Wildflowers, pt.2

I am observing many more wildflowers in the woods this year, with lots of sunlight, cool to warm temperatures, and just enough rainfall for a long spring growing season.  Here are a few more species that are blooming now or have foliage up and buds formed and will be open within the next week.  

Celandine poppy, Stylophorum diphyllum, is native to southern Illinois woodlands and is considered uncommon in the northern areas of the state. There are historical accounts of this plant being found in the mid-1800s growing along Salt Creek in Bemis Woods.  These flowers may be found in backyard gardens.  They bloom in late spring for two to three weeks; and this year the weather is extending the bloom period.  After blooming, a seed capsule grows, densely covered with soft hairs.  The capsule splits open into four segments each containing several seeds. 

Celandine poppy foliage is toxic and not eaten by animals, although seeds provide food for woodland mice.  Seeds pods contain an oily treat for ants, which distribute the seeds by taking the seed and treat back to their nest.  Stems contain a yellowish sap, once used as dye by native Americans.  The flower is insect pollinated, although little is known about the insect species that visit.  In the absence of insects, flowers are able to self-pollinate. 

Jack-in-the-pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum, is a perennial with one or two trifoliate (three-part) leaves.  A single whitish-green or reddish-green flower sits on top of a long central stem.  The flower consists of a spadix, a fleshly, clublike spike cuddled in a spathe, a leaflike bract the curls around the back and over the top of the spadix.  After pollination by gnats or thrips, the spadix develops into a large bunch of fleshy red fruits, each containing one or more seeds.  Fruits are eaten by wild turkey and other woodland birds, but the seeds pass through their digestive tracts unharmed and are spread in the woods.  All plants are initially male.  As they grow, female flowers develop below the male flowers on the spadix.  Male flowers die before female flowers mature, preventing self-pollination.

The green dragon, Arisaema dracontium, is a less commonly found close relative of jack-in-the-pulpit.  This perennial is one to three feet tall with a single, green leaf up to two feet across and divided into five to thirteen leaflets hanging parallel to the ground.  An erect, leafless flower stalk about one foot tall ends in a single flower.  Like jack-in-the-pulpit, the green dragon flower contains a spadix wrapped by a spathe.  The green dragon spathe continues upward to a partially open, pointed top.  The spadix has both male and female flowers.  After pollination, a large bunch of orange-red berries develops near summer’s end.  Green dragon is not as common as jack-in-the-pulpit.  Both are found in deciduous woodlands in light shade under trees or along stream banks.  Foliage of both plants is mildly toxic and avoided by woodland mammals.  The toxicity is from calcium oxylate, a chemical that causes a sensation of being stuck in the mouth and tongue by many small needles.

We usually think of barberry as being an undesirable plant, but one species of this family is Podophyllum peltatum, the mayapple.  A perennial with light green to reddish stalks; it may be fertile or infertile.  Two petioles, leaf stalks, are found on infertile plants, whereas fertile plants have only one petiole.  Flowers on fertile plants are located where the two petioles branch apart.  Flowers have six to nine white petals and are light green to pale yellow inside, with yellow anthers.  Flower develop into pale yellow, fleshy berries each containing several seeds. 

Mayapple is native to Illinois, occurring mainly in dry, open woodlands.  Pollination is by bumblebees and other long-tongued bee species.  Foliage is toxic, but berries are edible when ripe and eaten by a variety of woodland amphibians and mammals.  Seeds are not digestible and are spread in feces.  Plants also spread from rhizotomous roots that can form large, dense colonies.  All plant parts contain podophyllotoxin, an ingredient used in many prescription drugs.  Historically used by Native Americans for several medicinal purposes including jaundice, constipation , and as a worm expellant, the plant can be toxic to humans if consumed in large quantities.

Some of these woodland wildflowers cover large areas and are easily observed.  Get out for a walk in the woods near you to see many of these species blooming throughout the next few weeks.  Trees are beginning to leaf out and once the sunlight is blocked off by the canopy, some green foliage will still cover the forest floor, but these wonderful blooms will be gone until next year.