Finis coronat opus Gentiana!

The end crowns the work - may the last be the best! The glorious time of Gentians is upon us - another growing season putting on its final show. The beauty of Gentians is enhanced by the lovely places they inhabit, the splendor of the autum sky, and the magic of falling leaves, among many other good things. All photos from Lake County, Indiana, 9-27-09.

"Blue thou art, intensely blue;

Flower, whence came thy dazzling hue?" James Montgomery

Prairie Gentian - Gentiana puberulenta

Fringed Gentian - Gentianopsis crinita

Bottle Gentian - Gentiana andrewsii

Soapwort Gentian - Gentiana saponaria

How's About A Plant Quiz? - We've Got A Winner!

I recently posted this photo as a plant quiz...

Keith wasn't fooled by my shenanigans. These are the bulblets of the roots of Dicentra cucullaria, Dutchman's Breeches. These bulblets go dormant after the plant goes to fruit, and they remain dormant until fall. The beginning stages of leaves and flower buds are then formed underground. These primordial leaves and flower buds remain dormant until the spring, when they emerge from the mesic forest floor.

Dicentra cucullaria

There is a spectacular photo of a Dicentra cucullaria plant, including flower, leaves, and root with bulblets on flickr that you can access by clicking here.

Keith mentioned the bulblets of Dicentra canadensis looking similar to those in my quiz but being more round and more yellow-orange. That's exactly right, and a photo of these bulblets is shown above. Some botanists claim to be able to distinguish between these two closely related species based on the color of the undersides of the leaves... if you're ever in doubt, just clear off a little soil and check out the bulblets to tell for sure which species you are dealing with.

Dicentra canadensis

Fringed Gentians of the Northeastern United States

Late summer brings on the charismatic blues of fringed gentians in calcareous soils throughout the northeastern United States. I have recently spoken with several people who have confused our two species of Gentianopsis. It's certainly easy to confuse these two, as they are very similar, and intermediates between the two species have been observed. In fact, in looking through some of my old photos, I found at least one that I think I misidentified many years ago. With this post, I hope to clear up some of the confusion.

Sometimes treated as a single genus (Gentiana), the gentians in the northeastern United States are taxonomically split by most authors into three genera: Gentiana, Gentianella, and Gentianopsis. Before I get to the fringed gentians, let's look at how the three genera, in the strict sense, differ.


The photograph above shows an open flower of Gentiana saponaria. The flowers of this species are usually more closed than this, but this photo nicely shows one of the important characteristics of the genus Gentiana when separating it from Gentianella and Gentianopsis. Between the corolla lobes, you will see membranaceous appendages. Gentiana, sensu stricto, has teeth, appendages, or plaits between the corolla lobes, while Gentianella and Gentianopsis lack this character. Also, members of the genus Gentiana are perennial, while those of the genera Gentianella and Gentianopsis are annual or biennial.


Gentianella amarella is shown in the photograph above. As stated previously, members of the genera Gentianella and Gentianopsis lack the appendages between the corolla lobes that are present in members of the genus Gentiana. To distinguish Gentianella from Gentianopsis, look at the corolla lobes. Gentianella does not have fringed corolla lobes, while the corolla lobes of Gentianopsis are fringed along the sides and often around the top.

You can see in the photograph directly above and those below that the corolla lobes are conspicuously fringed, so all of these photos show plants in the genus Gentianopsis. The photograph above shows Gentianopsis crinita, Fringed Gentian. The photograph quality is poor, but you can see that the corolla lobes are fringed across the top and along the sides with long (2-6 mm) linear segments. You can also see broad, lance-ovate leaves (often more than 1 cm wide)characteristic of this species.

Above is a close-up of the flower of Gentianopsis procera, Lesser Fringed Gentian. Notice the long, linear fringes on the sides of the corolla lobes, but the short (less than 2 mm), irregular, broad-based fringes along the top of the corolla lobes. In the photograph below, you can see the vegetative distinguishing character between the two species of Gentianopsis. In Gentianopsis procera, the upper leaves are linear or very narrowly lanceolate (often less than 1 cm wide).

Now get out there and admire these cerulean marvels!

Virginia Creeper / Woodbine

Many people would look at the two photographs below and call both plants Virginia Creeper or Woodbine, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, without as much as a second thought. But let's take a closer look. Below, I will explain how these two plants can be morphologically separated into two distinct species.


The plant in the photograph above is Parthenocissus quinquefolia, while that in the photograph below is P. inserta (which is treated as a synonym of P. vitacea by some authors, though the nomenclature of these two is quite confusing).

One thing to notice is that the leaflets of P. inserta are more shiny above than those of P. quinquefolia, which often appear dull on the upper surface.

Looking at the undersides of the leaflets, those of P. quinquefolia (above) are almost always pubescent, while those of P. inserta (below) are more often glabrous. There is, however, a rare hirtellous form of P. inserta known as P. inserta f. dubia.

Another part of the plant to check is the junction of the petiolules with the petiole.

In P. quinquefolia (above), this junction is also pubescent; in P. inserta (below), the junction is glabrous.

Growth habit is yet another way to distinguish between these two similar species.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (above) is often high climbing, but it can also be found growing at ground level. Parthenocissus inserta (below), however, sprawls over the ground, structures, or other vegetation.

The reason for this difference in habit is all in the tendrils...

The tendrils of P. quinquefolia (above) have several branches that end in dilated adhesive discs, which are used to attach to vegetation or structures, allowing the plant to climb. Those of P. inserta (below), however, have few branches and no adhesive discs, and it therefore does not have the ability to climb the way that P. quinquefolia does.

Finally, if you are lucky enough to have flowers or fruit, the distinction between these two species is simple. However, as Swink and Wilhelm point out in Plants of the Chicago Region, P. quinquefolia rarely produces fruit, while P. inserta produces fruit routinely.

As you can see in the photograph above, the inflorescence of P. quinquefolia has a distinct central axis, with 25-200 flowers/fruit in panicled groups of cymes. The inflorescence of P. inserta (below), however, is dichotomously branched and therefore does not have a central axis. It most often has 10-60 flowers/fruit per inflorescence. The fruit of P. quinquefolia are a bit smaller in diameter than those of P. inserta, as well.

It's as easy as that. There is no longer an excuse for lumping all members of the Vitaceae with five palmate leaflets into P. quinquefolia. Now that you can distinguish between mature plants of Parthenocissus, be sure to check The Vasculum to see how to determine the difference between Parthenocissus and Vitis in the cotyledon stage.

Another Plant Quiz

Good call Mary! Diarrhena americana it is - American Beak Grass, or Beak Grain. This uncommon, native grass is easiest to locate in late fall when the entire plant turns bright orange, after the surrounding vegetation thins out. It is well known for holding on to last year's grain well into the following spring. I have always thought it looks remarkably like a Carex, superficially at least.

Both photos are rejects, but they are interesting because I never saw the Crane Fly until I viewed them on the computer. Photographed on sandy alluvium in relatively deep shade, slightly elevated above a woodland stream.

Plant Quiz - Elephantopus carolinianus

Habitat: old field, shady, lower on a slope, SE Indiana (Fayette County)
Any help?

Answer - Elephantopus carolinianus. Good job, Scott. I had never seen this flower before. Apparently, the florets are considered to be disc flowers, not ray flowers.

Gentian Feevah!

With the sudden interest in gentians (what timing!); here is Gentiana linearis photographed in southern Vermont (8/18/09), where it is considered rare. First time seeing it: it is found only in the U.P. in Michigan (4 counties as of this summer thanks to the illustrious Bradford Slaughter). Looks a heck of a lot like G. andrewsii (incidentally also rare in VT) to me, the main difference in G&C's key being the leaves and are not "scabrous-ciliolate" (at least not at 16X).

Gentiana rubricaulis

While working in Superior, Wisconsin a few weeks ago, we came across a gentian that I had never seen before, with dull grayish-blue closed flowers and a reddish stem. Upon running the plant through a key, we determined that we had found Gentiana rubricaulis, Red-stemmed Gentian.


Gentiana rubricaulis differs from similar species such as G. andrewsii and G. saponaria in having smooth-margined leaves and calyx lobes (as opposed to leaves and calyx lobes with ciliate margins). In addition, the plaits between the corolla lobes in G. andrewsii are longer than the lobes, while those in G. rubricaulis are shorter than the corolla lobes. Another important feature used to distinguish G. rubricaulis from similar species is that the the calyces and lower portion of the flowers are usually sunken within the involucral leaves. Finally, the leaves of this gentian are a lighter green color than those of most other members of the genus.

Sometimes referred to as Great Lakes Gentian, the distribution of G. rubricaulis is primarily centered around the Great Lakes; it is known only from four states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine) and three provinces (Manitoba, Ontario, and New Brunswick) in North America. With an affinity for alkaline conditions, G. rubricaulis can be found in sedge meadows, bogs, fens, alder thickets, and coniferous swamps. The closed flowers are pollinated when bumblebees force them open in search of nectar and pollen.

The genus Gentiana was named after Gentius, the King of Illyria, who discovered that the roots of some members of the genus could be used to treat malaria. Rubricaulis is Latin for red stem.

Stars Blazing! Liatris scariosa var. nieuwlandii and Liatris aspera

Starting about mid-May, every time I visit a prairie remnant I think, "This is the most beautiful time of the year on the prairie!" Then, I visit a week or two later and think, "No, this is the most beautiful time..." Such was the case yesterday at Cressmoor Prairie in Lake County, Indiana. There were Sunflowers of many kinds, Silphiums in abundance, Goldenrods in profusion, Blazing Stars a plenty, and tall, tall grasses in anthesis! And the varied, colorful, and busy insect life...wow!

Savanna Blazing Star (Liatris scariosa var. nieuwlandii)

Cressmoor is one of just a few places in northern Indiana where it's easy to see Savanna Blazing Star (Liatris scariosa var. nieuwlandii). It differs from Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera) in having middle involucral bracts non-bullate (not puckered, swollen, or blistered) and flowering peduncles as long as- or longer than the involucres. And, while rarely mentioned in manuals, its upper stems and peduncles are often infused with a dark maroon or purple color.

Savanna Blazing Star (Liatris scariosa var. nieuwlandii)

Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera). Note the bullate (puckered, swollen) involucral bracts. Photographed in dry sand prairie along the edge of the Liverpool Sandpits in Lake County, Indiana.

Cirsium discolor at Dusk

I was walking our trails last evening when I saw a beautiful Cirsium discolor (Field Thistle) in flower with the moon in the background. I couldn't resist a shot.

Cirsium discolor is a biennial or short-lived perennial member of the Asteraceae that is native to the eastern half of North America. It occurs in tallgrass prairies, moist meadows, glades, old fields, pastures, and openings in woods, reaching heights of up to 8 feet tall. While it can be found in quality habitats, C. discolor also can withstand quite a bit of degradation. Unlike C. arvense (Canada Thistle), which spreads by rhizomes, C. discolor has a taproot and does not form colonies. The genus name Cirsium comes in part from the Greek word cirsos, meaning "swollen vein," as thistle was once used to treat this ailment. The specific epithet discolor is a reference to the leaves being different colors (green on the top and densely white hairy on the underside).

Fall Leaf Color

Just in case you need another five minute distraction, here is an interesting article on fall leaf color, sent to me by Marianne...

http://newmedia-eng.haifa.ac.il/?p=1008

Triphora trianthophora

These beauties were blooming at McCormick's Creek State Park, near Spencer, Indiana. This was the first time I had seen these orchids. It was worth going back to get my camera.
Nodding Pogonia or Three-birds Orchid

Late Coralroot (Corallorhiza odontorhiza)

This strange and interesting little saprophytic orchid is occasional on trail edges in the Indiana Dunes region. Especially at home in oak woods with deep humus, it tends to frequent the same places as other saprophytes: Spotted Coralroot Orchid (Corallorhiza maculata), Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora), and Pinesap (Monotropa hypopithys).

The plant in the photo is somewhat unusual in having its flowers open with a well-developed lip. They are often cleistogamous - that is, unopened and self-fertilizing. Some suggest they may even set seed without fertilization (google the terms “apomixis” and “apogamy”).

Coralroots have rhizomes (underground stems), but would you believe this plant has no roots? Like other saprophytes, it releases digestive enzymes into the surrounding humus, then absorbs the products of this “external digestion.” Strange…and wonderful!

Photographed at Sebert Woods in LaPorte County, August 13, 2009.

Physalis

These pretty flowers are not too far above the ground and they face down. I do not get to see them much, even though it is a common weed/flower.

Abutilon theophrasti

Congratulations to Keith, who correctly named the quiz plant from a few days ago as Abutilon theophrasti, and to Justin, who hinted at one of its common names (Velvetleaf). Some of the other common names for this species include Butterprint (as Keith noted), Indian Mallow (a reference to its family and country of origin), Buttonweed (a reference to the shape of the fruit), Pie-marker (likely another reference to the fruit shape), and China Jute (a reference to its use as a fiber). Abutilon theophrasti is a weed in North America, found in every state except Alaska and Hawaii, as well as in the southern tier of Canadian provinces.


Abutilon is an Arabic word meaning mallow-like plant, while the specific epithet, theophrasti (or theophrastii) is a reference to the Greek philosopher and botansist Theophrastus. Velvetleaf is a member of the Malvaceae (mallow family), a family of plants that I have enjoyed since I first learned the plant Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Shoeblackplant) in the Bahamas when I was in college. The flowers of Abutilon theophrasti have that same characteristic mallow look, with a column of united filaments with numerous stamens. I'd never spent much time looking at the flowers of this species before, as I usually recognize it by its velvety, heart-shaped leaves, and don't give it a second glance.

Above is a photograph showing the characteristic fruit of Abutilon theophrasti. This annual species can be a serious weed in agricultural fields, leading to substantial decreases in crop yields and costing hundreds of millions of dollars in control efforts.

Gymnocladus dioica - Kentucky Coffee Tree

Good call, Justin and Tom. It is Gymnocladus dioica, and almost certainly a cultivar (cultivated variety). The leaflets are smaller than the typical species. There is also a Gymnocladus chinensis used in landscaping, but it normally has many more pairs of leaflets and the leaflets are more narrow.

In northern Indiana, Kentucky Coffee Tree is occasional in rich mesic forests and bottomland forests along streams. It is not common here. The large, distinctive bean pods fall off in spring and are gathered by wildlife. They bear a rich, pleasant coffee-like smell. It would be interesting to know how they were used by Native Americans and European settlers. Folklore mentions a coffee-like drink, and I'm confident there were other uses. The seeds are extremely hard and spend several years in the soil before germination. However, if scarified they sprout readily.

The lumber has fantastically beautiful grain similar to White Ash, and is used in cabinetmaking. Lumbermen and cabinetmakers call it "Coffee Nut."

During drought, the leaflets turn their edges toward the sun. This may be the only tree in Indiana with bipinnate leaves.

Plant Quiz - Name That Tree!

While driving in Chicago recently I was surprised to see this type of tree used in street planting. Can you identify it from the bark alone?