文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月30日
Description: This biennial plant can be 7' tall, although it is often shorter. There is usually a central stem with alternate leaves, but sometimes there will be multiple stems in open areas, creating a bushy appearance. The stems are light green or red, and are covered with white hairs. The light or olive green leaves are up to 8" long and 2" wide, but usually smaller. They are lanceolate and resemble willow leaves. The margins of the leaves are smooth or slightly dentate, and are nearly hairless. Smaller secondary leaves often appear at the axils of major leaves on the central stem. A panicle of pale yellow flowers occurs at the apex of the plant (or at the ends of major stems, if the plant is bushy). Each flower is about 1" across when fully open, with 4 petals and prominent stamens, and a long green calyx. The flowers remain open from evening to early morning, but will remain open longer on cloudy days. They have a mild lemony scent, and bloom from mid-summer to fall on mature plants. Long narrow seedpods develop, which split open from the top to release many tiny, irregular brown seeds. They are small enough to be dispersed by the wind, and can remain viable in the soil after 70 years. The root system consists of a fleshy taproot.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, average moisture, and a soil that is somewhat sandy, but other growing conditions are acceptable. This plant forms a stubby rosette during the first year, but becomes tall during the second year, at which time it flowers, sets seed, and dies. Common Evening Primrose is easy to grow, but often becomes rather unsightly as the season progresses. Disease can cause small brown spots to form on the leaves, while drought causes the lower leaves to turn yellow and fall off the plant.
Range & Habitat: Common Evening Primrose occurs in every county of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. This common plant is particularly conspicuous during late summer or fall. Disturbed areas are favored in both natural and developed habitats, including mesic to dry black soil prairies, sand prairies, thickets, glades, lakeshore dunes, abandoned fields, roadsides and railroads, slopes of drainage ditches, vacant lots, etc. Sometimes this plant is cultivated in wildflower gardens, from which it may escape.
Faunal Associations: Moths pollinate the flowers, particularly Sphinx moths. Other occasional visitors include the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, honeybees, bumblebees, and Anthedonia compta (Primrose Miner Bee), the latter being an oligolege. These insects seek nectar, although some of the bees collect pollen. The caterpillars of several moths feed on the foliage. This includes Endryas unio (Pearly Wood Nymph), Desmia funeralis (Grape Leaffolder Moth), Hyles lineata (White-Lined Sphinx), and Mompha eloisella (Momphid Moth; bores through stems). Various beetles feed on the foliage, including Popillia japonica (Japanese Beetle), Grahops pubescens (Leaf Beetle sp.), Altica fusconenea (Flea Beetle sp.), and several Curculio beetles. The seeds are eaten by goldfinches.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a flower garden in Urbana, Illinois, and at Meadowbrook Park in the same city.
Comments: During the first year of growth, the roots can be cooked and eaten. This is by far the most common evening primrose (Oenothera) in Illinois. Although it favors disturbed weedy areas, this species is sometimes found in prairies and other natural areas. Common Evening Primrose can be distinguished from other Oenothera spp. on the basis of its tallness (often exceeding 3' in length), the shape of its seed capsules (rounded edges, rather than sharply angular), the shape of its leaves, and the size of its flowers. There is significant variation in the hairiness of individual plants. For more information about these distinctions, see Mohlenbrock (2002).
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, average moisture, and a soil that is somewhat sandy, but other growing conditions are acceptable. This plant forms a stubby rosette during the first year, but becomes tall during the second year, at which time it flowers, sets seed, and dies. Common Evening Primrose is easy to grow, but often becomes rather unsightly as the season progresses. Disease can cause small brown spots to form on the leaves, while drought causes the lower leaves to turn yellow and fall off the plant.
Range & Habitat: Common Evening Primrose occurs in every county of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is native. This common plant is particularly conspicuous during late summer or fall. Disturbed areas are favored in both natural and developed habitats, including mesic to dry black soil prairies, sand prairies, thickets, glades, lakeshore dunes, abandoned fields, roadsides and railroads, slopes of drainage ditches, vacant lots, etc. Sometimes this plant is cultivated in wildflower gardens, from which it may escape.
Faunal Associations: Moths pollinate the flowers, particularly Sphinx moths. Other occasional visitors include the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, honeybees, bumblebees, and Anthedonia compta (Primrose Miner Bee), the latter being an oligolege. These insects seek nectar, although some of the bees collect pollen. The caterpillars of several moths feed on the foliage. This includes Endryas unio (Pearly Wood Nymph), Desmia funeralis (Grape Leaffolder Moth), Hyles lineata (White-Lined Sphinx), and Mompha eloisella (Momphid Moth; bores through stems). Various beetles feed on the foliage, including Popillia japonica (Japanese Beetle), Grahops pubescens (Leaf Beetle sp.), Altica fusconenea (Flea Beetle sp.), and several Curculio beetles. The seeds are eaten by goldfinches.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at a flower garden in Urbana, Illinois, and at Meadowbrook Park in the same city.
Comments: During the first year of growth, the roots can be cooked and eaten. This is by far the most common evening primrose (Oenothera) in Illinois. Although it favors disturbed weedy areas, this species is sometimes found in prairies and other natural areas. Common Evening Primrose can be distinguished from other Oenothera spp. on the basis of its tallness (often exceeding 3' in length), the shape of its seed capsules (rounded edges, rather than sharply angular), the shape of its leaves, and the size of its flowers. There is significant variation in the hairiness of individual plants. For more information about these distinctions, see Mohlenbrock (2002).
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月30日
Description: This plant is a biennial or winter annual up to 1½' tall. Often, there are multiple leafy stems at the base of the plant, but the flowering stalks are little branched. Both the stems and flowering stalks are green to reddish green and glabrous. The leaves are up to 1½" long and 1/8" across. They are linear to oblong-linear, glabrous, smooth along the margins, and sessile. The leaves on the taller flowering stalks are alternate, while the leaves on the lower vegetative stems are usually opposite.
Each flowering stalk terminates in a spike-like raceme of flowers up to 8" long. Each flower is up to ½" long, consisting of a calyx with 5 teeth and a two-lipped corolla with a slender nectar spur. The calyx is green to purplish green and may be slightly pubescent. The corolla is light blue to medium blue-violet; its upper lip is divided into 2 rounded lobes, while the lower lip is divided into 3 lobes that are rounded and spreading. The throat of the corolla is white with 2 rounded ridges. The nectar spur can be straight or recurved. There is a short slender pedicel at the base of each flower; at the base of the pedicel, there is a single bract that is short and linear. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to mid-summer and can last 2-3 months for a colony of plants. Only a few flowers bloom simultaneously on each raceme. Each flower is replaced by a seed capsule that splits open to release the flattened smooth seeds. These seeds can be blown about by the wind. The root system consists of a stout taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and dry sandy soil where there is little competition from other plants. Rocky soil, mesic conditions, and a little shade are also tolerated.
Range & Habitat: The native Blue Toadflax occurs occasionally in sandy areas in the northern half of Illinois, otherwise it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include dry sand prairies, sand dunes, sandy savannas, thinly wooded bluffs, rocky glades, sandy shoulders of roads, and sandy fields. Disturbed areas are preferred; occasional wildfires are beneficial in maintaining populations of this plant.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated by bumblebees and other long-tongued bees. Butterflies and skippers may visit the flowers for nectar, but they are less likely to be effective at cross-pollination. The caterpillars of the butterfly Junonia coenia (Buckeye) feed on the foliage of Blue Toadflax and many other members of the Figwort family. A stink bug, Cosmopepla carnifex Fab., has been found on the foliage of this species in sand prairies.
Photographic Location: Along a path in a burnt-over sandy savanna in Kankakee County, Illinois.
Comments: Blue Toadflax has reasonably attractive foliage and flowers. Its appearance is very similar to Nuttallanthus texensis (Southern Blue Toadflax), but the latter has larger flowers (up to 1" long) and bumpy seeds. Blue Toadflax is also related to the introduced Linaria vulgaris (Yellow Toadflax), but the latter has larger yellow flowers (up to 1" long or more). There are other Toadflaxes from Eurasia that occur primarily in sterile waste areas, but they usually have smaller flowers (¼" or less). Blue Toadflax superficially resembles Lobelia kalmii (Kalm's Lobelia), but the flowers of the latter lack nectar spurs and it usually blooms later in the year. Another scientific name for Blue Toadflax is Linaria canadensis.
Each flowering stalk terminates in a spike-like raceme of flowers up to 8" long. Each flower is up to ½" long, consisting of a calyx with 5 teeth and a two-lipped corolla with a slender nectar spur. The calyx is green to purplish green and may be slightly pubescent. The corolla is light blue to medium blue-violet; its upper lip is divided into 2 rounded lobes, while the lower lip is divided into 3 lobes that are rounded and spreading. The throat of the corolla is white with 2 rounded ridges. The nectar spur can be straight or recurved. There is a short slender pedicel at the base of each flower; at the base of the pedicel, there is a single bract that is short and linear. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to mid-summer and can last 2-3 months for a colony of plants. Only a few flowers bloom simultaneously on each raceme. Each flower is replaced by a seed capsule that splits open to release the flattened smooth seeds. These seeds can be blown about by the wind. The root system consists of a stout taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and dry sandy soil where there is little competition from other plants. Rocky soil, mesic conditions, and a little shade are also tolerated.
Range & Habitat: The native Blue Toadflax occurs occasionally in sandy areas in the northern half of Illinois, otherwise it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include dry sand prairies, sand dunes, sandy savannas, thinly wooded bluffs, rocky glades, sandy shoulders of roads, and sandy fields. Disturbed areas are preferred; occasional wildfires are beneficial in maintaining populations of this plant.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated by bumblebees and other long-tongued bees. Butterflies and skippers may visit the flowers for nectar, but they are less likely to be effective at cross-pollination. The caterpillars of the butterfly Junonia coenia (Buckeye) feed on the foliage of Blue Toadflax and many other members of the Figwort family. A stink bug, Cosmopepla carnifex Fab., has been found on the foliage of this species in sand prairies.
Photographic Location: Along a path in a burnt-over sandy savanna in Kankakee County, Illinois.
Comments: Blue Toadflax has reasonably attractive foliage and flowers. Its appearance is very similar to Nuttallanthus texensis (Southern Blue Toadflax), but the latter has larger flowers (up to 1" long) and bumpy seeds. Blue Toadflax is also related to the introduced Linaria vulgaris (Yellow Toadflax), but the latter has larger yellow flowers (up to 1" long or more). There are other Toadflaxes from Eurasia that occur primarily in sterile waste areas, but they usually have smaller flowers (¼" or less). Blue Toadflax superficially resembles Lobelia kalmii (Kalm's Lobelia), but the flowers of the latter lack nectar spurs and it usually blooms later in the year. Another scientific name for Blue Toadflax is Linaria canadensis.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月30日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant consists of a loose rosette of 2-5 ascending basal leaves, from which a flowering stalk develops. The basal leaves are 4-12" long and 2-5 mm. across; they are medium green, hairless, linear in shape, and somewhat truncate at their tips. Leaf venation is parallel. The flowering stalk is 6-16" tall and more or less erect; it is medium green, hairless, terete (circular in cross-section), and hollow. This stalk terminates in a simple umbel of flowers about ¾–1¼" across, consisting of 4-8 flowers and their pedicels. The umbel has a short obconic shape, and it is more or less flat-headed. Individual flowers are about ½" long and similarly across. Each flower has 6 tepals that are primarily white, 6 stamens, and a superior ovary with a single style. The interior base of the tepals is usually yellow, while the exterior of each tepal has a longitudinal vein that is often reddish or greenish. The tepals are elliptic or lanceolate-oblong in shape. The anthers of the stamens are bright yellow, while their filaments are white, pale yellow, or pale green. The pedicels are medium green, hairless, slender, and straight to slightly incurved; they are about ½–¾" long during the blooming period, but become up to 1½" long afterwards. At the base of the umbel of flowers, there is a pair of membranous bracts that are about ½" in length and lanceolate in shape; they eventually wither away. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to late spring, while a second blooming period sometimes occurs during the autumn. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by seed capsules. These capsules are 6-8 mm. long, globoid-obovoid and slightly 3-lobed in shape, and hairless. Immature capsules are green, while mature capsules become light tan, dividing into 3 parts to release their seeds. There are about 4-6 black seeds for each lobe of a divided capsule. The root system consists of a bulb about ½" across with fibrous roots below. The exterior of the bulb is brown and membranous, while the interior is white and fleshy. Both the foliage and bulb of this plant lack a noticeable garlic or onion aroma. Occasionally, basal offsets occur, creating clumps of clonal plants.
Cultivation: The preference is an open area with full or partial sunlight, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and a slightly acidic to alkaline soil containing rocky material or sand.
Range & Habitat: The native False Garlic (Nothoscordum bivalve) occurs occasionally in southern Illinois and rarely in central Illinois, while in the northern section of the state it is absent (see Distribution Map). This plant is found primarily in the southeastern United States and Southern Plains region of the country. Illinois lies along its northern range-limit. Habitats include upland prairies, hill prairies, sandy or silty riverbottom prairies, rocky glades (including limestone, dolomite, and chert glades), open upland woodlands, upland savannas, and thinly wooded bluffs. In Illinois, False Garlic is found in higher quality natural areas, where it probably benefits from occasional wildfires and other kinds of disturbance if it reduces competition from woody plants.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), green metallic bees (Augochlorella spp.) and other Halictid bees, Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), bee flies, and small to medium-sized butterflies. One of the Andrenid bees, Andrena nothoscordi, is a specialist pollinator (oligolege or monolege) of False Garlic (Nothoscordum bivalve). This bee and other small bees also collect pollen from the flowers. Syrphid flies may visit the flowers occasionally to feed on the pollen, but they are less effective at cross-pollination. White-tailed Deer have been observed to feed on the foliage of False Garlic in areas of south Texas with loam or clay-loam soil (Chamrad & Box, 1968), although some authors consider this plant to be poisonous (Pammel, 1911). There is also sophisticated archaeological evidence that prehistoric people, thousands of years ago, cooked the bulbs of this plant in rock ovens in east Texas (Short et al., 2015).
Photographic Location: A prairie at a nature preserve in Fayette County, Illinois. The photographs were taken by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2016).
Comments: False Garlic (Nothoscordum bivalve) resembles several other species in the Lily family (Liliaceae), especially native Allium spp. (Wild Garlic, etc.). This plant can be distinguished from this latter group of species by the lack of a noticeable garlic or onion aroma from its foliage and bulbs when they are rubbed or crushed. In addition, False Garlic never produces aerial bulblets in its inflorescence. Unlike many similar species in the Lily family, False Garlic has flowers with a yellow base and its basal leaves often have tips that are more truncate than rounded or pointed. Recently, the Lily family has been divided into several families of plants as a result of DNA analysis. Another common name of Nothoscordum bivalve is Crow Poison. The latter name suggests that this plant is poisonous, but the available evidence on this matter is contradictory.
Cultivation: The preference is an open area with full or partial sunlight, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and a slightly acidic to alkaline soil containing rocky material or sand.
Range & Habitat: The native False Garlic (Nothoscordum bivalve) occurs occasionally in southern Illinois and rarely in central Illinois, while in the northern section of the state it is absent (see Distribution Map). This plant is found primarily in the southeastern United States and Southern Plains region of the country. Illinois lies along its northern range-limit. Habitats include upland prairies, hill prairies, sandy or silty riverbottom prairies, rocky glades (including limestone, dolomite, and chert glades), open upland woodlands, upland savannas, and thinly wooded bluffs. In Illinois, False Garlic is found in higher quality natural areas, where it probably benefits from occasional wildfires and other kinds of disturbance if it reduces competition from woody plants.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), green metallic bees (Augochlorella spp.) and other Halictid bees, Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.), bee flies, and small to medium-sized butterflies. One of the Andrenid bees, Andrena nothoscordi, is a specialist pollinator (oligolege or monolege) of False Garlic (Nothoscordum bivalve). This bee and other small bees also collect pollen from the flowers. Syrphid flies may visit the flowers occasionally to feed on the pollen, but they are less effective at cross-pollination. White-tailed Deer have been observed to feed on the foliage of False Garlic in areas of south Texas with loam or clay-loam soil (Chamrad & Box, 1968), although some authors consider this plant to be poisonous (Pammel, 1911). There is also sophisticated archaeological evidence that prehistoric people, thousands of years ago, cooked the bulbs of this plant in rock ovens in east Texas (Short et al., 2015).
Photographic Location: A prairie at a nature preserve in Fayette County, Illinois. The photographs were taken by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2016).
Comments: False Garlic (Nothoscordum bivalve) resembles several other species in the Lily family (Liliaceae), especially native Allium spp. (Wild Garlic, etc.). This plant can be distinguished from this latter group of species by the lack of a noticeable garlic or onion aroma from its foliage and bulbs when they are rubbed or crushed. In addition, False Garlic never produces aerial bulblets in its inflorescence. Unlike many similar species in the Lily family, False Garlic has flowers with a yellow base and its basal leaves often have tips that are more truncate than rounded or pointed. Recently, the Lily family has been divided into several families of plants as a result of DNA analysis. Another common name of Nothoscordum bivalve is Crow Poison. The latter name suggests that this plant is poisonous, but the available evidence on this matter is contradictory.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月29日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 2½–4' tall, branching frequently in the upper half. The light green stems are four-angled and hairless. The opposite leaves are broadly lanceolate to ovate, and vary in color from light green to dark green, sometimes with yellow or red tints. These color variations are in part a response to environmental conditions. The hairless leaves are up to 4" long and 2" across, and have serrated margins. They exude an oregano scent. At the top of major stems are rounded heads of flowers about 1-3" across. The flowers begin blooming in the center of the head, gradually moving toward its periphery, forming a wreath of flowers. Each flower is lavender or pink, and about 1" long, with an irregular shape. The corolla divides into a tubular upper lip with projecting stamens, and three slender lower lips that function as landing pads for visiting insects. The blooming period occurs during mid-summer and lasts about 1 month. The root system consists of deep, strongly branched roots, and shallow rhizomes that are responsible for the vegetative spread of the plant. These rhizomes typically send up multiple leafy stems in a tight cluster, giving Wild Bergamot a bushy appearance.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and moist to slightly dry conditions. Growth is more luxuriant in a moist rich loam, although this can cause the plant to flop around as the growing season progresses. Under drought conditions, the lower leaves will turn yellow and drop off the stems; this reaction is normal. The lower leaves often develop powdery mildew, particularly when the weather is rainy. While this plant is easy to grow, it often becomes rather dilapidated in appearance as the growing season progresses because of these problems. This plant often spreads aggressively.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Bergamot occurs throughout Illinois, except for a few southern counties within the state (see Distribution Map). It is occasional to locally common. Habitats include moist to slightly dry black soil prairies, hill prairies, sandy Black Oak woodlands, savannas and woodland borders, thickets, borders of limestone glades, abandoned pastures, and landfills. The rhizomes can survive earth-moving and bulldozing operations, and send up plants in unexpected places. Some local populations may be plants that have escaped cultivation.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts long-tongued bees, bee flies, butterflies, skippers, and hummingbird moths. Among the long-tongued bees, are such visitors as bumblebees, Miner bees, Epeoline Cuckoo bees, and large Leaf-Cutting bees. A small black bee (Dufourea monardae) specializes in the pollination of Monarda flowers. Sometimes Halictid bees collect pollen, while some wasps steal nectar by perforating the nectar tube. The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird also visits the flowers. The caterpillars of the moths Sphinx eremitus (Hermit Sphinx) and Agriopodes teratophora (Gray Marvel) feed on the foliage. A seed bug (Ortholomus scolopax) is sometimes found in the flowerheads. Mammalian herbivores usually avoid this plant as a food source, probably because of the oregano-mint flavor of the leaves and their capacity to cause indigestion; they may contain chemicals that disrupt populations of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: For a member of the mint family, the flowers are large and beautiful. Wild Bergamot can be distinguished from other Monarda spp. by the color of its flowers – the corollas of its flowers are solid pink or lavender. Other species have flowers with red, purple, or white corollas, or they have dark purple dots on the lower lips of their corollas.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and moist to slightly dry conditions. Growth is more luxuriant in a moist rich loam, although this can cause the plant to flop around as the growing season progresses. Under drought conditions, the lower leaves will turn yellow and drop off the stems; this reaction is normal. The lower leaves often develop powdery mildew, particularly when the weather is rainy. While this plant is easy to grow, it often becomes rather dilapidated in appearance as the growing season progresses because of these problems. This plant often spreads aggressively.
Range & Habitat: The native Wild Bergamot occurs throughout Illinois, except for a few southern counties within the state (see Distribution Map). It is occasional to locally common. Habitats include moist to slightly dry black soil prairies, hill prairies, sandy Black Oak woodlands, savannas and woodland borders, thickets, borders of limestone glades, abandoned pastures, and landfills. The rhizomes can survive earth-moving and bulldozing operations, and send up plants in unexpected places. Some local populations may be plants that have escaped cultivation.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts long-tongued bees, bee flies, butterflies, skippers, and hummingbird moths. Among the long-tongued bees, are such visitors as bumblebees, Miner bees, Epeoline Cuckoo bees, and large Leaf-Cutting bees. A small black bee (Dufourea monardae) specializes in the pollination of Monarda flowers. Sometimes Halictid bees collect pollen, while some wasps steal nectar by perforating the nectar tube. The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird also visits the flowers. The caterpillars of the moths Sphinx eremitus (Hermit Sphinx) and Agriopodes teratophora (Gray Marvel) feed on the foliage. A seed bug (Ortholomus scolopax) is sometimes found in the flowerheads. Mammalian herbivores usually avoid this plant as a food source, probably because of the oregano-mint flavor of the leaves and their capacity to cause indigestion; they may contain chemicals that disrupt populations of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.
Photographic Location: Photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: For a member of the mint family, the flowers are large and beautiful. Wild Bergamot can be distinguished from other Monarda spp. by the color of its flowers – the corollas of its flowers are solid pink or lavender. Other species have flowers with red, purple, or white corollas, or they have dark purple dots on the lower lips of their corollas.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月29日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is about 2-4' tall, branching occasionally. The stems are glabrous and light green; they are often angular below, becoming more round above. The dark green opposite leaves are up to 4" long and 3" across. They are cordate (somewhat triangular-shaped) and hairless, with smooth margins and short petioles. Some of the upper leaves near the flowers are much smaller and lanceolate. The upper stems terminate in clusters of magenta flowers on long stalks. Usually, there are a few hairs on these stalks and the pedicels of the flower clusters. A cluster of 3-5 flowers develop within a surrounding green bract with 5 lobes; this bract has the appearance of a calyx. These flowers are trumpet-shaped and span about ½" across, or slightly less. There are no petals; instead, a tubular calyx with 5 notched lobes functions as a corolla. At the center of each flower are 3-5 exerted stamens with yellow anthers. The blooming period is usually during the early summer and lasts about a month. There is little or no floral fragrance. The flowers typically open during the late afternoon, remain open at night, and close during the morning. The greyish brown seed is up to 3/8" (10 mm.) long and pubescent; it has 5 ribs. The root system consists of a thick dark taproot that is fleshy or woody. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and mesic to dry conditions; partial sun is also tolerated. This plant commonly grows in poor soil that has a high content of clay, sand, or gravelly material. It will also grow in fertile loam, but suffers from the competition of neighboring plants. Foliar disease is not usually troublesome. It is easy to start plants from seeds.
Range & Habitat: Wild Four-O'Clock occurs in nearly every county of Illinois; it is a common plant (see Distribution Map). This plant is adventive from areas that lie west of of the state. Habitats include dry prairies, pastures, abandoned fields, grassy roadsides, rocky banks along ditches, areas along railroads (including the ballast), and miscellaneous waste areas. This plant is particularly common along railroads. It has a strong preference for disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are visited primarily by long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, and moths. These insects seek nectar primarily, although the short-tongued bees collect pollen. It is possible that the Ruby-Throated hummingbird may visit the flowers as well. The species Catorhintha mendica (Wild Four-O'Clock Bug) is a specialist feeder on this plant and other Mirabilis spp. Another specialist is Heliodines nyctaginella (Four-O'Clock Moth); the caterpillars of this species feed on the foliage of this and other plants in the genus. Wild Four-O'Clock tends to increase in areas disturbed by livestock; it is unclear if these animals eat this plant. Deer reportedly avoid it. The seeds and roots are known to be poisonous, although pigs may dig up the roots and eat them.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken along a railroad track in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is the most widespread Four-O'Clock species in Illinois that is from North America. The commonly cultivated garden plant by the same name is from South America; it is non-hardy. There are a few wild Mirabilis spp. in the Chicago area that are adventive from the west. They usually have more narrow leaves, hairier stems, and flowers with paler colors. In some of the Great Plains states, the Wild Four-O'Clock can have pale yellow flowers, but this color form doesn't appear to occur in Illinois.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and mesic to dry conditions; partial sun is also tolerated. This plant commonly grows in poor soil that has a high content of clay, sand, or gravelly material. It will also grow in fertile loam, but suffers from the competition of neighboring plants. Foliar disease is not usually troublesome. It is easy to start plants from seeds.
Range & Habitat: Wild Four-O'Clock occurs in nearly every county of Illinois; it is a common plant (see Distribution Map). This plant is adventive from areas that lie west of of the state. Habitats include dry prairies, pastures, abandoned fields, grassy roadsides, rocky banks along ditches, areas along railroads (including the ballast), and miscellaneous waste areas. This plant is particularly common along railroads. It has a strong preference for disturbed areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are visited primarily by long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, and moths. These insects seek nectar primarily, although the short-tongued bees collect pollen. It is possible that the Ruby-Throated hummingbird may visit the flowers as well. The species Catorhintha mendica (Wild Four-O'Clock Bug) is a specialist feeder on this plant and other Mirabilis spp. Another specialist is Heliodines nyctaginella (Four-O'Clock Moth); the caterpillars of this species feed on the foliage of this and other plants in the genus. Wild Four-O'Clock tends to increase in areas disturbed by livestock; it is unclear if these animals eat this plant. Deer reportedly avoid it. The seeds and roots are known to be poisonous, although pigs may dig up the roots and eat them.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken along a railroad track in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is the most widespread Four-O'Clock species in Illinois that is from North America. The commonly cultivated garden plant by the same name is from South America; it is non-hardy. There are a few wild Mirabilis spp. in the Chicago area that are adventive from the west. They usually have more narrow leaves, hairier stems, and flowers with paler colors. In some of the Great Plains states, the Wild Four-O'Clock can have pale yellow flowers, but this color form doesn't appear to occur in Illinois.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月29日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant develops dense clusters of stems up to 8" long (excluding any inflorescences); they often branch at their bases. The stems are erect to ascending; they are light green or yellowish red, and glabrous. Pairs of opposite primary leaves occur along these stems; they are more densely distributed below than above. In addition to the primary leaves, there are sessile fascicles of secondary leaves that develop from the axils of the lower primary leaves. Relative to the orientation of their stems, these leaves are ascending.
Individual leaves are ½–¾" long and up to 2 mm. across; they are linear to narrowly linear-lanceolate in shape, while their margins are entire. The leaf bases are narrowly connate, enclosing the adjacent stems, while the leaf tips taper gradually into needle-like points. The leaves are yellowish green to medium green, glabrous, and stiff; their upper surfaces are flat, while their lower surfaces are increasingly convex toward their bases. Many stems terminate in large airy cymes of 5-50 flowers; these cymes are dichotomously or trichotomously branched. The branches of each cyme are slender, and glabrous; solitary flowers are borne on slender glabrous pedicels up to 2" long.
Each flower spans about 1/3" (8 mm.) across when it is fully open, consisting of 5 white spreading petals, 5 green sepals, 10 stamens with white filaments and white anthers, and a light green ovary with 3 white styles. The petals are oblong to oblanceolate in shape with either rounded or slightly notched tips; they are longer than the sepals. The sepals are 4-5 mm. long, lanceolate in shape with acute tips, and 3-5 veined. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 1-2 months. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about 3-4 mm. tall. These capsules open up at their apices, where they are 3-toothed, releasing numerous tiny seeds. The seeds are about 1 mm. long, compressed-reniform in shape, dark brown to black, and minutely tubercled. The root system consists of a taproot or thickened crown with fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and calcareous soil containing and abundance of sand, gravel, or rocky material. Partial shade is also tolerated. This plant is a potential candidate for rock gardens, although it is difficult to transplant. Competition from taller and more aggressive plants is not tolerated.
Range & Habitat: The native Stiff Sandwort is found primarily in northern Illinois, where it is uncommon (see Distribution Map). As a result of development and habitat destruction, populations of this plant have declined. Habitats include sandy open woodlands, dry sandy savannas, dry sand prairies, dry gravel prairies, hill prairies, limestone glades, ledges along cliffs, exposed slopes of bluffs, sandy ridges along Lake Michigan, and low sand dunes along Lake Michigan. This plant is found in high quality natural areas where there is sparse ground vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Little information is available about floral-faunal relationships for this plant. The flowers probably attract small bees and flies.
Photographic Location: A sandy savanna and low sand dune along Lake Michigan at the Illinois Beach State Park in NE Illinois.
Comments: Because of the mats of stiff prickly foliage, this is a very distinctive plant. Stiff Sandwort (Minuartia michauxii) is similar in appearance to a closely related plant, Slender Sandwort (Minuartia patula). The latter plant usually has opposite leaves that are spaced more evenly along its stems and fascicled secondary leaves are either absent or poorly developed. In addition, the leaves of this latter plant are more succulent and terete than those of Stiff Sandwort. Slender Sandwort is typically found in wooded areas, rather than the open and exposed locations that Stiff Sandwort prefers. Other similar species in the Pink family (Caryophyllaceae) have either wider or shorter leaves, their opened seed capsules have more than 3 teeth at their apices, or their flowers are smaller in size and less showy. Two scientific synonyms of Stiff Sandwort are Minuartia stricta and Arenaria stricta. Other common names of this plant include Rock Sandwort and Michaux's Stitchwort.
Individual leaves are ½–¾" long and up to 2 mm. across; they are linear to narrowly linear-lanceolate in shape, while their margins are entire. The leaf bases are narrowly connate, enclosing the adjacent stems, while the leaf tips taper gradually into needle-like points. The leaves are yellowish green to medium green, glabrous, and stiff; their upper surfaces are flat, while their lower surfaces are increasingly convex toward their bases. Many stems terminate in large airy cymes of 5-50 flowers; these cymes are dichotomously or trichotomously branched. The branches of each cyme are slender, and glabrous; solitary flowers are borne on slender glabrous pedicels up to 2" long.
Each flower spans about 1/3" (8 mm.) across when it is fully open, consisting of 5 white spreading petals, 5 green sepals, 10 stamens with white filaments and white anthers, and a light green ovary with 3 white styles. The petals are oblong to oblanceolate in shape with either rounded or slightly notched tips; they are longer than the sepals. The sepals are 4-5 mm. long, lanceolate in shape with acute tips, and 3-5 veined. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 1-2 months. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about 3-4 mm. tall. These capsules open up at their apices, where they are 3-toothed, releasing numerous tiny seeds. The seeds are about 1 mm. long, compressed-reniform in shape, dark brown to black, and minutely tubercled. The root system consists of a taproot or thickened crown with fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and calcareous soil containing and abundance of sand, gravel, or rocky material. Partial shade is also tolerated. This plant is a potential candidate for rock gardens, although it is difficult to transplant. Competition from taller and more aggressive plants is not tolerated.
Range & Habitat: The native Stiff Sandwort is found primarily in northern Illinois, where it is uncommon (see Distribution Map). As a result of development and habitat destruction, populations of this plant have declined. Habitats include sandy open woodlands, dry sandy savannas, dry sand prairies, dry gravel prairies, hill prairies, limestone glades, ledges along cliffs, exposed slopes of bluffs, sandy ridges along Lake Michigan, and low sand dunes along Lake Michigan. This plant is found in high quality natural areas where there is sparse ground vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Little information is available about floral-faunal relationships for this plant. The flowers probably attract small bees and flies.
Photographic Location: A sandy savanna and low sand dune along Lake Michigan at the Illinois Beach State Park in NE Illinois.
Comments: Because of the mats of stiff prickly foliage, this is a very distinctive plant. Stiff Sandwort (Minuartia michauxii) is similar in appearance to a closely related plant, Slender Sandwort (Minuartia patula). The latter plant usually has opposite leaves that are spaced more evenly along its stems and fascicled secondary leaves are either absent or poorly developed. In addition, the leaves of this latter plant are more succulent and terete than those of Stiff Sandwort. Slender Sandwort is typically found in wooded areas, rather than the open and exposed locations that Stiff Sandwort prefers. Other similar species in the Pink family (Caryophyllaceae) have either wider or shorter leaves, their opened seed capsules have more than 3 teeth at their apices, or their flowers are smaller in size and less showy. Two scientific synonyms of Stiff Sandwort are Minuartia stricta and Arenaria stricta. Other common names of this plant include Rock Sandwort and Michaux's Stitchwort.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月22日
Description: This is a herbaceous perennial plant about 2½–5' tall. At its base, there is a rosette of arching basal leaves. These basal leaves are 10-20" long and ½–1¼" across; they are medium green to yellowish green, glabrous, linear in shape, entire (toothless) along their margins, and often folded upward along their midveins. Leaf venation is parallel. A few alternate leaves occur along the central stem of this plant; they are similar to the basal leaves, except smaller in size. The central stem is light green, terete, relatively stout, and unbranched; it is usually glabrous below and pubescent with curly hairs above. The central stem terminates in a panicle of flowers about ¾–2' long and about one-half as much across. The lateral primary branches of this inflorescence are ascending, but not erect; they are somewhat longer toward the bottom and center of the inflorescence. Similar to the upper central stem, these floral branches are light green, terete, relatively stout, and pubescent with curly hairs.
At the base of each floral branch (including the pedicels), there is a linear-lanceolate bract up to ½" long that darkens and withers away with age. The pedicels (basal stalklets) of the flowers are about ¼–¾" long. Individual flowers are about ¾–1" across. Each flower has a white corolla with 6 spreading tepals, 6 stamens with white filaments, 3 white styles, and a light greenish yellow ovary. Individual tepals are lanceolate-oblong in shape, although they taper abruptly above their narrow bases. Just above their narrow bases, the tepals have 2 conspicuous glands that are yellow, green, or yellowish green. These glands secrete nectar. With age, the corollas become green or brownish purple. The flowers are replaced by ovoid-lanceoloid seed capsules up to 18 mm. (2/3") long. These capsules divide into 3 parts to release their seeds; each capsule contains 12 or more seeds. Individual seeds are 5-8 mm. long and about one-half as much across; they are straw-colored and somewhat irregular in shape. The root system is fibrous, short-rhizomatous, and relatively shallow. Clonal offsets can develop from the short rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, wet to moist conditions, and fertile soil. Some standing water is tolerated if it is temporary. Several years of development are required before individual plants begin to flower.
Range & Habitat: The native Virginia Bunch-Flower occurs primarily in west-central Illinois, where it is rare and state-listed as 'threatened' (see Distribution Map). At one time, this plant was more common, but habitat destruction has resulted in population losses in several counties. In Illinois, habitats consist of damp prairies, especially along railroads, and wet ground along the bases of bluffs (these are often seeps). Outside of Illinois, Virginia Bunch-Flower has been found in open bottomland woodlands, damp meadows, swamps, marshes, fens, floating bogs, and roadside ditches. This conservative species is largely restricted to high quality habitats. To maintain populations of this plant within the state, cultivated plants should be used in prairie restorations.
Faunal Associations: Mostly flies and beetles visit the flowers of this plant, where they feed on the easy-to-access nectar, although some insect species may also feed on pollen. These floral visitors include Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, blow flies (Lucilia spp.), Muscid flies, Anthomyiid flies, weevils, tumbling flower beetles, and flower scarab beetles. Some bees and wasps may also visit the flowers (Robertson, 1929). Because the foliage and roots of Virginia Bunch-Flower contain highly toxic alkaloids, they are not normally eaten by mammalian herbivores. This plant is especially poisonous to horses (Georgia, 1913).
Photographic Location: A prairie or sedge meadow at a nature preserve in Fayette County, Illinois. The photographs were taken by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2016).
Comments: Another species in the same genus, Melanthium woodii (Wood's Bunch-Flower), is a woodland species with wider leaves and reddish brown (maroon) flowers. The tepals of its flowers do not abruptly contract near their bases. Because of these differences, it is relatively easy to distinguish Wood's Bunch-Flower from Virginia Bunch-Flower. While there are other white-flowered Melanthium spp., they do not occur in Illinois. Some taxonomists prefer to merge the Melanthium genus with the Veratrum genus. When this happens, Virginia Bunchflower is referred to as Veratrum virginicum. Some taxonomists have divided the Lily family (Liliaceae) into several families, assigning the Melanthium genus to the Bunchflower family (Melanthiaceae). When it is in full bloom, Virginia Bunchflower is very showy and attractive.
At the base of each floral branch (including the pedicels), there is a linear-lanceolate bract up to ½" long that darkens and withers away with age. The pedicels (basal stalklets) of the flowers are about ¼–¾" long. Individual flowers are about ¾–1" across. Each flower has a white corolla with 6 spreading tepals, 6 stamens with white filaments, 3 white styles, and a light greenish yellow ovary. Individual tepals are lanceolate-oblong in shape, although they taper abruptly above their narrow bases. Just above their narrow bases, the tepals have 2 conspicuous glands that are yellow, green, or yellowish green. These glands secrete nectar. With age, the corollas become green or brownish purple. The flowers are replaced by ovoid-lanceoloid seed capsules up to 18 mm. (2/3") long. These capsules divide into 3 parts to release their seeds; each capsule contains 12 or more seeds. Individual seeds are 5-8 mm. long and about one-half as much across; they are straw-colored and somewhat irregular in shape. The root system is fibrous, short-rhizomatous, and relatively shallow. Clonal offsets can develop from the short rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, wet to moist conditions, and fertile soil. Some standing water is tolerated if it is temporary. Several years of development are required before individual plants begin to flower.
Range & Habitat: The native Virginia Bunch-Flower occurs primarily in west-central Illinois, where it is rare and state-listed as 'threatened' (see Distribution Map). At one time, this plant was more common, but habitat destruction has resulted in population losses in several counties. In Illinois, habitats consist of damp prairies, especially along railroads, and wet ground along the bases of bluffs (these are often seeps). Outside of Illinois, Virginia Bunch-Flower has been found in open bottomland woodlands, damp meadows, swamps, marshes, fens, floating bogs, and roadside ditches. This conservative species is largely restricted to high quality habitats. To maintain populations of this plant within the state, cultivated plants should be used in prairie restorations.
Faunal Associations: Mostly flies and beetles visit the flowers of this plant, where they feed on the easy-to-access nectar, although some insect species may also feed on pollen. These floral visitors include Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, blow flies (Lucilia spp.), Muscid flies, Anthomyiid flies, weevils, tumbling flower beetles, and flower scarab beetles. Some bees and wasps may also visit the flowers (Robertson, 1929). Because the foliage and roots of Virginia Bunch-Flower contain highly toxic alkaloids, they are not normally eaten by mammalian herbivores. This plant is especially poisonous to horses (Georgia, 1913).
Photographic Location: A prairie or sedge meadow at a nature preserve in Fayette County, Illinois. The photographs were taken by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2016).
Comments: Another species in the same genus, Melanthium woodii (Wood's Bunch-Flower), is a woodland species with wider leaves and reddish brown (maroon) flowers. The tepals of its flowers do not abruptly contract near their bases. Because of these differences, it is relatively easy to distinguish Wood's Bunch-Flower from Virginia Bunch-Flower. While there are other white-flowered Melanthium spp., they do not occur in Illinois. Some taxonomists prefer to merge the Melanthium genus with the Veratrum genus. When this happens, Virginia Bunchflower is referred to as Veratrum virginicum. Some taxonomists have divided the Lily family (Liliaceae) into several families, assigning the Melanthium genus to the Bunchflower family (Melanthiaceae). When it is in full bloom, Virginia Bunchflower is very showy and attractive.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月22日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 1-2½' tall and compactly branched. The stems are light green to reddish green, angular or terete, and canescent-hairy. Alternate compound leaves occur along the stems; individual leaves are palmate with 7-11 leaflets. Individual leaflets are 1-2½" long and oblanceolate in shape; their margins are smooth and ciliate. The upper surface of the leaflets is medium green and hairless, while the lower surface is pale green. Each compound leaf has a long ascending petiole about 1-4" long that is light green to reddish green. The stems, petioles, and leaf undersides are sparsely to moderately canescent-hairy. The upper stems terminate in narrow racemes of flowers about 4-10" long. The flowering stalks are light green to reddish purple. Individual flowers are about ¾" long, consisting of 5 blue-violet petals (rarely white or pink), a tubular calyx with large lobes, several stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The petals have a pea-like floral structure, consisting of a large upper banner and 2 wings that project forward to enclose the keel. The lateral edges of the banner fold backward from its center; as a flower ages, the center of the banner becomes more white. The calyx is light green to reddish purple. The slender pedicels of the flowers are up to ½" long. The flowering stalks, calyces, and pedicels are sparsely to moderately canescent-hairy. At the base of each flower, there is a linear-lanceolate floral bract that soon withers away.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 1 month for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by elongated seedpods about 1¼-2" long and canescent-hairy. Each seedpod contains about 7 seeds, which can be ejected several feet away from the mother plant. The root system consists of a taproot with rhizomes. Reproduction is by seed and vegetative clones from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic soil containing sand or sandy loam. The root system can fix nitrogen into the soil. The seeds should be scarified to facilitate germination. Individual plants can be short-lived or long-lived, depending on environmental conditions.
Range & Habitat: Wild Lupine is an uncommon native wildflower that is found in NE Illinois and other northern areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Because of habitat destruction and fire suppression, populations of this wildflower have declined. Habitats include sand prairies, openings in sandy woodlands, sandy savannas, edges of sandy woodlands, stabilized sand dunes, and powerline clearances in sandy areas. Dominant canopy trees in some of these habitats are either oaks (especially Black Oak) or pines.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by honeybees, bumblebees, digger bees (Synhalonia spp.), Mason bees (Osmia spp.), and other long-tongued bees. Other floral visitors include Halictid bees and bee flies. Only pollen is available as a floral reward, which is forcibly ejected into the faces of such insect visitors. Occasionally, the Karner Blue and other butterflies visit the flowers, searching in vain for nectar. Several insects feed on the foliage and other parts of Wild Lupine. These insect feeders include caterpillars of the butterflies Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue) and Callophrys irus (Frosted Elfin), and caterpillars of the skippers Erynnis baptisiae (Wild Indigo Duskywing) and Erynnis persius (Persius Duskywing). The caterpillars of several moths also feed on Wild Lupine: Caenurgina crassiuscula (Clover Looper), Grammia phyllira (Phyllira Tiger Moth), Grammia placentia (Placentia Tiger Moth), Utetheisa bella (Bella Moth), and Walshia miscecolorella (Sweet Clover Root Borer). Other insects feeders include Empoasca fabae (Potato Leafhopper), Hadronema militaris (Military Plant Bug), and seed-eating larvae of the weevil Apion minor. The foliage is toxic to sheep and horses, however deer, rabbits, and woodchucks occasionally browse on Wild Lupine.
Photographic Location: A wooded sand dune at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: This is the only lupine that is native to Illinois; species in this genus are more abundant in the western United States. Wild Lupine is readily distinguished from Baptisia spp. (Wild Indigos) and other similar species in the Bean family by the abundant leaflets of its palmate leaves (7-11 per leaf). Other similar species in Illinois have either trifoliate leaves (3 leaflets per compound leaf) or pinnate compound leaves. Both the flowers and foliage of Wild Lupine are quite attractive. Another common name of this species is Sundial Lupine, because the palmate leaves orient themselves in the direction of the sun.
The blooming period occurs from late spring to early summer and lasts about 1 month for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by elongated seedpods about 1¼-2" long and canescent-hairy. Each seedpod contains about 7 seeds, which can be ejected several feet away from the mother plant. The root system consists of a taproot with rhizomes. Reproduction is by seed and vegetative clones from the rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic soil containing sand or sandy loam. The root system can fix nitrogen into the soil. The seeds should be scarified to facilitate germination. Individual plants can be short-lived or long-lived, depending on environmental conditions.
Range & Habitat: Wild Lupine is an uncommon native wildflower that is found in NE Illinois and other northern areas of the state (see Distribution Map). Because of habitat destruction and fire suppression, populations of this wildflower have declined. Habitats include sand prairies, openings in sandy woodlands, sandy savannas, edges of sandy woodlands, stabilized sand dunes, and powerline clearances in sandy areas. Dominant canopy trees in some of these habitats are either oaks (especially Black Oak) or pines.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by honeybees, bumblebees, digger bees (Synhalonia spp.), Mason bees (Osmia spp.), and other long-tongued bees. Other floral visitors include Halictid bees and bee flies. Only pollen is available as a floral reward, which is forcibly ejected into the faces of such insect visitors. Occasionally, the Karner Blue and other butterflies visit the flowers, searching in vain for nectar. Several insects feed on the foliage and other parts of Wild Lupine. These insect feeders include caterpillars of the butterflies Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue) and Callophrys irus (Frosted Elfin), and caterpillars of the skippers Erynnis baptisiae (Wild Indigo Duskywing) and Erynnis persius (Persius Duskywing). The caterpillars of several moths also feed on Wild Lupine: Caenurgina crassiuscula (Clover Looper), Grammia phyllira (Phyllira Tiger Moth), Grammia placentia (Placentia Tiger Moth), Utetheisa bella (Bella Moth), and Walshia miscecolorella (Sweet Clover Root Borer). Other insects feeders include Empoasca fabae (Potato Leafhopper), Hadronema militaris (Military Plant Bug), and seed-eating larvae of the weevil Apion minor. The foliage is toxic to sheep and horses, however deer, rabbits, and woodchucks occasionally browse on Wild Lupine.
Photographic Location: A wooded sand dune at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: This is the only lupine that is native to Illinois; species in this genus are more abundant in the western United States. Wild Lupine is readily distinguished from Baptisia spp. (Wild Indigos) and other similar species in the Bean family by the abundant leaflets of its palmate leaves (7-11 per leaf). Other similar species in Illinois have either trifoliate leaves (3 leaflets per compound leaf) or pinnate compound leaves. Both the flowers and foliage of Wild Lupine are quite attractive. Another common name of this species is Sundial Lupine, because the palmate leaves orient themselves in the direction of the sun.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月22日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant produces one or more unbranched stems from its root system; these stems are 4-14" long, erect to ascending, whitish green, terete, and densely covered with appressed hairs. Alternate leaves occur along the entire length of each stem; they are ¾–2½" long, 2-6 mm. across, linear-oblong in shape, entire (toothless) along their margins, and sessile. The leaf blades have a tendency to become larger in size as they ascend up the stems. The upper leaf surface is grayish green and more or less covered with appressed hairs, while the lower leaf surface is whitish green and densely covered with appressed hairs. The leaves have prominent central veins.
Each mature stem terminates in a cluster of nearly sessile flowers. Each flower consists of a pale yellow to yellow corolla, a whitish green calyx with 5 linear teeth, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The trumpet-shaped corolla is ¾–1¼" (18-32 mm.) long and 10-18 mm. across; it has 5 rounded spreading lobes, a narrowly cylindrical base, and a throat with a narrow opening. The lobes of the corolla are ruffled or fringed. The calyx (including its teeth) is up to 8 mm. long; it is more or less covered with appressed hairs. At the flower bases, there are small leafy bracts up to 8 mm. long; except for their small size, they resemble the leaves. The blooming period for these flowers occurs from late spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. In addition to these showy flowers, this plant also produces small cleistogamous flowers later in the summer. These latter flowers are about ¼" long and inconspicuous; they are self-fertile. Afterwards, fertile flowers are replaced by small nutlets (4 nutlets per flower). Mature nutlets are 3–3.5 mm. long, ovoid in shape, light gray to white, shiny, and sparsely pitted. Individual nutlets are keeled along one side, while their bottoms are truncate and their apices are somewhat pointed. The root system consistsDistribution Map of a deep taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry-mesic to dry conditions, and barren soil that is stony or sandy. Seed germination requires no pretreatment involving winter dormancy. As a perennial, this plant is moderately short-lived (typically surviving about 5 years), but its seeds are easier to germinate than many other native puccoons (Lithospermum spp.).
Range & Habitat: The native Fringed Puccoon occurs in northern and western Illinois, where it is uncommon. Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this species. Habitats include upland prairies, gravel prairies, sand prairies, hill prairies, sandy or rocky savannas, limestone glades, and pastures. Fringed Puccoon has a tendency to increase in response to light or moderate grazing by cattle. Occasional wildfires are probably beneficial by reducing competition from woody plants and by removing the accumulation of smothering debris from dead herbaceous plants. In Illinois, Fringed Puccoon is found in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The structure of the large showy flowers indicates that they are cross-pollinated by butterflies, skippers, and possibly the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (in Illinois). A small number of insects are known to feed on the leaves, roots, and other parts of Fringed Puccoon and other puccoons (Lithospermum spp.) that are found in prairies. They include larvae of a long-horned beetle (Hemierana marginata ardens), larvae of a moth, the Gray Ethmia (Ethmia monticola fuscipedella), and larvae of a Sesiid moth (Carmenta mariona); see Yanega (1996), Powell (1973), and BugGuide (at bugguide.net) for more information. However, the range of the Sesiid moth extends eastward to Kansas and Nebraska; it has not been found in Illinois. Several polyphagous grasshoppers are known to feed occasionally on Fringed Puccoon. They include the Two-striped Grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus), Red-legged Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum), Yellowish Grasshopper (Melanoplus flavidus), and Gladston's Grasshopper (Melanoplus gladstoni); see Campbell et al. (1974), Brust et al. (2008), and Joern (1985) for more information.
Photographic Location: A sandy hill prairie in Cook County, Illinois. The photographs were taken by Bill Johnson (Copyright © 2014).
Comments: This is one of three puccoon species (Lithospermum spp.) in Illinois that inhabit prairies. They all produce showy flowers at about the same time each year that vary in color from pale yellow to orange-yellow. Fringed Puccoon can be distinguished from these other species by the fringed or ruffled lobes of its corolla and very narrow leaves (2-6 mm. across). It also produces small cleistogamous (self-fertile) flowers, unlike the others. Similar to other puccoons, a blue dye can be obtained from its roots.
Each mature stem terminates in a cluster of nearly sessile flowers. Each flower consists of a pale yellow to yellow corolla, a whitish green calyx with 5 linear teeth, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The trumpet-shaped corolla is ¾–1¼" (18-32 mm.) long and 10-18 mm. across; it has 5 rounded spreading lobes, a narrowly cylindrical base, and a throat with a narrow opening. The lobes of the corolla are ruffled or fringed. The calyx (including its teeth) is up to 8 mm. long; it is more or less covered with appressed hairs. At the flower bases, there are small leafy bracts up to 8 mm. long; except for their small size, they resemble the leaves. The blooming period for these flowers occurs from late spring to early summer, lasting about 3 weeks. In addition to these showy flowers, this plant also produces small cleistogamous flowers later in the summer. These latter flowers are about ¼" long and inconspicuous; they are self-fertile. Afterwards, fertile flowers are replaced by small nutlets (4 nutlets per flower). Mature nutlets are 3–3.5 mm. long, ovoid in shape, light gray to white, shiny, and sparsely pitted. Individual nutlets are keeled along one side, while their bottoms are truncate and their apices are somewhat pointed. The root system consistsDistribution Map of a deep taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry-mesic to dry conditions, and barren soil that is stony or sandy. Seed germination requires no pretreatment involving winter dormancy. As a perennial, this plant is moderately short-lived (typically surviving about 5 years), but its seeds are easier to germinate than many other native puccoons (Lithospermum spp.).
Range & Habitat: The native Fringed Puccoon occurs in northern and western Illinois, where it is uncommon. Illinois lies along the eastern range-limit of this species. Habitats include upland prairies, gravel prairies, sand prairies, hill prairies, sandy or rocky savannas, limestone glades, and pastures. Fringed Puccoon has a tendency to increase in response to light or moderate grazing by cattle. Occasional wildfires are probably beneficial by reducing competition from woody plants and by removing the accumulation of smothering debris from dead herbaceous plants. In Illinois, Fringed Puccoon is found in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The structure of the large showy flowers indicates that they are cross-pollinated by butterflies, skippers, and possibly the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (in Illinois). A small number of insects are known to feed on the leaves, roots, and other parts of Fringed Puccoon and other puccoons (Lithospermum spp.) that are found in prairies. They include larvae of a long-horned beetle (Hemierana marginata ardens), larvae of a moth, the Gray Ethmia (Ethmia monticola fuscipedella), and larvae of a Sesiid moth (Carmenta mariona); see Yanega (1996), Powell (1973), and BugGuide (at bugguide.net) for more information. However, the range of the Sesiid moth extends eastward to Kansas and Nebraska; it has not been found in Illinois. Several polyphagous grasshoppers are known to feed occasionally on Fringed Puccoon. They include the Two-striped Grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus), Red-legged Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum), Yellowish Grasshopper (Melanoplus flavidus), and Gladston's Grasshopper (Melanoplus gladstoni); see Campbell et al. (1974), Brust et al. (2008), and Joern (1985) for more information.
Photographic Location: A sandy hill prairie in Cook County, Illinois. The photographs were taken by Bill Johnson (Copyright © 2014).
Comments: This is one of three puccoon species (Lithospermum spp.) in Illinois that inhabit prairies. They all produce showy flowers at about the same time each year that vary in color from pale yellow to orange-yellow. Fringed Puccoon can be distinguished from these other species by the fringed or ruffled lobes of its corolla and very narrow leaves (2-6 mm. across). It also produces small cleistogamous (self-fertile) flowers, unlike the others. Similar to other puccoons, a blue dye can be obtained from its roots.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月21日
Description: This perennial wildflower is 1-2½' tall and usually unbranched, except toward the apex where the flowers occur. Often a cluster of leafy stems originate from the same taproot. The rather stout stems are light green, very hairy, and either terete or shallowly grooved. Along each stem, there are 12 or more alternate leaves that are ascending to widely spreading. Individual leaves are 1½-3" long, ¼-¾" across, pale green to dark green, and sessile; they are narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate with margins that are toothless and ciliate. Both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves are hairy.
The upper stems terminate in curved racemes of flowers, forming together a flat-headed cluster of flowers. Each flower is about ¾" across, consisting of a yellow to orange-yellow corolla with 5 large rounded lobes, a green hairy calyx with 5 linear-lanceolate teeth, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with an inserted style. The tubular corolla has a narrow throat with widely spreading lobes; it is minutely hairy just below the opening of the throat. On some plants, the flowers have long stamens and short styles, while the flowers of other plants have short stamens and long styles. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 4 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, each flower is replaced by 4 shiny white nutlets (or sometimes fewer) that are visible from above. They are distributed by gravity and usually remain near the mother plant. The root system consists of a short stout taproot that is red to reddish purple. This wildflower reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, dry-mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil. Because the nutlets are difficult to germinate and transplants often fail, this wildflower is not widely available from nurseries, and as a result it is rarely cultivated.
Range & Habitat: The native Hairy Puccoon is occasional in sandy areas of central and northern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open sandy woodlands, sandy savannas, upland sand prairies, sandy hill prairies, sand dunes along Lake Michigan, and sandy embankments along roads and railroads. Occasional disturbance from wildfires and other sources is beneficial if it reduces competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The showy flowers are cross-pollinated by such butterflies and skippers as Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue) and Poanes hobomok (Hobomok Skipper). The larvae of a long-horned beetle, Hemierana marginata ardens, feed on native Lithospermum spp. (puccoons), probably by boring through the stems or roots. The adults of this beetle mimic fireflies (Lampyridae), probably because of the latter's unpalatability to birds and other predators. The caterpillars of Ethmia longimaculella (Streaked Ethmia Moth) and Ethmia fuscipedella (Gray Ethmia Moth) are known to feed on native puccoons as well. The latter moth is also referred to as Ethmia monticola fuscipedella. White-Tailed Deer occasionally browse on Hairy Puccoon.
Photographic Location: A sandy savanna at the Oak Openings Nature Preserve in NW Ohio, and a stabilized sand dune with scattered oak trees at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: The flowers of this wildflower are very showy and brilliantly colored – they can be seen from a considerable distance. Hairy Puccoon is one of three native puccoons (Lithospermum spp.) in Illinois. It can be distinguished from Hoary Puccoon (Lithospermum canescens) by its larger flowers, rough hairs on its foliage, and somewhat greater height. Hoary Puccoon has an abundance of hairs on its foliage, but they have a softer texture. The remaining native species, Fringed Puccoon (Lithospermum incisum), has flowers with fringed lobes, rather than rounded lobes. This latter species also has more narrow leaves. There are some Lithospermum spp. from Eurasia in Illinois, but none of them have the showy yellow to orange-yellow flowers of the native puccoons. Sometimes the scientific name of Hairy Puccoon is spelled Lithospermum carolinense. The specimens of Hairy Puccoon in Illinois (and Ohio) are considered examples of a northern variety of this species, Lithospermum caroliniense croceum. Some authors (e.g., Mohlenbrock, 2014) prefer to treat this variety as a distinct species, Lithospermum croceum, but this viewpoint is not widely accepted at the present time.
The upper stems terminate in curved racemes of flowers, forming together a flat-headed cluster of flowers. Each flower is about ¾" across, consisting of a yellow to orange-yellow corolla with 5 large rounded lobes, a green hairy calyx with 5 linear-lanceolate teeth, 5 inserted stamens, and a pistil with an inserted style. The tubular corolla has a narrow throat with widely spreading lobes; it is minutely hairy just below the opening of the throat. On some plants, the flowers have long stamens and short styles, while the flowers of other plants have short stamens and long styles. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 4 weeks. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, each flower is replaced by 4 shiny white nutlets (or sometimes fewer) that are visible from above. They are distributed by gravity and usually remain near the mother plant. The root system consists of a short stout taproot that is red to reddish purple. This wildflower reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, dry-mesic to dry conditions, and sandy soil. Because the nutlets are difficult to germinate and transplants often fail, this wildflower is not widely available from nurseries, and as a result it is rarely cultivated.
Range & Habitat: The native Hairy Puccoon is occasional in sandy areas of central and northern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include open sandy woodlands, sandy savannas, upland sand prairies, sandy hill prairies, sand dunes along Lake Michigan, and sandy embankments along roads and railroads. Occasional disturbance from wildfires and other sources is beneficial if it reduces competition from woody vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The showy flowers are cross-pollinated by such butterflies and skippers as Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue) and Poanes hobomok (Hobomok Skipper). The larvae of a long-horned beetle, Hemierana marginata ardens, feed on native Lithospermum spp. (puccoons), probably by boring through the stems or roots. The adults of this beetle mimic fireflies (Lampyridae), probably because of the latter's unpalatability to birds and other predators. The caterpillars of Ethmia longimaculella (Streaked Ethmia Moth) and Ethmia fuscipedella (Gray Ethmia Moth) are known to feed on native puccoons as well. The latter moth is also referred to as Ethmia monticola fuscipedella. White-Tailed Deer occasionally browse on Hairy Puccoon.
Photographic Location: A sandy savanna at the Oak Openings Nature Preserve in NW Ohio, and a stabilized sand dune with scattered oak trees at the Indiana Dunes State Park in NW Indiana.
Comments: The flowers of this wildflower are very showy and brilliantly colored – they can be seen from a considerable distance. Hairy Puccoon is one of three native puccoons (Lithospermum spp.) in Illinois. It can be distinguished from Hoary Puccoon (Lithospermum canescens) by its larger flowers, rough hairs on its foliage, and somewhat greater height. Hoary Puccoon has an abundance of hairs on its foliage, but they have a softer texture. The remaining native species, Fringed Puccoon (Lithospermum incisum), has flowers with fringed lobes, rather than rounded lobes. This latter species also has more narrow leaves. There are some Lithospermum spp. from Eurasia in Illinois, but none of them have the showy yellow to orange-yellow flowers of the native puccoons. Sometimes the scientific name of Hairy Puccoon is spelled Lithospermum carolinense. The specimens of Hairy Puccoon in Illinois (and Ohio) are considered examples of a northern variety of this species, Lithospermum caroliniense croceum. Some authors (e.g., Mohlenbrock, 2014) prefer to treat this variety as a distinct species, Lithospermum croceum, but this viewpoint is not widely accepted at the present time.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月21日
Description: This perennial plant is about ½-1½' tall, sending up one or more leafy stems from the same root system. These stems are erect to ascending; they are unbranched below, while branching occasionally above. Individual stems are light green, terete, and hairy; these hairs are white and spreading. Alternate leaves occur along the entire length of each stem, differing little in size. These leaves are 1–1¾" long and ¼–½" across with prominent central veins; they are oblong or elliptic in shape, while their margins are entire (toothless) and ciliate. The leaf bases are sessile, while the leaf tips are bluntly acute to rounded. The upper leaf surfaces are medium to dark green and sparsely to moderately covered with short appressed hairs. The lower leaf surfaces are light to medium green and sparsely to densely pubescent; hairs are usually more common along the lower side of their central veins. The white hairs and pubescence of this plant provide it with a slightly hoary appearance, hence the common name. The upper stems terminate in showy clusters of flowers. Initially these flowers are arranged along short curled racemes, but somewhat later these racemes become longer and more erect.
Each flower spans about ½" across, consisting of a bright yellow to orange-yellow corolla with 5 lobes, a light green calyx with 5 long teeth, 5 stamens, and a 4-chambered pistil with a single style. The lobes of the corolla are rounded and spreading, while the base of the corolla is narrowly tubular and slightly funnelform. Both the calyx and its teeth are hairy; the teeth are linear-lanceolate in shape and up to ¼" long. The reproductive organs of this plant are heterostylous: some flowers have long styles and stamens with short filaments, while other flowers have short styles and stamens with long filaments. The pedicels of the flowers are very short (less than 3 mm. long). The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 1 month for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by nutlets (4 nutlets per flower). Mature nutlets are 2-3 mm. long and ovoid in shape with pointed tips; their surfaces are hard, white, smooth, and shiny. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing loam, rocky material, or sand. The seeds of Hoary Puccoon are notoriously difficult to germinate, and its root system (consisting of a taproot) is not readily divided. As a result, this plant is rarely cultivated. This is a pity, because the flowers are very showy.
Range & Habitat: The native Hoary Puccoon occurs throughout Illinois, except in some SE areas of the state (see Distribution Map). This conservative plant is occasional in high quality natural areas (primarily upland prairies and savannas), otherwise it is rare or absent. Habitats include black soil prairies, sand prairies, hill prairies, upland savannas, sandy Black Oak savannas, and limestone glades. This is the most common and widely distributed species of its genus in Illinois.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract bumblebees, digger bees (Synhalonia spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.), bee flies (Bombylius spp.), butterflies (Vanessa spp., Papilio spp.), skippers (Erynnis spp.), and other insects (Robertson, 1929; Reed, 1993; Macior, 1967). The larvae of a long-horned beetle, Hemierana marginata ardens, feeds on Lithospermum spp., probably by boring through the stems and/or roots (Yanega, 1996). Because the foliage of Hoary Puccoon contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, it can be considered more or less toxic to many herbivores (e.g., insects and mammals). There is some evidence, however, that this plant becomes relatively more abundant when White-tailed Deer and other mammalian herbivores are excluded from its proximity by fences (Ritchie et al., 1998). This implies that the foliage of Hoary Puccoon is probably grazed by White-tailed Deer and possibly other mammalian herbivores, notwithstanding its known toxicity.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Loda Cemetery Prairie in Iroquois County, Illinois, and a hill prairie in McLean County, Illinois.
Comments: Because Hoary Puccoon (Lithospermum canescens) begins to bloom during the spring when other ground vegetation is relatively low, the brightly colored flowers can be seen from a distance. The word 'puccoon' means that this plant was the source of a dye at one time – a reddish color that was used by Amerindians for pottery, basketry, and personal ornament in various ceremonies. Hoary Puccoon is one of three native puccoon species (Lithospermum spp.) in Illinois that have flowers with bright yellow or yellow-orange corollas. Unlike Fringed Puccoon (Lithospermum incisum), the corolla lobes of Hoary Puccoon are smooth, rather than fringed, and it has wider leaves (exceeding ¼" across). Compared to Hairy Puccoon (Lithospermum croceum), Hoary Puccoon is a smaller plant with smaller flowers – it also blooms earlier in the year. Unlike the preceding two species, the corollas of Hoary Puccoon are sometimes yellow-orange, rather than yellow.
Each flower spans about ½" across, consisting of a bright yellow to orange-yellow corolla with 5 lobes, a light green calyx with 5 long teeth, 5 stamens, and a 4-chambered pistil with a single style. The lobes of the corolla are rounded and spreading, while the base of the corolla is narrowly tubular and slightly funnelform. Both the calyx and its teeth are hairy; the teeth are linear-lanceolate in shape and up to ¼" long. The reproductive organs of this plant are heterostylous: some flowers have long styles and stamens with short filaments, while other flowers have short styles and stamens with long filaments. The pedicels of the flowers are very short (less than 3 mm. long). The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer, lasting about 1 month for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by nutlets (4 nutlets per flower). Mature nutlets are 2-3 mm. long and ovoid in shape with pointed tips; their surfaces are hard, white, smooth, and shiny. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing loam, rocky material, or sand. The seeds of Hoary Puccoon are notoriously difficult to germinate, and its root system (consisting of a taproot) is not readily divided. As a result, this plant is rarely cultivated. This is a pity, because the flowers are very showy.
Range & Habitat: The native Hoary Puccoon occurs throughout Illinois, except in some SE areas of the state (see Distribution Map). This conservative plant is occasional in high quality natural areas (primarily upland prairies and savannas), otherwise it is rare or absent. Habitats include black soil prairies, sand prairies, hill prairies, upland savannas, sandy Black Oak savannas, and limestone glades. This is the most common and widely distributed species of its genus in Illinois.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract bumblebees, digger bees (Synhalonia spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.), bee flies (Bombylius spp.), butterflies (Vanessa spp., Papilio spp.), skippers (Erynnis spp.), and other insects (Robertson, 1929; Reed, 1993; Macior, 1967). The larvae of a long-horned beetle, Hemierana marginata ardens, feeds on Lithospermum spp., probably by boring through the stems and/or roots (Yanega, 1996). Because the foliage of Hoary Puccoon contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, it can be considered more or less toxic to many herbivores (e.g., insects and mammals). There is some evidence, however, that this plant becomes relatively more abundant when White-tailed Deer and other mammalian herbivores are excluded from its proximity by fences (Ritchie et al., 1998). This implies that the foliage of Hoary Puccoon is probably grazed by White-tailed Deer and possibly other mammalian herbivores, notwithstanding its known toxicity.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Loda Cemetery Prairie in Iroquois County, Illinois, and a hill prairie in McLean County, Illinois.
Comments: Because Hoary Puccoon (Lithospermum canescens) begins to bloom during the spring when other ground vegetation is relatively low, the brightly colored flowers can be seen from a distance. The word 'puccoon' means that this plant was the source of a dye at one time – a reddish color that was used by Amerindians for pottery, basketry, and personal ornament in various ceremonies. Hoary Puccoon is one of three native puccoon species (Lithospermum spp.) in Illinois that have flowers with bright yellow or yellow-orange corollas. Unlike Fringed Puccoon (Lithospermum incisum), the corolla lobes of Hoary Puccoon are smooth, rather than fringed, and it has wider leaves (exceeding ¼" across). Compared to Hairy Puccoon (Lithospermum croceum), Hoary Puccoon is a smaller plant with smaller flowers – it also blooms earlier in the year. Unlike the preceding two species, the corollas of Hoary Puccoon are sometimes yellow-orange, rather than yellow.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月21日
Description: This annual herbaceous plant is ½–2' tall. It is usually unbranched below, becoming branched above, especially where the inflorescence occurs. The central stem and any lateral stems are light to medium green, terete, shallowly furrowed, and minutely hairy along the narrow ridges between the furrows. Toward the bottom of the central stem there are usually pairs of opposite leaves, while the central stem and any lateral stems have alternate leaves above. Relative to the orientation of the central stem and any lateral stems, the blades of these leaves are ascending to erect. In addition, the leaves are ¼–1" (6-25 mm.) long and 1-3 mm. (equal to or less than 1/8" across) wide; they are linear or linear-oblong in shape, toothless along their margins, and sessile. At the base of most leaves, there is a pair of glands that resemble a pair of tiny brown dots. The upper and lower surfaces of the leaves are light to medium green and hairless; sometimes they are also glaucous, especially on their lower surface. The central stem and any lateral stems terminate in panicles of flowers with ascending primary and secondary branches. These branches are similar to the stems, except they are sometimes more angular. The pedicels of the flowers are 1-5 mm. long and similar to the branches of the inflorescence, except they are shorter and more slender. Where the branches and pedicels diverge, there are often scale-like bracts up to 5 mm. long that are green and lanceolate in shape with hair-like teeth along their margins.
Individual flowers occur at the tips of the pedicels; usually only one or a few flowers bloom at the same time. Each flower is about ½" (13 mm.) across and ½" (13 mm.) long, consisting of 5 yellow petals, 5 green sepals, 5 stamens with yellow anthers, and an ovary with 5 styles that are joined together below. The petals are oblanceolate or obovate in shape with several fine translucent veins that originate from the throat of the flower; the petals are strongly ascending below and widely spreading above when they are fully open. The sepals are lanceolate in shape with hair-like glandular teeth along their margins; each sepal has a pale green longitudinal band in the middle and narrow pale green margins, otherwise it is medium green. The sepals are about one-third as long as the petals. The blooming period occurs during the summer for 1-2 months. Each flower remains in bloom for a single day, after which the petals fall off. The flowers are replaced by ovoid-globoid seed capsules that become dark brown at maturity; these capsules are surrounded by the persistant sepals. Individuals capsules split open later in the year into 10 sections to release their seeds (there is a single seed per section). The seeds are about 1.5–2 mm. long, reddish brown, ellipsoid in shape, and somewhat flattened. The root system consists of a slender taproot with secondary fibrous roots. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and a barren soil containing gravelly clay or sand. Plants that are spoiled with fertile soil and too much water may topple over as they mature.
Range & Habitat: In Illinois, the native Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum) occurs primarily in northern and western Illinois, where it is uncommon, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). This plant occurs primarily in the Midwestern area of the United States, although widely scattered populations also occur further to the east and southeast. Habitats include gravel hill prairies, gravel prairies, gravelly slopes along rivers, loess hill prairies, sandy hill prairies, upland sand prairies, and limestone glades. Depending on the time of year, occasional wildfires can be beneficial in maintaining populations of this species. Grooved Yellow Flax occurs in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract bumblebees, long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), and metallic wood-boring beetles (Acmaeodera spp.); see Smith et al. (2012) and MacRae (1991) for more information. These insects probably feed on nectar and/or pollen. Like many other Flax species (Linum spp.), the foliage and seeds of Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum) contain toxic cyanogenic compounds that deter their consumption by herbivores. Sheep are thought to be especially susceptible to these toxic compounds (Ninnescah Life, 2017).
Photographic Location: A gravel hill prairie at Lake in the Hills Fen Nature Preserve in McHenry County, Illinois.
Comments: Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum) is the only native Flax (Linum) in Illinois that is an annual; other species are perennials. Unlike the blue-flowered Flax species that are not native to the state, all of the native Flax species have yellow flowers and they are similar in appearance. Grooved Yellow Flax can be distinguished by the pair of glandular brown dots that appear at the base of most leaves; other native species of Flax lack them. Similarly, the stems of this species have shallow longitudinal grooves that are separated by narrow ridges with minute whitish hairs; other native Flax species have simple terete stems. In addition, the sepals of the flowers of Grooved Yellow Flax have hair-like glandular teeth along their margins, while the sepals of other native species of Flax are toothless. The sepals of Grooved Yellow Flax also persist around the seed capsules, even when the latter are mature. In contrast, the sepals of other native Flax species fall from the flowers before their seed capsules become mature. Grooved Yellow Flax also prefers dry barren habitats, such as gravel hill prairies and sandy hill prairies, to a greater extent than other native Flax species.
Individual flowers occur at the tips of the pedicels; usually only one or a few flowers bloom at the same time. Each flower is about ½" (13 mm.) across and ½" (13 mm.) long, consisting of 5 yellow petals, 5 green sepals, 5 stamens with yellow anthers, and an ovary with 5 styles that are joined together below. The petals are oblanceolate or obovate in shape with several fine translucent veins that originate from the throat of the flower; the petals are strongly ascending below and widely spreading above when they are fully open. The sepals are lanceolate in shape with hair-like glandular teeth along their margins; each sepal has a pale green longitudinal band in the middle and narrow pale green margins, otherwise it is medium green. The sepals are about one-third as long as the petals. The blooming period occurs during the summer for 1-2 months. Each flower remains in bloom for a single day, after which the petals fall off. The flowers are replaced by ovoid-globoid seed capsules that become dark brown at maturity; these capsules are surrounded by the persistant sepals. Individuals capsules split open later in the year into 10 sections to release their seeds (there is a single seed per section). The seeds are about 1.5–2 mm. long, reddish brown, ellipsoid in shape, and somewhat flattened. The root system consists of a slender taproot with secondary fibrous roots. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, dry conditions, and a barren soil containing gravelly clay or sand. Plants that are spoiled with fertile soil and too much water may topple over as they mature.
Range & Habitat: In Illinois, the native Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum) occurs primarily in northern and western Illinois, where it is uncommon, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). This plant occurs primarily in the Midwestern area of the United States, although widely scattered populations also occur further to the east and southeast. Habitats include gravel hill prairies, gravel prairies, gravelly slopes along rivers, loess hill prairies, sandy hill prairies, upland sand prairies, and limestone glades. Depending on the time of year, occasional wildfires can be beneficial in maintaining populations of this species. Grooved Yellow Flax occurs in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract bumblebees, long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), and metallic wood-boring beetles (Acmaeodera spp.); see Smith et al. (2012) and MacRae (1991) for more information. These insects probably feed on nectar and/or pollen. Like many other Flax species (Linum spp.), the foliage and seeds of Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum) contain toxic cyanogenic compounds that deter their consumption by herbivores. Sheep are thought to be especially susceptible to these toxic compounds (Ninnescah Life, 2017).
Photographic Location: A gravel hill prairie at Lake in the Hills Fen Nature Preserve in McHenry County, Illinois.
Comments: Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum) is the only native Flax (Linum) in Illinois that is an annual; other species are perennials. Unlike the blue-flowered Flax species that are not native to the state, all of the native Flax species have yellow flowers and they are similar in appearance. Grooved Yellow Flax can be distinguished by the pair of glandular brown dots that appear at the base of most leaves; other native species of Flax lack them. Similarly, the stems of this species have shallow longitudinal grooves that are separated by narrow ridges with minute whitish hairs; other native Flax species have simple terete stems. In addition, the sepals of the flowers of Grooved Yellow Flax have hair-like glandular teeth along their margins, while the sepals of other native species of Flax are toothless. The sepals of Grooved Yellow Flax also persist around the seed capsules, even when the latter are mature. In contrast, the sepals of other native Flax species fall from the flowers before their seed capsules become mature. Grooved Yellow Flax also prefers dry barren habitats, such as gravel hill prairies and sandy hill prairies, to a greater extent than other native Flax species.
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Miss Chen
2018年01月21日
Description: This is a herbaceous perennial plant that becomes ¾–2¼' tall at maturity, sending up one or more unbranched stems from the root system. The stems are light green to bluish green, terete, and glabrous; sometimes they have fine decurrent ridges that descend from the sessile leaves. The lowest leaves along these stems are usually opposite, otherwise they are all alternate; their blades are ascending to nearly erect. The leaf blades are up to 1" (2.5 cm) long and 3.5 mm. across; they are narrowly elliptic in shape with entire margins. Both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaf blades are light green to bluish green and glabrous. Only the central vein of each leaf is prominent. Each stem terminates in several elongated racemes of flowers that are erect to ascending. Each flower spans about 8 mm. (1/3") across, consisting of 5 yellow petals, 5 light green to bluish green sepals, 5 stamens, and a pistil. The petals are obovate and sometimes shallowly notched or wrinkled; the sepals are lanceolate and about one-half of the length of the petals. The inner sepals have stalked glands along their margins, while the outer sepals lack such glands. The pedicels of the flowers are up to 6 mm. (¼") long.
The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 1 month. Individual flowers are diurnal and short-lived. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by small seed capsules about 2 mm. across; these capsules are subgloboid in shape and a little shorter than the sepals. At maturity, the capsules split open into 10 segments to release numerous tiny seeds. These seeds are small enough to be blown about by the wind. The root system consists of a small crown of shallow fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, moist to mesic conditions, and soil containing calcareous sand, rocky material, or heavy clay-loam. This plant doesn't tolerated much competition from other ground vegetation, especially other broad-leaved plants (dicots). Depending on the local ecotype, the winter-hardiness and environmental preferences of this plant can vary significantly.
Stem & Alternate LeavesRange & Habitat: Stiff Yellow Flax is occasional along Lake Michigan in NE Illinois, uncommon in the southern half of Illinois, and rare or absent elsewhere within the state (see Distribution Map). It is native to Illinois and widely distributed in the eastern United States. Illinois lies along the NW range-limit of this species. Habitats include rocky upland woodlands, rocky glades, upland savannas, moist to dry sand prairies, borders of sandy ponds, moist sand flats (pannes) along Lake Michigan, borders of interdunal swales along Lake Michigan, and abandoned sand or gravel pits that have been excavated close to the surface of ground water. Stiff Yellow Flax is usually found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about the floral-faunal relationships of Stiff Yellow Flax (Linum medium texanum) and other native yellow-flowered flaxes (Linum spp.). The flowers of a closely related species (Linum sulcatum) were visited by bees and beetles (Smith et al., 2012; MacRae, 1991). The caterpillars of a polyphagous moth, Xestia c-nigrum (Lesser Black-letter Dart), use flax species as host plants (Wikipedia, 2015). During the winter, a small songbird, Ammodramus henslowii (Henslow's Sparrow), eats the seeds of Stiff Yellow Flax to a minor extent in Louisiana (DiMiceli, 2006). It is possible that other granivorous songbirds eat the seeds or seed capsules of this plant during autumn migration in Illinois.
Photographic Location: A moist sand flat (panne) near Lake Michigan in NE Illinois.
Comments: This is one of several yellow-flowered flax species (Linum spp.) that are native to Illinois and surrounding states. As a group, these species are not well-known and they are rarely cultivated. Their flowers are smaller in size and less showy than the often-cultivated Linum perenne lewisii (Wild Blue Flax). The typical variety of Stiff Yellow Flax, Linum medium medium, is found primarily in Ontario and it is quite rare. It differs from Linum medium texanum by its wider leaves (3.5–6 mm. across), and its seed capsules divide into 5 segments, rather than 10 segments. In regards to their chromosomes, Linum medium texanum is diploid, while Linum medium medium is tetraploid. The other species of yellow-flowered flax are very similar to Stiff Yellow Flax in appearance. One species, Linum sulcatum (Grooved Yellow Flax), is a herbaceous annual that has pairs of dark glands at the bases of its leaves, its leaves are more slender (linear-elliptic) in shape, and its stems sometimes branch underneath their inflorescences. Another species, Linum striatum (Ridged Yellow Flax), differs from Stiff Yellow Flax by having mostly opposite leaves, rather than alternate leaves. A third species, Linum virginianum (Woodland Yellow Flax), lacks stalked glands on its inner sepals, and the decurrent ridges along each stem that extend from its leaves are weaker and shorter.
The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 1 month. Individual flowers are diurnal and short-lived. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by small seed capsules about 2 mm. across; these capsules are subgloboid in shape and a little shorter than the sepals. At maturity, the capsules split open into 10 segments to release numerous tiny seeds. These seeds are small enough to be blown about by the wind. The root system consists of a small crown of shallow fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun, moist to mesic conditions, and soil containing calcareous sand, rocky material, or heavy clay-loam. This plant doesn't tolerated much competition from other ground vegetation, especially other broad-leaved plants (dicots). Depending on the local ecotype, the winter-hardiness and environmental preferences of this plant can vary significantly.
Stem & Alternate LeavesRange & Habitat: Stiff Yellow Flax is occasional along Lake Michigan in NE Illinois, uncommon in the southern half of Illinois, and rare or absent elsewhere within the state (see Distribution Map). It is native to Illinois and widely distributed in the eastern United States. Illinois lies along the NW range-limit of this species. Habitats include rocky upland woodlands, rocky glades, upland savannas, moist to dry sand prairies, borders of sandy ponds, moist sand flats (pannes) along Lake Michigan, borders of interdunal swales along Lake Michigan, and abandoned sand or gravel pits that have been excavated close to the surface of ground water. Stiff Yellow Flax is usually found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Very little is known about the floral-faunal relationships of Stiff Yellow Flax (Linum medium texanum) and other native yellow-flowered flaxes (Linum spp.). The flowers of a closely related species (Linum sulcatum) were visited by bees and beetles (Smith et al., 2012; MacRae, 1991). The caterpillars of a polyphagous moth, Xestia c-nigrum (Lesser Black-letter Dart), use flax species as host plants (Wikipedia, 2015). During the winter, a small songbird, Ammodramus henslowii (Henslow's Sparrow), eats the seeds of Stiff Yellow Flax to a minor extent in Louisiana (DiMiceli, 2006). It is possible that other granivorous songbirds eat the seeds or seed capsules of this plant during autumn migration in Illinois.
Photographic Location: A moist sand flat (panne) near Lake Michigan in NE Illinois.
Comments: This is one of several yellow-flowered flax species (Linum spp.) that are native to Illinois and surrounding states. As a group, these species are not well-known and they are rarely cultivated. Their flowers are smaller in size and less showy than the often-cultivated Linum perenne lewisii (Wild Blue Flax). The typical variety of Stiff Yellow Flax, Linum medium medium, is found primarily in Ontario and it is quite rare. It differs from Linum medium texanum by its wider leaves (3.5–6 mm. across), and its seed capsules divide into 5 segments, rather than 10 segments. In regards to their chromosomes, Linum medium texanum is diploid, while Linum medium medium is tetraploid. The other species of yellow-flowered flax are very similar to Stiff Yellow Flax in appearance. One species, Linum sulcatum (Grooved Yellow Flax), is a herbaceous annual that has pairs of dark glands at the bases of its leaves, its leaves are more slender (linear-elliptic) in shape, and its stems sometimes branch underneath their inflorescences. Another species, Linum striatum (Ridged Yellow Flax), differs from Stiff Yellow Flax by having mostly opposite leaves, rather than alternate leaves. A third species, Linum virginianum (Woodland Yellow Flax), lacks stalked glands on its inner sepals, and the decurrent ridges along each stem that extend from its leaves are weaker and shorter.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月21日
Description: This perennial herbaceous plant is ¾–2½' tall and unbranched. The erect central stem is variably colored (light green, light reddish green, or light whitish yellow), terete, glabrous, and often glaucous. Along the entire length of this stem, except at the apex, there are numerous alternate leaves with strongly ascending blades. The sessile leaf blades are 1½–3" long, less than ½" across, linear-elliptic in shape, and entire along their margins; their lower/outer surface is olive green and glabrous, while their upper/inner surface is medium green and glabrous. Each leaf blade has several conspicuous parallel veins. At the apex of the stem, there is typically a single whorl of 3-6 leaves. The blades of these whorled leaves are simlar in size and shape to the alternate leaves; they are ascending. Some plants may have more than one whorl of leaves, but this is unusual. The central stem terminates in 1-3 (rarely 4-5) flowers on stout pedicels. The erect to ascending pedicels are 2-6" long, medium green, terete, glabrous, and sometimes glaucous. Individual flowers are 2-3" long and similarly across.
Each flower consists of 6 orange to reddish tepals, 6 stamens with orange to reddish filaments, an orange to reddish style with a swollen stigma, and a green ovary. The ascending tepals are narrowly clawed below and lanceolate to ovate above; they are slightly incurved below and slightly recurved above. A little above their clawed bases, the tepals are more yellowish and they have conspicuous purplish brown dots. Both stamens and style are slightly exserted; the stamens surround the style in the center of the flower. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer, lasting about 3-5 weeks. Afterwards, fertile flowers are replaced by oblongoid seed capsules that are 1½–2¾" long. Each seed capsule has 3 cells, and each cell has 2 columns of flattened seeds. The root system consists of a scaly corm that occasionally forms clonal offsets; the bottom of the corm develops shallow fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and soil containing loam or sandy loam. This plant develops slowly.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Lily is uncommon in northern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Populations of this plant have been declining, or they have been extirpated, in some areas. Habitats include thinly wooded bluffs, moist to mesic black soil prairies, moist to mesic sand prairies, grassy meadows, and powerline clearances through natural areas. Prairie Lily is normally found in high quality natural areas. Occasional disturbance that involves removal of woody vegetation is probably beneficial in maintaining populations of this plant. Because of the showy flowers, it is vulnerable to poaching, like many orchids.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by large butterflies, including swallowtail butterflies (Papilionidae), the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), and Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele). Other floral visitors include the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, hummingbird moths (Hemaris spp.), and Halictid bees. Most of these floral visitors suck nectar from the flowers, although the Halictid bees collect pollen (see Graenicher, 1907; Edwards & Jordan, 1992). Other insects feed destructively on Prairie Lily (Lilium philadelphicum andinum) and other closely related lilies (Lilium spp.). These insects include the introduced Lily Leaf Beetle (Lilioceris lilii), Crescent-marked Lily Aphid (Aulacorthum circumflexum), Purple-spotted Lily Aphid (Macrosiphum lilii), and larvae of the Golden Borer Moth (Papaipema cerina), Burdock Borer Moth (Papaipema cataphracta), and Stalk Borer Moth (Papaipema nebris); see Clark et al. (2004), Cranshaw (2006), Pepper (1965), Panzer et al. (2006), and Natural History Museum (2010). The larvae of these latter moths bore through the stems and corms of lilies. Mammalian herbivores readily consume the foliage of Prairie Lily and other closely related lilies, especially the White-tailed Deer. The corms are also eaten sometimes by voles.
Photographic Location: A powerline clearance and moist sandy meadows at a state park in NE Illinois.
Comments: The flowers of this plant can be remarkably large, considering its size. This is arguably one of the most beautiful wildflowers in Illinois. Other native lilies (Lilium spp.) in Illinois are taller plants with whorled leaves and drooping flowers; only the flowers of Prairie Lily (Lilium philadelphicum andinum) remain erect. One reason why this plant has erect flowers is that the anthers can close their pores temporarily in response to rain, thereby protecting the pollen (Edwards & Jordan, 1992). This is a highly unusual characteristic. The typical variety of this plant is the more eastern Wood Lily (Lilium philadelphicum philadelphicum), which is not found in Illinois. The Wood Lily differs from the Prairie Lily in being a slightly taller plant that has mostly whorled leaves, its leaves are usually wider (often exceeding ½" across), and its seed capsules are slightly shorter. In the past, the Prairie Lily was sometimes classified as a distinct species, or Lilium umbellatum. Other common names for this plant are Western Lily and Wood Lily. Outside of Illinois, there are yellow-flowered forms of this species.
Each flower consists of 6 orange to reddish tepals, 6 stamens with orange to reddish filaments, an orange to reddish style with a swollen stigma, and a green ovary. The ascending tepals are narrowly clawed below and lanceolate to ovate above; they are slightly incurved below and slightly recurved above. A little above their clawed bases, the tepals are more yellowish and they have conspicuous purplish brown dots. Both stamens and style are slightly exserted; the stamens surround the style in the center of the flower. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer, lasting about 3-5 weeks. Afterwards, fertile flowers are replaced by oblongoid seed capsules that are 1½–2¾" long. Each seed capsule has 3 cells, and each cell has 2 columns of flattened seeds. The root system consists of a scaly corm that occasionally forms clonal offsets; the bottom of the corm develops shallow fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and soil containing loam or sandy loam. This plant develops slowly.
Range & Habitat: The native Prairie Lily is uncommon in northern Illinois, while in the rest of the state it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Populations of this plant have been declining, or they have been extirpated, in some areas. Habitats include thinly wooded bluffs, moist to mesic black soil prairies, moist to mesic sand prairies, grassy meadows, and powerline clearances through natural areas. Prairie Lily is normally found in high quality natural areas. Occasional disturbance that involves removal of woody vegetation is probably beneficial in maintaining populations of this plant. Because of the showy flowers, it is vulnerable to poaching, like many orchids.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by large butterflies, including swallowtail butterflies (Papilionidae), the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), and Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele). Other floral visitors include the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, hummingbird moths (Hemaris spp.), and Halictid bees. Most of these floral visitors suck nectar from the flowers, although the Halictid bees collect pollen (see Graenicher, 1907; Edwards & Jordan, 1992). Other insects feed destructively on Prairie Lily (Lilium philadelphicum andinum) and other closely related lilies (Lilium spp.). These insects include the introduced Lily Leaf Beetle (Lilioceris lilii), Crescent-marked Lily Aphid (Aulacorthum circumflexum), Purple-spotted Lily Aphid (Macrosiphum lilii), and larvae of the Golden Borer Moth (Papaipema cerina), Burdock Borer Moth (Papaipema cataphracta), and Stalk Borer Moth (Papaipema nebris); see Clark et al. (2004), Cranshaw (2006), Pepper (1965), Panzer et al. (2006), and Natural History Museum (2010). The larvae of these latter moths bore through the stems and corms of lilies. Mammalian herbivores readily consume the foliage of Prairie Lily and other closely related lilies, especially the White-tailed Deer. The corms are also eaten sometimes by voles.
Photographic Location: A powerline clearance and moist sandy meadows at a state park in NE Illinois.
Comments: The flowers of this plant can be remarkably large, considering its size. This is arguably one of the most beautiful wildflowers in Illinois. Other native lilies (Lilium spp.) in Illinois are taller plants with whorled leaves and drooping flowers; only the flowers of Prairie Lily (Lilium philadelphicum andinum) remain erect. One reason why this plant has erect flowers is that the anthers can close their pores temporarily in response to rain, thereby protecting the pollen (Edwards & Jordan, 1992). This is a highly unusual characteristic. The typical variety of this plant is the more eastern Wood Lily (Lilium philadelphicum philadelphicum), which is not found in Illinois. The Wood Lily differs from the Prairie Lily in being a slightly taller plant that has mostly whorled leaves, its leaves are usually wider (often exceeding ½" across), and its seed capsules are slightly shorter. In the past, the Prairie Lily was sometimes classified as a distinct species, or Lilium umbellatum. Other common names for this plant are Western Lily and Wood Lily. Outside of Illinois, there are yellow-flowered forms of this species.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年01月19日
Description: This perennial plant is 1½–4' tall, more or less erect, and unbranched. The central stem is light to medium green, terete, glabrous, and sometimes glaucous. The leaves usually occur in whorls of 3-7 along the stem, although some of the upper leaves may occur in pairs or they may alternate individually. Individual leaves are 2½–5" long and ¼–¾" across; they are elliptic in shape, smooth (entire) along their margins, and sessile or nearly so. Leaf venation is parallel. The upper leaf surface is medium green and glabrous, while the lower leaf surface is light-medium or whitish green, glabrous, and sometimes glaucous. Above the terminal leaves of the central stem, there are 1-6 nodding flowers on stalks about 4-8" long (one flower per stalk). These stalks are erect or ascending; they are light to medium green, terete, glabrous, and sometimes glaucous. Each showy flower is about 2-3" long and similarly across, consisting of 6 tepals, 6 stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The tepals are yellow-orange to orange-red, purple-spotted, lanceolate in shape, and strongly recurved; the tips of the tepals are located near the base of the flower. The stamens are strongly exserted and slightly spreading; their filaments are light green to nearly white, while their anthers are reddish brown, oblongoid or ellipsoid in shape, and less than ½" in length. The style is strongly exserted and curved slightly upward; it is light yellow to nearly white, except toward the slightly swollen tip, where it is tinted yellow to orange-red.
The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer, lasting about 1 month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by seedpods. These seedpods are about 1½" long, oblongoid in shape, 3-celled, and glabrous; they split open into 3 parts to release their seeds. Mature seeds are brown, flattened, ovate-deltate in shape, and strongly winged along their margins. The thin papery wings enable the seeds to be carried some distance by gusts of wind. The root system consists of a yellow bulb with fibrous roots below, from which clonal offsets with new bulbs may form.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun, loamy soil or sandy loam, and moist conditions. An established plant, however, can withstand some drought. Cultivation from seed is slow and difficult, while cultivation from bulbs or transplants is somewhat faster and easier. Plants that are spoiled with too much fertilizer and watering may flop over.
Range & Habitat: The native Michigan Lily occurs in scattered counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is uncommon. Habitats include moist black soil prairies, openings in deciduous woodlands, typical thickets and sandy thickets, Bur Oak savannas, moist sandy meadows along rivers, swamps, fens, and prairie remnants along railroads. Michigan Lily is found in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Cross-pollination is required for fertile seeds. The large showy flowers appear to be designed to attract hummingbirds and larger day-flying insects, such as Sphinx moths, Hummingbird moths (Hemaris spp.), and the larger butterflies. Robertson (1929) observed such butterflies as the Monarch (Danaus plexippus), Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele), and Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) visiting the flowers for nectar. Other insects feed destructively on lilies (Lilium spp.). These species include the Lily Leaf Beetle (Lilioceris lilii), stem-boring larvae of the Burdock Borer Moth (Papaipema cataphracta), stem-boring larvae of the Golden Borer Moth (Papaipema cerina), larvae of the Narcissus Bulb Fly (Merodon equestris), the Crescent-marked Lily Aphid (Aulacorthum circumflexum), and the Tulip Bulb Aphid (Dysaphis tulipae); see Marshall (2006), Covell (1984/2005), Panzer et al. (2006), Cranshaw (2004), and Blackman & Eastop (2013). Deer, rabbits, horses, cattle, and other livestock occasionally browse on the foliage, while voles sometimes eat the bulbs.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois, and a wildflower garden at the Anita Purves Nature Center of the same city.
Comments: This is an attractive plant that can be cultivated in flower gardens. For many years, the Michigan Lily (Lilium michiganense) was not distinguished from the Turk's Cap Lily (Lilium superbum), even though there are several characteristics that can be used to distinguish them, including the following: 1) the Michigan Lily has a more northern distribution in Illinois than the latter, 2) the anthers of Michigan Lily are less than ½" in length, while the anthers of the latter species are ½" or longer and they are more slender in shape, 3) the tepals of Michigan Lily curve backward so that their tips are located near the base of the flower, while the tepals of Turk's Cap Lily curve backward so that their tips are located behind the base of the flower, 4) the Michigan Lily usually has yellow bulbs, while the latter lily usually has white bulbs, 5) Turk's Cap Lily sometimes has a 6-pointed green star on the throats of its flowers, while the flowers of Michigan Lily never have this characteristic, and 6) the Turk Cap's Lily is usually taller and it blooms less reliably than the Michigan Lily, at least in Illinois.
The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer, lasting about 1 month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by seedpods. These seedpods are about 1½" long, oblongoid in shape, 3-celled, and glabrous; they split open into 3 parts to release their seeds. Mature seeds are brown, flattened, ovate-deltate in shape, and strongly winged along their margins. The thin papery wings enable the seeds to be carried some distance by gusts of wind. The root system consists of a yellow bulb with fibrous roots below, from which clonal offsets with new bulbs may form.
Cultivation: The preference is full to partial sun, loamy soil or sandy loam, and moist conditions. An established plant, however, can withstand some drought. Cultivation from seed is slow and difficult, while cultivation from bulbs or transplants is somewhat faster and easier. Plants that are spoiled with too much fertilizer and watering may flop over.
Range & Habitat: The native Michigan Lily occurs in scattered counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map), where it is uncommon. Habitats include moist black soil prairies, openings in deciduous woodlands, typical thickets and sandy thickets, Bur Oak savannas, moist sandy meadows along rivers, swamps, fens, and prairie remnants along railroads. Michigan Lily is found in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Cross-pollination is required for fertile seeds. The large showy flowers appear to be designed to attract hummingbirds and larger day-flying insects, such as Sphinx moths, Hummingbird moths (Hemaris spp.), and the larger butterflies. Robertson (1929) observed such butterflies as the Monarch (Danaus plexippus), Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele), and Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) visiting the flowers for nectar. Other insects feed destructively on lilies (Lilium spp.). These species include the Lily Leaf Beetle (Lilioceris lilii), stem-boring larvae of the Burdock Borer Moth (Papaipema cataphracta), stem-boring larvae of the Golden Borer Moth (Papaipema cerina), larvae of the Narcissus Bulb Fly (Merodon equestris), the Crescent-marked Lily Aphid (Aulacorthum circumflexum), and the Tulip Bulb Aphid (Dysaphis tulipae); see Marshall (2006), Covell (1984/2005), Panzer et al. (2006), Cranshaw (2004), and Blackman & Eastop (2013). Deer, rabbits, horses, cattle, and other livestock occasionally browse on the foliage, while voles sometimes eat the bulbs.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois, and a wildflower garden at the Anita Purves Nature Center of the same city.
Comments: This is an attractive plant that can be cultivated in flower gardens. For many years, the Michigan Lily (Lilium michiganense) was not distinguished from the Turk's Cap Lily (Lilium superbum), even though there are several characteristics that can be used to distinguish them, including the following: 1) the Michigan Lily has a more northern distribution in Illinois than the latter, 2) the anthers of Michigan Lily are less than ½" in length, while the anthers of the latter species are ½" or longer and they are more slender in shape, 3) the tepals of Michigan Lily curve backward so that their tips are located near the base of the flower, while the tepals of Turk's Cap Lily curve backward so that their tips are located behind the base of the flower, 4) the Michigan Lily usually has yellow bulbs, while the latter lily usually has white bulbs, 5) Turk's Cap Lily sometimes has a 6-pointed green star on the throats of its flowers, while the flowers of Michigan Lily never have this characteristic, and 6) the Turk Cap's Lily is usually taller and it blooms less reliably than the Michigan Lily, at least in Illinois.
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