats, sometimes it also occurs in moist sandy habitats. Occasional wildfires tend to increase populations of Woodland Sunflower as this reduces competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract a wide variety of insects. The following bees are specialist pollinators (oligoleges) of Woodland Sunflower and other sunflowers: Andrena accepta, Andrena aliciae, Andrena helianthi, Dufourea marginatus, Melissodes agilis, and Pseudopanurgus rugosus. Other floral visitors include long-tongued bees (honeybees, bumblebees, digger bees, leaf-cutting bees, cuckoo bees, etc.), short-tongued bees (Halictid bees and Andrenid bees), miscellaneous wasps, miscellaneous flies (Syrphid flies, bee flies, thick-headed flies, etc.), butterflies and skippers, and Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus (Goldenrod Soldier Beetle). Other insects feed on the foliage, bore through the stems, suck plant juices, etc., from sunflowers. These species include caterpillars of the butterflies Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot), Chlosyne gorgone (Gorgon Checkerspot), and Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady); the caterpillars of Cochylis hospes (Banded Sunflower Moth), Papaipema necopina (Sunflower Borer Moth), Stiria rugifrons (Sunflower Seed Copper), and other moths also feed on these wildflowers (see Moth Table). Sunflowers are important host plants for many aphids, treehoppers, leafhoppers, plant bugs, leaf beetles, scarab beetles, the larvae of weevils, the larvae of midges and other small flies, grasshoppers, and other insects (see Insect Table). Some vertebrate animals use sunflowers as a food source. The seeds of these wildflowers are eaten by the Hungarian Partridge, Bobwhite, Mourning Dove, Eastern Goldfinch, Tufted Titmouse, Harris Sparrow, and many other birds. Small mammals that occasionally eat the seeds include the Gray Squirrel and other tree squirrels, Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel, Meadow Vole, White-Footed Mouse, and Plains Pocket Gopher. This gopher also feeds on the rhizomes of sunflowers in relatively dry sandy areas. The Cottontail Rabbit browses on the foliage of seedlings and lower leaves of mature plants, while the White-Tailed Deer occasionally chomps off the stems and upper leaves of mature plants. Because the Woodland Sunflower and other sunflowers are relatively tall and often form dense colonies, they provide good ground cover for many kinds of wildlife.
Photographic Location: A moist sand prairie at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in NW Indiana.
Comments: The Woodland Sunflower is easily identified by its sessile, or nearly sessile, opposite leaves. Other sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) have longer petioles. Its stems are usually hairless or mostly hairless, unlike Helianthus hirsutus (Hairy Sunflower) and some other species in this genus. Compared to some narrow-leaved sunflowers that occur in prairies, the leaf bases of Woodland Sunflower are more broad and nearly truncate. Some parasitic plants that occasionally attach their haustoria (root-like extensions) to sunflowers and other species in the Aster family include Cuscuta glomerata (Rope Dodder) and other Cuscuta spp. (generally in moist areas that are often sandy), and Orobanche ludoviciana (Prairie Broomrape) and other Orobanche spp. (generally in dry areas that are often sandy). These parasitic plants can significantly weaken the host plants to which they become attached.
The central and secondary stems terminate in flowerheads on slender peduncles. Individual flowerheads are 1½-3" across, consisting of 8-15 ray florets that surround numerous disk florets. The yellow corollas of the ray florets are petal-like and widely spreading.. The yellow corollas of the disk florets are narrowly tubular (less than 1/8" or 3 mm. long) with 5 spreading lobes. At the base of each flowerhead, there are light green phyllaries (floral bracts) that are arranged in several overlapping series. Individual phyllaries are linear-lanceolate and ciliate along their margins; the outer phyllaries are widely spreading or recurved when the flowerheads bloom. The peduncles of the flowerheads resemble the stems, except they are more likely to have short stiff hairs. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall for about 2 months. Afterwards, the disk florets are replaced by achenes about 2 mm. long; these achenes are ovoid-oblongoid and somewhat flattened. At the apex of each achene, there is a pair of tiny chaffy scales that easily become detached. The root system is long-rhizomatous. Vegetative colonies of plants are often formed by the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil that is loamy, sandy, or rocky. This wildflower is easy to cultivate, although it may spread aggressively.
Distribution MapRange & Habitat: The native Woodland Sunflower is common in NE and SE Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is occasional. Habitats include upland rocky woodlands, sandy woodlands, thinly wooded bluffs, upland savannas and sandy savannas, woodland borders, sandy and non-sandy thickets, limestone glades, hill prairies, and moist to dry-mesic sand prairies. While this sunflower is normally found in relatively dry upland habitats, sometimes it also occurs in moist sandy habitats. Occasional wildfires tend to increase populations of Woodland Sunflower as this reduces competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract a wide variety of insects. The following bees are specialist pollinators (oligoleges) of Woodland Sunflower and other sunflowers: Andrena accepta, Andrena aliciae, Andrena helianthi, Dufourea marginatus, Melissodes agilis, and Pseudopanurgus rugosus. Other floral visitors include long-tongued bees (honeybees, bumblebees, digger bees, leaf-cutting bees, cuckoo bees, etc.), short-tongued bees (Halictid bees and Andrenid bees), miscellaneous wasps, miscellaneous flies (Syrphid flies, bee flies, thick-headed flies, etc.), butterflies and skippers, and Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus (Goldenrod Soldier Beetle). Other insects feed on the foliage, bore through the stems, suck plant juices, etc., from sunflowers. These species include caterpillars of the butterflies Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot), Chlosyne gorgone (Gorgon Checkerspot), and Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady); the caterpillars of Cochylis hospes (Banded Sunflower Moth), Papaipema necopina (Sunflower Borer Moth), Stiria rugifrons (Sunflower Seed Copper), and other moths also feed on these wildflowers (see Moth Table). Sunflowers are important host plants for many aphids, treehoppers, leafhoppers, plant bugs, leaf beetles, scarab beetles, the larvae of weevils, the larvae of midges and other small flies, grasshoppers, and other insects (see Insect Table). Some vertebrate animals use sunflowers as a food source. The seeds of these wildflowers are eaten by the Hungarian Partridge, Bobwhite, Mourning Dove, Eastern Goldfinch, Tufted Titmouse, Harris Sparrow, and many other birds. Small mammals that occasionally eat the seeds include the Gray Squirrel and other tree squirrels, Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel, Meadow Vole, White-Footed Mouse, and Plains Pocket Gopher. This gopher also feeds on the rhizomes of sunflowers in relatively dry sandy areas. The Cottontail Rabbit browses on the foliage of seedlings and lower leaves of mature plants, while the White-Tailed Deer occasionally chomps off the stems and upper leaves of mature plants. Because the Woodland Sunflower and other sunflowers are relatively tall and often form dense colonies, they provide good ground cover for many kinds of wildlife.
Photographic Location: A moist sand prairie at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in NW Indiana.
Comments: The Woodland Sunflower is easily identified by its sessile, or nearly sessile, opposite leaves. Other sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) have longer petioles. Its stems are usually hairless or mostly hairless, unlike Helianthus hirsutus (Hairy Sunflower) and some other species in this genus. Compared to some narrow-leaved sunflowers that occur in prairies, the leaf bases of Woodland Sunflower are more broad and nearly truncate. Some parasitic plants that occasionally attach their haustoria (root-like extensions) to sunflowers and other species in the Aster family include Cuscuta glomerata (Rope Dodder) and other Cuscuta spp. (generally in moist areas that are often sandy), and Orobanche ludoviciana (Prairie Broomrape) and other Orobanche spp. (generally in dry areas that are often sandy). These parasitic plants can significantly weaken the host plants to which they become attached.
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