求助
JessAth
2018年04月30日
Why are some of the leaf drying out? i own this succulent 14 days and watered it once.
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肉~：can you take a clearly picture at it's root？
我有18cm我先讲：能讲中文吗。
meriunkat：Stick your finger in the soil to find out
meriunkat：You should be watering after the soil is dry
meriunkat：Too much sunlight
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年04月30日
Description: This perennial plant produces 2-3 basal leaves during the spring. These leaves are typically 6-9" long and ¾-1½" across; they are linear-oblong or elliptic-oblong in shape with smooth margins and parallel venation. The leaf surfaces are pale green to medium green and glabrous. Leaf orientation is erect, ascending, or arched and sprawling. The petioles are very short and often hidden by ground litter; they are pale green and glabrous. By early summer, the basal leaves wither away. After a short dormant period, an erect flowering stalk is produced that is 6-20" tall. This stalk is pale green, glabrous, terete, unbranched, and naked (devoid of leaves); it is surrounded by a membranous sheath at its base. At the apex of this stalk, there is a rounded umbel of 10-20 flowers about ¾-1½" across. At the base of this umbel, there is a pair of small deciduous bracts. Each flower spans up to ¼" across, consisting of 6 white to greenish white tepals, 6 stamens, and a 3-lobed ovary with a single white style. The stamens are barely exerted above the tepals. The slender pedicels are light green to greenish white. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer for about 2-3 weeks. The flowers, like the foliage, have an onion-like scent. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by 3-celled seed capsules; there is only a single seed per cell. The capsules divide into 3 sections to release their seeds. The seeds are globoid, black, and shiny. The root system consists of an ovoid bulb with fibrous roots below. Usually, this bulb is enclosed by a fibrous sheath with one or more other bulbs. Clonal offsets from the production of new bulbs often occurs, resulting in dense colonies of plants.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight during the spring, while during the summer any light level is tolerated because the basal leaves have withered away by this time. Conditions should be more or less mesic; the soil should be loamy, fertile, and relatively loose with decaying organic material. Plants should not be transplanted when the basal leaves are present.
Range & Habitat: The native Narrow-Leaved Wild Leek (Allium burdickii) is occasional in NE and east-central Illinois, while in the the rest of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). This species is found primarily in the upper Midwest. Because Narrow-Leaved Wild Leek has not been reliably distinguished from the more common Wild Leek (Allium tricoccum) in the past, it is probably more common and widespread than official records indicate. Habitats include rich deciduous woodlands, wooded bluffs, wooded areas along rivers and streams, and cemetery prairies. Narrow-Leaved Wild Leek is an indicator that the original ground flora of a woodlands is still intact. It is currently threatened by the spread of an invasive European species, Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), in wooded areas. Narrow-Leaved Wild Leek is found in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flower pollinators are probably similar to those of Allium tricoccum (Wild Leek), consisting of various bees and flies. Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards to such visitors. Insects that feed on the bulbs, foliage, flowers, or seeds are poorly understood for Narrow-Leaved Wild Leek (Allium burdickii). However, insects that are known to feed on one or more Allium spp. (Onions) include: the larvae of Delia antiqua (Onion Maggot), Eumerus strigatus (Onion Bulb Fly), and Eumerus tuberculatus (Lesser Bulb Fly); the plant bugs Lindbergocapsus ainsliei and Lindbergocapsus allii; and Thrips tabaci (Onion Thrips). Mammalian herbivores usually avoid consumption of the foliage.
Photographic Location: Mesic woodlands in Piatt County and Vermilion County in east-central Illinois; also a cemetery prairie in Champaign County, Illinois.
Comments: Some authorities consider Narrow-Leaved Wild Leek to be a variety of the more common Wild Leek, or Allium tricoccum burdickii (see eFloras, FNA Vol. 26, pp. 224-226), while other authorities consider this species to be distinct, Allium burdickii (Mohlenbrock, 2002). The latter viewpoint has been adopted here. Narrow-Leaved Wild Leek can be distinguished from Wild Leek by its more narrow leaves (less than 1½" across), greenish petioles (rather than reddish), fewer-flowered umbels (less than 21 flowers). The bulbs of Narrow-Leaved Wild Leek are also supposed to be smaller in size, and the stamens of its flowers may be less exerted than those of Wild Leek. Because the range of these two species (or varieties) overlap, it is possible that they hybridize. As a result, some collected or photographed specimens may be difficult to classify. Both of these species (or varieties) are distinct from other Allium spp. in Illinois by their wider leaves and the absence of these leaves when the flowers bloom.
Cultivation: The preference is dappled sunlight during the spring, while during the summer any light level is tolerated because the basal leaves have withered away by this time. Conditions should be more or less mesic; the soil should be loamy, fertile, and relatively loose with decaying organic material. Plants should not be transplanted when the basal leaves are present.
Range & Habitat: The native Narrow-Leaved Wild Leek (Allium burdickii) is occasional in NE and east-central Illinois, while in the the rest of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). This species is found primarily in the upper Midwest. Because Narrow-Leaved Wild Leek has not been reliably distinguished from the more common Wild Leek (Allium tricoccum) in the past, it is probably more common and widespread than official records indicate. Habitats include rich deciduous woodlands, wooded bluffs, wooded areas along rivers and streams, and cemetery prairies. Narrow-Leaved Wild Leek is an indicator that the original ground flora of a woodlands is still intact. It is currently threatened by the spread of an invasive European species, Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), in wooded areas. Narrow-Leaved Wild Leek is found in higher quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flower pollinators are probably similar to those of Allium tricoccum (Wild Leek), consisting of various bees and flies. Both nectar and pollen are available as floral rewards to such visitors. Insects that feed on the bulbs, foliage, flowers, or seeds are poorly understood for Narrow-Leaved Wild Leek (Allium burdickii). However, insects that are known to feed on one or more Allium spp. (Onions) include: the larvae of Delia antiqua (Onion Maggot), Eumerus strigatus (Onion Bulb Fly), and Eumerus tuberculatus (Lesser Bulb Fly); the plant bugs Lindbergocapsus ainsliei and Lindbergocapsus allii; and Thrips tabaci (Onion Thrips). Mammalian herbivores usually avoid consumption of the foliage.
Photographic Location: Mesic woodlands in Piatt County and Vermilion County in east-central Illinois; also a cemetery prairie in Champaign County, Illinois.
Comments: Some authorities consider Narrow-Leaved Wild Leek to be a variety of the more common Wild Leek, or Allium tricoccum burdickii (see eFloras, FNA Vol. 26, pp. 224-226), while other authorities consider this species to be distinct, Allium burdickii (Mohlenbrock, 2002). The latter viewpoint has been adopted here. Narrow-Leaved Wild Leek can be distinguished from Wild Leek by its more narrow leaves (less than 1½" across), greenish petioles (rather than reddish), fewer-flowered umbels (less than 21 flowers). The bulbs of Narrow-Leaved Wild Leek are also supposed to be smaller in size, and the stamens of its flowers may be less exerted than those of Wild Leek. Because the range of these two species (or varieties) overlap, it is possible that they hybridize. As a result, some collected or photographed specimens may be difficult to classify. Both of these species (or varieties) are distinct from other Allium spp. in Illinois by their wider leaves and the absence of these leaves when the flowers bloom.
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求助
Lucky Coyote
2018年04月29日
Could I get some ID's, please? the two in the back are the same and have purplish red leaf tips, and the other is a dusty blue green with pinkish purple leaf colouration
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Ueca：Back: Echeveria pellucida
Front: Echeveria gibbiflora (?)
Lucky Coyote：@meriunkat does this help a little?
meriunkat：It's really dark to tell..
文章
Miss Chen
2018年04月25日
Description: This perennial plant consists of a rosette of basal leaves about 5" across. The blade of each basal leaf is about 2" long and ¾" across; it is oval to ovate-oblong, crenate and ciliate along the margins, and more or less hairy, especially along the lower surface. The bottom of each leaf blade has tiny basal lobes that are rounded or bluntly pointed, while the tip of the leaf blade is rather blunt and obtuse. The leaf blade may fold upward along its central vein. The stout petiole of each leaf is green to reddish brown and hairy; it is as long as the leaf blade or a little shorter. From the center of the rosette, there develops one or stalks of flowers up to 6" long. These stalks develop directly from the rootstock; they are reddish purple and either glabrous or hairy. Each of these stalks is naked, except for a pair of tiny leaf-like bracts near the middle. At the apex of each stalk, there is a single flower about ¾" across. It consists of 5 green sepals and 5 blue-violet petals consisting of 2 upper lateral petals, 2 lower lateral petals, and a bottom petal. The sepals are lanceolate and glabrous or hairy. The lower lateral petals have conspicuous white hairs near the throat of the flower. The bottom petal is white at the base and it has dark blue-violet lines that function as nectar guides for visiting insects.
The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring and lasts about a month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Flowers that are successfully cross-pollinated will develop ovoid-oblongoid capsules that contain many seeds. Later, self-fertile cleistogamous flowers will develop from erect or ascending stalks; they lack petals and are inconspicuous. The cleistogamous flowers also produce seed capsules. These capsules divide into 3 parts at maturity, flinging the seeds. The seeds are small, globoid, and brown. The root system consists of stout scaly rhizomes with fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist to slightly dry conditions, and sandy soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Sand Violet is occasional in sandy areas of central and northern Illinois, otherwise it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include sandy woodlands, thinly wooded slopes, sandy savannas, sand prairies, semi-shaded areas along sandy paths, and abandoned sandy fields. Usually, this species is found in mesic to slightly dry areas of these habitats. It benefits from occasional wildfires, as this reduces the competition from taller vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of violets (Viola spp.) are pollinated by bees, especially mason (Osmia spp.) and Andrenid bees. Butterflies and skippers may suck nectar from the flowers, but they are less effective at cross-pollination. The foliage of violets is eaten by the caterpillars of Fritillary butterflies and several species of moths (see Butterfly & Moth Table). The seeds are eaten to a limited extent by upland gamebirds, including the Mourning Dove, Ruffed Grouse, Bobwhite, and Wild Turkey. The Wild Turkey also digs up and eats the rhizomes. The White-Footed Mouse also eats the seeds of violets, while the White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbit browse on the foliage only very sparingly. Because the seeds have oily elaisomes (food appendages), they are distributed to some extent by ants and possibly other insects.
Photographic Location: Along a path through a sandy savanna that had been subjected to a recent wildfire in Kankakee County, Illinois.
Comments: The Sand Violet (Viola fimbriatula) is closely related to Viola sagitatta (Arrow-leaved Violet), and it is classified as a variety of the latter species, Viola sagitatta ovata, by some authorities. The Sand Violet is usually hairier and its basal leaves are more broad with blunt tips. The Arrow-leaved Violet has basal leaves that are more lanceolate with spreading basal lobes (i.e., they are hastate in shape). The Arrow-leaved Violet occurs throughout Illinois in both sandy and non-sandy habitats. Another species, Viola primulifolia (Primrose-leaved Violet), has basal leaves that are similar in shape to those of the Sand Violet, but its flowers are white. Sometimes this latter species is regarded as a hybrid.
The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring and lasts about a month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Flowers that are successfully cross-pollinated will develop ovoid-oblongoid capsules that contain many seeds. Later, self-fertile cleistogamous flowers will develop from erect or ascending stalks; they lack petals and are inconspicuous. The cleistogamous flowers also produce seed capsules. These capsules divide into 3 parts at maturity, flinging the seeds. The seeds are small, globoid, and brown. The root system consists of stout scaly rhizomes with fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist to slightly dry conditions, and sandy soil.
Range & Habitat: The native Sand Violet is occasional in sandy areas of central and northern Illinois, otherwise it is rare or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include sandy woodlands, thinly wooded slopes, sandy savannas, sand prairies, semi-shaded areas along sandy paths, and abandoned sandy fields. Usually, this species is found in mesic to slightly dry areas of these habitats. It benefits from occasional wildfires, as this reduces the competition from taller vegetation.
Faunal Associations: The flowers of violets (Viola spp.) are pollinated by bees, especially mason (Osmia spp.) and Andrenid bees. Butterflies and skippers may suck nectar from the flowers, but they are less effective at cross-pollination. The foliage of violets is eaten by the caterpillars of Fritillary butterflies and several species of moths (see Butterfly & Moth Table). The seeds are eaten to a limited extent by upland gamebirds, including the Mourning Dove, Ruffed Grouse, Bobwhite, and Wild Turkey. The Wild Turkey also digs up and eats the rhizomes. The White-Footed Mouse also eats the seeds of violets, while the White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbit browse on the foliage only very sparingly. Because the seeds have oily elaisomes (food appendages), they are distributed to some extent by ants and possibly other insects.
Photographic Location: Along a path through a sandy savanna that had been subjected to a recent wildfire in Kankakee County, Illinois.
Comments: The Sand Violet (Viola fimbriatula) is closely related to Viola sagitatta (Arrow-leaved Violet), and it is classified as a variety of the latter species, Viola sagitatta ovata, by some authorities. The Sand Violet is usually hairier and its basal leaves are more broad with blunt tips. The Arrow-leaved Violet has basal leaves that are more lanceolate with spreading basal lobes (i.e., they are hastate in shape). The Arrow-leaved Violet occurs throughout Illinois in both sandy and non-sandy habitats. Another species, Viola primulifolia (Primrose-leaved Violet), has basal leaves that are similar in shape to those of the Sand Violet, but its flowers are white. Sometimes this latter species is regarded as a hybrid.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年04月23日
Description: This perennial plant is 3-7' tall and usually unbranched, although short stems may develop from the leaf axils. The central stem is light green and stout; it has several flat ridges that are separated by narrow channels. The central stem is sparsely covered with stiff white hairs of variable length; these hairs can penetrate the skin and sting. Along the central stem are pairs of opposite leaves that droop downward slightly. The leaf blades are up to 8" long and 2½" across; they are medium to dark green, lanceolate, and coarsely serrated. The base of each leaf blade is rounded or slightly cordate. The upper surface of each leaf blade is heavily veined and glabrous, while the lower surface has sparse stiff hairs that can also sting. The slender petioles of the leaves are up to 1" long. At the base of each petiole, there is a pair of stipules up to ½" long.
Panicles of flowers develop from the axils of the middle to upper leaves. These panicles are much branched and droop downward; their pubescent branches are heavily covered with flowers. Slender Nettle is monoecious to slightly dioecious; some plants have male flowers entirely or predominantly, while other plants have female flowers entirely or predominately. The male flowers are 1/8" (3 mm.) across with 4 green sepals and 4 white stamens. The female flowers are 1/8" across with 4 green sepals; the 2 inner sepals that enclose the ovary are larger in size than the 2 outer sepals. The sepals of both male and female flowers are pubescent; neither kind of flower has petals. The blooming period occurs during the summer and can last 1-2 months for a colony of plants. Pollination of the flowers is by wind. The brown seeds are 1.0–1.5 mm. long and irregular in shape. They can remain viable in the ground for 10 years. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Clonal colonies are often produced from the long rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to mesic conditions, and a fertile loamy soil. Most growth occurs during late spring and mid-summer. This plant can spread aggressively in favorable situations. The leaves are often attacked by insects.
Range & Habitat: The native Slender Nettle is occasional to locally common in central and northern Illinois, while in the southern section of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include disturbed open woodlands, floodplain woodlands, woodland borders, thickets, meadows in wooded areas, partially shaded seeps, fence rows, and moist waste areas. Areas with a history of disturbance are preferred.
Faunal Associations: Caterpillars of the butterflies Vanessa atalanta (Red Admiral), Nymphalis milberti (Milbert's Tortoiseshell), Polygonia comma (Comma), and Polygonia interrogationis (Question Mark) feed on the foliage of Urtica spp. (nettles). Other insects that feed on nettles include leaf-mining larvae of the beetle Sumitrosis inaequalis, stem-boring larvae of the lizard beetle Acropteroxys gracilis, leaf-mining larvae of the midge Agromyza subnigripes, larvae of Dasineura urnicola (Nettle Urn Gall Midge), larvae of the moth Glyphipterix quadragintapunctata, and the leafhopper Empoasca vergena. The presence of stinging hairs in nettles provides some protection from the browsing of mammalian herbivores. Because Slender Nettle is relatively tall and often forms clonal colonies, it provides cover and protection for various insects, mammals, and birds.
Photographic Location: The edge of a woodland in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Slender Nettle is less heavily armed with stinging hairs than Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle) and Laportea canadensis (Wood Nettle). Sometimes Slender Nettle is regarded as a variety of Stinging Nettle, in which case it is referred to as Urtica dioica gracilis. Stinging Nettle is adventive from Eurasia and has rarely naturalized in Illinois. It is shorter in stature and has wider leaves than Slender Nettle. The native Wood Nettle is similar in appearance to Stinging Nettle, except that it has alternate leaves. Unfortunately, these 3 species are often confused with each other. While many people dislike Urtica spp. (Nettles) and similar species because of their stinging hairs, they are important food plants to several species of butterflies. The young leaves of Nettles are edible if they are boiled in water and transformed into a creamy soup; they are supposed to be an excellent source of several vitamins and minerals.
Panicles of flowers develop from the axils of the middle to upper leaves. These panicles are much branched and droop downward; their pubescent branches are heavily covered with flowers. Slender Nettle is monoecious to slightly dioecious; some plants have male flowers entirely or predominantly, while other plants have female flowers entirely or predominately. The male flowers are 1/8" (3 mm.) across with 4 green sepals and 4 white stamens. The female flowers are 1/8" across with 4 green sepals; the 2 inner sepals that enclose the ovary are larger in size than the 2 outer sepals. The sepals of both male and female flowers are pubescent; neither kind of flower has petals. The blooming period occurs during the summer and can last 1-2 months for a colony of plants. Pollination of the flowers is by wind. The brown seeds are 1.0–1.5 mm. long and irregular in shape. They can remain viable in the ground for 10 years. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Clonal colonies are often produced from the long rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to light shade, moist to mesic conditions, and a fertile loamy soil. Most growth occurs during late spring and mid-summer. This plant can spread aggressively in favorable situations. The leaves are often attacked by insects.
Range & Habitat: The native Slender Nettle is occasional to locally common in central and northern Illinois, while in the southern section of the state it is uncommon or absent (see Distribution Map). Habitats include disturbed open woodlands, floodplain woodlands, woodland borders, thickets, meadows in wooded areas, partially shaded seeps, fence rows, and moist waste areas. Areas with a history of disturbance are preferred.
Faunal Associations: Caterpillars of the butterflies Vanessa atalanta (Red Admiral), Nymphalis milberti (Milbert's Tortoiseshell), Polygonia comma (Comma), and Polygonia interrogationis (Question Mark) feed on the foliage of Urtica spp. (nettles). Other insects that feed on nettles include leaf-mining larvae of the beetle Sumitrosis inaequalis, stem-boring larvae of the lizard beetle Acropteroxys gracilis, leaf-mining larvae of the midge Agromyza subnigripes, larvae of Dasineura urnicola (Nettle Urn Gall Midge), larvae of the moth Glyphipterix quadragintapunctata, and the leafhopper Empoasca vergena. The presence of stinging hairs in nettles provides some protection from the browsing of mammalian herbivores. Because Slender Nettle is relatively tall and often forms clonal colonies, it provides cover and protection for various insects, mammals, and birds.
Photographic Location: The edge of a woodland in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Slender Nettle is less heavily armed with stinging hairs than Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle) and Laportea canadensis (Wood Nettle). Sometimes Slender Nettle is regarded as a variety of Stinging Nettle, in which case it is referred to as Urtica dioica gracilis. Stinging Nettle is adventive from Eurasia and has rarely naturalized in Illinois. It is shorter in stature and has wider leaves than Slender Nettle. The native Wood Nettle is similar in appearance to Stinging Nettle, except that it has alternate leaves. Unfortunately, these 3 species are often confused with each other. While many people dislike Urtica spp. (Nettles) and similar species because of their stinging hairs, they are important food plants to several species of butterflies. The young leaves of Nettles are edible if they are boiled in water and transformed into a creamy soup; they are supposed to be an excellent source of several vitamins and minerals.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年04月23日
Description: This is a perennial plant that is about 2-3' tall. It has a stout central stem with four prominent ridges, while much smaller side stems may appear above the leaf axils in the upper half of the plant. The opposite leaves are up to 5" long and 2½" across. They are broadly ovate or lanceolate, coarsely serrated, and have deep venation. The lower leaves have short stout petioles, while the upper leaves are sessile. At the end of each stem is a terminal spike of numerous small flowers from 1-5" long. The flowers are white or light lavender with some purple near the base of the lower lip. Each flower is about 1/3" (8 mm.) long, with a greatly reduced upper lip and a long lower lip with a complicated structure. This lower lip functions as a landing pad for insect visitors, above which are two pairs of lateral petal-like extensions. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late summer, and lasts about 1½ months. There is no noticeable scent to the flowers. Each flower produces four round, coarsely pitted seeds with scattered white hairs. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. This plant spreads readily to form sizeable colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and a fertile loamy soil. American Germander can tolerate poorly drained conditions, but not much drought. It is occasionally bothered by foliar disease, particularly powdery mildew, when the plant is under stress, but not to the same degree as Wild Bergamot and other susceptible members of the Mint family. This plant can spread aggressively under moist conditions, and is rather weedy.
Range & Habitat: This is a common native plant that occurs in every county of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist black soil prairies, edges of bottomland forests, thickets, moist meadows along rivers, edges of marshes, and around seeps. American Germander can also be found in more developed areas, such as abandoned fields, partially shaded vacant lots, poorly drained waste areas, and along ditches near roads and railroads.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees are the most important pollinators, including bumblebees, honeybees, Anthophorine bees, Cuckoo bees, Miner bees, and Leaf-Cutting bees. These bees collect pollen or suck nectar from the flowers. Other flower-visiting insects include Green Metallic bees, Bee flies, Thick-Headed flies, and various butterflies or skippers. Hummingbirds and Hummingbird moths are unusual visitors seeking nectar. Mammalian herbivores don't bother this plant because of the bitter leaves.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken in a partially shaded waste area near a road in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This native plant is easy to confuse with other members of the Mint family, including the Eurasian species. It can be distinguished from all of them by the complicated structure of the long lower lip versus the greatly reduced size of the upper lip in the flowers. Some plants have a slight pubescence on the calyx and bracts, which are identified as var. boreale, while others lacking this pubescence are identified as var. virginicum. The former variety is absent from the southwestern counties of Illinois, while the latter variety occurs in every county. The unpleasant-tasting leaves were assumed to have medicinal value during pioneer days.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and a fertile loamy soil. American Germander can tolerate poorly drained conditions, but not much drought. It is occasionally bothered by foliar disease, particularly powdery mildew, when the plant is under stress, but not to the same degree as Wild Bergamot and other susceptible members of the Mint family. This plant can spread aggressively under moist conditions, and is rather weedy.
Range & Habitat: This is a common native plant that occurs in every county of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist black soil prairies, edges of bottomland forests, thickets, moist meadows along rivers, edges of marshes, and around seeps. American Germander can also be found in more developed areas, such as abandoned fields, partially shaded vacant lots, poorly drained waste areas, and along ditches near roads and railroads.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees are the most important pollinators, including bumblebees, honeybees, Anthophorine bees, Cuckoo bees, Miner bees, and Leaf-Cutting bees. These bees collect pollen or suck nectar from the flowers. Other flower-visiting insects include Green Metallic bees, Bee flies, Thick-Headed flies, and various butterflies or skippers. Hummingbirds and Hummingbird moths are unusual visitors seeking nectar. Mammalian herbivores don't bother this plant because of the bitter leaves.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken in a partially shaded waste area near a road in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This native plant is easy to confuse with other members of the Mint family, including the Eurasian species. It can be distinguished from all of them by the complicated structure of the long lower lip versus the greatly reduced size of the upper lip in the flowers. Some plants have a slight pubescence on the calyx and bracts, which are identified as var. boreale, while others lacking this pubescence are identified as var. virginicum. The former variety is absent from the southwestern counties of Illinois, while the latter variety occurs in every county. The unpleasant-tasting leaves were assumed to have medicinal value during pioneer days.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年04月19日
Few things beat a salad made from a large handful of fresh lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata) straight from the garden. While you can allow both loose-leaf and head-style lettuce plants to reach full size in the garden, then pull or cut them at the roots to harvest a whole lettuce, growing lettuce lets you prolong the season by cutting it leaf by leaf or using a technique called cut-and-come-again.
Leaf by Leaf Cutting
You can cut leaves of edible size from the stem of the plant, leaving the small-leaved center intact and growing. Leaves can be pinched off by hand, but cutting may damage less tissue than pinching. Wipe the scissor blades clean between cuts with a 1:9 solution of bleach and water, to keep from spreading plant diseases. A 1/3 cup of bleach in 3 cups of water will keep tools clean for cutting and other garden chores.
Cut-and-Come-Again
The second cutting method is more drastic but still allows the plant to continue growing. For cut-and-come-again, cut the entire plant parallel to the ground and approximately 1 inch from the soil. The center will regenerate first, and the plant will then begin to form new leaves that grow to edible size. Clean your tools before cutting each plant.
Lettuces for Leaf-by-Leaf Cutting
Loose-head, or loose-leaf, varieties are best for leaf-by-leaf cutting. Grand Rapids varieties like "Red Sails" and "Black-Seeded Simpson" have broad, ruffled leaves. Lobed-leaf varieties, commonly dubbed "oakleaf," also have large, loose clusters of leaves, making removal of a leaf or two easy. Planting a loose-head variety in a large pot lets you rotate the pot, gathering leaves from all the way around the plant. Because the stem lengthens as lettuce grows toward blooming and going to seed, or "bolting," your remaining plant may vaguely resemble a palm tree, but the leaves will remain sweet so long as temperatures stay below 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cut-and-Come-Again
Cutting the whole plant down to 1 inch yields a large harvest of loose-head leaves. You can harvest like this two to three times before the quality of the leaves declines. Butterhead and Romaine lettuce varieties can also be cut down to 1 inch, but the remaining stubs often generate a less vigorous but edible second growth.
Cutting and Timing
Both cutting methods work best when carefully timed. Although it may take a little practice from one variety to another, leaves that are just getting crisp and starting to look mature are ready for cutting. Old leaves will have poor or bitter flavor, no matter how they are harvested. The time of day can have a significant effect on the quality of the lettuce leaves. Leaves harvested early in the morning, around 7 a.m., contain approximately twice the plant sugars of leaves harvested at 2 p.m. Cut early for a sweet harvest. Early morning cutting also lets plant wounds begin to heal before exposure to hot sun threatens to scorch tissues.
Leaf by Leaf Cutting
You can cut leaves of edible size from the stem of the plant, leaving the small-leaved center intact and growing. Leaves can be pinched off by hand, but cutting may damage less tissue than pinching. Wipe the scissor blades clean between cuts with a 1:9 solution of bleach and water, to keep from spreading plant diseases. A 1/3 cup of bleach in 3 cups of water will keep tools clean for cutting and other garden chores.
Cut-and-Come-Again
The second cutting method is more drastic but still allows the plant to continue growing. For cut-and-come-again, cut the entire plant parallel to the ground and approximately 1 inch from the soil. The center will regenerate first, and the plant will then begin to form new leaves that grow to edible size. Clean your tools before cutting each plant.
Lettuces for Leaf-by-Leaf Cutting
Loose-head, or loose-leaf, varieties are best for leaf-by-leaf cutting. Grand Rapids varieties like "Red Sails" and "Black-Seeded Simpson" have broad, ruffled leaves. Lobed-leaf varieties, commonly dubbed "oakleaf," also have large, loose clusters of leaves, making removal of a leaf or two easy. Planting a loose-head variety in a large pot lets you rotate the pot, gathering leaves from all the way around the plant. Because the stem lengthens as lettuce grows toward blooming and going to seed, or "bolting," your remaining plant may vaguely resemble a palm tree, but the leaves will remain sweet so long as temperatures stay below 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cut-and-Come-Again
Cutting the whole plant down to 1 inch yields a large harvest of loose-head leaves. You can harvest like this two to three times before the quality of the leaves declines. Butterhead and Romaine lettuce varieties can also be cut down to 1 inch, but the remaining stubs often generate a less vigorous but edible second growth.
Cutting and Timing
Both cutting methods work best when carefully timed. Although it may take a little practice from one variety to another, leaves that are just getting crisp and starting to look mature are ready for cutting. Old leaves will have poor or bitter flavor, no matter how they are harvested. The time of day can have a significant effect on the quality of the lettuce leaves. Leaves harvested early in the morning, around 7 a.m., contain approximately twice the plant sugars of leaves harvested at 2 p.m. Cut early for a sweet harvest. Early morning cutting also lets plant wounds begin to heal before exposure to hot sun threatens to scorch tissues.
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kensong
2018年04月17日
New shoots from my Calathea Roseoptica but the new leaf already brown and dry. Any idea why?
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年04月16日
A salad vegetable grown in almost every garden, leaf lettuce is also called loose-leaf lettuce. Some types of lettuce you may plant include romaine or cos with their upright, long heads, small, soft butterhead varieties, crisphead or iceberg lettuce, and asparagus or stem lettuce. Knowing how to trim your lettuces while still growing them in your garden or after harvesting will help your lettuce last longer and increase the quality, flavor and presentation of your produce.
Step 1
Use sharp garden scissors or shears to trim 2 to 4 inches from your lettuce leaves in the garden when they have grown 6 to 10 inches tall or cut your lettuce carefully to the crown, or the point where the lettuce root joins the stem at ground level.
Step 2
Fertilize and water your lettuce greens after trimming; your lettuce greens will regrow and be ready for trimming again after two to three weeks. "Cut-and-come-again" represents this process of growing continuous harvests of lettuce, meaning that you do not have to wait until harvest time to enjoy your produce.
Step 3
Cut off all brown leaf tissue, called "tipburn," from your lettuce. Tipburn is a disease where the tips and edges of the leaves decay from uneven watering during the high temperatures of summer. The rest of the lettuce will not be harmed when you remove the leaves with tipburn. Prevent tipburn by watering your lettuce lightly but frequently to keep the soil evenly moist.
Step 4
Trim soft lettuces after harvesting by removing damaged, discolored leaves. Soft lettuces include butter lettuce, Bibb and leaf lettuce.
Step 5
Tear lettuce leaves into bite-size pieces when preparing them for a meal ahead of time rather than cutting them with a metal knife; otherwise, the lettuce leaf edges will rapidly become brown. Ascorbic acid oxidase also releases when you cut or chop lettuce with a knife, destroying its vitamin C content.
Step 6
Trim the butt of crisphead lettuce, like iceberg lettuce, to within 1/8 to 1/4 inch of the bottom leaf when preparing lettuce for public exhibits, such as vegetable shows. Trim the heads of Bibb lettuce varieties and romaine lettuces by removing damaged, old leaves. Briefly soak the lettuces in water, spray them carefully with water, and then store the lettuces in a dry, cool area until ready for the vegetable show.
Step 1
Use sharp garden scissors or shears to trim 2 to 4 inches from your lettuce leaves in the garden when they have grown 6 to 10 inches tall or cut your lettuce carefully to the crown, or the point where the lettuce root joins the stem at ground level.
Step 2
Fertilize and water your lettuce greens after trimming; your lettuce greens will regrow and be ready for trimming again after two to three weeks. "Cut-and-come-again" represents this process of growing continuous harvests of lettuce, meaning that you do not have to wait until harvest time to enjoy your produce.
Step 3
Cut off all brown leaf tissue, called "tipburn," from your lettuce. Tipburn is a disease where the tips and edges of the leaves decay from uneven watering during the high temperatures of summer. The rest of the lettuce will not be harmed when you remove the leaves with tipburn. Prevent tipburn by watering your lettuce lightly but frequently to keep the soil evenly moist.
Step 4
Trim soft lettuces after harvesting by removing damaged, discolored leaves. Soft lettuces include butter lettuce, Bibb and leaf lettuce.
Step 5
Tear lettuce leaves into bite-size pieces when preparing them for a meal ahead of time rather than cutting them with a metal knife; otherwise, the lettuce leaf edges will rapidly become brown. Ascorbic acid oxidase also releases when you cut or chop lettuce with a knife, destroying its vitamin C content.
Step 6
Trim the butt of crisphead lettuce, like iceberg lettuce, to within 1/8 to 1/4 inch of the bottom leaf when preparing lettuce for public exhibits, such as vegetable shows. Trim the heads of Bibb lettuce varieties and romaine lettuces by removing damaged, old leaves. Briefly soak the lettuces in water, spray them carefully with water, and then store the lettuces in a dry, cool area until ready for the vegetable show.
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