Magnolia; Southern Magnolia

Magnolia; Southern Magnolia Magnolia grandiflora L;.  Dallis is considerably west of the natural range of Magnolia, and too dry for it to go native, but it is commonly planted as an ornamental tree, where it thrives if watered.  The large, thick, stiff, evergreen leaves are dark, glossy green above, rust-brown to purple on the underside, beginning as ‘pig-tails’ that unfurls as they open. If grown in full sun it attains a conical shape, the lower branches spreading out radially from the smooth, dark grey trunk, and drooping slightly.  Large, white, cone shaped buds open up into huge (5-8”), fragrant (lemony smell), brilliant white flowers, the cupped petals arranged radially around a central, fleshy cone, from which white anthers protrude.  The petals fade to cream, then brown two days before falling off.  The fleshy cone turns reddish, then brown as bright orange-red seeds mature and poke out of the cone bracts.  Beetles pollinate this flower. The flowering season can last into Fall if the summer is cool and the Fall mild. (280-281) 4/29/15; 4/26/16-; 5/2/18; 5/6/19; 5/1/20;

Southern Magnolia habit; a slow growing conical, evergreen tree of eastern forests with large, crisp, dark green leaves, bearing huge, pure white, fragrant flowers

Note; the long, wide, glossy green leaves, which are maroon on the underside, unfurl from ‘pig-tails’ in an alternating spiral

Note; the trunks are smooth, with slightly scaly bark that does not form corky ridges or warts

Note; the large white flowers are composed of 13-15 cupped petals surrounding a fleshy column stippled with white pistols

Note; flowers have an intense lemony fragrance, but last only 3 days or so

Note; petals drop off, leaving a green column with red seeds embedded in the deep bracts

Laurel; Cherry Laurel

Laurel; Cherry Laurel Prunus caroliniana Mill;.  This attractive, tall, slender, slow growing, hard, understory evergreen, with smooth, dark gray trunks is often grown as an ornamental for its shrubbery.  Alternating, attractive leaves are small (2-3”) which have a slightly undulating edge often have small, soft, spike like projections along the margins, are dark glossy green above and dull light green on the underside.  Spikes of small white flowers emerge from the leaf axils of last year’s growth, each composed of 5 miniscule petals arranged around a central corolla formed by small anthers.  Flower spikes convert to hanging racemes of black berries about ¼” across, with thin greenish flesh surrounding a single hard pit.  P caroliniana grows in clumps, or dense groves, for it spreads as easily from the roots as by seed, making attractive, maintenance-free, groves or tall hedges.  Cherry Laurel prefers dense shade, but will bush out more if planted in brighter light.  Its bitter leaves contain prussic acid, which is poison to livestock, but a number of birds eat the fruit.  Leaves of young plants are often larger, and look more spiny.  (387-388) 3/23-4/10/15; 3/10/16; 2/16/17 – 3/15/17; 3/15/18-3/25/18; 3/26/19; 3/6/20 – 3/20/20;

Cherry Laurel habit; tall slender under-story evergreen tree with smooth bark,alternating leaves with undulating margins, and small spikes of white flowers that convert to blue-black berries

Note; the alternating, glossy green leaves with spike like projections along the undulating margins are glossy green on the upper surface, and light green on the undersides

Note; leaves are bitter due to levels of prussic acid toxic to livestock,

Note; spikes of tiny white flowers that bud from axils of this year’s leaves, the pistol and corolla of 5 stamen protruding beyond the tiny petals.

Note; Purple-black fruit with a thin layer of green meat around a single, hard pit

Primrose, Pink Ladies

Pink Ladies (Showy Evening Primrose) Oenothera speciosa. This short (10-15”), pithy, thin stemmed annual has alternating, lance shaped leaves, the older leaves pinnate towards the stem, while younger leaves have a smooth margin.  The 4 petals of the large (2-3”), paper thin, pink flowers unfurl in slow succession from tightly rolled buds arranged on a drooping, terminal spike. The rounded petals are deeply veined with red, while the color of the petals shifts to yellow around the nectar tube in the center.  Eight long stamens, each holding a pair of yellow anthers, rise from the inner rim of the petals.  A filamentous pistol, with a cross-shaped stigma, emerges from the central tube.  Occasionally growing in full sun, the plant prefers partial shade, such as forest margins Flowers begin white, blushing pink over their short (2-3 day) life.  Roadsides, PDU, PL (278) 4/6/15-5/5/15; 3/27/16; 3/15/17-6/5/17; 3/25/18; 4/7/19; 3/28/20;

Pink Ladies habit; fibrous stems with alternating lance-shaped leaves, and terminal spikes of large, white to pink flowers

Note; deep red veining in the 4 petals, with a yellow zone in the center around the nectar tube,

 

Note; pistol in central nectar tube has an X shaped stigma

Note; 8 filamentous stamen on the rim of the hollow, yellow nectar tube have two anthers per stamen,

Mustard, Bastard Cabbage (Mustard)

Bastard Cabbage (Mustard) Rapista rugosum. Beginning as a rosette of large clasping leaves with deep sinuses which become increasingly linear on the flower spike, this invasive perennial produces a tall (20+”), erect, pithy, branching inflorescence. The ¼” yellow flowers, each with 4 spatula shaped petals, appear as a yellow mass from a distance.  Flowers convert to small oval pods spaced along stems, differing markedly with Field Mustard Brassica campestris, which has upward pointing, bean like seed pods. With time the flower spikes becomes an unruly tangle, as the branches randomly twist. Increasingly common along roadsides, PDU, PL, other open areas. Young leaves are edible, but older leaves are tough and bitter.  (not in book) 3/25/15-5/15/15; 3/1/16; 2/18/17; 3/12/18; 2/8/19; 3/22/20 – 5/27

Bastard Cabbage habit; a tangle of bright yellow flowers rising from a rosette of deeply pinnate leaves

Note; rosette of deeply pinnate basal leaves which become more linear further up the pithy stems

Note; compact heads of bright yellow flowers, each with four paddle shaped petals

Note; rounded seed capsules

Milkweed, Spider Antelope Horns Milkweed

Spider Antelope Horns Milkweed (Spider Milkweed) Asclepias asperula. This milkweed is characterized by a clump of slender, pithy stems which emerge from a perennial root. Elongated (4”-6”), narrowly lanceolate, leaves with a smooth margin are arranged in an uneven, alternating pattern along the stems, differentiating this species from the Green Antelope Horns, A viridis, which has opposite, oval leaves.  Umbels of buds sprout from terminal nodes, which begin as pentagonal tiles in the loose, globe-like head.  The flowers open in rapid succession.  The 5 petals of the waxy, long lasting, pungently fragrant, light-green flowers form a loose cup around the central pistol. The five, thick purple and white stamens which (imaginatively) look like antelope horns, arc up around the pentagonal, barrel shaped, white pistol.  Flowers convert to down-filled, elongated (up to 4”), warty pods which crack open along one side, releasing the flattened seeds, wind carried by gossamer silk. All parts of the plant produce a milky sap, which though not toxic, can burn the eyes.  Flowers attract many butterflies, bees, and especially red and black harlequin bugs; along with the assassin bugs that prey on them. (304) 4/14/15-6/15/15; 4/24/16; 4/7/17-6/2/17; 4/22/18; 4/22/19; 5/1/20

Spider Antelope Horns Milkweed habit; long narrow leaves arranged on thin, pithy stems, and sporting umbels of cream green flowers with white anthers.

Note; waxy, five petal flowers with deep fragrance arranged around 5 purple stamen tipped with white anther which arch up out of the flower center

Note; opposite pairs of very long, thin, pointed leaves, with smooth margins, which bleed white sap if cut

Note; erect, green seed pod with a “goose-neck” stem

Note; seed pods split open on one side, releasing flattened seeds with gossamer  silk that lofts the seeds on the wind

 

 

Milkweed, Green Comet Milkweed

Green Comet Milkweed Asclepias viridiflora. A single stemmed plant (unlike multiple stem Antelope Horns), up to 20” tall, with upturned, oval, opposite, heavily veined, thick, grey-green leaves with a smooth, but undulating margin.  Compact umbels with no stem, produce bunches of reddish buds from the axils of uppermost leaves.  The petals curl back tightly, clasping the pedicles, leaving the 5 red stamen exposed.  Immaginativelly this looks like the flaming head of a comet with a green tail. Like all milkweed, it produces a milky, sticky sap when cut or broken.  Seed pods look like other milkweed; elongated pods that split down one side to release flattened seeds carried by silky fibers.  PL, PDU (70) 6/7/15; 7/1/16- ; 6/20/17; 6/15/18; 19 no obs;

Green Comet Milkweed habit; a single stem lined with opposite, coarsely veined, grey-green leaves, and bearing umbels of flowers from leaf axils

Note down-turned green petals clasping the petioles, red stamen exposed, like the flaming head of a comet with a green tail.

Note; opposite, grey-green leaves with prominent veins and a smooth but undulating margin, lining slightly fuzzy, round stems.

Note; all parts of the plant bleed a white sap when cut or bruised

Note; hemispheres of green buds with a reddish tinge

Milkweed, Green Antelope Horns Milkweed

Green Antelope Horns Milkweed Asclepias viridis. This milkweed comprises a clump of robust, pithy stems which emerge from a perennial root, lined with elongated (2”-4”), oval leaves with smooth, but undulating margins.  Leaves are arranged as staggered, opposite pairs, differentiating this species from the Spider Antelope Horns, A asperula, which has long thin leaves in an alternating pattern.  Umbels of buds, sprouting from the terminal, and occasionally, axillary nodes, begin as pentagonal tiles in the loose, large head, opening in rapid succession.  The 5 waxy petals of the long lasting, pungently fragrant, light-green flowers form a loose cup around the central pistol. The five, thickened purple stamens looking, (imaginatively) like antelope horns, arc up around the pentagonal, barrel shaped, white pistol.  Flowers convert to down-filled, elongated (up to 4”), warty pods which crack open along one side, releasing the flattened seeds, wind carried by gossamer silk. All parts of the plant produce a milky sap, which though not toxic, burns the eyes.  (304) 4/23/15-6/24/15; 4/29/16-6/15/16; 4/17/17-6/2/17; 4/22/18-5/28/18, seeds 6/1/18; 4/27/19; 4/24/20;

Green Antelope Horns Milkweed habit, note the elongated, oval leaves in roughly opposite pairs, with wavy margins and compact heads of thick, fragrant, cream-green flowers with purple anthers

Note; tight umbels of waxy flowers, each with 5 cream petals, surrounding upcurved purple stamen

Note; warty, green seed capsules with a sharply S curved neck

Note; flattened seeds, capped with silky gossamer threads.

 

Honeysuckle, Amur (Asian) Honeysuckle

Amur (Asian) Honeysuckle Lonicera maackii;. A leggy, shade loving, brittle, deciduous, woody shrub with fine bark, and long arching stems that are usually hollow.  The arching, slightly fuzzy, new growth produces pairs of deciduous, smooth, elliptical leaves opposite each other, up to 2” long.  Twin, pure white, slightly fragrant, 1” flowers emerge from, the base of each leaf (four to a node), with 5 bright yellow anthers and one green-tipped pistol protruding beyond the face of the flower.  Like the other Lonicera Honeysuckle, 4 petals are partially fused into a fan, but unlike L Japonica, the fan does not curl under.  L maackii prefers well-drained, deeper soils found along the edges of stream cut canyons cut into the escarpment. Dark reddish-brown, rounded, berry-like, inedible fruit forms at the leaf nodes.  (not in book) 4/1-10/15; 3/23/16-4/7/16; 3/8/17- 3/24/17; 3/28/18-4/10/18; 3/25/19; 3/25/20 – 4/9/20;

Amur Honeysuckle habit; leggy, arching, brittle, hollow stems with smooth bark, with paired, opposite sets of smooth leaves, and bearing sets of four white flowers at each leaf node

Note; smooth, pointed, broadly elliptical leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along new growths

Note; sets of four flowers bud from each node, two from each leaf axial, four petals merged into an uncurled fan, the other pointing the opposite direction

Note; conspicuous, yellow anthers protrude beyond the petals

Note; perennial, woody, leggy, hollow trunks grow along stream cut gullies, and in deeper bottom land

Note; flowers convert to solitary, red-orange, juicy berries

Note; sometimes planted as a flowering botanical, from which it no doubt escaped

Four-O’clock, Wild Four-O’clock

Wild Four-O’clock Mirabilis linearis. A long-stemmed (18”-30”), erect, pithy plant with opposite, narrow leaves that have no stem, but are not clasping.  The leaf margins are smooth, but wavy, or undulating, making them appear toothed.  Small (3/8”), lavender tube flowers, born on a loose, terminal spray, emerge from a five-cornered, bud like set of green bracts, which have light purple tinged edges.  The tube opens to a five lobed corolla, each of which is divided in two.  The 5 upcurved, lavender stamen, tipped with bright yellow anthers, project out from the flower, the pistol projecting even further. Flowers last only from dawn to about 4 PM (thus the moniker), but the bracts continue to stay fully open, with one solid, near-black, crenulated, spindle shaped seed in the center.  SWk, PDU (not in book) 5/16/15; 6/1/16; 17 no obs; 5/22/18-6/1/18; 19 no obs; 20 no obs;

Wild Four O’clock habit; a tall, slender, unbranched, pithy stem with narrow, elliptical, opposite, leaves and light lavender flowers

Note; lavender, tube flowers open to a corolla of five petals, each split in half

Note; 5 stamen, each tipped with a yellow anther, and the Pistol project beyond the corolla rim

Note; a single seed remains within the papery flower bracts, which remain wide open

Note; opposite pairs of slightly fuzzy, long leaves have a smooth margin, but due to undulations, appear to be toothed

Note; bracts, tinged with lavender, encase the flower bud

 

Mustard, Field Mustard

Field Mustard Brassica campestris. Beginning as a rosette of elongated, pinnate leaves, this perennial produces a medium length (10”+), erect, pithy inflorescence. Leaves on the inflorescence are clasping, lacking any petiole, but lanceolate. The tight spikes of flowers, growing from terminal buds and upper leaf axles, are composed of small bright yellow, flowers with 4 rounded petals, visible as yellow clumps from a distance.  As the season progresses the readily branching sprays become a tangled mass.  Flowers convert to upward pointing, bean-like seed capsules. Common along roadsides, PDU, PL, other open areas. (152) 3/25/15-5/15/15; 3/1/16; 2/18/17- ; 3/6/20;

The bright yellow flowers, each with four petals, closely resemble “Bastard Cabbage”, except the plant is shorter and more compact, the basal leaves are less deeply pinnate, and the seed pods are elongated and bean like, rather than rounded capsules.

Tumbling Mustard habit; a tall, sprawling, pithy stem rising from a rosette of large, pinnate leaves, the central lobe spatula shaped, with a loose crown of small, bright yellow flowers, each with 4 petals

Note; the entire plant begins to sprawl, or tumble, as it matures

Note; the basal rosette of long, thin, pinnate leaves with a wavy margin, spatula shaped toward the end.  Leaves along the stem become increasingly simple, with a spatula pattern

Note; dense clusters of bright yellow, 4 petal flowers

Note; 4 basal stamen with yellow anther arranged around a towering pistol

Note; flowers convert to long, bean-like, upward pointing seed pods