Nature

Jack-in-the-Pulpit leaves and bloom

Submitted by jeffpsmith on Thu, 06/16/2011 - 23:18
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Another view of foliage and "flower" of Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum, native to all Illinois counties. This delicate plant is always a joy when it returns in spring. Shown above is a specimen from a planting over a decade ago; each leaf is nearly 9" long. Needs water and shade to last into summer heat, as well as certain gnats and thrips that pollinate its odd bloom.

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Jack-in-the-Pulpit bloom

Submitted by jeffpsmith on Thu, 06/16/2011 - 23:11
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The curious bloom of Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum, is typically a green raspberry-like structure, or corm, shrouded in a curling, purple hood, and the fanciful resemblance to a monk (or cleric with a high collar) lends the plant its name. In summer the corm of this Illinois woodland native turns bright red.
 

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Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Submitted by jeffpsmith on Thu, 06/16/2011 - 23:06
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Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum, is a three-leaved woodland plant found native in all Illinois counties. It thrives in dense, shady, moist areas with acidic soil such as found under trees; fallen leaves covering the ground in winter help this plant return in spring.

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Solomon's-seal, variegated

Submitted by jeffpsmith on Tue, 06/07/2011 - 10:49
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Solomon's-Seal, Polygonatum biflorum, is a woodland plant native to the midwest, and can be found in nurseries in variegated cultivars.
 
For more about Solomon's-seal and native plants for the Midwest, especially those that do well in shady and moist areas, see the "book" on this website, Gardening with Native Plants in Shady Evanston.

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False solomon's-seal seeds

Submitted by jeffpsmith on Tue, 06/07/2011 - 10:46
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The flowers of False solomon's-seal, Smilacina racemosa, become little round, dark reddish pods that distinguish this plant from its lookalike and soundalike, Solomon's seal.
 
For more about False Solomon's-seal and native plants for the Midwest, especially those that do well in shade/moist areas, see the "book" on this website, Gardening with Native Plants in Shady Evanston.

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False solomon's seal in bloom

Submitted by jeffpsmith on Tue, 06/07/2011 - 10:44
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False solomon's-seal, Smilacina racemosa, has a fuzzy bloom top that distinguishes this plant from its lookalike and soundalike, Solomon's seal.
 
For more about False Solomon's-seal and native plants for the Midwest, especially those that do well in shade/moist areas, see the "book" on this website, Gardening with Native Plants in Shady Evanston.

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Solomon's-Seal seedlets

Submitted by jeffpsmith on Mon, 06/06/2011 - 16:58
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Solomon's-seal, Polygonatum biflorum, a member of the lily family, is a North American woodlands native distinguished from some lookalikes (such as False solomon's-seal) by its seed pods that dangle from underneath the top arch of the stem in late spring. These seed pods start off spherical, as seen here, then grow within a week or two into a more delicate, trumpet-like shape.
 

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Culver's root flowertop

Submitted by jeffpsmith on Mon, 06/06/2011 - 14:01
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The spiky flowertop of Culver's root, Veronicastrum virginicum, a kind of wild snapdragon native to North America.
 
For more about Culver's root and native plants for the Midwest, especially those that do well in shade/moist areas, see the "book" on this website, Gardening with Native Plants in Shady Evanston.

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Culver's root

Submitted by jeffpsmith on Mon, 06/06/2011 - 13:58
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Culver's root, Veronicastrum virginicum, is a kind of wild snapdragon.
 
For more about Culver's root and native plants for the Midwest, especially those that do well in shade/moist areas, see the "book" on this website, Gardening with Native Plants in Shady Evanston.

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Kitteh luvs flowerz!

Submitted by jeffpsmith on Mon, 06/06/2011 - 13:34
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A calico takes time to smell the Virginia bluebells.
 
For more about bluebells and native plants for the Midwest, especially those that do well in shade/moist areas, see the "book" on this website, Gardening with Native Plants in Shady Evanston.

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