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JohnZwick

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Driftless Office

4681 County Road JJ
Black Earth, WI 53515
608-767-3553
office@quercus-ls.com

Drumlin Office

4640 Selje Road
DeForest WI 53532
608-842-0550
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For this blustery fall day’s Wildflower Wednesday we have the beautiful swamp saxifrage, Micranthes pensylvanica, or, formerly, Saxifraga pensylvanica. Swamp saxifrage is a pretty spring wildflower that is often found with its display of little flowers held high above the surrounding prairie vegetation. The single flowering stem (up to around 1m) is covered in sticky hairs and topped with a branched inflorescence. The inflorescence starts out dense and compact but as it matures it becomes taller and more open in appearance. At the base of the single flowering stem is a rosette of several lance-shaped leaves up to ~20cm long (last pic). Each leaf has a conspicuous mid vein (especially noticeable on the bottom side). The subtle green flowers are individually quite small, only about half a cm wide. There are five tiny green sepals, five small and narrow greenish-white to pale yellow petals, ten showy spreading orange-tipped stamens, with the two-parted ovary in the center having a separate short style on each half. Altogether, the many flowers make a pleasing display and their small size begs for closer inspection – it pays to carry an hand lens when out in the field! As you may have noticed up top, this species has been moved to a (relatively) new genus, Micranthes, so you may have to look for it under Saxifraga in older guides and references. Swamp saxifrage can be found in nearly all of Wisconsin’s counties. It prefers wet to moist soils of open prairies and bogs but can be found in wooded areas, as well. #wisconsin #wisconsinflora #wisconsinplants #nativeplants #plants #botany #wildflowerwednesday #WildflowerWednesday #wildflowers #saxifragaceae #micranthes #micranthespensylvanica #saxifragapensylvanica #swampsaxifrage #saxifrage #formersaxifraga #nativeprairie This week’s Wildflower Wednesday species is the beautiful New England aster, Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (formerly Aster novae-angliae). This well-known aster is a common late summer/fall wildflower. It’s lavender to ultraviolet-blue flowers provided a delightful pop of contrasting color to the yellows of the fall goldenrods and browns of the fading prairies. Formerly considered in the genus Aster, this species (along with about 100 others) is now placed by botanists in the generally North American only genus Symphyotrichum – which doesn’t roll off the tongue quite as well as aster does. Many of the species of Symphyotrichum can take considerable practice to tell apart but New England aster can often be recognized by its relatively larger flower heads and bright coloration. The generally hairy leaves are numerous and clasp the stems below the flowering branches. Each plant has several stems and can form large clumps. New England aster grows to be from less than 0.5m to over 2m tall (less common) but is generally around 1m tall. It tends to prefer moderate to fairly moist soils in full to partial sun but in WI can be found in drier sites as well. The flower heads (remember, each aster “flower” is actually made up of many smaller flowers) attract many visitors and are especially popular with bumble bees trying to store enough food to make it through the winter. New England aster does very well in cultivation. In fact, if planting in a garden setting, care should be taken to give it plenty of room, as it will likely become a robust clump of stems and try to outgrow its original spot. This native plant is popular enough that there are even several cultivars available in the horticultural trade. If you can, now is the time to see this native beauty flowering so get out to your favorite prairie and find it! #wisconsin #wisconsinflora #wisconsinplants #nativeplants #plants #botany #wildflowerwednesday #WildflowerWednesday #wildflowers #asteraceae #aster #symphyotrichum #symphyotrichumnovae-angliae #newenglandaster #symphyotrichumnovaeangliae #formeraster #nativeprairie Let’s look at the green-flowered or green comet milkweed for this week’s Wildflower Wednesday. Of the 12 species of Wisconsin milkweeds this might be the least showy. The smallish pale green flowers are not prominently displayed as in common milkweed. However, these little flowers have their own special allure and are just as important in native ecosystems. Each flower has five petals that are folded backwards along the stem. This species lacks the large hoods with horns and instead has delicate flaps, often tinged with purple, pressed against the fused reproductive structures. The flowers are grouped into hemispherical clusters produced at leaf nodes along the stem. The oppositely arranged leaves are generally lanceolate but can be quite variable tending to be on the narrower side, often with wavy edges. Green-flowered milkweed generally grows to less than a meter tall and the stems are often reclined against surrounding vegetation or even laying on the ground. Most people know about the relationship between monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterfly caterpillars and milkweeds but they are not the only insects whose larvae eat milkweeds (pic 6). Green-flowered milkweed is food for many insect species. One of these is the uncommon Unexpected Cycnia (Cycnia collaris/inopinatus) which is a species of tiger moth (pic 7). In late summer, green-flowered milkweed produces smooth upright seedpods following fertilization. The seeds in these pods are food for the large milkweed bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus), a common seed predator of milkweeds (last pic). Green-flowered milkweed can be found in most of the southern and western WI counties occurring in dry sunny prairies with well-drained soils. #wisconsin #wisconsinflora #wisconsinplants #nativeplants #plants #botany #wildflowerwednesday #WildflowerWednesday #wildflowers #asclepiadaceae #apocynaceae #asclepias #asclepiasviridiflora #greenfloweredmilkweed #greencometmilkweed #milkweed #nativeprairie #monarchbutterfly #unexpectedcycnia #cycniacollaris #oncopeltusfasciatus #danausplexippus This week’s Wildflower Wednesday is the common but none-the-less beautiful purple prairie-clover, Dalea purpurea. Purple prairie-clover can be found throughout much of North America except for the east and west coasts. It is a common component of the major prairies in the central part of North America, including Wisconsin’s tallgrass prairie remnants. Growing up to a meter tall from a very deep taproot the woody stem readily re-sprouts following fires. In fact, periodic fires are required by purple prairie-clover to keep its habitat tree and shrub free, as it is intolerant of shade. The small compound leaves with 3-7 narrow leaflets each give it the common name prairie-clover although it is not a true clover (Trifolium). Each stem is topped with a ~7cm tall inflorescence of small 5-parted pink flowers that bloom in succession from the bottom up. These are very popular with a large number of flower visitors such as the bumblebee shown in the last two pics. Successfully pollinated flowers give rise to tiny 1-2 seeded indehiscent (non-opening) pods. In addition to its ecosystem value as a nectar and pollen source, purple prairie-clover is special in that, as a member of the Fabaceae or pea family, it can turn unusable atmospheric nitrogen into usable nitrogenous compounds like ammonia. These compounds are “fixed” by the plants and are now available for other species to use. This is a very important contribution to terrestrial ecosystems, which are frequently nitrogen limited. In Wisconsin, purple prairie-clover prefers dryer sites such as dry to moderately moist prairies and meadows with full sun exposure. Because of its tolerance for dry sunny sites and nitrogen fixing ability, purple prairie-clover is often used in land reclamation projects and makes an excellent addition to native prairie restoration (or creation) efforts where it has the added benefit of tolerating frequent fires. #wisconsin #wisconsinflora #wisconsinplants #nativeplants #plants #botany #wildflowerwednesday #WildflowerWednesday #wildflowers #fabaceae #leguminosae #dalea #daleapurpurea #purpleprairieclover #prairieclover #nativeprairie #tallgrass #tallgrassprairie #nitrogenfixation Wildflower Wednesday for this week is Culver’s root, Veronicastrum virginicum. This plant is NOT named for the Wisconsin-based butter burger chain (mmmm, Culver’s...) but probably for an 18th century Dr. Culver who used the roots as a purgative. Culver’s root belongs to the Plantaginaceae or plantain family but was formerly treated as a member of the now much reduced Scrophulariaceae or snapdragon family and is often still found under that family in plant guides. The leaves are arranged in whorls of 3-6 leaves spaced along the stem. Each leaf is generally a lance-shaped and edged with fine teeth. The small white flowers are arranged on long spikes at the tops of the plants. Each flower has four white petals fused into a tube and the 1-2 stamens with their orangey-brown anthers protrude from each flower. Culver’s root is a classic tall grass prairie plant that can reach heights of 2m (~6 ft) or even more. It prefers full sun but can be found in shaded areas as well. Culver’s root is tolerant of a variety of soil types ranging from sandy to loamy and wet to dry (but prefers a bit of soil moisture). However, it is not particularly tolerant of disturbance. This wide ecological tolerance means that Culver’s root can be found in most Wisconsin counties excepting a few of the northernmost ones. Although, not common in garden settings it should be. The plants have beautiful architecture and can be encouraged to flower a second time by deadheading or cutting back following the initial flowering. #wisconsin #wisconsinflora #wisconsinplants #nativeplants #plants #botany #wildflowerwednesday #WildflowerWednesday #wildflowers #plantaginaceae #scrophulariaceae #formerscrophulariaceae #veronicastrum #veronicastrumvirginicum #culversroot #blackroot #nativeprairie #tallgrass #tallgrassprairie This week’s Wildflower Wednesday presents the pale spiked lobelia, Lobelia spicata. We’ve looked at a couple of Wisconsin’s showier lobelia species for previous Wildflower Wednesdays so let’s check out one of the less showy ones. Pale spiked (or pale-spike) lobelia is on the smaller side and as the common name states has paler flowers compared to some of its congeners like the great blue lobelia. The flowers can range from essentially white to pale blue. Most of the ones I have come across are a pale lavender color that is hard to capture – they seem to always be somewhat washed out in pictures. The flowers are essentially the same as the larger giant blue lobelia with five fused petals, three facing downward in a lip and two reaching upwards with a slit between them. The fused stamens surrounding the style arch up and out of this slit to hang over the lower three-parted lip. The individual flowers are arranged are more or less crowded on a long slender spike (hence pale-spike) termed a raceme. I love the spiky sepals that spread out from the base of each flower like rays from a star. Pale spiked lobelia is a common sight in dryer native prairies and even wooded areas. (Being found in dryer sites helps to distinguish this species from the very similar looking Kalm’s lobelia.) While being much less showy than the giant blue lobelia or cardinal flower, pale spiked lobelia makes up for it by being much more common and having its own subtle beauty. Pale spiked lobelia can be found throughout most of Wisconsin save for some of the north-central counties. Look for this delicate beauty in the middle of the summer at your favorite native prairie! #wisconsin #wisconsinflora #wisconsinplants #nativeplants #plants #botany #wildflowerwednesday #WildflowerWednesday #wildflowers #dainty #lobeliaceae #lobelia #lobeliaspicata #palespikelobelia #palespikedlobelia #nativeprairie Quercus is hiring! If you want to work outside improving the health of Wisconsin’s native ecosystems apply today on our website: www.Quercus-LS.com !! The white wild indigo is this week’s focus for Wildflower Wednesday! White wild indigo, Baptisia alba, is a large showy herb commonly found in open areas such as prairies and roadsides. The large racemes of flowers are held high above the surrounding vegetation unlike the other Wisconsin species in this genus (cream wild indigo, B. bracteata). Each leaf is compound and divided into 3-5 broadly pointed leaflets. There are also two large stipules at the base of each leaf that can be mistaken for additional leaflets. The whole plant often has a grey bloom covering it giving it a rich dark color. The large white to pale cream-colored flowers are the classic pea flower with 5 petals and sepals. The fruit is a black elongated dry pod (legume) that splits along the sides to release the seeds. Of course, with all those large flowers, white wild indigo is a favorite nectar source for bumble bees and they can frequently be seen pushing their way into the flowers – even despite the flowers lacking any floral scent. Another benefit of white wild indigo is its ability to convert (via bacteria) atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia that is then available in the soil for other plants to use. Look for white wild indigo in high quality prairies as well as other open areas with native plants. It can be found throughout most of southern and central Wisconsin but is absent from the northern and most of the eastern counties. White wild indigo makes a great addition to any native plant garden/project providing impressive flower displays and visually interesting architecture as the plants senesce and fruit in the summer. #wisconsin #wisconsinflora #wisconsinplants #nativeplants #plants #botany #wildflowerwednesday #WildflowerWednesday #wildflowers #nativepollinators #fabaceae #baptisia #baptisiaalba #whitewildindigo #wildindigo #peafamily #nativeprairie Wildflower Wednesday! This week’s wildflower is a prairie workhorse: the grey-headed or yellow coneflower, Ratibida pinnata. Grey-headed coneflowers are a common summer sight on many prairies and, for a few weeks, tend to dominate the flower show. I call these prairie workhorses because they do so much for prairies. They are hardy and strong competitors, tolerant of varied growing conditions, flower profusely, provide tons of nectar and pollen for pollinators, and have easily collectible seeds. This last characteristic makes them great for prairie restorations and native plant seeding projects. As with all members of the aster family (Asteraceae), what looks like a single large flower is actually composed of many (dozens in this case) itty bitty individual flowers called florets. These florets come in two kinds: showy ones with a great big petal sticking out of one side and small not showy ones of simple tubes. In grey-headed coneflower, each “petal” in the outer whorl of yellow parts is a single showy floret. The dark rounded center is made up of dozens of little dark brown tube-shaped florets. As each floret matures it will stick out its stamens (that are fused into a tube) and then slightly later the style with two forks will emerge from the middle of the tube and each tip will curl back in a little loop. These are the rough knobby bits sticking out of the brown part of the “flower”. The second part of the scientific name, the specific epithet, for grey-headed coneflower is “pinnata”. This refers to the pinnately divided leaves that have 3-7 narrow segments (last pic). The wildflowers typically grow to around a meter/3ft tall but can get up to 4ft. Grey-headed coneflowers can be found throughout much of WI in moderate to wet prairies in full sun (but occasionally in wooded areas, as well). #wisconsin #wisconsinflora #wisconsinplants #nativeplants #plants #botany #wildflowerwednesday #WildflowerWednesday #wildflowers #nativepollinators #asteraceae #ratibida #ratibidapinnata #coneflower #greyconeflower #greyheadedconeflower #nativeprairie #prairierestoration

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