成长记
Plantlin
2018年06月21日
The little cutting has made a new leaf and the ‘mother’ is making two:)
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年06月17日
Description: This perennial plant is 1-2½' tall, branching occasionally to abundantly. The stems are light green, terete, and appressed-pubescent. The opposite leaves are up to 3" long and 2" across; they have short slender petioles. The leaf blades are oval-cordate, oval, or ovate in shape, while their margins are dentate or dentate-crenate. The upper blade surface is light green and glabrous with a conspicuous network of veins. The upper stems terminate in flat-topped clusters of flowerheads. Each cluster of flowerheads spans about 1-3" across. Each flowerhead has about 40-50 disk florets that are pink, lavender, or blue. Each floret has a tiny tubular corolla with 5 spreading lobes and a strongly exerted style that is divided into two filiform parts. Around the base of each flowerhead, there are several floral bracts (phyllaries) that are arranged in 1-2 series; they are light green and linear in shape. The branches underneath each flowerhead cluster are light green and terete.
The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 1-2 months. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the florets are replaced by achenes with small tufts of hair; they are distributed by the wind. The root system is highly rhizomatous; this plant readily forms colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and soil containing loam or silt. There should be sufficient organic material in the soil to retain moisture. This plant can spread aggressively in moist open ground, otherwise it presents few problems. Drought tolerance is poor. Propagation is by seed or division of the rhizomes.
Range & Distribution: The native Mistflower occurs in the southern half of Illinois and the Chicago area (see Distribution Map). It is fairly common in southern Illinois, but uncommon or absent elsewhere. This plant was introduced into the Chicago area. Some local populations in the wild are probably the result of seeds or plants that have escaped cultivation. Habitats include river-bottom prairies, moist open woodlands, gravelly seeps, borders of lakes and rivers, moist meadows in wooded areas, bases of bluffs, and ditches. This plant usually occurs in poorly drained areas and near sources of water.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract long-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers. Other occasional visitors include short-tongued bees, various flies, moths, and beetles. These insects seek nectar primarily, although the bees often collect pollen. Insects that feed on Eupatorium spp. (Bonesets) may also feed on Mistflower. Insect feeders of this group of plants include the caterpillars of such moths as Haploa clymene (Clymene Moth; eats foliage), Phragmatobia lineata (Lined Ruby Tiger Moth; eats foliage), Carmenta bassiformis (Eupatorium Borer Moth; bores into roots), and Schinia trifascia (Three-Lined Flower Moth; eats florets & developing seeds). Mammalian herbivores rarely consume Mistflower because of its bitter foliage.
Photographic Location: The photograph was taken along a drainage canal at Kaufman Lake Park in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: Mistflower has attractive delicate flowers that are colored in pastel shades of pink, lavender, or blue. For this reason, it is often grown in flower gardens. This plant is closely related to the white-flowered Bonesets (Eupatorium spp.), and sometimes it is still referred to as Eupatorium coelestinum. Mistflower can be distinguished from the Bonesets primarily by its colorful flowers, relatively short stature, and broad opposite leaves that are heavily veined. While species of Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatoriadelphus spp.) have similar colorful flowers, they are taller plants with whorled leaves. All of these species are similar in that their flowerheads consist entirely of disk florets.
The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early autumn, lasting about 1-2 months. There is no noticeable floral scent. Afterwards, the florets are replaced by achenes with small tufts of hair; they are distributed by the wind. The root system is highly rhizomatous; this plant readily forms colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and soil containing loam or silt. There should be sufficient organic material in the soil to retain moisture. This plant can spread aggressively in moist open ground, otherwise it presents few problems. Drought tolerance is poor. Propagation is by seed or division of the rhizomes.
Range & Distribution: The native Mistflower occurs in the southern half of Illinois and the Chicago area (see Distribution Map). It is fairly common in southern Illinois, but uncommon or absent elsewhere. This plant was introduced into the Chicago area. Some local populations in the wild are probably the result of seeds or plants that have escaped cultivation. Habitats include river-bottom prairies, moist open woodlands, gravelly seeps, borders of lakes and rivers, moist meadows in wooded areas, bases of bluffs, and ditches. This plant usually occurs in poorly drained areas and near sources of water.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract long-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers. Other occasional visitors include short-tongued bees, various flies, moths, and beetles. These insects seek nectar primarily, although the bees often collect pollen. Insects that feed on Eupatorium spp. (Bonesets) may also feed on Mistflower. Insect feeders of this group of plants include the caterpillars of such moths as Haploa clymene (Clymene Moth; eats foliage), Phragmatobia lineata (Lined Ruby Tiger Moth; eats foliage), Carmenta bassiformis (Eupatorium Borer Moth; bores into roots), and Schinia trifascia (Three-Lined Flower Moth; eats florets & developing seeds). Mammalian herbivores rarely consume Mistflower because of its bitter foliage.
Photographic Location: The photograph was taken along a drainage canal at Kaufman Lake Park in Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: Mistflower has attractive delicate flowers that are colored in pastel shades of pink, lavender, or blue. For this reason, it is often grown in flower gardens. This plant is closely related to the white-flowered Bonesets (Eupatorium spp.), and sometimes it is still referred to as Eupatorium coelestinum. Mistflower can be distinguished from the Bonesets primarily by its colorful flowers, relatively short stature, and broad opposite leaves that are heavily veined. While species of Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatoriadelphus spp.) have similar colorful flowers, they are taller plants with whorled leaves. All of these species are similar in that their flowerheads consist entirely of disk florets.
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成长记
CiaraCrearions
2018年06月15日
My purpusorum actually grew some roots! I put Saran Wrap over a cup and poked a hole for the leaf so it would jsut hover above the water (if it sits in the water it goes brown!) Now I’ve layer it on some dirt so fingers crossed!
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CiaraCrearions
2018年06月14日
My first propigation leaves are ready for growing! I hope they succeed! #Succulent #leaf ##Popigation
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年06月12日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is ¾–2¼' tall and unbranched. The central stem is green, glabrous, and terete. A single well-developed leaf occurs near the base of the central stem. This leaf is 4-12" long, ¼–1½" across, and ascending; it is linear-elliptic to elliptic in shape and entire (toothless) along its margins. The leaf tapers gradually into a narrow base that is enclosed by a sheath, while its tip is narrowly acute and hull-shaped. The upper surface of the entire leaf is often slightly concave (curved inward from the margins) along its length. Both the upper and lower leaf surfaces are yellowish green to medium green and glabrous. Leaf venation is parallel. Below the well-developed leaf, there are 1-2 rudimentary leaves that are sheath-like and inconspicuous.
The central stem terminates in a spike of 2-15 flowers (rarely up to 20). The rachis of this floral spike is green to reddish purple, terete, and glabrous; it has a tendency to zig-zag between the flowers. Each flower is 1-2" across, consisting of 3 petaloid sepals, 3 petals, an exposed reproductive column, and an inferior ovary. Both the sepals and petals (excluding the petal that has been modified into a lip) are pink to deep rosy pink (rarely white); the sepals and petals may also have faint veins of dark rosy pink. The sepals are ovate or broadly oblong-ovate in shape, while the petals are broadly elliptic or elliptic-ovate in shape. Depending on the stage of development, both petals and sepals are spreading and more or less incurved from their tips; their upper surfaces are flat to somewhat concave. Both sepals and petals are nearly the same length (about ¾" long), although the sepals are a little wider. The third petal has been modified into an upper lip about ¾" long. This upper lip is linear in shape (grooved above and convex below), except toward its tip, where it has been widened by 2 lateral lobes; these lobes are half-orbicular to bluntly triangular in shape. At the center of this lobed tip, is a patch of white and a cluster of clubbed pseudo-stamens; these pseudo-stamens are hair-like in appearance and yellow to orange. Elsewhere, the lip is pink to rosy pink (rarely white) like the sepals and remaining petals. The lip is also hinged at its base.
The exposed reproductive column is mostly linear-flattened in shape, straight, and pink to rosy pink (rarely white). However, toward its tip, the reproductive column is upturned, terete along its center, and laterally lobed. The reproductive organs are located at the tip of the column, which is dark rosy pink. The reproductive column lies opposite from the upper lip of the flower; it is about ¾" long. The ascending inferior ovary, at the time of bloom, is light green to pale greenish pink, cylindrical-ribbed in shape, and glabrous. The blooming period usually occurs from early to late summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks. The flowers bloom sequentially from the bottom to the top of the floral spike. There can be either a mild floral fragrance or none. Afterwards, fertile flowers are replaced by seed capsules that are about ¾" long and ellipsoid-ovoid in shape; they eventually break open to release numerous tiny seeds, which are distributed by the wind. The root system consists of a globoid to ovoid corm with fibrous roots below.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, wet to moist conditions, and soil containing some sand and/or peat. Sometimes, this orchid is available from specialist orchid nurseries and it can be cultivated in gardens if its requirements are met. Wild plants, however, should never be collected.
Range & Habitat: The native Grass Pink Orchid has been found primarily in the northern half of Illinois and a few scattered counties elsewhere (see Distribution Map). This orchid is now rare and it is state-listed as 'endangered.' At one time, the Grass Pink Orchid was more abundant in Illinois, but its populations have declined because of habitat destruction and unscrupulous collecting. Habitats where this orchid can be found include wet to moist sand prairies, wet to moist sandy meadows, shallow sandy swales, openings in sandy swamps, fens, and bogs. This orchid is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Bumblebees and other large long-tongued bees are the primary pollinators of the flowers. Halictid bees, flies, butterflies, skippers, and beetles also visit the flowers occasionally, but they are unlikely to be effective at cross-pollination. See Cole (1988), Luer (1975), Small (1976), and Thien & Marcks (1972) for more information. Neither nectar nor accessible pollen are available to such flower-visiting insects. Instead, they are lured by deception to land on the showy flowers. In particular, they are often attracted to the colorful pseudo-stamens on the lip of the flower. If the visiting insect has sufficient weight, the hinged lip of the flower collapses onto its exposed reproductive column, attaching pollinia to the back of the insect. When the same insect visits the next flower, the same process can deposit the pollinia onto the exposed stigma of the reproductive column, enabling cross-pollination to occur. Like other orchids, the foliage and flowers of the Grass Pink Orchid are probably vulnerable to browsing by White-tailed Deer and other mammalian herbivores. When such animals are too abundant, it may be necessary to protect colonies and solitary plants of this orchid with wire cages or fencing.
Photographic Location: A shallow sandy swale at a nature preserve in Lake County, Illinois.
Comments: The structure of the flower for this orchid is highly unusual because its lip is located at the top rather than the bottom, causing the flower to appear upside-down (even though it is actually rightside-up). The Grass Pink Orchid is the most common species of its genus within the state and it is widely distributed within the eastern United States and SE Canada. The only other species of this genus within the state, the Oklahoma Grass Pink Orchid (Calopogon oklahomensis), is even more rare and it is also state-listed as 'endangered.' This latter orchid can be distinguished from the former as follows: 1) the petals and sepals of its flower are usually a lighter shade of pink, and 2) the lip of its flower has a patch of short pink pseudo-stamens above its showier yellow pseudo-stamens. The more common Grass Pink orchid lacks short pink pseudo-stamens on the lip of its flower. The Oklahoma Grass Pink Orchid is also found in drier habitats, like mesic prairies. Other common names of Calopogon tuberosus are Tuberous Grass Pink and Grass Pink, even though it is neither a grass nor a member of the Pink family (Caryophyllaceae).
The central stem terminates in a spike of 2-15 flowers (rarely up to 20). The rachis of this floral spike is green to reddish purple, terete, and glabrous; it has a tendency to zig-zag between the flowers. Each flower is 1-2" across, consisting of 3 petaloid sepals, 3 petals, an exposed reproductive column, and an inferior ovary. Both the sepals and petals (excluding the petal that has been modified into a lip) are pink to deep rosy pink (rarely white); the sepals and petals may also have faint veins of dark rosy pink. The sepals are ovate or broadly oblong-ovate in shape, while the petals are broadly elliptic or elliptic-ovate in shape. Depending on the stage of development, both petals and sepals are spreading and more or less incurved from their tips; their upper surfaces are flat to somewhat concave. Both sepals and petals are nearly the same length (about ¾" long), although the sepals are a little wider. The third petal has been modified into an upper lip about ¾" long. This upper lip is linear in shape (grooved above and convex below), except toward its tip, where it has been widened by 2 lateral lobes; these lobes are half-orbicular to bluntly triangular in shape. At the center of this lobed tip, is a patch of white and a cluster of clubbed pseudo-stamens; these pseudo-stamens are hair-like in appearance and yellow to orange. Elsewhere, the lip is pink to rosy pink (rarely white) like the sepals and remaining petals. The lip is also hinged at its base.
The exposed reproductive column is mostly linear-flattened in shape, straight, and pink to rosy pink (rarely white). However, toward its tip, the reproductive column is upturned, terete along its center, and laterally lobed. The reproductive organs are located at the tip of the column, which is dark rosy pink. The reproductive column lies opposite from the upper lip of the flower; it is about ¾" long. The ascending inferior ovary, at the time of bloom, is light green to pale greenish pink, cylindrical-ribbed in shape, and glabrous. The blooming period usually occurs from early to late summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks. The flowers bloom sequentially from the bottom to the top of the floral spike. There can be either a mild floral fragrance or none. Afterwards, fertile flowers are replaced by seed capsules that are about ¾" long and ellipsoid-ovoid in shape; they eventually break open to release numerous tiny seeds, which are distributed by the wind. The root system consists of a globoid to ovoid corm with fibrous roots below.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, wet to moist conditions, and soil containing some sand and/or peat. Sometimes, this orchid is available from specialist orchid nurseries and it can be cultivated in gardens if its requirements are met. Wild plants, however, should never be collected.
Range & Habitat: The native Grass Pink Orchid has been found primarily in the northern half of Illinois and a few scattered counties elsewhere (see Distribution Map). This orchid is now rare and it is state-listed as 'endangered.' At one time, the Grass Pink Orchid was more abundant in Illinois, but its populations have declined because of habitat destruction and unscrupulous collecting. Habitats where this orchid can be found include wet to moist sand prairies, wet to moist sandy meadows, shallow sandy swales, openings in sandy swamps, fens, and bogs. This orchid is found in high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: Bumblebees and other large long-tongued bees are the primary pollinators of the flowers. Halictid bees, flies, butterflies, skippers, and beetles also visit the flowers occasionally, but they are unlikely to be effective at cross-pollination. See Cole (1988), Luer (1975), Small (1976), and Thien & Marcks (1972) for more information. Neither nectar nor accessible pollen are available to such flower-visiting insects. Instead, they are lured by deception to land on the showy flowers. In particular, they are often attracted to the colorful pseudo-stamens on the lip of the flower. If the visiting insect has sufficient weight, the hinged lip of the flower collapses onto its exposed reproductive column, attaching pollinia to the back of the insect. When the same insect visits the next flower, the same process can deposit the pollinia onto the exposed stigma of the reproductive column, enabling cross-pollination to occur. Like other orchids, the foliage and flowers of the Grass Pink Orchid are probably vulnerable to browsing by White-tailed Deer and other mammalian herbivores. When such animals are too abundant, it may be necessary to protect colonies and solitary plants of this orchid with wire cages or fencing.
Photographic Location: A shallow sandy swale at a nature preserve in Lake County, Illinois.
Comments: The structure of the flower for this orchid is highly unusual because its lip is located at the top rather than the bottom, causing the flower to appear upside-down (even though it is actually rightside-up). The Grass Pink Orchid is the most common species of its genus within the state and it is widely distributed within the eastern United States and SE Canada. The only other species of this genus within the state, the Oklahoma Grass Pink Orchid (Calopogon oklahomensis), is even more rare and it is also state-listed as 'endangered.' This latter orchid can be distinguished from the former as follows: 1) the petals and sepals of its flower are usually a lighter shade of pink, and 2) the lip of its flower has a patch of short pink pseudo-stamens above its showier yellow pseudo-stamens. The more common Grass Pink orchid lacks short pink pseudo-stamens on the lip of its flower. The Oklahoma Grass Pink Orchid is also found in drier habitats, like mesic prairies. Other common names of Calopogon tuberosus are Tuberous Grass Pink and Grass Pink, even though it is neither a grass nor a member of the Pink family (Caryophyllaceae).
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年06月12日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant can be terrestrial or emergent-aquatic. During the spring, it forms a small number of ascending basal leaves in a loose rosette. The leaf blades are 2–4½" long and a little less across; they are cordate, oval-cordate, or orbicular-cordate in shape and their margins are toothless. The leaf blades are cordate at the base and they taper abruptly into short narrow tips. These tips are often curved upward and inward (involute). The leaf blade surface is medium to dark green, hairless, and somewhat shiny above. Each leaf blade has a central vein that extends to about one-third of its length, from which there develops numerous parallel lateral veins that curve upward toward the leaf tip. The petioles are 3–8" long and rather stout; they are light to medium green and hairless. The upper side of each petiole is shallowly concave, while its lower side is round. Basal sheaths wrap around the bases of the petioles. The inflorescence consists of a solitary spadix and spathe at the apex of a floral stalk. The greenish white spadix is ½–1¼" in length, short-cylindrical in shape, and short-stalked.
The spadix has mostly perfect (bisexual) flowers and some staminate (male) flowers at its apex, although sometimes the spadix lacks staminate flowers. These small flowers are densely arranged across the entire surface of the spadix and they are numerous. Each perfect flower has a green ovoid pistil that is surrounded at its base by 6-9 white stamens. The staminate flowers have only white stamens. Directly behind the spadix, there is a petaloid white spathe. The hairless spathe is about 1½–2½" in length, ovate to oval in shape, and tapering abruptly into a narrow linear tip up to 8 mm. (1/3") long; this tip is strongly involute (rolled tightly inward). Sometimes the back of the spathe is light green while it is in bloom. On rare occasions, 2-3 spathes may develop alongside the spadix. The blooming period occurs intermittently during the summer, lasting about 1-2 months for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the spadix and spathe turn green. The perfect flowers are replaced by globoid-obovoid berries with short tapered beaks; the spadix swells in size as the berries develop. Immature berries are green or greenish yellow, but they become bright red and 8–12 mm. (1/3–1/2") across at maturity. The interior of each berry contains gelatinous flesh and several seeds. The mature seeds are 6 mm. (¼") long, ellipsoid and somewhat flattened in shape, brown to dark brown, and minutely pitted. The root system is long-rhizomatous and fibrous. Colonies of clonal plants of varying size sometimes develop from the rhizomes at favorable sites.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to medium shade, wet conditions to shallow water, and an acidic peaty soil. Further to the north of Illinois, this plant tolerates full sun.
Range & Habitat: In Illinois, Wild Calla (Calla palustris) has been found only in Lake County, where it is native and still exists (see Distribution Map); it is state-listed as endangered. Illinois lies along its southern range-limit. This plant has a broad distribution in boreal areas of NE and north-central USA and southern Canada; it also occurs in boreal areas of Eurasia. In Illinois, Wild Calla is found primarily in shrubby areas of bogs, including shrubby areas adjacent to boardwalks where live sphagnum mosses occur. It also occurs in shallow pools of water in bogs, and on wet ground around Tamarack trees (Larix laricina). All of these habitats are high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are visited primarily by flies, including Syrphid flies and carrion flies (Müller, 1873/1883; Knuth, 1909; Thomson, 1995). The foliage is toxic because it contains calcium oxalate; this substance is highly irritating to the gastrointestinal tract of vertebrate animals. Nonetheless, it has been reported that the young foliage of this plant is an important source of food for Black Bears during the spring in Minnesota when few sources of food are available (Rogers, 2011; Rogers et al., 1987).
Photographic Location: Shrubby area of a bog in Lake County, Illinois.
Comments: While the flowers of the spadices remain in bloom for only a short time, the white spathes of this plant remain attractive for a longer period of time. The glossy foliage and ripe red berries are also attractive. Wild Calla (Calla palustris) is the only species in its genus. It is an easy plant to identify when its inflorescence is present as no other plant produces anything like it in Illinois. The leaves of Wild Calla have a superficial resemblance to those of the more common Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris), but the leaves of the latter have fine networks of veins and shallow teeth along the margins. Marsh Marigold also produces its yellow flowers during the spring, while Wild Calla produces its greenish white flowers during the summer. Another common name of Calla palustris is Water Arum.
The spadix has mostly perfect (bisexual) flowers and some staminate (male) flowers at its apex, although sometimes the spadix lacks staminate flowers. These small flowers are densely arranged across the entire surface of the spadix and they are numerous. Each perfect flower has a green ovoid pistil that is surrounded at its base by 6-9 white stamens. The staminate flowers have only white stamens. Directly behind the spadix, there is a petaloid white spathe. The hairless spathe is about 1½–2½" in length, ovate to oval in shape, and tapering abruptly into a narrow linear tip up to 8 mm. (1/3") long; this tip is strongly involute (rolled tightly inward). Sometimes the back of the spathe is light green while it is in bloom. On rare occasions, 2-3 spathes may develop alongside the spadix. The blooming period occurs intermittently during the summer, lasting about 1-2 months for a colony of plants. Afterwards, the spadix and spathe turn green. The perfect flowers are replaced by globoid-obovoid berries with short tapered beaks; the spadix swells in size as the berries develop. Immature berries are green or greenish yellow, but they become bright red and 8–12 mm. (1/3–1/2") across at maturity. The interior of each berry contains gelatinous flesh and several seeds. The mature seeds are 6 mm. (¼") long, ellipsoid and somewhat flattened in shape, brown to dark brown, and minutely pitted. The root system is long-rhizomatous and fibrous. Colonies of clonal plants of varying size sometimes develop from the rhizomes at favorable sites.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun to medium shade, wet conditions to shallow water, and an acidic peaty soil. Further to the north of Illinois, this plant tolerates full sun.
Range & Habitat: In Illinois, Wild Calla (Calla palustris) has been found only in Lake County, where it is native and still exists (see Distribution Map); it is state-listed as endangered. Illinois lies along its southern range-limit. This plant has a broad distribution in boreal areas of NE and north-central USA and southern Canada; it also occurs in boreal areas of Eurasia. In Illinois, Wild Calla is found primarily in shrubby areas of bogs, including shrubby areas adjacent to boardwalks where live sphagnum mosses occur. It also occurs in shallow pools of water in bogs, and on wet ground around Tamarack trees (Larix laricina). All of these habitats are high quality natural areas.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are visited primarily by flies, including Syrphid flies and carrion flies (Müller, 1873/1883; Knuth, 1909; Thomson, 1995). The foliage is toxic because it contains calcium oxalate; this substance is highly irritating to the gastrointestinal tract of vertebrate animals. Nonetheless, it has been reported that the young foliage of this plant is an important source of food for Black Bears during the spring in Minnesota when few sources of food are available (Rogers, 2011; Rogers et al., 1987).
Photographic Location: Shrubby area of a bog in Lake County, Illinois.
Comments: While the flowers of the spadices remain in bloom for only a short time, the white spathes of this plant remain attractive for a longer period of time. The glossy foliage and ripe red berries are also attractive. Wild Calla (Calla palustris) is the only species in its genus. It is an easy plant to identify when its inflorescence is present as no other plant produces anything like it in Illinois. The leaves of Wild Calla have a superficial resemblance to those of the more common Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris), but the leaves of the latter have fine networks of veins and shallow teeth along the margins. Marsh Marigold also produces its yellow flowers during the spring, while Wild Calla produces its greenish white flowers during the summer. Another common name of Calla palustris is Water Arum.
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成长记
Lolney
2018年06月09日
I now added "Whopper® Red With Green Leaf Begonia. Water: Medium. Fertilize: Every two weeks. General Information: Whopper begonias offer super-sized performance which means maximum enjoyment for customers. Whopper is a big, vigorous plant that will fill out beds and large containers equally well. Truly a 50 MPH drive-by color to ... Spacing: 10 - 14'' (25 - 36cm) Scientific Name: Begonia x benariensis Height: 30 - 34'' (76 - 86cm) Exposure: Shade, Partial Sun, Sun" in my "garden"
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年06月08日
Description: This plant is a summer annual about 1-4½' tall, branching occasionally. The stems are light green to purple, more or less terete, and glabrous. Leaves are usually opposite, although some of the uppermost leaves may be alternate. The leaf blades are 2-6" long and ½-1½" across; they are lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate and coarsely serrated along their margins; some of the lower leaves often have 1-2 smaller basal lobes. The upper blade surface is medium green and glabrous, while the lower blade surface is pale-medium green and glabrous. During the autumn, the leaf blades often become purplish green or purple. The petioles are up to 2" long and usually narrow, although some of them may be partially winged.
The upper stems terminate in 1-3 flowerheads each on peduncles about ½-4" long. The peduncles are light green or purplish green, more or less terete, and glabrous. Each flowerhead spans ½-1¼" across (excluding the leafy bracts), consisting of numerous disk florets and usually no ray florets. When ray florets occur, they are insignificant and few in number. The corollas of the disk florets are yellow to orange, narrowly tubular in shape, and about 3 mm. (1/8") long; each corolla has 4-5 recurved to ascending lobes along its upper rim. The disk florets are perfect, while the ray florets, if they are present, are sterile. Surrounding the disk florets are about 8 floral bracts (phyllaries) that are yellowish brown or yellowish black, ovate in shape, and glabrous; they are about 6 mm. (¼") long. Originating from below both the disk florets and floral bracts, but spreading outward, there are 3-8 leafy bracts about ½-1½" long. The leafy bracts are green, glabrous, and oblanceolate, elliptic, or oblong in shape. The blooming period occurs from late summer into the fall, lasting about 1-2 months. The disk florets are replaced by awned achenes that are about 5-6 mm. in length (excluding the awns), oblanceolate in shape, and somewhat flattened. At the apex of each achene, there are 4 barbed awns consisting of two longer outer awns (about 4 mm. in length) and two shorter inner awns (about 2 mm. in length). However, because the 2 inner awns are fragile and often become detached, some achenes will have only 2-3 awns (or even less, should the outer awns become detached). The root system consists of a shallow branching taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself, occasionally forming colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to moderate shade and wet to moist conditions. Various types of soil are tolerated, including those that contain loam, silt, and clay. This plant is somewhat weedy.
Range & Habitat: The native Purple-Stemmed Tickseed is occasional in the northern half of Illinois, becoming uncommon or absent in the southern half of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats consist of marshes, muddy areas of seasonal wetlands, streambanks, swamps, and ditches. Areas with a history of disturbance from flooding or other causes are preferred.
Faunal Associations: Robertson (1929) observed bumblebees sucking nectar from the flowerheads of Purple-Stemmed Tickseed. It is also likely that Halictid bees and miscellaneous flies also visit the flowerheads for nectar or pollen. The following aphids suck plant juices from this and other Bidens spp.: Aphis coreopsidis, Pemphigus tartareus, and Uroleucon chrysanthemi. The following leaf beetles feed on these plants and similar members of the Aster family: Calligrapha bidenticola, Calligrapha californica, and Calligrapha elegans. Other insects include foliage-consuming caterpillars of the butterfly Nathalis iole (Dainty Sulphur) and flowerhead-consuming larvae of the fruit fly Icterica seriata. The caterpillars of several moths feed on the foliage, feed on the flowerheads, or bore through the stems of Bidens spp. These species include Cirrhophanus triangulifer (Goldenrod Stowaway), Condica confederate (The Confederate), Condica mobilis (Mobile Groundling), and Epiblema otiosana (Bidens Borer Moth). Some vertebrate animals also feed on these plants. Such turtles as Chelydra serpentina (Snapping Turtle), Chrysemys picta (Painted Turtle), and Emys blandingii (Blanding's Turtle) eat the foliage or seeds (Ernst et al., 1994; Lagler, 1943). Several ducks, upland gamebirds, and granivorous songbirds also eat the seeds, including such species as the Wood Duck, Mallard, Black Duck, Wild Turkey, Ring-Necked Pheasant, Greater Prairie Chicken, Bobwhite Quail, Purple Finch, Common Redpoll, Swamp Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, and Eastern Goldfinch (Martin et al., 1951/1961; Eastman, 2003). The foliage is eaten by the White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbit, although it is not a preferred source of food. Because the barbed awns of the achenes can cling to the fur of animals and the clothing of humans, they can be carried considerable distances to new locations.
Photographic Location: A shaded streambank at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This plant and other Bidens spp. are occasionally parasitized by various Cuscuta spp. (Dodders); the latter are vine-like plants without chlorophyll that often occur in wetlands. Because its ray florets are insignificant or absent, Purple-Stemmed Tickseed is one of the less showy species in this genus. It is relatively easy to confuse this species with other species in this genus that share this characteristic. In particular, Bidens comosa (Leafy-Bracted Tickseed) is similar in appearance. This latter species can be distinguished by the shorter petioles of its leaves (which are often winged), its longer leafy bracts (up to 2½" long), and the yellowish color of its stems. In addition, the corollas of the disk florets for this species have 4 lobes more often than 5 lobes, while the reverse is true for Purple-Stemmed Tickseed. The achenes of Purple-Stemmed Tickseed are also distinct: each of its achenes has 2 long outer awns and 2 short inner awns, although these awns (particularly the inner ones) often break off.
The upper stems terminate in 1-3 flowerheads each on peduncles about ½-4" long. The peduncles are light green or purplish green, more or less terete, and glabrous. Each flowerhead spans ½-1¼" across (excluding the leafy bracts), consisting of numerous disk florets and usually no ray florets. When ray florets occur, they are insignificant and few in number. The corollas of the disk florets are yellow to orange, narrowly tubular in shape, and about 3 mm. (1/8") long; each corolla has 4-5 recurved to ascending lobes along its upper rim. The disk florets are perfect, while the ray florets, if they are present, are sterile. Surrounding the disk florets are about 8 floral bracts (phyllaries) that are yellowish brown or yellowish black, ovate in shape, and glabrous; they are about 6 mm. (¼") long. Originating from below both the disk florets and floral bracts, but spreading outward, there are 3-8 leafy bracts about ½-1½" long. The leafy bracts are green, glabrous, and oblanceolate, elliptic, or oblong in shape. The blooming period occurs from late summer into the fall, lasting about 1-2 months. The disk florets are replaced by awned achenes that are about 5-6 mm. in length (excluding the awns), oblanceolate in shape, and somewhat flattened. At the apex of each achene, there are 4 barbed awns consisting of two longer outer awns (about 4 mm. in length) and two shorter inner awns (about 2 mm. in length). However, because the 2 inner awns are fragile and often become detached, some achenes will have only 2-3 awns (or even less, should the outer awns become detached). The root system consists of a shallow branching taproot. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself, occasionally forming colonies.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to moderate shade and wet to moist conditions. Various types of soil are tolerated, including those that contain loam, silt, and clay. This plant is somewhat weedy.
Range & Habitat: The native Purple-Stemmed Tickseed is occasional in the northern half of Illinois, becoming uncommon or absent in the southern half of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats consist of marshes, muddy areas of seasonal wetlands, streambanks, swamps, and ditches. Areas with a history of disturbance from flooding or other causes are preferred.
Faunal Associations: Robertson (1929) observed bumblebees sucking nectar from the flowerheads of Purple-Stemmed Tickseed. It is also likely that Halictid bees and miscellaneous flies also visit the flowerheads for nectar or pollen. The following aphids suck plant juices from this and other Bidens spp.: Aphis coreopsidis, Pemphigus tartareus, and Uroleucon chrysanthemi. The following leaf beetles feed on these plants and similar members of the Aster family: Calligrapha bidenticola, Calligrapha californica, and Calligrapha elegans. Other insects include foliage-consuming caterpillars of the butterfly Nathalis iole (Dainty Sulphur) and flowerhead-consuming larvae of the fruit fly Icterica seriata. The caterpillars of several moths feed on the foliage, feed on the flowerheads, or bore through the stems of Bidens spp. These species include Cirrhophanus triangulifer (Goldenrod Stowaway), Condica confederate (The Confederate), Condica mobilis (Mobile Groundling), and Epiblema otiosana (Bidens Borer Moth). Some vertebrate animals also feed on these plants. Such turtles as Chelydra serpentina (Snapping Turtle), Chrysemys picta (Painted Turtle), and Emys blandingii (Blanding's Turtle) eat the foliage or seeds (Ernst et al., 1994; Lagler, 1943). Several ducks, upland gamebirds, and granivorous songbirds also eat the seeds, including such species as the Wood Duck, Mallard, Black Duck, Wild Turkey, Ring-Necked Pheasant, Greater Prairie Chicken, Bobwhite Quail, Purple Finch, Common Redpoll, Swamp Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, and Eastern Goldfinch (Martin et al., 1951/1961; Eastman, 2003). The foliage is eaten by the White-Tailed Deer and Cottontail Rabbit, although it is not a preferred source of food. Because the barbed awns of the achenes can cling to the fur of animals and the clothing of humans, they can be carried considerable distances to new locations.
Photographic Location: A shaded streambank at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This plant and other Bidens spp. are occasionally parasitized by various Cuscuta spp. (Dodders); the latter are vine-like plants without chlorophyll that often occur in wetlands. Because its ray florets are insignificant or absent, Purple-Stemmed Tickseed is one of the less showy species in this genus. It is relatively easy to confuse this species with other species in this genus that share this characteristic. In particular, Bidens comosa (Leafy-Bracted Tickseed) is similar in appearance. This latter species can be distinguished by the shorter petioles of its leaves (which are often winged), its longer leafy bracts (up to 2½" long), and the yellowish color of its stems. In addition, the corollas of the disk florets for this species have 4 lobes more often than 5 lobes, while the reverse is true for Purple-Stemmed Tickseed. The achenes of Purple-Stemmed Tickseed are also distinct: each of its achenes has 2 long outer awns and 2 short inner awns, although these awns (particularly the inner ones) often break off.
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Miss Chen
2018年06月05日
Description: This herbaceous perennial plant consists of a rosette of leaves about 6" across, from which flowering stalks develop directly from the rootstock. Each blade of a basal leaf is up to 3½" long and 2½" across, while its petiole is about as long as the blade. The leaf blades are deltoid-cordate to oval-cordate, glabrous or nearly so, palmately veined, and crenate along their margins. The petioles are rather stout, pale green, hairless or nearly so, and widely spreading to ascending. The ascending flowering stalks are about as tall as the leaves; the stalks are pale green to pale reddish green and hairless.
Each stalk nods downward at its apex and terminates in a single flower. Each flower is about ½–¾" across, consisting of 5 pale blue-violet petals and 5 pale green sepals. The lower lateral petals are bearded with white hairs near the throat of the flower; the lowest petal and upper lateral petals are beardless. The throat of the flower is white, and there are dark blue-violet veins on the lowest petal and lower lateral petals that function as nectar guides to flower-visiting insects. Sometimes the white throat of the flower is surrounded by a band of blue-violet that is slightly darker than the outer regions of the petals. At the back of each flower, there is a short blunt nectar spur. The blooming period occurs during mid- to late spring and lasts about 1½ months. Somewhat later, cleistogamous flowers are produced that are self-fertile; they lack showy petals. Each fertilized flower is replaced by a tripartite seed capsule. The small seeds in each capsule are dull light brown with oily elaisomes; they are ejected mechanically from the capsule. The root system consists of a short crown with thick rhizomes and fibrous roots. Reproduction occurs through the seeds and rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and a fertile loamy soil with abundant organic material.
Range & Habitat: The native Missouri Violet occurs occasionally throughout Illinois; it is more common in the southern half of the state than the northern half (see Distribution Map). Habitats include deciduous woodlands (bottomland or floodplain), woodland openings, areas along woodland paths, and rocky bluffs. The Missouri Violet doesn't occur in sunny areas to the same extent as Viola sororia sororia (Common Blue Violet) and its various color forms.
Faunal Associations: The flowers occasionally attract bees and other insects, including the oligolectic Andrena viola (Violet Andrenid Bee). These insects suck nectar from the flowers, although some of the bees collect pollen. The caterpillars of several Fritillary butterflies (Speyeria spp., Boloria spp., & Eupoieta claudia) eat the foliage of Viola spp. (Violets). Because of their oily elaisomes, the seeds are distributed in part by ants. The seeds of Violets are eaten to a limited extent by various birds and small rodents, including the Wild Turkey, Bobwhite, Mourning Dove, and White-Footed Mouse. The Wild Turkey also eats the foliage and fleshy rhizomes. Mammalian herbivores eat the foliage to a limited extent.
Photographic Location: Along a woodland path at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The Missouri Violet is very similar to Viola sororia sororia (Common Blue Violet). It differs from the latter species in the following ways: 1) the Missouri Violet has leaf blades that are more deltoid (triangular-shaped) and less rounded than the blades of the Common Blue Violet, 2) the flowers of Missouri Violet are a lighter shade of blue-violet and slightly smaller in size than the flowers of the Common Blue Violet, and 3) the seeds of Missouri Violet are a lighter shade of brown. The Missouri Violet is even more similar to Viola sororia priceana (Confederate Violet) because their flowers are about the same shade of blue-violet. However, the Confederate Violet has more rounded leaf blades, seeds that are a darker shade of brown, and it is often found in close proximity to the Common Blue Violet, with which it freely interbreeds. The Missouri Violet is classified as a variety of Viola sororia by some authorities, in which case its scientific name is Viola sororia missouriensis.
Each stalk nods downward at its apex and terminates in a single flower. Each flower is about ½–¾" across, consisting of 5 pale blue-violet petals and 5 pale green sepals. The lower lateral petals are bearded with white hairs near the throat of the flower; the lowest petal and upper lateral petals are beardless. The throat of the flower is white, and there are dark blue-violet veins on the lowest petal and lower lateral petals that function as nectar guides to flower-visiting insects. Sometimes the white throat of the flower is surrounded by a band of blue-violet that is slightly darker than the outer regions of the petals. At the back of each flower, there is a short blunt nectar spur. The blooming period occurs during mid- to late spring and lasts about 1½ months. Somewhat later, cleistogamous flowers are produced that are self-fertile; they lack showy petals. Each fertilized flower is replaced by a tripartite seed capsule. The small seeds in each capsule are dull light brown with oily elaisomes; they are ejected mechanically from the capsule. The root system consists of a short crown with thick rhizomes and fibrous roots. Reproduction occurs through the seeds and rhizomes.
Cultivation: The preference is light shade to partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and a fertile loamy soil with abundant organic material.
Range & Habitat: The native Missouri Violet occurs occasionally throughout Illinois; it is more common in the southern half of the state than the northern half (see Distribution Map). Habitats include deciduous woodlands (bottomland or floodplain), woodland openings, areas along woodland paths, and rocky bluffs. The Missouri Violet doesn't occur in sunny areas to the same extent as Viola sororia sororia (Common Blue Violet) and its various color forms.
Faunal Associations: The flowers occasionally attract bees and other insects, including the oligolectic Andrena viola (Violet Andrenid Bee). These insects suck nectar from the flowers, although some of the bees collect pollen. The caterpillars of several Fritillary butterflies (Speyeria spp., Boloria spp., & Eupoieta claudia) eat the foliage of Viola spp. (Violets). Because of their oily elaisomes, the seeds are distributed in part by ants. The seeds of Violets are eaten to a limited extent by various birds and small rodents, including the Wild Turkey, Bobwhite, Mourning Dove, and White-Footed Mouse. The Wild Turkey also eats the foliage and fleshy rhizomes. Mammalian herbivores eat the foliage to a limited extent.
Photographic Location: Along a woodland path at Busey Woods in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The Missouri Violet is very similar to Viola sororia sororia (Common Blue Violet). It differs from the latter species in the following ways: 1) the Missouri Violet has leaf blades that are more deltoid (triangular-shaped) and less rounded than the blades of the Common Blue Violet, 2) the flowers of Missouri Violet are a lighter shade of blue-violet and slightly smaller in size than the flowers of the Common Blue Violet, and 3) the seeds of Missouri Violet are a lighter shade of brown. The Missouri Violet is even more similar to Viola sororia priceana (Confederate Violet) because their flowers are about the same shade of blue-violet. However, the Confederate Violet has more rounded leaf blades, seeds that are a darker shade of brown, and it is often found in close proximity to the Common Blue Violet, with which it freely interbreeds. The Missouri Violet is classified as a variety of Viola sororia by some authorities, in which case its scientific name is Viola sororia missouriensis.
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