Violet (Arrow-leaved Viola Sagittata)
Most of us take the small violet for granted. They are all around us. But they are really very interesting and there are a fairly large number of species. The most common group has the flower stalk arising (unbranched) from the ground. There are also some violets where the flower comes up on a branched stem. The yellow violet that we commonly see if often a stemmed variety. And speaking of colors, there are blue - violet - white - yellow colored petals, and then ones with stripes and some with dots. And inside the flower, sometimes the petals are bearded, and sometimes not.
And besides the flower that we see, violets often will have a second flower that self pollinates and does not even open. This is usually later in the season, and is thought to be useful in years where normal pollinators are few in numbers.
I am going to focus on a violet at Baldwin Woods (Wood County - LINK ). When Pam Menchaaca led a wildflower walk there a few weeks ago, we saw this one. The leaves were definitely different from what we normally see. We did not have a lot of time to spend on it, but thought it might be a lance-leaved violet. After going back and looking more closely at it and and some books, I realized that in the lance-leaved violet, the leaves tapper to the stem, and this one did not. I think it is probably the Arrow-leaved violet (Viola sagittata). See photos below.
And besides the flower that we see, violets often will have a second flower that self pollinates and does not even open. This is usually later in the season, and is thought to be useful in years where normal pollinators are few in numbers.
I am going to focus on a violet at Baldwin Woods (Wood County - LINK ). When Pam Menchaaca led a wildflower walk there a few weeks ago, we saw this one. The leaves were definitely different from what we normally see. We did not have a lot of time to spend on it, but thought it might be a lance-leaved violet. After going back and looking more closely at it and and some books, I realized that in the lance-leaved violet, the leaves tapper to the stem, and this one did not. I think it is probably the Arrow-leaved violet (Viola sagittata). See photos below.
Notice the beard in this photo Back of the flower
And the leaf. It is 1.5 to 2 times as long as wide. At the base where it attaches to the leaf stem (petiole), it is certainly heart shaped. The tip is slightly rounded. The edges of the leaves (margins) have some small serrations. And you can see some hairs on the stem. There is a great variety to all violets, and in my reading this species also showed a lot of variety. If it is the Arrow-leaved violet, later in the season, the leaves may develop some flaring near the base of the leave. |
Wildflower Focus - Milkweed
Here are some photos of milkweed showing the very interesting flower. Once you take a close look at one, it is easy to spot the flower on all milkweeds.
In Ohio, we have 13 native species of milkweed. Some are very distinct, but a few are hard to tell apart. Here is a summary of 3 that are hard to tell apart. For the full article, see the National Treasures Blog at http://floraofohio.blogspot.com/ . I have this blog as a link also in my links page. It has many fascinating articles.
Sullivant's Milkweed Purple Milkweed Common Milkweed
- starts blooming in late June - starts blooming in late May - starts blooming in mid June
- prairie obligate species, needs full sun - grows in woods/shade - grows just about anywhere/weed
- corollas large (10-12mm) - corollas (8-10mm) long - corollas (7-9mm) long
- corollas bumblegum pink colored - corollas dark pink/purple - corollas light pink/white/green
- leaves erect (hairless underneath) - leaves horizontal (finely hairy under) - leaves horizontal (hairy under)
- follicles (seed pods) smooth, waxy - follicles pubescent, lack spines - follicles rough, hairy, spined
Sullivant's Milkweed Purple Milkweed Common Milkweed
- starts blooming in late June - starts blooming in late May - starts blooming in mid June
- prairie obligate species, needs full sun - grows in woods/shade - grows just about anywhere/weed
- corollas large (10-12mm) - corollas (8-10mm) long - corollas (7-9mm) long
- corollas bumblegum pink colored - corollas dark pink/purple - corollas light pink/white/green
- leaves erect (hairless underneath) - leaves horizontal (finely hairy under) - leaves horizontal (hairy under)
- follicles (seed pods) smooth, waxy - follicles pubescent, lack spines - follicles rough, hairy, spined