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Miss Chen
2018年02月05日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 1¼–2½' tall. It is unbranched, unless the central stem is broken off, in which case 2-3 lateral stems will develop. The central stem is green, slender, and hairless – it is without purple streaks or spots. The opposite leaves are medium green, linear-lanceolate to linear in shape, smooth (entire) along their margins, and hairless. Each leaf has a prominent central vein. The lower leaves are either sessile or they clasp the stem, while the upper leaves are sessile.
At the apex of the central stem, there occurs a small cluster of 3-20 flowers with pink or lavender corollas. The flower cluster is slightly dome-shaped, rather than flat-topped or elongated. Individual flowers are about ¾" across or slightly larger. Each flower has 5 petal-like lobes that spread outward from the throat of a corolla that is narrowly tubular below. These lobes are obovate to obcordate in shape with either rounded or slightly notched tips. The calyx is deeply divided into 5 slender lobes that are linear to linear-lanceolate; it is green to purple and hairless. The calyx is shorter than the tubular base of the corolla. The reproductive organs are inserted within the corolla and inconspicuous. The flowers are fragrant. The blooming period can occur from late spring to late summer, lasting about 1-2 months. The flowers are replaced by narrow seed capsules; each capsule contains many small seeds. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preferred situation consists of full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and a fertile loam or sandy loam with decaying organic material. Young plants can be killed by summer heat and drought, particularly in locations that lack adequate moisture. There is a tendency to sprawl, unless this plant is supported by grass and other kinds of vegetation. Foliar disease isn't a significant problem.
Range & Habitat: The native Smooth Phlox occurs occasionally in the eastern two-thirds of Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent in western Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist black soil prairies, moist sand prairies, cemetery prairies, prairie remnants along railroads, openings in bottomland woodlands, thickets, acidic gravelly seeps, and abandoned fields. This is an indicator plant of higher quality prairie remnants – the showy flowers can be spotted from some distance away, facilitating the discovery of new sites.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Smooth Phlox are visited by butterflies, skippers, and moths for nectar. Butterfly visitors include Monarchs, Swallowtails, and Sulfurs. Occasionally, small Syrphid flies may feed on the pollen, but they are non-pollinating. The larvae of a long-horned beetle, Oberea flavipes, bore through the stems. The caterpillars of the moth Heliothis turbatus (Spotted Straw) eat the flowers, while the caterpillars of the moth Lacinipolia olivacea (Olive Arches) eat the foliage. Some plant bugs suck on the juices of the this plant, including Lopidea davisi (Phlox Scarlet Plant Bug) and Poecilocapsus lineatus (Four-Lined Plant Bug). Rabbits, groundhogs, deer, and probably other mammalian herbivores readily consume Smooth Phlox.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a moist prairie remnant along an abandoned railroad in Champaign County, Illinois.
Comments: This plant has attractive foliage and flowers. Some authors from the eastern coast of the United States report the size of Smooth Phlox as up to 4-5' tall, but such huge plants apparently don't occur in Illinois. Smooth Phlox resembles Phlox pilosa (Prairie Phlox), except the latter species typically has hairy stems and calyces, and it tends to be shorter and blooms earlier. Smooth Phlox even more closely resembles the hairless Phlox pilosa sangamonensis (Sangamon Phlox), but the petal-like lobes of the latter species are less rounded and more angular (rhombic) in shape, while the bases of its petal-like lobes are more narrow and wedge-shaped. Another similar species, Phlox maculata (Meadow Phlox), has stems with purple spots or streaks, wider leaves, and a more elongated inflorescence. Smooth Phlox can be rather variable across different populations, possibly because of some hybridization with other Phlox spp. If a site is sufficiently moist, both Smooth Phlox and Meadow Phlox are found occasionally with Prairie Phlox.
At the apex of the central stem, there occurs a small cluster of 3-20 flowers with pink or lavender corollas. The flower cluster is slightly dome-shaped, rather than flat-topped or elongated. Individual flowers are about ¾" across or slightly larger. Each flower has 5 petal-like lobes that spread outward from the throat of a corolla that is narrowly tubular below. These lobes are obovate to obcordate in shape with either rounded or slightly notched tips. The calyx is deeply divided into 5 slender lobes that are linear to linear-lanceolate; it is green to purple and hairless. The calyx is shorter than the tubular base of the corolla. The reproductive organs are inserted within the corolla and inconspicuous. The flowers are fragrant. The blooming period can occur from late spring to late summer, lasting about 1-2 months. The flowers are replaced by narrow seed capsules; each capsule contains many small seeds. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preferred situation consists of full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and a fertile loam or sandy loam with decaying organic material. Young plants can be killed by summer heat and drought, particularly in locations that lack adequate moisture. There is a tendency to sprawl, unless this plant is supported by grass and other kinds of vegetation. Foliar disease isn't a significant problem.
Range & Habitat: The native Smooth Phlox occurs occasionally in the eastern two-thirds of Illinois, but it is uncommon or absent in western Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist black soil prairies, moist sand prairies, cemetery prairies, prairie remnants along railroads, openings in bottomland woodlands, thickets, acidic gravelly seeps, and abandoned fields. This is an indicator plant of higher quality prairie remnants – the showy flowers can be spotted from some distance away, facilitating the discovery of new sites.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Smooth Phlox are visited by butterflies, skippers, and moths for nectar. Butterfly visitors include Monarchs, Swallowtails, and Sulfurs. Occasionally, small Syrphid flies may feed on the pollen, but they are non-pollinating. The larvae of a long-horned beetle, Oberea flavipes, bore through the stems. The caterpillars of the moth Heliothis turbatus (Spotted Straw) eat the flowers, while the caterpillars of the moth Lacinipolia olivacea (Olive Arches) eat the foliage. Some plant bugs suck on the juices of the this plant, including Lopidea davisi (Phlox Scarlet Plant Bug) and Poecilocapsus lineatus (Four-Lined Plant Bug). Rabbits, groundhogs, deer, and probably other mammalian herbivores readily consume Smooth Phlox.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a moist prairie remnant along an abandoned railroad in Champaign County, Illinois.
Comments: This plant has attractive foliage and flowers. Some authors from the eastern coast of the United States report the size of Smooth Phlox as up to 4-5' tall, but such huge plants apparently don't occur in Illinois. Smooth Phlox resembles Phlox pilosa (Prairie Phlox), except the latter species typically has hairy stems and calyces, and it tends to be shorter and blooms earlier. Smooth Phlox even more closely resembles the hairless Phlox pilosa sangamonensis (Sangamon Phlox), but the petal-like lobes of the latter species are less rounded and more angular (rhombic) in shape, while the bases of its petal-like lobes are more narrow and wedge-shaped. Another similar species, Phlox maculata (Meadow Phlox), has stems with purple spots or streaks, wider leaves, and a more elongated inflorescence. Smooth Phlox can be rather variable across different populations, possibly because of some hybridization with other Phlox spp. If a site is sufficiently moist, both Smooth Phlox and Meadow Phlox are found occasionally with Prairie Phlox.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月04日
Description: This perennial wildflower produces ascending stems 2-6" long that branch occasionally. These stems are surrounded by finger-like leaves that are ascending to widely spreading; the stems are light green, glabrous, and succulent. The leaves are up to 3" long, terete in cross-section, and succulent; they are green to blue-gray and glabrous. Occasionally, the upper stems produce cymes of flowers on long slender stalks (peduncles); these stalks are 4-10" long. Each cyme is open and widely spreading (up to 12" across); its branching structure is dichotomous or trichotomous. Pairs of tiny lanceolate bracts occur along the branches of each cyme. Usually, each cyme has about 5-50 flowers, although poorly developed cymes may have fewer flowers than this. Each flower spans about 1" across, consisting of 5 petals, 2 sepals, 30-45 stamens, and a pistil with a single slender style. The widely spreading petals are deep rose pink and well-rounded, while the sepals are light green to membranous and ovate to oval-orbicular in shape. The petals are much longer than the sepals. The style of each flower is about twice the length of the stamens; there is a knobby stigma at the end of the style.
The blooming period occurs intermittently during the summer for 1-3 months; sometimes several flowers bloom at the same time. The flowers open on sunny days during the early afternoon for about 2 hours; individual flowers last only a single day and they lack fragrance. Each fertile flower is replaced by a seed capsule that is up to 1/3" (8 mm.) in length; it is ovoid-globoid in shape, and divides into 3 parts to release the tiny seeds inside. Individual seeds are about 1 mm. in length; they are reniform and flattened in shape with smooth outer surfaces. The seeds are small enough to be blown about by the wind. The root system consists of a thickened taproot with fibrous secondary roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and soil that is rocky, gravelly, or sandy. This species is adaptable to a sunny rock garden and it is intolerant of competition from tall aggressive plants.
Range & Habitat: Large-Flowered Rock Pink has been found in only a single county in SW Illinois, where it is extremely rare (see Distribution Map). This native species is state-listed as endangered. Large-Flowered Rock Pink occurs primarily in the southern plains; Illinois lies at the NE range limit for this species. In Illinois, habitats are restricted to sunny ledges of sandstone cliffs. In others states, habitats include rocky glades, hill prairies, and barren upland savannas. Occasionally, this species is cultivated in gardens because of the attractive flowers and foliage.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. The webmaster observed a medium-sized dark bee collecting pollen from the flowers while they were being photographed.
Photographic Location: A flower garden at the Arboretum of the University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Other common names include Large Flower-of-an-Hour and Fame-Flower. The flowers are beautiful, but short-lived. Two other species in this genus that occur in Illinois are Phemeranthus parviflorus (Small-Flowered Rock Pink) and Phemeranthus rugospermus (Sand Rock Pink). The flowers of these latter species are smaller in size (less than ¾") and the styles of their flowers are about the same length as the stamens. In contrast, Large-Flowered Rock Pink has flowers about 1" across and the styles of its flowers are about twice the length of the stamens. Without observing the flowers, it is very difficult to distinguish these species. Interestingly, each of these species blooms during a different time of the day: Small-Flowered Rock Pink blooms during the morning, Sand Rock Pink blooms during the late afternoon, while Large-Flowered Rock Pink blooms during the early afternoon. A scientific synonym of Large-Flowered Rock Pink is Talinum calycinum.
The blooming period occurs intermittently during the summer for 1-3 months; sometimes several flowers bloom at the same time. The flowers open on sunny days during the early afternoon for about 2 hours; individual flowers last only a single day and they lack fragrance. Each fertile flower is replaced by a seed capsule that is up to 1/3" (8 mm.) in length; it is ovoid-globoid in shape, and divides into 3 parts to release the tiny seeds inside. Individual seeds are about 1 mm. in length; they are reniform and flattened in shape with smooth outer surfaces. The seeds are small enough to be blown about by the wind. The root system consists of a thickened taproot with fibrous secondary roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and soil that is rocky, gravelly, or sandy. This species is adaptable to a sunny rock garden and it is intolerant of competition from tall aggressive plants.
Range & Habitat: Large-Flowered Rock Pink has been found in only a single county in SW Illinois, where it is extremely rare (see Distribution Map). This native species is state-listed as endangered. Large-Flowered Rock Pink occurs primarily in the southern plains; Illinois lies at the NE range limit for this species. In Illinois, habitats are restricted to sunny ledges of sandstone cliffs. In others states, habitats include rocky glades, hill prairies, and barren upland savannas. Occasionally, this species is cultivated in gardens because of the attractive flowers and foliage.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. The webmaster observed a medium-sized dark bee collecting pollen from the flowers while they were being photographed.
Photographic Location: A flower garden at the Arboretum of the University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Other common names include Large Flower-of-an-Hour and Fame-Flower. The flowers are beautiful, but short-lived. Two other species in this genus that occur in Illinois are Phemeranthus parviflorus (Small-Flowered Rock Pink) and Phemeranthus rugospermus (Sand Rock Pink). The flowers of these latter species are smaller in size (less than ¾") and the styles of their flowers are about the same length as the stamens. In contrast, Large-Flowered Rock Pink has flowers about 1" across and the styles of its flowers are about twice the length of the stamens. Without observing the flowers, it is very difficult to distinguish these species. Interestingly, each of these species blooms during a different time of the day: Small-Flowered Rock Pink blooms during the morning, Sand Rock Pink blooms during the late afternoon, while Large-Flowered Rock Pink blooms during the early afternoon. A scientific synonym of Large-Flowered Rock Pink is Talinum calycinum.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月04日
Description: This annual plant is 1-4' tall, branching occasionally. It is more or less erect, often bending toward the light in partially shaded locations. The stems are light green to red, terete, relatively stout, and glabrous; they have a tendency to zigzag between the alternate leaves. The leaves are up to 7" long and 2½" across; they are medium to dark green, glabrous on both the upper and lower sides (for this variety), narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate in shape, and smooth to minutely ciliate along their margins. On rare occasions, the leaves are marked with chevrons that are faintly darkened, otherwise they are unmarked. The petioles are up to 1" long, usually light green, glabrous, and plano-convex (flattened above and convex below). At the bases of petioles, there are ring-like ochrea (membranous sheaths) that surround the stems. These ochrea are ¼–¾" long, light green to light brown (depending on their age), longitudinally veined, and translucent; their upper rims are truncate to asymmetric and devoid of bristles. The upper stems terminate in 1-2 spike-like racemes of flowers that are about ¾-2½" long and cylindrical in appearance; these racemes are usually straight and they are erect to ascending.
Small flowers and flower buds are densely crowded along the entire length of each raceme, surrounding its rachis (central stalk) in all directions. Along this rachis, are ochreolae (small membranous sheaths) that are spaced at short intervals from each other; several flowers are associated with each ochreola. Each flower is 3-4.5 mm. long (1/8" or slightly longer), consisting of 5 tepals, several stamens, and a pistil. The tepals are white, light pink, or rosy pink; they are joined together along the lower one-half of their length, while their tips are ovate and erect. The anthers are white or pink. The peduncles of the racemes are ¾–3½" long, light green to reddish green, terete, glandular-pubescent, and either unbranched or dichotomously forked. Peduncles that are forked produce 2 racemes of flowers. The blooming period occurs during the summer or early autumn, lasting about 1 month for a colony of plants. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by achenes (one achene per flower). These achenes are 2-3.5 mm. long and almost as much across; they are dark brown to black, flattened-orbicular in shape, smooth, and shiny. The root system consists of a taproot with smaller and more shallow lateral roots. Colonies of plants are often formed at favorable locations.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and rich loamy soil. Standing water is tolerated if it is temporary. This robust plant is rather weedy and easy to grow – it has more tolerance to drought than many other smartweeds. The leaves are rarely blemished by disease, although they are sometimes attacked by insects.
Range & Habitat: The native Pennsylvania Smartweed occurs in every county of Illinois, where it is common (see Distribution Map). Habitats include wet prairies, prairie swales, swamps, low areas near ponds or rivers, edges of marshes, degraded seasonal wetlands, abandoned fields, low areas along railroads, roadside ditches, vacant lots, fence rows, and waste areas. This annual plant thrives on the reduced competition resulting from disturbance.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Pennsylvania Smartweed attract many kinds of insects, including honeybees, bumblebees, cuckoo bees (Epeolus spp., Triepeolus spp.), digger bees (Melissodes spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees, Andrenid bees, Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, spider wasps (Anoplius spp.), Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, flesh flies (Ravinia spp.), and miscellaneous butterflies and moths (Robertson, 1929). Most of these insects feed on the nectar and they help to cross-pollinate the flowers. Other insects feed on the leaves, roots, plant juices, and other parts of Pennsylvania Smartweed and other smartweeds (Persicaria spp.). These species include the Red-headed Flea Beetle (Systena frontalis) and other leaf beetles, larvae and adults of various weevils, the Polygonum Aphid (Capitophorus hippophaes) and other aphids, larvae of the Dock Sawfly (Ametastegia glabrata) and other sawflies (Ametastegia spp.), larvae of the Bent-line Carpet (Orthonama centrostrigaria) and other moths, and larvae of the Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus) and other butterflies. See the Insect Table for a listing of these and other species.
Among vertebrate animals, the seeds of Pennsylvania Smartweed and other smartweeds are an important source of food to many bird species, including waterfowl, upland game birds, and granivorous songbirds (see the Bird Table). The seeds are also eaten by small rodents, including the White-footed Mouse and wild House Mouse (Whitaker, 1966). According to Ernst et al. (1994), several turtles feed on smartweeds (probably the foliage to a minor extent); this includes such turtles as the Snapping Turtle (Chelydrina serpentina), Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta), Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina), and Slider (Trachemys scripta). Mammalian herbivores usually avoid the foliage of Pennsylvania Smartweed and most other smartweeds because their leaves are somewhat bitter and peppery.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a vacant lot near Urbana, Illinois, and a seasonal wetland at Judge Webber Park of the same city.
Comments: This native plant, along with other members of the genus, is often undervalued because it is considered too common, and the flowers are not thought to be sufficient large and pretty. In fact, Pennsylvania Smartweed is rather attractive when the flowers are bright pink, and its ecological value to birds, moths, butterflies, and other insects, regardless of the color of the flowers, is quite high. Different varieties of this smartweed have been described by some authors (e.g., Mohlenbrock, 2002); Persicaria pensylvanica laevigata is the most common variety in Illinois, which is distinguished from the others by the glabrous lower surface of its leaves. Distinguishing Pennsylvania Smartweed from other smartweed species (Persicaria spp.) can be difficult, in part because of its variability across different populations of plants. This variability includes such features as the color of flowers (white, light pink, rosy pink), the hairiness of the foliage, and the width of the leaves. Pennsylvania Smartweed has the following features that are sometimes helpful in making a correct identification as to species: 1) the ochrea on its stems lack bristles along their upper rims, 2) the peduncles of its inflorescences are usually glandular pubescent, 3) its spike-like racemes are usually straight and more or less erect, rather than curved and nodding, 4) it usually forms taller plants than most smartweed species and its leaves are more long and wide, and 5) its flattened seeds are usually larger in size. Other common names for this smartweed are 'Pinkweed' and 'Big-seeded Smartweed.' Another scientific name of this plant is Polygonum pensylvanicum laevigatum.
Small flowers and flower buds are densely crowded along the entire length of each raceme, surrounding its rachis (central stalk) in all directions. Along this rachis, are ochreolae (small membranous sheaths) that are spaced at short intervals from each other; several flowers are associated with each ochreola. Each flower is 3-4.5 mm. long (1/8" or slightly longer), consisting of 5 tepals, several stamens, and a pistil. The tepals are white, light pink, or rosy pink; they are joined together along the lower one-half of their length, while their tips are ovate and erect. The anthers are white or pink. The peduncles of the racemes are ¾–3½" long, light green to reddish green, terete, glandular-pubescent, and either unbranched or dichotomously forked. Peduncles that are forked produce 2 racemes of flowers. The blooming period occurs during the summer or early autumn, lasting about 1 month for a colony of plants. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by achenes (one achene per flower). These achenes are 2-3.5 mm. long and almost as much across; they are dark brown to black, flattened-orbicular in shape, smooth, and shiny. The root system consists of a taproot with smaller and more shallow lateral roots. Colonies of plants are often formed at favorable locations.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and rich loamy soil. Standing water is tolerated if it is temporary. This robust plant is rather weedy and easy to grow – it has more tolerance to drought than many other smartweeds. The leaves are rarely blemished by disease, although they are sometimes attacked by insects.
Range & Habitat: The native Pennsylvania Smartweed occurs in every county of Illinois, where it is common (see Distribution Map). Habitats include wet prairies, prairie swales, swamps, low areas near ponds or rivers, edges of marshes, degraded seasonal wetlands, abandoned fields, low areas along railroads, roadside ditches, vacant lots, fence rows, and waste areas. This annual plant thrives on the reduced competition resulting from disturbance.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Pennsylvania Smartweed attract many kinds of insects, including honeybees, bumblebees, cuckoo bees (Epeolus spp., Triepeolus spp.), digger bees (Melissodes spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees, Andrenid bees, Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, spider wasps (Anoplius spp.), Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, flesh flies (Ravinia spp.), and miscellaneous butterflies and moths (Robertson, 1929). Most of these insects feed on the nectar and they help to cross-pollinate the flowers. Other insects feed on the leaves, roots, plant juices, and other parts of Pennsylvania Smartweed and other smartweeds (Persicaria spp.). These species include the Red-headed Flea Beetle (Systena frontalis) and other leaf beetles, larvae and adults of various weevils, the Polygonum Aphid (Capitophorus hippophaes) and other aphids, larvae of the Dock Sawfly (Ametastegia glabrata) and other sawflies (Ametastegia spp.), larvae of the Bent-line Carpet (Orthonama centrostrigaria) and other moths, and larvae of the Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus) and other butterflies. See the Insect Table for a listing of these and other species.
Among vertebrate animals, the seeds of Pennsylvania Smartweed and other smartweeds are an important source of food to many bird species, including waterfowl, upland game birds, and granivorous songbirds (see the Bird Table). The seeds are also eaten by small rodents, including the White-footed Mouse and wild House Mouse (Whitaker, 1966). According to Ernst et al. (1994), several turtles feed on smartweeds (probably the foliage to a minor extent); this includes such turtles as the Snapping Turtle (Chelydrina serpentina), Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta), Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina), and Slider (Trachemys scripta). Mammalian herbivores usually avoid the foliage of Pennsylvania Smartweed and most other smartweeds because their leaves are somewhat bitter and peppery.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a vacant lot near Urbana, Illinois, and a seasonal wetland at Judge Webber Park of the same city.
Comments: This native plant, along with other members of the genus, is often undervalued because it is considered too common, and the flowers are not thought to be sufficient large and pretty. In fact, Pennsylvania Smartweed is rather attractive when the flowers are bright pink, and its ecological value to birds, moths, butterflies, and other insects, regardless of the color of the flowers, is quite high. Different varieties of this smartweed have been described by some authors (e.g., Mohlenbrock, 2002); Persicaria pensylvanica laevigata is the most common variety in Illinois, which is distinguished from the others by the glabrous lower surface of its leaves. Distinguishing Pennsylvania Smartweed from other smartweed species (Persicaria spp.) can be difficult, in part because of its variability across different populations of plants. This variability includes such features as the color of flowers (white, light pink, rosy pink), the hairiness of the foliage, and the width of the leaves. Pennsylvania Smartweed has the following features that are sometimes helpful in making a correct identification as to species: 1) the ochrea on its stems lack bristles along their upper rims, 2) the peduncles of its inflorescences are usually glandular pubescent, 3) its spike-like racemes are usually straight and more or less erect, rather than curved and nodding, 4) it usually forms taller plants than most smartweed species and its leaves are more long and wide, and 5) its flattened seeds are usually larger in size. Other common names for this smartweed are 'Pinkweed' and 'Big-seeded Smartweed.' Another scientific name of this plant is Polygonum pensylvanicum laevigatum.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月04日
Description: This perennial plant is 2-3' tall, forming one or more unbranched flowering stalks. The central stem is light green, glabrous, and terete. Pairs of opposite leaves develop along the lower half of this stem; they are up to 5" long and 2" across, deltate-ovate to oblong-lanceolate in shape, and smooth to slightly toothed along their margins. Between the leaves on the lower stem and the inflorescence, the central stem is usually naked; sometimes pairs of small narrow leaves (1" long or less) can be found along the upper stem that resemble bracts. The upper surface of the leaves is medium to dark green and glabrous, while the lower surface is pale green and glabrous.
Two Plants in Bloom
The inflorescence consists of a cylindrical panicle of flowers about ½-1½' in length. Within this inflorescence, the flowers are clustered together at intervals in pseudo-whorls (about 6-12 flowers per pseudo-whorl). Individual flowers are about ¾-1" long and across, consisting of a funnel-shaped white corolla that flares outward into 5 rounded lobes, a small green calyx with 5 ovate teeth, 5 stamens (one of them sterile), and a pistil with a single style. Tiny glandular hairs occur along the outside and inside of the corolla. The peduncles and pedicels of the flowers are either glabrous or glandular-hairy. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 3 weeks. The flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about 1/3" long; the latter eventually split open to release numerous small seeds. The root system consists of a crown with fibrous roots. Low basal leaves are usually present during winter dormancy.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and loamy or rocky soil. Well-drained conditions are required to prevent root rot.
Range & Habitat: Trumpet Penstemon is uncommon in southern Illinois, and rare or absent in the rest of the state (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies near the northeast range-limit of this species. Habitats include meadows and openings in upland woodlands, oak savannas, thinly wooded bluffs, prairies, limestone glades, and prairie remnants along railroads.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract long-tongued bees primarily: bumblebees, Anthophorine bees (Anthophora spp.), a Mason bee (Osmia distincta), and a wasp (Pseudomasaris occidentalis). The last two insects are oligoleges of Penstemon spp. (Penstemons). Other floral visitors include Green Metallic bees (collect pollen only) Swallowtail butterflies (suck nectar only), and the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (suck nectar only). Moth caterpillars that feed on Penstemons include Elaphria chalcedonia (Chalcedony Midget), Oncocnemis saudersiana (Saunder's Oncocnemis), and Pyrrhia exprimens (Purple-Lined Sallow). Mammalian herbivores apparently make little use of the foliage as a food source.
Photographic Location: A prairie in Fayette County, Illinois. The photographs were taken by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2010).
Comments: Trumpet Penstemon is an elegant wildflower with an unusually long and slender inflorescence. In addition to these characteristics of its inflorescence, it differs from other Penstemon spp. (Penstemons) by the shape of its flowers (narrow and funnel-shaped at the base, rather than swollen), the large size and similarity of its corolla lobes, the lack of conspicuous leaves between the inflorescence and the leaves of the lower stem, the presence of tiny glandular hairs within its corolla, and the lack of hairs on its leaves and central stalk. Sometimes the scientific name of this species is spelled Penstemon tubiflorus (see Britton & Brown, 1913/1970).
Two Plants in Bloom
The inflorescence consists of a cylindrical panicle of flowers about ½-1½' in length. Within this inflorescence, the flowers are clustered together at intervals in pseudo-whorls (about 6-12 flowers per pseudo-whorl). Individual flowers are about ¾-1" long and across, consisting of a funnel-shaped white corolla that flares outward into 5 rounded lobes, a small green calyx with 5 ovate teeth, 5 stamens (one of them sterile), and a pistil with a single style. Tiny glandular hairs occur along the outside and inside of the corolla. The peduncles and pedicels of the flowers are either glabrous or glandular-hairy. The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 3 weeks. The flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about 1/3" long; the latter eventually split open to release numerous small seeds. The root system consists of a crown with fibrous roots. Low basal leaves are usually present during winter dormancy.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and loamy or rocky soil. Well-drained conditions are required to prevent root rot.
Range & Habitat: Trumpet Penstemon is uncommon in southern Illinois, and rare or absent in the rest of the state (see Distribution Map). Illinois lies near the northeast range-limit of this species. Habitats include meadows and openings in upland woodlands, oak savannas, thinly wooded bluffs, prairies, limestone glades, and prairie remnants along railroads.
Faunal Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract long-tongued bees primarily: bumblebees, Anthophorine bees (Anthophora spp.), a Mason bee (Osmia distincta), and a wasp (Pseudomasaris occidentalis). The last two insects are oligoleges of Penstemon spp. (Penstemons). Other floral visitors include Green Metallic bees (collect pollen only) Swallowtail butterflies (suck nectar only), and the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (suck nectar only). Moth caterpillars that feed on Penstemons include Elaphria chalcedonia (Chalcedony Midget), Oncocnemis saudersiana (Saunder's Oncocnemis), and Pyrrhia exprimens (Purple-Lined Sallow). Mammalian herbivores apparently make little use of the foliage as a food source.
Photographic Location: A prairie in Fayette County, Illinois. The photographs were taken by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2010).
Comments: Trumpet Penstemon is an elegant wildflower with an unusually long and slender inflorescence. In addition to these characteristics of its inflorescence, it differs from other Penstemon spp. (Penstemons) by the shape of its flowers (narrow and funnel-shaped at the base, rather than swollen), the large size and similarity of its corolla lobes, the lack of conspicuous leaves between the inflorescence and the leaves of the lower stem, the presence of tiny glandular hairs within its corolla, and the lack of hairs on its leaves and central stalk. Sometimes the scientific name of this species is spelled Penstemon tubiflorus (see Britton & Brown, 1913/1970).
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Miss Chen
2018年02月03日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 1–2½' tall and unbranched. The erect central stem is pale green and terete; it is covered with short pubescence and scattered long hairs. The opposite leaves are up to 3¼" long and ¾" across; they are linear-lanceolate or lanceolate-oblong, pale green, and entire (toothless) to slightly dentate along their margins (if teeth are present, they are small and widely spaced). Both the lower and upper surfaces of the leaves are short-pubescent. The central stem terminates in a panicle of flowers that is 4-10" long; this panicle is taller than it is wide. Individual flowers are about ¾" long, consisting of a white corolla, a short calyx with 5 teeth, 4 stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The corolla is tubular-trumpet shaped, becoming broader toward its upper and lower lips. The upper lip has 2 short rounded lobes, while the lower lip has 3 short rounded lobes. The lower lip projects outward to a greater extent than the upper lip.
Panicle of Flowers
Along the bottom of the corolla's interior, there are 3 faint purple veins and a pair of low ridges. Toward the throat of the corolla on the bottom, there is a narrow patch of yellow hairs. The exterior of the corolla is slightly pubescent. The calyx is light green and pubescent. The stalks of the inflorescence and pedicels of the flowers are also light green (sometimes with purplish tints) and pubescent. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks for a colony of plants. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about ¼" long or slightly longer. Each capsule contains numerous tiny seeds. Individual seeds are about 0.5 mm. in length or a little longer, triangular-ovoid and somewhat flattened in shape, and dark brown or black. Eventually, the capsules split in two to release their seeds; these seeds are small enough to be carried about by the wind. The root system consists of a crown with fibrous roots or a taproot.
Cultivation: Full to partial sun and mesic to dry conditions are preferred. Different kinds of soil are tolerated, including those containing clay-loam, sand, or rocky material. Reduced soil fertility is beneficial, because this reduces competition from taller and more aggressive plants.
Range & Habitat: The native Pale Penstemon is occasional throughout Illinois, except in east-central and some northern areas of the state, where it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include dry rocky woodlands, hill prairies, dry-mesic railroad prairies, sandstone and limestone glades, upland savannas, thinly wooded bluffs, rocky cliffs, and abandoned fields. Occasional wildfires are beneficial in maintaining populations of this species, particularly in wooded habitats.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Pale Penstemon are cross-pollinated primarily by long-tongued bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), and mason bees (Hoplitis spp., Osmia spp.); see Crosswhite & Crosswhite (1966) and Clinebell & Bernhardt (1998). A mason bee, Osmia distincta, is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Penstemon spp. These insects obtain nectar and/or pollen from the flowers. Short-tongued Halictid bees also visit the flowers for pollen. Other insects feed destructively on the foliage, flowers, or fruits of Penstemon spp. These species include the caterpillars of such moths as the Chalcedony Midget (Elaphria chalcedonia), Saunder's Sallow Moth (Sympistis saundersiana), and a stem-gall forming Gracillariid moth (Caloptilia murtfeldtella); see Covell (1984/2005), Panzer et al. (2006), and the Microleps website (2010). A polyphagous aphid, Abstrusomyzus phloxae, sucks sap from these plants (Blackman & Eastop, 2013). Generally, most mammalian herbivores appear to avoid the consumption of the foliage of these plants. For example, Georgia (1913) has stated that the foliage of Foxglove Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis) is rejected by cattle because it is unwholesome and bitter-tasting. However, Lindroth & Batzli (1984) have found that the young shoots of this same plant are readily eaten by the Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) in prairies.
Photographic Location: A small meadow at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Pale Penstemon is a reasonably attractive wildflower that blooms a little earlier than other Penstemon spp. It can be distinguished from these other species by its evenly pubescent foliage and the following characteristics of its corolla: 1) the lower interior surface is distinctively ridged, rather than flat or concave, 2) the lower lip extends significantly beyond the upper lip, and 3) the exterior is white, rather than pale rose-purple. Overall, Pale Penstemon is more dainty in appearance than its taller and more aggressive cousin, Foxglove Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis). Another common name of Penstemon pallidus is Pale Beardtongue (or Beardstongue), which refers to the yellow hairs that line the throat of the corolla.
Panicle of Flowers
Along the bottom of the corolla's interior, there are 3 faint purple veins and a pair of low ridges. Toward the throat of the corolla on the bottom, there is a narrow patch of yellow hairs. The exterior of the corolla is slightly pubescent. The calyx is light green and pubescent. The stalks of the inflorescence and pedicels of the flowers are also light green (sometimes with purplish tints) and pubescent. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks for a colony of plants. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about ¼" long or slightly longer. Each capsule contains numerous tiny seeds. Individual seeds are about 0.5 mm. in length or a little longer, triangular-ovoid and somewhat flattened in shape, and dark brown or black. Eventually, the capsules split in two to release their seeds; these seeds are small enough to be carried about by the wind. The root system consists of a crown with fibrous roots or a taproot.
Cultivation: Full to partial sun and mesic to dry conditions are preferred. Different kinds of soil are tolerated, including those containing clay-loam, sand, or rocky material. Reduced soil fertility is beneficial, because this reduces competition from taller and more aggressive plants.
Range & Habitat: The native Pale Penstemon is occasional throughout Illinois, except in east-central and some northern areas of the state, where it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include dry rocky woodlands, hill prairies, dry-mesic railroad prairies, sandstone and limestone glades, upland savannas, thinly wooded bluffs, rocky cliffs, and abandoned fields. Occasional wildfires are beneficial in maintaining populations of this species, particularly in wooded habitats.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of Pale Penstemon are cross-pollinated primarily by long-tongued bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), and mason bees (Hoplitis spp., Osmia spp.); see Crosswhite & Crosswhite (1966) and Clinebell & Bernhardt (1998). A mason bee, Osmia distincta, is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Penstemon spp. These insects obtain nectar and/or pollen from the flowers. Short-tongued Halictid bees also visit the flowers for pollen. Other insects feed destructively on the foliage, flowers, or fruits of Penstemon spp. These species include the caterpillars of such moths as the Chalcedony Midget (Elaphria chalcedonia), Saunder's Sallow Moth (Sympistis saundersiana), and a stem-gall forming Gracillariid moth (Caloptilia murtfeldtella); see Covell (1984/2005), Panzer et al. (2006), and the Microleps website (2010). A polyphagous aphid, Abstrusomyzus phloxae, sucks sap from these plants (Blackman & Eastop, 2013). Generally, most mammalian herbivores appear to avoid the consumption of the foliage of these plants. For example, Georgia (1913) has stated that the foliage of Foxglove Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis) is rejected by cattle because it is unwholesome and bitter-tasting. However, Lindroth & Batzli (1984) have found that the young shoots of this same plant are readily eaten by the Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) in prairies.
Photographic Location: A small meadow at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Pale Penstemon is a reasonably attractive wildflower that blooms a little earlier than other Penstemon spp. It can be distinguished from these other species by its evenly pubescent foliage and the following characteristics of its corolla: 1) the lower interior surface is distinctively ridged, rather than flat or concave, 2) the lower lip extends significantly beyond the upper lip, and 3) the exterior is white, rather than pale rose-purple. Overall, Pale Penstemon is more dainty in appearance than its taller and more aggressive cousin, Foxglove Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis). Another common name of Penstemon pallidus is Pale Beardtongue (or Beardstongue), which refers to the yellow hairs that line the throat of the corolla.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月03日
Description: Prior to developing an inflorescence, this perennial plant consists of one or more rosettes of basal leaves that are clustered together. They are medium green, sometimes with reddish tints. They are variable in shape, but tend to be ovate, obovate, or broadly lanceolate, and are up to 6" long and 2½" wide. Their margins are usually smooth. One or more flowering stalks emerge from the clustered rosettes during the spring, which are about 3' tall. They are hairless and light green, while the opposite leaves on these stalks are more lanceolate in shape than the basal leaves. Their edges often have tiny teeth, and the leaf surface is often shiny.
The white flowers occur in a panicle at the top of each flowering stem, and bloom during late spring or early summer for about a month. They are tubular in shape and about 1" long, with the corolla divided into a lower lip with 3 lobes and and an upper lip with 2 lobes. Somtimes there are fine lines of violet within the corolla, which function as nectar guides to visiting insects. There is no floral scent. The entire plant is hairless, except on the outer surface of the flowers. The flowering stalk eventually turns dark brown, developing numerous oval seed capsules, each containing numerous seeds. These seeds are gray, finely pitted, and irregularly angled. This inflorescence eventually falls over are the seeds have formed, helping to distribute them, but the basal leaves remain. The small seeds can also be carried aloft by the wind for short distances. The root system has short rhizomes, which often produce new plantlets around the base.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, average levels of moisture, and loamy soil. This plant matures quickly during the spring, and the flowering stalks often ascend above neighboring plants. It adapts well to cultivation, is not bothered by disease, and is easy to grow. Under severe drought conditions, however, the leaves may turn yellow and the plant will wilt.
Range & Habitat: The native Foxglove Penstemon occurs occasionally, except in some counties of central and NW Illinois, where it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). However, in other areas, it may be locally common. Habitats include mesic black soil prairies, openings in upland and floodplain forests, woodland borders, thickets, savannas, acid gravel seeps, pastures, and abandoned fields.
Faunal Associations: The tubular flowers of this plant attract long-tongued bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, Anthophorine bees, Miner bees, Mason bees, and large Leaf-Cutting bees. To a lesser extent, Halictid bees, butterflies, Sphinx moths, and hummingbirds may visit the flowers, but they are not effective pollinators. The caterpillars of the moth Elaphria chalcedonia (Chalcedony Midget) feed on the foliage of this and other beardtongues. There have been reports that the caterpillars of the butterfly Euphydryes phaeton (Baltimore) feed on the foliage of various beardtongues, but this does not appear to be the case in Illinois. The seeds are not often eaten by birds, nor is the foliage an attractive source of food to mammalian herbivores, although they may browse on it when little else is available.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is probably the easiest Penstemon sp. to grow in areas that lie east of the Mississippi river. The flowers are quite showy, and the plant is large enough to compete against many kinds of weeds. Another desirable feature is that the blooming period is rather long for an early season plant. Foxglove Penstemon can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the absence of hairs on the leaves and stems, a corolla that is primarily white on the outer surface (but sometimes with violet tints), the presence of tiny white hairs on the anthers (resembling small combs), and an absence of ridges on the lower inner surface of the corolla. The small hairs on the anthers can lodge against the hairs of a visiting bee, causing the stamens to bend downward to deposit pollen on the back of the insect, if it is sufficiently large in size.
The white flowers occur in a panicle at the top of each flowering stem, and bloom during late spring or early summer for about a month. They are tubular in shape and about 1" long, with the corolla divided into a lower lip with 3 lobes and and an upper lip with 2 lobes. Somtimes there are fine lines of violet within the corolla, which function as nectar guides to visiting insects. There is no floral scent. The entire plant is hairless, except on the outer surface of the flowers. The flowering stalk eventually turns dark brown, developing numerous oval seed capsules, each containing numerous seeds. These seeds are gray, finely pitted, and irregularly angled. This inflorescence eventually falls over are the seeds have formed, helping to distribute them, but the basal leaves remain. The small seeds can also be carried aloft by the wind for short distances. The root system has short rhizomes, which often produce new plantlets around the base.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, average levels of moisture, and loamy soil. This plant matures quickly during the spring, and the flowering stalks often ascend above neighboring plants. It adapts well to cultivation, is not bothered by disease, and is easy to grow. Under severe drought conditions, however, the leaves may turn yellow and the plant will wilt.
Range & Habitat: The native Foxglove Penstemon occurs occasionally, except in some counties of central and NW Illinois, where it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). However, in other areas, it may be locally common. Habitats include mesic black soil prairies, openings in upland and floodplain forests, woodland borders, thickets, savannas, acid gravel seeps, pastures, and abandoned fields.
Faunal Associations: The tubular flowers of this plant attract long-tongued bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, Anthophorine bees, Miner bees, Mason bees, and large Leaf-Cutting bees. To a lesser extent, Halictid bees, butterflies, Sphinx moths, and hummingbirds may visit the flowers, but they are not effective pollinators. The caterpillars of the moth Elaphria chalcedonia (Chalcedony Midget) feed on the foliage of this and other beardtongues. There have been reports that the caterpillars of the butterfly Euphydryes phaeton (Baltimore) feed on the foliage of various beardtongues, but this does not appear to be the case in Illinois. The seeds are not often eaten by birds, nor is the foliage an attractive source of food to mammalian herbivores, although they may browse on it when little else is available.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is probably the easiest Penstemon sp. to grow in areas that lie east of the Mississippi river. The flowers are quite showy, and the plant is large enough to compete against many kinds of weeds. Another desirable feature is that the blooming period is rather long for an early season plant. Foxglove Penstemon can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the absence of hairs on the leaves and stems, a corolla that is primarily white on the outer surface (but sometimes with violet tints), the presence of tiny white hairs on the anthers (resembling small combs), and an absence of ridges on the lower inner surface of the corolla. The small hairs on the anthers can lodge against the hairs of a visiting bee, causing the stamens to bend downward to deposit pollen on the back of the insect, if it is sufficiently large in size.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月03日
Description: This perennial plant is about 2-3' tall while in flower. There is a rosette of basal leaves up to 6" long and 4" wide on long petioles. They are medium green, sandpapery in texture, coarsely serrated along the margins, and broadly lanceolate, ovate, or cordate. From the middle of this rosette, a stout flowering stalk develops, which has smaller alternate leaves on short petioles. Usually there are erect side stems that each develop an inflorescence. An inflorescence consists of flat-headed clusters of small white flowerheads; usually, there are several of them bunched loosely together on the same plant. Each flowerhead is about 1/3" (8 mm.) across, consisting primarily of numerous disk florets, while the few ray florets are greatly reduced in size and barely perceptible. The overall effect is similar to a head of cauliflower. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, and lasts about 2 months. There is no noticeable floral scent. Eventually, the flowerheads turn brown, and the achenes develop without tufts of hair. The central taproot is quite thickened and somewhat tuberous in appearance, while rhizomes promote the vegetative spread of this plant.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and mesic conditions. However, a small amount of shade is tolerated, and the soil can vary from moist to slightly dry. A fertile loamy soil is preferred, although the presence of some sand or rocky material is tolerated. While established plants are fairly easy to grow, recent transplants can be temperamental. It is important to put the transplants into the ground after danger of hard frost has passed, but before the period of active growth occurs during the late spring and early summer. Foliar disease isn't a significant problem. During a drought, some of the lower leaves may turn yellow and wither away.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Quinine occurs occasionally in the majority of counties in Illinois, however it is uncommon or absent in many areas of western and SE Illinois (see Distribution Map). In high quality habitats, Wild Quinine can be locally common, while in disturbed areas it is uncommon, possibly because of the limited dispersion of its seeds. Habitats include mesic black soil prairies, sand prairies, openings in rocky upland forests, savannas, scrubby barrens, limestone glades, and thickets.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract Halictine bees, wasps, flies, beetles, and plant bugs. The beetles usually feed on pollen, while the other insects seek nectar primarily. The fly visitors include Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, Flesh flies, Muscid flies, Anthomyiid flies, and others. Wasp visitors include Crabronine wasps, Eumenine wasps, Cuckoo wasps, Braconid wasps, and others. Mammalian herbivores appear to ignore this plant as a food source because the leaves are sandpapery in texture and bitter-tasting.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a remnant prairie along an abandoned railroad in Champaign County, Illinois, and the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Don't be put off by the lack of conspicuous ray florets on the flowerheads – they are still quite showy, resembling small white pearls from a distance. The leaves are admittedly rather coarse, but they possess characteristics that help this plant to survive in the prairie (as well as one's flower garden). Because of the unique flowerheads, this plant can be confused with no other species in Illinois; there are some close relatives that occur in other states, however. Wild Quinine was used as a substitute for the bark of the Cinchona tree during World War I, when the supply of the latter was disrupted; this was an attempt to maintain the supply of quinine to treat malaria.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and mesic conditions. However, a small amount of shade is tolerated, and the soil can vary from moist to slightly dry. A fertile loamy soil is preferred, although the presence of some sand or rocky material is tolerated. While established plants are fairly easy to grow, recent transplants can be temperamental. It is important to put the transplants into the ground after danger of hard frost has passed, but before the period of active growth occurs during the late spring and early summer. Foliar disease isn't a significant problem. During a drought, some of the lower leaves may turn yellow and wither away.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Quinine occurs occasionally in the majority of counties in Illinois, however it is uncommon or absent in many areas of western and SE Illinois (see Distribution Map). In high quality habitats, Wild Quinine can be locally common, while in disturbed areas it is uncommon, possibly because of the limited dispersion of its seeds. Habitats include mesic black soil prairies, sand prairies, openings in rocky upland forests, savannas, scrubby barrens, limestone glades, and thickets.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract Halictine bees, wasps, flies, beetles, and plant bugs. The beetles usually feed on pollen, while the other insects seek nectar primarily. The fly visitors include Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, Flesh flies, Muscid flies, Anthomyiid flies, and others. Wasp visitors include Crabronine wasps, Eumenine wasps, Cuckoo wasps, Braconid wasps, and others. Mammalian herbivores appear to ignore this plant as a food source because the leaves are sandpapery in texture and bitter-tasting.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a remnant prairie along an abandoned railroad in Champaign County, Illinois, and the webmaster's wildflower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Don't be put off by the lack of conspicuous ray florets on the flowerheads – they are still quite showy, resembling small white pearls from a distance. The leaves are admittedly rather coarse, but they possess characteristics that help this plant to survive in the prairie (as well as one's flower garden). Because of the unique flowerheads, this plant can be confused with no other species in Illinois; there are some close relatives that occur in other states, however. Wild Quinine was used as a substitute for the bark of the Cinchona tree during World War I, when the supply of the latter was disrupted; this was an attempt to maintain the supply of quinine to treat malaria.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月02日
Description: This perennial plant is up to 6" tall. It consists of a small cluster of trifoliate basal leaves on long petioles that emerge directly from the ground. The petioles of the basal leaves are up to 4" long; they are whitish green to pale reddish green, terete, glabrous, and rather delicate in appearance. Individual trifoliate leaves are about 1" across and they open up during the day. Each leaf consists of three obcordate leaflets with smooth margins. The leaves may turn purplish in response to cold weather or strong sunlight, otherwise, they tend to be greyish green. Both the upper and lower leaflet surfaces are hairless.
Close-up of Flower
Among these leaves, floppy umbels of flowers develop on peduncles up to 6" long. The peduncles are similar in appearance to the petioles. Each umbel has 2-5 flowers on slender pedicels up to 1" long; usually only 1-2 flowers per umbel are in bloom at the same time. The flowers are bell-shaped (campanulate) and about 1/3" (8 mm.) across. Each flower has 5 lavender or pale purple petals, 5 light green sepals, 5 inserted stamens with yellow anthers, and an ovary with an inserted style. Near the throat of the flower, the petals become greenish white with converging fine veins; they are oblanceolate in shape, often becoming slightly recurved toward their tips. The sepals are shorter than the petals; they are lanceolate in shape and hairless with purplish tips. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 1-2 months. On rare occasions, Violet Wood Sorrel may bloom again during the fall. There is no floral scent. Eventually, slender pointed seed capsules develop that split into 5 sections, sometimes ejecting the light brown seeds several inches. The root system consists of small bulblets with fibrous roots; these bulblets can multiply by forming clonal offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun and mesic to dry conditions. The soil can be rocky or loamy. Disease is not normally a problem as long as the site is well-drained. Violet Wood Sorrel can be cultivated in gardens if taller and more aggressive vegetation is kept away.
Range & Habitat: The native Violet Wood Sorrel occurs in every county of Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is occasional throughout the state. Habitats include mesic to dry black soil prairies, hill prairies, open upland forests, savannas, edges of wooded bluffs, limestone glades, and abandoned fields. Violet Wood Sorrel responds positively to prairie wildfires as this clears away the dead vegetation that can smother this plant during the spring. It is usually found in higher quality natural areas where the original ground flora has been left intact.
Faunal Associations: Primarily long-tongued and short-tongued bees visit the flowers for nectar or pollen. This includes little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp., Hoplitis spp.), Andrenid bees, and Halictid bees (including green metallic bees). Less commonly, the flowers may be visited by small butterflies, skippers, and bee flies. Syrphid flies also visit the flowers, but they feed on the pollen and are non-pollinating. The oligophagous caterpillars of a brownish Noctuid moth, Galgula partita (The Wedgling), feed on the leaflets of Oxalis spp. The seeds of Oxalis spp. are eaten to a limited extent by several upland gamebirds and songbirds, including the Bobwhite, Mourning Dove, Horned Lark, Field Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, and Slate-Colored Junco. The Prairie Deer Mouse and White-Footed Mouse also eat the seeds of these plants. The Cottontail Rabbit browses on the foliage occasionally, even though it is mildly toxic because of the presence of oxalic acid.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Loda Cemetery Prairie in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: In Illinois, this is the only Oxalis sp. (Wood Sorrel) that has lavender or pale purple flowers. Other Wood Sorrel species within the state have yellow flowers. Both the flowers and leaves open up on sunny days, otherwise they fold up and "go to sleep." Violet Wood Sorrel is an attractive plant, although rather small in size. The leaflets are supposed to be edible in small amounts.
Close-up of Flower
Among these leaves, floppy umbels of flowers develop on peduncles up to 6" long. The peduncles are similar in appearance to the petioles. Each umbel has 2-5 flowers on slender pedicels up to 1" long; usually only 1-2 flowers per umbel are in bloom at the same time. The flowers are bell-shaped (campanulate) and about 1/3" (8 mm.) across. Each flower has 5 lavender or pale purple petals, 5 light green sepals, 5 inserted stamens with yellow anthers, and an ovary with an inserted style. Near the throat of the flower, the petals become greenish white with converging fine veins; they are oblanceolate in shape, often becoming slightly recurved toward their tips. The sepals are shorter than the petals; they are lanceolate in shape and hairless with purplish tips. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 1-2 months. On rare occasions, Violet Wood Sorrel may bloom again during the fall. There is no floral scent. Eventually, slender pointed seed capsules develop that split into 5 sections, sometimes ejecting the light brown seeds several inches. The root system consists of small bulblets with fibrous roots; these bulblets can multiply by forming clonal offsets.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun and mesic to dry conditions. The soil can be rocky or loamy. Disease is not normally a problem as long as the site is well-drained. Violet Wood Sorrel can be cultivated in gardens if taller and more aggressive vegetation is kept away.
Range & Habitat: The native Violet Wood Sorrel occurs in every county of Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is occasional throughout the state. Habitats include mesic to dry black soil prairies, hill prairies, open upland forests, savannas, edges of wooded bluffs, limestone glades, and abandoned fields. Violet Wood Sorrel responds positively to prairie wildfires as this clears away the dead vegetation that can smother this plant during the spring. It is usually found in higher quality natural areas where the original ground flora has been left intact.
Faunal Associations: Primarily long-tongued and short-tongued bees visit the flowers for nectar or pollen. This includes little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp., Hoplitis spp.), Andrenid bees, and Halictid bees (including green metallic bees). Less commonly, the flowers may be visited by small butterflies, skippers, and bee flies. Syrphid flies also visit the flowers, but they feed on the pollen and are non-pollinating. The oligophagous caterpillars of a brownish Noctuid moth, Galgula partita (The Wedgling), feed on the leaflets of Oxalis spp. The seeds of Oxalis spp. are eaten to a limited extent by several upland gamebirds and songbirds, including the Bobwhite, Mourning Dove, Horned Lark, Field Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, and Slate-Colored Junco. The Prairie Deer Mouse and White-Footed Mouse also eat the seeds of these plants. The Cottontail Rabbit browses on the foliage occasionally, even though it is mildly toxic because of the presence of oxalic acid.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Loda Cemetery Prairie in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: In Illinois, this is the only Oxalis sp. (Wood Sorrel) that has lavender or pale purple flowers. Other Wood Sorrel species within the state have yellow flowers. Both the flowers and leaves open up on sunny days, otherwise they fold up and "go to sleep." Violet Wood Sorrel is an attractive plant, although rather small in size. The leaflets are supposed to be edible in small amounts.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月02日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 2-3½' tall and either unbranched or sparingly branched. The central stem and any lateral stems are medium green, terete, and sparsely short-pubescent. The alternate leaves are trifoliate; their petioles are 2-6" long, somewhat angular, medium green, and sparsely short-pubescent. At the base of each petiole, there is a pair of stipules about 8 mm. (0.3") long; they are linear-lanceolate in shape and early-deciduous. The leaflets of the trifoliate leaves are 2-4' long and 1-2" across; they are lanceolate-ovate to ovate in shape, while their margins are smooth (entire) and slightly ciliate. The bases of these leaflets are rounded, while their tips are rather slender and pointed. The upper leaflet surface is medium green and sparsely short-pubescent to glabrous, while the lower leaflet surface is pale to medium green and sparsely short-pubescent. Leaflet venation is pinnate. The terminal leaflets have petiolules (basal stalklets) about ½-1" long, while the petiolules of the lateral leaflets are less than 1/8" in length.
Both axillary and terminal racemes of flowers are produced on peduncles about 2-8" in length. These racemes are 2-6" long and spike-like in appearance; the density of flowers along each raceme is intermediate. The central stalk of each raceme is pale green and sparsely covered with short fine pubescence. Each flower is about ¼" long and relatively narrow in shape, consisting of 5 blue, purple, or nearly white petals, a short-tubular calyx with 5 teeth, and the reproductive organs. The petals form an upright banner, a pair of forward-projecting wings, and a small keel that is largely hidden by the wings. At the base of the banner, there is a small patch of yellow with fine purple veins. The calyx is pale green to pale purplish yellow and sparsely short-pubescent. The pedicels of the flowers are very short (less than 1/8" in length). The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 1 month. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by short seedpods about 8-12 mm. long. These seedpods are obovoid, somewhat compressed (flattened), and asymmetric (more curved on one sideLeaflet Underside than the other); they are single-seeded. Individual seeds are 4-6 mm. long, reniform (kidney-shaped), and somewhat compressed, becoming dark brown at maturity. The root system is rhizomatous, often forming clonal colonies of plants.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and loamy soil. This wildflower can be propagated by seed or division of its rhizomes.
Range & Habitat: The native French Grass is uncommon to occasional in central Illinois, becoming rare or absent in the southern and northern sections of the state (see Distribution Map). It is found primarily in the lower Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and eastern Missouri). Habitats include black soil prairies, pioneer cemetery prairies, lower slopes of hill prairies, riverbanks, upland open woodlands, poorly maintained embankments along country roads, and fallow fields. French Grass is found in both high quality habitats (mostly prairie remnants) and more disturbed habitats that have a history of neglect.
Faunal Associations: Aside from flower-visiting insects, very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. Robertson (1929) observed honeybees, bumblebees, cuckoo bees (Coelioxys spp.), leaf-cutter bees (Megachile spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.) Halictid bees, plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, bee flies (Bombyliidae), thick-headed flies (Conopidae), butterflies, skippers, and moths visiting the flowers for nectar. Some of the bees also collected pollen from the flowers. Robertson also observed an uncommon carder bee, Anthidium psoralaeae, visiting the flowers of French Grass. This latter bee is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of some prairie species (Orbexilum spp., Psoralidium spp., etc.) in the Bean family. There is also a newly discovered, but still unnamed, moth caterpillar (Schinia sp.) that feeds on French Grass in the lower Midwest. This caterpillar is pale yellowish green with pairs of large black dots along its sides.
Photographic Location: An overgrown embankment along a gravelly road in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: In spite of the common name, this species is a legume in the Bean family, rather than a grass. The foliage of French Grass has a striking similarity to the foliage of cultivated Soybeans (Glycine max). However, both the inflorescences and seeds of these two species bear little resemblance to each other. French Grass appears to be a species that is often neglected in prairie and savanna restorations, even though it is probably not difficult to cultivate. Another species that is native to Illinois, Orbexilum pedunculatum (Sampson's Snakeroot), is a smaller plant with more narrow leaves and its flowers are usually more white or pinkish white than those of French Grass. Sometimes 'Sanfoin' is used as a common name for Orbexilum onobrychis. A scientific synonym of this species is Psoralea onobrychis.
Both axillary and terminal racemes of flowers are produced on peduncles about 2-8" in length. These racemes are 2-6" long and spike-like in appearance; the density of flowers along each raceme is intermediate. The central stalk of each raceme is pale green and sparsely covered with short fine pubescence. Each flower is about ¼" long and relatively narrow in shape, consisting of 5 blue, purple, or nearly white petals, a short-tubular calyx with 5 teeth, and the reproductive organs. The petals form an upright banner, a pair of forward-projecting wings, and a small keel that is largely hidden by the wings. At the base of the banner, there is a small patch of yellow with fine purple veins. The calyx is pale green to pale purplish yellow and sparsely short-pubescent. The pedicels of the flowers are very short (less than 1/8" in length). The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 1 month. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by short seedpods about 8-12 mm. long. These seedpods are obovoid, somewhat compressed (flattened), and asymmetric (more curved on one sideLeaflet Underside than the other); they are single-seeded. Individual seeds are 4-6 mm. long, reniform (kidney-shaped), and somewhat compressed, becoming dark brown at maturity. The root system is rhizomatous, often forming clonal colonies of plants.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry-mesic conditions, and loamy soil. This wildflower can be propagated by seed or division of its rhizomes.
Range & Habitat: The native French Grass is uncommon to occasional in central Illinois, becoming rare or absent in the southern and northern sections of the state (see Distribution Map). It is found primarily in the lower Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and eastern Missouri). Habitats include black soil prairies, pioneer cemetery prairies, lower slopes of hill prairies, riverbanks, upland open woodlands, poorly maintained embankments along country roads, and fallow fields. French Grass is found in both high quality habitats (mostly prairie remnants) and more disturbed habitats that have a history of neglect.
Faunal Associations: Aside from flower-visiting insects, very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. Robertson (1929) observed honeybees, bumblebees, cuckoo bees (Coelioxys spp.), leaf-cutter bees (Megachile spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.) Halictid bees, plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, bee flies (Bombyliidae), thick-headed flies (Conopidae), butterflies, skippers, and moths visiting the flowers for nectar. Some of the bees also collected pollen from the flowers. Robertson also observed an uncommon carder bee, Anthidium psoralaeae, visiting the flowers of French Grass. This latter bee is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of some prairie species (Orbexilum spp., Psoralidium spp., etc.) in the Bean family. There is also a newly discovered, but still unnamed, moth caterpillar (Schinia sp.) that feeds on French Grass in the lower Midwest. This caterpillar is pale yellowish green with pairs of large black dots along its sides.
Photographic Location: An overgrown embankment along a gravelly road in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments: In spite of the common name, this species is a legume in the Bean family, rather than a grass. The foliage of French Grass has a striking similarity to the foliage of cultivated Soybeans (Glycine max). However, both the inflorescences and seeds of these two species bear little resemblance to each other. French Grass appears to be a species that is often neglected in prairie and savanna restorations, even though it is probably not difficult to cultivate. Another species that is native to Illinois, Orbexilum pedunculatum (Sampson's Snakeroot), is a smaller plant with more narrow leaves and its flowers are usually more white or pinkish white than those of French Grass. Sometimes 'Sanfoin' is used as a common name for Orbexilum onobrychis. A scientific synonym of this species is Psoralea onobrychis.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月01日
Description: This perennial plant is 1-3' tall, producing multiple erect to spreading shoots from the root system. The stems are whitish green, terete, densely appressed-pubescent, and moderately hairy; they are either unbranched, sparingly branched, or occasionally branched. Spreading alternate leaves occur along these stems that are 1½–3½" long and ½–1" across. These leaves are elliptic, broadly elliptic, or lanceolate-elliptic in shape, while their margins are toothless and ciliate; they are usually sessile. The upper leaf surface is medium green or grayish green; it is sparsely to moderately covered with appressed to ascending hairs. The lower leaf surface is light green and appressed-pubescent; it also has spreading hairs along the major veins. The uppermost leaves are usually more hairy than the remaining leaves. Individual leaves have 3-7 primary veins that are more or less parallel to each other; they are very conspicuous on both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. The central stem (and upper lateral stems, if present) terminates in a coiled raceme of flowers up to 1' long. The flowers occur along only one side of the raceme, facing more or less downward while they are in bloom.
Each flower has a white corolla that is ½–¾" long, a hairy green calyx with 5 slender lobes, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with a strongly exerted white style. The corolla is cylindrical-angular in shape, becoming slightly and gradually wider toward its tip. At the tip of the corolla, there are 5 triangular lobes that extend outward and inward, effectively closing off the opening of the corolla, except for the exerted style. These lobes are often tinted green or yellow. The outer sides of the corolla are densely canescent, except where its lobes occur; the latter are hairy throughout. The lobes of the calyx are linear-lanceolate to linear-oblong in shape. Including its lobes, the calyx is about two-thirds as long as the corolla. The pedicels of the flowers are up to ¼" long (rarely longer); they are whitish green, terete, appressed-pubescent, and covered with appressed to slightly spreading hairs. At the bases of these pedicels, there are solitary bracts up to 1" long that resemble the leaves. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 3 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the raceme uncoils itself and becomes more straight and erect; each flower is replaced by 0-4 nutlets (often, there is only a single nutlet per flower). Mature nutlets are 3.5–4.5 mm. long, 2.5–3.5 mm. across, and ovoid in shape; their tips are bluntly acute, while their bottoms are more or less truncate and discolored. There is no ring-like constriction near the base of each nutlet. The sides of these nutlets are pale brown to white and either dull or shiny; they are usually devoid of small pits, although sometimes a few scattered pits may occur. The nutlets are also quite hard. The root system consists of a deep taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing gravel, sand, or rocky material. While this plant readily adapts to more fertile loamy soil, it is typically found on more barren ground because of the reduced competition from other kinds of ground vegetation. Most growth and development occurs during the spring and the first half of summer; this plant has a C3 metabolism. The hard seeds may lie in the ground for several years before they germinate.
Range & Habitat: Western Marbleseed is found in the western half of Illinois and at the Shawnee Hills in the southern section of the state (see Distribution Map). It is native to the state and uncommon. Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this species. Western Marbleseed has a rather large range that extends across the Great Plains and into some of the western states. In Illinois, habitats for this species includes upland sand prairies, upland gravel prairies, hill prairies, upland savannas, rocky glades, and upland pastures. This plant is normally found in high quality natural areas, although it appears to thrive better when there are occasional wildfires or cattle grazing.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by bumblebees. Other insect visitors of the flowers include honeybees, Halictid bees, ants, and true bugs (Williams, 1998). Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. Other insects feed on the foliage, stems, sap, and other parts of Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle). Adult flea beetles (Epitrix spp., Longitarsus spp.) feed on the leaves, while their larvae feed on the roots. One species, the Marbleseed Flea Beetle (Longitarsus subrufus), is oligophagous on Marbleseed. Other insect feeders include polyphagous stink bugs that feed on the sap of the stems, stem-boring larvae of gall flies (Neolasioptera spp.), and pollen-feeding larvae of a sap beetle (Afrogethes saevus). Species that feed on sap from the leaves include the Two-striped Planthopper (Acanalonia bivittata), Meadow Spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius), and Girdled Leafhopper (Aphrodes bicincta). The larvae of a moth, the Marbleseed Leafminer (Acrocercops pnosmodiella), is oligophagous on marbleseed. Larvae of another moth, the Streaked Ethmia Moth (Ethmia longimaculella longimaculella), feed on the leaves of marbleseed and puccoons (Lithospermum spp.). Larvae of some polyphagous tiger moths and larvae of a polyphagous butterfly, the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), also feed on the leaves marbleseed. For more information, see Williams (1998), Powell (1973), and Needham et al. (1928). The foliage of marbleseed is not a preferred source of food for mammalian herbivores because of its bristly hairs. This plant usually becomes more abundant in upland pastures that are occasionally grazed by cattle (Williams, 1997). Like other species in the Borage family, the foliage of marbleseed may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to the liver.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Western Marbleseed is another plant that is native to Illinois prairies. Its flowers are somewhat odd-looking because of their closed corollas. The taxonomy of marbleseed (Onosmodium) has been unstable and the different species, subspecies, and/or varieties can be difficult to distinguish from each other, especially when their nutlets are unavailable for observation. For example, Western Marbleseed has been classified as Onosmodium occidentale, Onosmodium molle occidentale, Onosmodium bejariense occidentale, and even Lithospermum occidentale. Another marbleseed that has been reported from Illinois, Rough Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle hispidissimum), has a more eastern distribution and its nutlets have conspicuous ring-like constrictions near their bases, unlike Western Marbleseed. The typical variety, Soft-haired Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle molle), apparently doesn't occur in Illinois. It has softer foliage than the preceding varieties of this species, and its nutlets are conspicuously pitted. Another variety of this species, Bexar Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle bejariense), has corolla lobes with longer and more tapered tips than the preceding varieties. This variety is native to Texas. According to Mackenzie (1905), Bexar Marbleseed has smaller nutlets (about 3 mm. in length) that have slight to strong ring-like constrictions near their bases. Yet another variety, Glabrous-stemmed Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle subsetosus), has stems that are glabrous to sparsely hairy. It is found in a few states in the south-central region of the United States.
Each flower has a white corolla that is ½–¾" long, a hairy green calyx with 5 slender lobes, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with a strongly exerted white style. The corolla is cylindrical-angular in shape, becoming slightly and gradually wider toward its tip. At the tip of the corolla, there are 5 triangular lobes that extend outward and inward, effectively closing off the opening of the corolla, except for the exerted style. These lobes are often tinted green or yellow. The outer sides of the corolla are densely canescent, except where its lobes occur; the latter are hairy throughout. The lobes of the calyx are linear-lanceolate to linear-oblong in shape. Including its lobes, the calyx is about two-thirds as long as the corolla. The pedicels of the flowers are up to ¼" long (rarely longer); they are whitish green, terete, appressed-pubescent, and covered with appressed to slightly spreading hairs. At the bases of these pedicels, there are solitary bracts up to 1" long that resemble the leaves. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 3 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the raceme uncoils itself and becomes more straight and erect; each flower is replaced by 0-4 nutlets (often, there is only a single nutlet per flower). Mature nutlets are 3.5–4.5 mm. long, 2.5–3.5 mm. across, and ovoid in shape; their tips are bluntly acute, while their bottoms are more or less truncate and discolored. There is no ring-like constriction near the base of each nutlet. The sides of these nutlets are pale brown to white and either dull or shiny; they are usually devoid of small pits, although sometimes a few scattered pits may occur. The nutlets are also quite hard. The root system consists of a deep taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing gravel, sand, or rocky material. While this plant readily adapts to more fertile loamy soil, it is typically found on more barren ground because of the reduced competition from other kinds of ground vegetation. Most growth and development occurs during the spring and the first half of summer; this plant has a C3 metabolism. The hard seeds may lie in the ground for several years before they germinate.
Range & Habitat: Western Marbleseed is found in the western half of Illinois and at the Shawnee Hills in the southern section of the state (see Distribution Map). It is native to the state and uncommon. Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this species. Western Marbleseed has a rather large range that extends across the Great Plains and into some of the western states. In Illinois, habitats for this species includes upland sand prairies, upland gravel prairies, hill prairies, upland savannas, rocky glades, and upland pastures. This plant is normally found in high quality natural areas, although it appears to thrive better when there are occasional wildfires or cattle grazing.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by bumblebees. Other insect visitors of the flowers include honeybees, Halictid bees, ants, and true bugs (Williams, 1998). Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards. Other insects feed on the foliage, stems, sap, and other parts of Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle). Adult flea beetles (Epitrix spp., Longitarsus spp.) feed on the leaves, while their larvae feed on the roots. One species, the Marbleseed Flea Beetle (Longitarsus subrufus), is oligophagous on Marbleseed. Other insect feeders include polyphagous stink bugs that feed on the sap of the stems, stem-boring larvae of gall flies (Neolasioptera spp.), and pollen-feeding larvae of a sap beetle (Afrogethes saevus). Species that feed on sap from the leaves include the Two-striped Planthopper (Acanalonia bivittata), Meadow Spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius), and Girdled Leafhopper (Aphrodes bicincta). The larvae of a moth, the Marbleseed Leafminer (Acrocercops pnosmodiella), is oligophagous on marbleseed. Larvae of another moth, the Streaked Ethmia Moth (Ethmia longimaculella longimaculella), feed on the leaves of marbleseed and puccoons (Lithospermum spp.). Larvae of some polyphagous tiger moths and larvae of a polyphagous butterfly, the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), also feed on the leaves marbleseed. For more information, see Williams (1998), Powell (1973), and Needham et al. (1928). The foliage of marbleseed is not a preferred source of food for mammalian herbivores because of its bristly hairs. This plant usually becomes more abundant in upland pastures that are occasionally grazed by cattle (Williams, 1997). Like other species in the Borage family, the foliage of marbleseed may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to the liver.
Photographic Location: The wildflower garden of the webmaster in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Western Marbleseed is another plant that is native to Illinois prairies. Its flowers are somewhat odd-looking because of their closed corollas. The taxonomy of marbleseed (Onosmodium) has been unstable and the different species, subspecies, and/or varieties can be difficult to distinguish from each other, especially when their nutlets are unavailable for observation. For example, Western Marbleseed has been classified as Onosmodium occidentale, Onosmodium molle occidentale, Onosmodium bejariense occidentale, and even Lithospermum occidentale. Another marbleseed that has been reported from Illinois, Rough Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle hispidissimum), has a more eastern distribution and its nutlets have conspicuous ring-like constrictions near their bases, unlike Western Marbleseed. The typical variety, Soft-haired Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle molle), apparently doesn't occur in Illinois. It has softer foliage than the preceding varieties of this species, and its nutlets are conspicuously pitted. Another variety of this species, Bexar Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle bejariense), has corolla lobes with longer and more tapered tips than the preceding varieties. This variety is native to Texas. According to Mackenzie (1905), Bexar Marbleseed has smaller nutlets (about 3 mm. in length) that have slight to strong ring-like constrictions near their bases. Yet another variety, Glabrous-stemmed Marbleseed (Onosmodium molle subsetosus), has stems that are glabrous to sparsely hairy. It is found in a few states in the south-central region of the United States.
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Miss Chen
2018年02月01日
Description: This is a herbaceous perennial plant, producing one or more erect stems that are ¾–2' tall. Each stem is light green to reddish purple, terete, and unbranched below the inflorescence; it is usually glabrous below and sparsely short-hairy above. Several alternate leaves occur along each stem, becoming significantly smaller in size as they ascend; they are up to 6" long and 1/3" (1 cm.) across (rarely larger). Relative to the stem, the blade orientation of lower leaves is widely spreading to ascending, while the blade orientation of middle to upper leaves is ascending. The leaf blades are linear-oblanceolate, linear-elliptic, and linear in shape; they are entire (toothless) to sparingly and shallowly toothed along the sides of their outer margins. The upper and lower surfaces of leaf blades are medium green and glabrous. The lower leaves taper gradually into petiole-like bases, while the upper leaves are sessile. Each stem terminates in a flat-headed panicle of flowerheads spanning up to 6" across; the branching structure of this inflorescence is corymbiform (corymb-like). The branches of this inflorescence are light green to reddish purple and sparsely short-hairy. Sometimes there are solitary leafy bracts where these branches diverge; these bracts are up to 1" long and linear in shape.
Each flowerhead spans about ¾–1" across, consisting of 10-25 pistillate ray florets that surround numerous perfect disk florets. The petaloid rays (ligules) are widely spreading, elliptic or oblong-elliptic in shape, and bright white; sometimes they are slightly notched at their tips. The corollas of the disk florets are about 4 mm. long, short-tubular in shape, 5-lobed, and dull white; their conjoined stamens are yellow. The base of the flowerhead is surrounded by appressed phyllaries (floral scales) that are arranged in about 4 overlapping series. These phyllaries are about 4 mm. long, linear-oblong to oblong in shape, light to medium green, and glabrous; their margins are a deeper shade of green above than below. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 1-2 months for a local population of plants. Afterwards, the flowerheads become light brown and their florets are replaced by small achenes with white tufts of hair. Individual achenes are about 1-1.5 mm. long, bullet-shaped, and glabrous; their apices are truncate where the tufts of hair occur. The root system consists of a branching caudex.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, moist to dry conditions, and calcareous barren ground that is sandy, gravelly, or rocky. This plant can be cultivated in rock gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native White Goldenrod is uncommon in northern Illinois and sandy areas of mid-central Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include hill prairies, gravel prairies, sand prairies, and moist sand flats (pannes) along Lake Michigan. Other habitats outside of Illinois include alvars (limestone pavements) along the Great Lakes, rocky cliffs, rocky crevices, river outcrop prairies, sandy Jack Pine plains, and fens. This plant is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. A rare butterfly, Karner's Blue (Lycaeides melissa samuelis), a rare skipper, Poweshiek Skipperling (Oarisma poweshiek), and the common Pennsylvania Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus) have been observed to visit the flowerheads of White Goldenrod (Oligoneuron album); see Grundel & Pavlovic (2000), Semmler (2010), and Williams (2006). The butterfly and skipper feed on nectar, while the soldier beetle probably feeds on pollen. Many other insects undoubtedly visit its flowerheads as well.
Photographic Location: A moist sand flat near Lake Michigan at Illinois Beach State Park in NE Illinois.
Comments: This goldenrod is very unusual because it looks like an aster, and it was even classified as an aster, Aster ptarmicoides, for many years. Other scientific names of White Goldenrod (Oligoneuron album) include Solidago ptarmicoides and Unamia alba. In spite of its deceptive appearance, it was discovered that this species forms naturally occurring hybrids with such flat-topped goldenrods as Oligoneuron rigidum, Oligoneuron riddellii, and Oligoneuron ohiense. In contrast, there is no evidence that it can form hybrids with other goldenrods (Solidago spp.) and asters (Aster spp.). Several common names have been used to refer to this plant, including Prairie Goldenrod, Stiff Aster, Stiff Goldenrod (also used for Oligoneuron rigidum), White Upland Aster, White Upland Goldenrod, and White Flat-topped Goldenrod.
Each flowerhead spans about ¾–1" across, consisting of 10-25 pistillate ray florets that surround numerous perfect disk florets. The petaloid rays (ligules) are widely spreading, elliptic or oblong-elliptic in shape, and bright white; sometimes they are slightly notched at their tips. The corollas of the disk florets are about 4 mm. long, short-tubular in shape, 5-lobed, and dull white; their conjoined stamens are yellow. The base of the flowerhead is surrounded by appressed phyllaries (floral scales) that are arranged in about 4 overlapping series. These phyllaries are about 4 mm. long, linear-oblong to oblong in shape, light to medium green, and glabrous; their margins are a deeper shade of green above than below. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 1-2 months for a local population of plants. Afterwards, the flowerheads become light brown and their florets are replaced by small achenes with white tufts of hair. Individual achenes are about 1-1.5 mm. long, bullet-shaped, and glabrous; their apices are truncate where the tufts of hair occur. The root system consists of a branching caudex.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, moist to dry conditions, and calcareous barren ground that is sandy, gravelly, or rocky. This plant can be cultivated in rock gardens.
Range & Habitat: The native White Goldenrod is uncommon in northern Illinois and sandy areas of mid-central Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include hill prairies, gravel prairies, sand prairies, and moist sand flats (pannes) along Lake Michigan. Other habitats outside of Illinois include alvars (limestone pavements) along the Great Lakes, rocky cliffs, rocky crevices, river outcrop prairies, sandy Jack Pine plains, and fens. This plant is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. A rare butterfly, Karner's Blue (Lycaeides melissa samuelis), a rare skipper, Poweshiek Skipperling (Oarisma poweshiek), and the common Pennsylvania Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus) have been observed to visit the flowerheads of White Goldenrod (Oligoneuron album); see Grundel & Pavlovic (2000), Semmler (2010), and Williams (2006). The butterfly and skipper feed on nectar, while the soldier beetle probably feeds on pollen. Many other insects undoubtedly visit its flowerheads as well.
Photographic Location: A moist sand flat near Lake Michigan at Illinois Beach State Park in NE Illinois.
Comments: This goldenrod is very unusual because it looks like an aster, and it was even classified as an aster, Aster ptarmicoides, for many years. Other scientific names of White Goldenrod (Oligoneuron album) include Solidago ptarmicoides and Unamia alba. In spite of its deceptive appearance, it was discovered that this species forms naturally occurring hybrids with such flat-topped goldenrods as Oligoneuron rigidum, Oligoneuron riddellii, and Oligoneuron ohiense. In contrast, there is no evidence that it can form hybrids with other goldenrods (Solidago spp.) and asters (Aster spp.). Several common names have been used to refer to this plant, including Prairie Goldenrod, Stiff Aster, Stiff Goldenrod (also used for Oligoneuron rigidum), White Upland Aster, White Upland Goldenrod, and White Flat-topped Goldenrod.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月31日
Description: This perennial plant is is usually ½-2' tall. The light green stems are terete, covered with appressed pubescence, and either erect or sprawling. The central stem is usually little branched, except near the apex of the plant, where the flowers occur. The alternate leaves are up to 2-3" long and ¾" across. They are lanceolate, elliptic, or oblanceolate in shape, while their margins are smooth (entire), dentate, or shallowly pinnatifid. Some leaves may have paired basal lobes. The leaves are either sessile against their stems or they have petioles up to 1" in length. Both the upper and lower leaf surfaces are light to medium green and either glabrous or sparsely appressed-pubescent.
About 1-3 flowers develop from the axils of the upper leaves. The appressed-pubescent flower buds are rather long and spindle-shaped. The showy flowers open up during the daytime, and they are 2-3½" across. Each flower has 4 broad petals, 8 stamens with white or yellow anthers, and a long white stigma that is 4-cleft at its tip, resembling a white cross. These flowers are usually pinkish white; they have fine pink lines that radiate outward from their throats across the rather wrinkled petals. The throats of these flowers are usually yellow. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about a month, although individual flowers are short-lived. The flowers are replaced by elongated 4-angled capsules that contain numerous seeds. The root system is highly rhizomatous, forming sizable colonies at some sites.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and dry conditions. This plant often grows on poor, rocky soil, but it can tolerate other kinds of soil as well. This plant can spread aggressively at dry, sunny locations, and it becomes rather ragged in appearance after the blooming period is over.
Range & Habitat: Showy Evening Primrose is widely scattered across Illinois, where it has been reported most often from the Chicago area, central Illinois, and SW Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is native to the Great Plains and other areas that lie west of Illinois. Habitats include upland areas of degraded prairies, glades, old homesteads and abandoned fields, areas along railroads and roadsides, and dry waste areas. In Illinois, Showy Evening Primrose occurs primarily in disturbed areas. Many local populations are undoubtedly cultivated plants that have managed to escape for one reason or another. This species has been naturalized in Illinois for a long time.
Faunal Associations: Small bees collect pollen from the flowers, but they are unlikely to pollinate them. The size and length of the stamens and style suggest that hummingbirds, large butterflies, or day-flying Sphinx moths are more likely to pollinate the flowers while seeking nectar, although this is somewhat speculative. Some insects feed destructively on the foliage and other parts of Showy Evening Primrose and other Oenothera spp. (Evening Primrose species). These insect species include the flea beetles Altica texana and Altica polita, the aphids Anoecia oenotherae and Aphis oestlundi, the weevil Acanthoscelidius acephalus, and the larvae of several moths. Among these moths, there are several Mompha spp. that feed on the seed capsules or bore through the stems, the flower-eating Schinia florida (Primrose Moth), and the foliage-eating Proserpinus juanita (Green-Banded Day Sphinx). The foliage is occasionally browsed by various mammalian herbivores, including rabbits, groundhogs, deer, and livestock.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Considering the size of Showy Evening Primrose as a plant, the flowers seem impossibly large. They are also very bright and showy. For this reason, this species is often cultivated in flower gardens in areas far outside its normal range in the Great Plains and southwestern states. It can be distinguished from other Oenothera spp. by its large pinkish white flowers. Other species in this genus typically have yellow flowers.
About 1-3 flowers develop from the axils of the upper leaves. The appressed-pubescent flower buds are rather long and spindle-shaped. The showy flowers open up during the daytime, and they are 2-3½" across. Each flower has 4 broad petals, 8 stamens with white or yellow anthers, and a long white stigma that is 4-cleft at its tip, resembling a white cross. These flowers are usually pinkish white; they have fine pink lines that radiate outward from their throats across the rather wrinkled petals. The throats of these flowers are usually yellow. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about a month, although individual flowers are short-lived. The flowers are replaced by elongated 4-angled capsules that contain numerous seeds. The root system is highly rhizomatous, forming sizable colonies at some sites.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and dry conditions. This plant often grows on poor, rocky soil, but it can tolerate other kinds of soil as well. This plant can spread aggressively at dry, sunny locations, and it becomes rather ragged in appearance after the blooming period is over.
Range & Habitat: Showy Evening Primrose is widely scattered across Illinois, where it has been reported most often from the Chicago area, central Illinois, and SW Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is native to the Great Plains and other areas that lie west of Illinois. Habitats include upland areas of degraded prairies, glades, old homesteads and abandoned fields, areas along railroads and roadsides, and dry waste areas. In Illinois, Showy Evening Primrose occurs primarily in disturbed areas. Many local populations are undoubtedly cultivated plants that have managed to escape for one reason or another. This species has been naturalized in Illinois for a long time.
Faunal Associations: Small bees collect pollen from the flowers, but they are unlikely to pollinate them. The size and length of the stamens and style suggest that hummingbirds, large butterflies, or day-flying Sphinx moths are more likely to pollinate the flowers while seeking nectar, although this is somewhat speculative. Some insects feed destructively on the foliage and other parts of Showy Evening Primrose and other Oenothera spp. (Evening Primrose species). These insect species include the flea beetles Altica texana and Altica polita, the aphids Anoecia oenotherae and Aphis oestlundi, the weevil Acanthoscelidius acephalus, and the larvae of several moths. Among these moths, there are several Mompha spp. that feed on the seed capsules or bore through the stems, the flower-eating Schinia florida (Primrose Moth), and the foliage-eating Proserpinus juanita (Green-Banded Day Sphinx). The foliage is occasionally browsed by various mammalian herbivores, including rabbits, groundhogs, deer, and livestock.
Photographic Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Considering the size of Showy Evening Primrose as a plant, the flowers seem impossibly large. They are also very bright and showy. For this reason, this species is often cultivated in flower gardens in areas far outside its normal range in the Great Plains and southwestern states. It can be distinguished from other Oenothera spp. by its large pinkish white flowers. Other species in this genus typically have yellow flowers.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月31日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 8-24" long, unbranched or sparingly branched, and erect to ascending. The stems are light green to pale red and terete; they are often pubescent above, becoming glabrous below. The alternate leaves are up to 2½" long and ¾" across; they are medium green, glabrous to slightly pubescent, and narrowly ovate or elliptic. The base of each leaf is sessile, while its tip is blunt. In addition to the alternate leaves, the basal leaves are often present at the bottom of each plant. The central stem (and any lateral stems) terminates in a leafy spike of several flowers; it is usually several inches long. Individual flowers usually alternate along the spike, although sometimes they occur in pairs. At the base of each flower, there is a leafy bract about ½–1" long that is linear-oblong. The central stalk of the spike is often pubescent.
Each flower is about ½–¾" across, consisting of 4 yellow petals, 4 green or reddish green calyx lobes, a slender calyx tube that is often reddish, and an ovary that is located below the calyx tube. There are also several yellow stamens and a central style with a cross-shaped stigma. The well-rounded petals are often slightly notched at their tips. Each petal has a central vein, from which several lateral veins radiate from both sides; these veins are pale-colored and rather inconspicuous. The calyx lobes are lanceolate in the shape and pubescent on their outer surfaces; they eventually hang downward from the petals and turn yellow. The calyx tube is about the same length or a little shorter than the ovary. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer and lasts about a month; the flowers are diurnal. After the blooming period, each fertile flower is replaced by a pubescent seed capsule about ½" long; it is ovoid-obovoid with 4 strongly winged margins along its sides that are reddish green. Each capsule contains numerous seeds.
Distribution MapCultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and sandy or gravelly soil.
Range & Habitat: Small Sundrops is a boreal species that is restricted to NE Illinois, where it is native. This plant is rare in Illinois and state-listed as 'endangered.' Habitats include sand prairies, gravel prairies, sandy savannas and open woodlands, and abandoned sandy fields. In some parts of its range, this wildflower is found in damp depressions of various kinds. Occasional wildfires and brush-removal are beneficial because they reduce competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by bees, skippers, and butterflies; a Halictid bee, Lasioglossum oenotherae, is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Oenothera spp. These insects suck nectar from the flowers, and some bees also collect pollen for their larvae. There are several insects that feed on Oenothera spp. They include the caterpillars of Eudryas unio (Pearly Wood Nymph), Schinia florida (Primrose Moth), and some Mompha spp. (Momphid Moths). Other insect feeders include the seed-eating weevils Tyloderma aereum and Tyloderma foveolatum, the weevil Chalcodermus collaris, and the aphid Anoecia oenotherae. The seeds of Oenothera spp. are eaten to a minor extent by the Eastern Goldfinch and Mourning Dove, while the foliage is sometimes eaten by White-Tailed Deer.
Photographic Location: A nature preserve in Cook County, Illinois. The photograph was taken by Lisa Culp (Copyright © 2009).
Comments: Small Sundrops is a pretty little plant that blooms during the day. It resembles the often cultivated Oenothera fruticosa (Common Sundrops), but this latter plant has larger flowers (1" across or more) that bloom together in rather flat-topped clusters. In contrast, the flowers of Small Sundrops bloom along a more elongated floral spike. Other Oenothera spp. have seed capsules that lack the strongly winged margins that are characteristic of Small Sundrops' seed capsules. Some Oenothera spp. have night-blooming flowers that are pollinated by Sphinx moths; they are commonly referred to as 'Evening Primroses' rather than Sundrops.
Each flower is about ½–¾" across, consisting of 4 yellow petals, 4 green or reddish green calyx lobes, a slender calyx tube that is often reddish, and an ovary that is located below the calyx tube. There are also several yellow stamens and a central style with a cross-shaped stigma. The well-rounded petals are often slightly notched at their tips. Each petal has a central vein, from which several lateral veins radiate from both sides; these veins are pale-colored and rather inconspicuous. The calyx lobes are lanceolate in the shape and pubescent on their outer surfaces; they eventually hang downward from the petals and turn yellow. The calyx tube is about the same length or a little shorter than the ovary. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer and lasts about a month; the flowers are diurnal. After the blooming period, each fertile flower is replaced by a pubescent seed capsule about ½" long; it is ovoid-obovoid with 4 strongly winged margins along its sides that are reddish green. Each capsule contains numerous seeds.
Distribution MapCultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and sandy or gravelly soil.
Range & Habitat: Small Sundrops is a boreal species that is restricted to NE Illinois, where it is native. This plant is rare in Illinois and state-listed as 'endangered.' Habitats include sand prairies, gravel prairies, sandy savannas and open woodlands, and abandoned sandy fields. In some parts of its range, this wildflower is found in damp depressions of various kinds. Occasional wildfires and brush-removal are beneficial because they reduce competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated by bees, skippers, and butterflies; a Halictid bee, Lasioglossum oenotherae, is an oligolege (specialist pollinator) of Oenothera spp. These insects suck nectar from the flowers, and some bees also collect pollen for their larvae. There are several insects that feed on Oenothera spp. They include the caterpillars of Eudryas unio (Pearly Wood Nymph), Schinia florida (Primrose Moth), and some Mompha spp. (Momphid Moths). Other insect feeders include the seed-eating weevils Tyloderma aereum and Tyloderma foveolatum, the weevil Chalcodermus collaris, and the aphid Anoecia oenotherae. The seeds of Oenothera spp. are eaten to a minor extent by the Eastern Goldfinch and Mourning Dove, while the foliage is sometimes eaten by White-Tailed Deer.
Photographic Location: A nature preserve in Cook County, Illinois. The photograph was taken by Lisa Culp (Copyright © 2009).
Comments: Small Sundrops is a pretty little plant that blooms during the day. It resembles the often cultivated Oenothera fruticosa (Common Sundrops), but this latter plant has larger flowers (1" across or more) that bloom together in rather flat-topped clusters. In contrast, the flowers of Small Sundrops bloom along a more elongated floral spike. Other Oenothera spp. have seed capsules that lack the strongly winged margins that are characteristic of Small Sundrops' seed capsules. Some Oenothera spp. have night-blooming flowers that are pollinated by Sphinx moths; they are commonly referred to as 'Evening Primroses' rather than Sundrops.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月30日
Description: This annual or biennial wildflower initially forms a low rosette of basal leaves spanning 3-6" across. It later bolts, developing little-branched flowering stalks about 1-2' tall (less often, up to 3' tall). The light green stems are densely covered with appressed white hairs. The alternate leaves are up to 2½" long and ½" across; they are ascending to widely spreading. Most leaves are sessile, although some lower leaves have short petioles. The leaf blades are linear-lanceolate, lanceolate, or oblong in shape; their margins are smooth or remotely dentate with barely perceptible teeth. Upper leaf surfaces are medium green and sparsely covered with appressed white hairs, while lower leaf surfaces are pale green and more densely covered with appressed white hairs.
The central stem terminates in a leafy spike of flowers about 3-9" long; secondary spikes of flowers may be produced from lower lateral stems. Like the central stem, the flowering stalk is light green and densely covered with appressed white hairs. Flowers and developing seed capsules are densely arranged around the stalk. Individual flowers span ½–1¼" across when they are fully open. Each flower has 4 yellow pointed petals, 4 linear sepals, a narrowly cylindrical calyx tube, 8 stamens, a central style (actually 4 united styles) with a cross-shaped stigma, and a sessile ovary. Individual petals and sepals are 1/4–5/8" (6-15 mm.) long; they are both deciduous. Pale thin lines radiate across the petals from the center of the flower – these function as nectar guides. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall and lasts about 1½–3 months. The flowers bloom during the night and also on cloudy days. After individual flowers bloom, their ovaries begin to swell in size and become seed capsules. Individual seed capsules are up to ¾" long with a slightly curved and cylindrical shape; they are 4-celled and bluntly 4-lobed. The surface of each capsule is either glabrous or sparsely covered with appressed white hairs. Two rows of small seeds are contained in each cell of the capsule. Individual seeds are obovoid in shape. The root system consists of a taproot. This wildflower reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry-mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Cleland's Evening Primrose is occasional in sandy areas of northern and west-central Illinois, while elsewhere in the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). The distribution map doesn't distinguish between Cleland's Evening Primrose and the more western Sand Evening Primrose (Oenothera rhombipetala); most observations are the former species. Habitats include upland sand prairies, sandy hill prairies, sand dunes, upland sandy savannas, abandoned sandy fields, areas along sandy paths, and areas along railroads. Slightly disturbed areas are preferred; occasional wildfires are beneficial in reducing the encroachment of woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The nocturnal flowers are pollinated by Sphinx moths; they are also visited by the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird and various long-tongued bees, including the oligolectic bees Lasioglossum oenotherae and Anthedonia compta. These visitors seek mostly nectar from the flowers, although some bees also collect pollen for their larvae. Various insects feed on the leaves, seed capsules, or plant juices of Cleland's Evening Primrose and similar species. These insect feeders include the caterpillars of several moths: Hyles lineata (White-Lined Sphinx), Proserpinus juanita (Green-Banded Day Sphinx), Schinia florida (Primrose Moth), Eudryas unio (Pearly Wood Nymph), Phtheochroa oenotherana (Tortricid Moth sp.), and two Mompha spp. (Momphid Moths). Other insect feeders include several flea beetles (Altica spp.), weevils (Tyloderma spp., Chalcoderma collaris, Acanthoscelidius acephalus), and aphids (Anoecia spp., Aphis oestlundi). White-Tailed Deer chomp off the flowering stalks of this wildflower (causing it to branch), while the Common Goldfinch eats the seeds to a minor extent. The foliage is also edible to cattle and other hoofed mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A sandy hill prairie at Hooper Branch Savanna Nature Preserve in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: On cloudy days, this can be a very showy wildflower. The petals of its flowers are unusual because they are bluntly pointed, rather than well-rounded. Cleland's Evening Primrose is very similar to the more western Oenothera rhombipetala (Sand Evening Primrose). Until recently, these two wildflowers were regarded as the same species. Sand Evening Primrose is more robust and its flowers are larger in size (1¼–2" across). However, some field specimens with mixed characteristics may be difficult to classify as one species or the other. Another common name for either of these two species is Four-Point Evening Primrose.
The central stem terminates in a leafy spike of flowers about 3-9" long; secondary spikes of flowers may be produced from lower lateral stems. Like the central stem, the flowering stalk is light green and densely covered with appressed white hairs. Flowers and developing seed capsules are densely arranged around the stalk. Individual flowers span ½–1¼" across when they are fully open. Each flower has 4 yellow pointed petals, 4 linear sepals, a narrowly cylindrical calyx tube, 8 stamens, a central style (actually 4 united styles) with a cross-shaped stigma, and a sessile ovary. Individual petals and sepals are 1/4–5/8" (6-15 mm.) long; they are both deciduous. Pale thin lines radiate across the petals from the center of the flower – these function as nectar guides. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall and lasts about 1½–3 months. The flowers bloom during the night and also on cloudy days. After individual flowers bloom, their ovaries begin to swell in size and become seed capsules. Individual seed capsules are up to ¾" long with a slightly curved and cylindrical shape; they are 4-celled and bluntly 4-lobed. The surface of each capsule is either glabrous or sparsely covered with appressed white hairs. Two rows of small seeds are contained in each cell of the capsule. Individual seeds are obovoid in shape. The root system consists of a taproot. This wildflower reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry-mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Cleland's Evening Primrose is occasional in sandy areas of northern and west-central Illinois, while elsewhere in the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). The distribution map doesn't distinguish between Cleland's Evening Primrose and the more western Sand Evening Primrose (Oenothera rhombipetala); most observations are the former species. Habitats include upland sand prairies, sandy hill prairies, sand dunes, upland sandy savannas, abandoned sandy fields, areas along sandy paths, and areas along railroads. Slightly disturbed areas are preferred; occasional wildfires are beneficial in reducing the encroachment of woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The nocturnal flowers are pollinated by Sphinx moths; they are also visited by the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird and various long-tongued bees, including the oligolectic bees Lasioglossum oenotherae and Anthedonia compta. These visitors seek mostly nectar from the flowers, although some bees also collect pollen for their larvae. Various insects feed on the leaves, seed capsules, or plant juices of Cleland's Evening Primrose and similar species. These insect feeders include the caterpillars of several moths: Hyles lineata (White-Lined Sphinx), Proserpinus juanita (Green-Banded Day Sphinx), Schinia florida (Primrose Moth), Eudryas unio (Pearly Wood Nymph), Phtheochroa oenotherana (Tortricid Moth sp.), and two Mompha spp. (Momphid Moths). Other insect feeders include several flea beetles (Altica spp.), weevils (Tyloderma spp., Chalcoderma collaris, Acanthoscelidius acephalus), and aphids (Anoecia spp., Aphis oestlundi). White-Tailed Deer chomp off the flowering stalks of this wildflower (causing it to branch), while the Common Goldfinch eats the seeds to a minor extent. The foliage is also edible to cattle and other hoofed mammalian herbivores.
Photographic Location: A sandy hill prairie at Hooper Branch Savanna Nature Preserve in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Comments: On cloudy days, this can be a very showy wildflower. The petals of its flowers are unusual because they are bluntly pointed, rather than well-rounded. Cleland's Evening Primrose is very similar to the more western Oenothera rhombipetala (Sand Evening Primrose). Until recently, these two wildflowers were regarded as the same species. Sand Evening Primrose is more robust and its flowers are larger in size (1¼–2" across). However, some field specimens with mixed characteristics may be difficult to classify as one species or the other. Another common name for either of these two species is Four-Point Evening Primrose.
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