The Tallgrass Prairie Center Guide to Seed and Seedling Identification in the Upper Midwest
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The Tallgrass Prairie Center Guide to Seed and Seedling Identification in the Upper Midwest
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Overview
Settlers crossing the tallgrass prairie in the early 1800s were greeted by a seemingly endless landscape of wildflowers and grasses, one of the most diverse ecosystems on our planet. Today, although the tallgrass prairie has been reduced to a tiny percentage of its former expanse, people are working to restore and reconstruct prairie communities. This lavishly illustrated guide to seeds and seedlings, crafted by Tallgrass Prairie Center botanist Dave Williams and illustrator Brent Butler, will insure that everyone from urban gardeners to grassland managers can properly identify and germinate seventy-two species of tallgrass wildflowers and grasses in eastern North Dakota, eastern South Dakota, southwestern Minnesota, southwestern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, northwestern Indiana, Iowa, eastern Nebraska, eastern Kansas, northwestern Missouri, and eastern Oklahoma.
Williams has created a brilliant, nearly foolproof system of identification and verification. Two primary keys lead to eleven secondary keys that link to characteristic groups of tallgrass plants: seven groups for wildflowers and four groups for grasses. To identify a seedling, use the primary key to discover its place in the secondary key, then turn to that characteristic group to find your seedling. Circles on each full seedling photograph correspond to close-up photographs; triangles on these close-ups illustrate information in the text to further pinpoint identification. Drawings of leaves illuminate exact identification, and enlarged photographs of each seed provide yet another way to confirm identification.
Thousands of seeds were sprouted in the Tallgrass Prairie Center’s greenhouse to provide seedlings close in size and development to those grown in the field near the end of their first season; research and photography took place over four years. Williams’s text for each species includes a thorough description, a comparison of similar species, and guidance for germination and growth. A complete glossary supports the text, which is concise but detailed enough to be accessible to beginning prairie enthusiasts.
Anyone in the Upper Midwest who wishes to preserve the native vegetation of prairie remnants or reconstruct a tallgrass prairie of whatever size—from home gardens to schoolyards to roadsides to large acreages—will benefit from the hundreds of photographs and drawings and the precise text in this meticulously prepared guide.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781587299025 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | University of Iowa Press |
| Publication date: | 08/28/2010 |
| Series: | Bur Oak Guide |
| Edition description: | 1 |
| Pages: | 138 |
| Sales rank: | 1,104,885 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.30(d) |
About the Author
Botanist Dave Williams is the program manager for the Prairie Institute at the Tallgrass Prairie Center, University of Northern Iowa. He has been actively engaged in prairie restoration and reconstruction since 1989. The graphic designer for the Tallgrass Prairie Center since 2006, artist Brent Butler has produced many publications on prairie conservation.
Read an Excerpt
The Tallgrass Prairie Center Guide to Seed and Seedling Identification in the Upper Midwest
By DAVE WILLIAMS
University of Iowa Press
Copyright © 2010 Tallgrass Prairie CenterAll right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-58729-902-5
Chapter One
Forbs: Key Characteristic Group 1Round stem, hairlike stipules, alternate leaves
Leadplant Amorpha canescens | Fabaceae, legume family
round stem
hairlike stipules
alternate leaves
circular simple leaves on young seedlings
oddpinnate compound leaves on older seedlings
pointed leaflet tips
SEEDLING DESCRIPTION
Leadplant emerges as a single stem. The stem is round when rolled between the fingers. Stipules located at the base of the petiole where it joins the stem are rust-colored and hairlike. Young seedling leaves are alternate and almost circular, with pointed leaf tips. As the seedling matures, leaves change from simple to odd-pinnate compound with 3-35 leaflets per leaf.
LOOK-ALIKES
milk vetch: leaflike stipules
showy tick trefoil: hairy leaf margin
GERMINATION AND GROWTH
Seed germination of leadplant is improved with moist-cold stratification. This species grows in mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. Leadplant seedlings grow very slowly; 3 or more growing seasons may be needed to produce flowering plants. Seed photo: hull intact (top), hull removed (bottom).
New Jersey tea Ceanothus americanus | Rhamnaceae, buckthorn family
round stem
hairlike stipules
alternate leaves
serrated leaf margin
glossy leaves
SEEDLING DESCRIPTION
New Jersey tea emerges as a single stem. The stem is round when rolled between the fingers. Hairlike stipules are located on the stem at the junction of the petiole. Leaves are alternate, glossy, and simple with serrated margins. Note: Because of the presence of stipules, this species was grouped with the legumes; however, New Jersey tea is in the buckthorn family.
LOOK-ALIKES
blue vervain: edged stem
Culver's root: opposite leaves
hoary vervain: edged stem
GERMINATION AND GROWTH
Seed germination of New Jersey tea is improved by scarification followed by moist-cold stratification. This species grows in mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. New Jersey tea is a low-growing woody plant with several branching stems arising from a single taproot.
Purple prairie clover Dalea purpurea | Fabaceae, legume family
round stem
hairlike stipules
alternate leaves
compound leaf with 3-5 leaflets
citrusy odor of crushed leaf
pointed leaflet tips
SEEDLING DESCRIPTION
Purple prairie clover emerges as a single stem. The stem is round when rolled between the fingers. Hairlike stipules are located on the stem at the junction of the petiole. Young seedling leaves are compound with 3 strap-shaped leaflets. Leaflet tips are pointed. As the plant matures, some leaves may develop 5 leaflets. Crushing a leaf produces a citrusy odor.
LOOK-ALIKES
round-headed bush clover: hair prominent on the stem
white prairie clover: notched to rounded leaflet tips
GERMINATION AND GROWTH
Seed germination of purple prairie clover is improved with dry-cold stratification. This species grows in mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. Purple prairie clover is a high-protein forage source for wild turkey, white-tailed deer, and quail. Seed photo: hull intact (top), hull removed (bottom).
Round-headed bush clover Lespedeza capitata | Fabaceae, legume family
round stem
hairlike stipules
compound leaf with 3 leaflets
pointed leaf tips
hairy stem and leaf margins
SEEDLING DESCRIPTION
Round-headed bush clover emerges as a single stem. The stem is round when rolled between the fingers. Hairlike stipules are located on the stem at the junction of the petiole. The stipules on young seedlings are light green, and darken as the plant matures. The first leaf is simple, and subsequent leaves are compound, with 3 leaflets. Each leaflet has a pointed tip that can be seen without a hand lens, making this species easy to identify. Hair is prominent on the stem and leaflet margins.
LOOK-ALIKES
cream false indigo: leaflike stipules purple prairie clover: straplike leaflets white prairie clover: notched leaflet tips white wild indigo: leaflike stipules
GERMINATION AND GROWTH
Seed germination of round-headed bush clover is improved with moist-cold stratification. This species grows in mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. Dense, dark brown flower heads make round-headed bush clover easy to spot in the winter. Seed photo: hull removed.
Showy tick trefoil Desmodium canadense | Fabaceae, legume family
round stem
hairlike stipules
alternate leaves
circular simple leaves on young seedlings
compound leaves with 3 leaflets on older seedlings
hair on leaf and leaflet margins
SEEDLING DESCRIPTION
Showy tick trefoil emerges as a single stem. The stem is round when rolled between the fingers. Hairlike stipules are located on the stem at the junction of the petiole and sometimes on the petiole near the base of the leaf. Young seedling leaves are simple and almost circular. As the plant matures, compound leaves develop, each consisting of 3 leaflets. Hair on the margin of leaves and leaflets can be easily seen with a hand lens.
LOOK-ALIKES
flowering spurge: stipules absent leadplant: pointed leaf and leaflet tips milk vetch: leaflike stipules
GERMINATION AND GROWTH
Seed germination of showy tick trefoil is improved with dry-cold stratification. This species grows in wet-mesic to dry-mesic soils and in full to partial sunlight. Showy tick trefoil's small, dark seed pods will stick to your clothes if you brush up against this species in the fall. Seed photo: segmented pod removed.
Showy tick trefoil Desmodium canadense | Fabaceae, legume family
round stem
hairlike stipules
alternate leaves
compound leaves with 3 leaflets on young seedlings
notched and round leaflet tips
SEEDLING DESCRIPTION
White prairie clover emerges as a single stem. The stem is round when rolled between the fingers. Hairlike stipules are located on the stem at the junction of the petiole. Young seedling leaves are compound with 3 leaflets. As the plant matures, each leaf can have up to 9 leaflets. Leaflet tips are notched or rounded. Crushed leaves of this species do not produce a citrusy odor.
LOOK-ALIKES
cream false indigo: leaflike stipules
purple prairie clover: pointed leaflet tips
round-headed bush clover: pointed leaflet tips
white wild indigo: leaflike stipules
GERMINATION AND GROWTH
Seed germination of white prairie clover is improved with dry-cold stratification. This species grows in mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. It is commonly called broom weed; Native Americans constructed brooms from its stems. Seed photo: hull intact (top), hull removed (bottom).
Chapter Two
Forbs: Key Characteristic Group 2Round stem, leaflike stipules, alternate leaves
Cream false indigo Baptisia bracteata | Fabaceae, legume family
round stem
leaflike stipules
alternate leaves
obovate, balloon-shaped leaflets
compound leaves with 3 leaflets
hair prominent on stem and leaflets
leaflets thick and fleshy when rubbed
SEEDLING DESCRIPTION
Cream false indigo emerges as a single stem. The stem is round when rolled between the fingers. Leaflike stipules are located on the stem at the junction of the petiole. All leaves are compound with 3 leaflets, alternate, and connected to the stem with a very short petiole. Leaflets feel thick and fleshy when rubbed between the fingers. Hair can be seen easily without a hand lens.
LOOK-ALIKES
round-headed bush clover: hairlike stipules
showy tick trefoil: hairlike stipules
white prairie clover: hairlike stipules
white wild indigo: hair absent on stem
GERMINATION AND GROWTH
Seed germination of cream false indigo is improved with scarification followed by moist-cold stratification. This species grows in mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. Emerging shoots in spring look like asparagus. Cream false indigo seedlings grow very slowly; 3 or more growing seasons may be needed to produce flowering plants. Seed photo: color variants and pod removed.
Milk vetch Astragalus canadensis | Fabaceae, legume family
round stem
leaflike stipules
alternate leaves
odd-pinnate compound leaves with 3-35 leaflets
oval leaflets with notched tips
SEEDLING DESCRIPTION
Milk vetch emerges as a single stem. The stem is round when rolled between the fingers. Leaflike stipules are located on the stem at the junction of the petiole. Young seedling leaves are oval with notched leaflet tips and alternate on the stem. As the seedling matures, milk vetch leaves change from simple to odd-pinnate compound with 3-35 leaflets per leaf. Hair is easily seen on leaflet undersides but difficult to detect on leaflet tops.
LOOK-ALIKES
cream false indigo: balloon-shaped leaflets
leadplant: hairlike stipules
showy tick trefoil: hairlike stipules
white wild indigo: balloon-shaped leaflets
GERMINATION AND GROWTH
Seed germination of milk vetch is improved with scarification followed by moist-cold stratification. This species grows in wet-mesic to dry-mesic soils and in full to partial sunlight. Large, leafy, shrublike plants and cream colored flowers make milk vetch easy to find in a prairie. Seed photo: pod removed.
Partridge pea Chamaecrista fasciculata | Fabaceae, legume family
round stem
leaflike stipules
alternate leaves
hair on stem and leaflet margins
even-pinnate compound leaves with 8-24 leaflets
pointed leaflet tips
SEEDLING DESCRIPTION
Partridge pea emerges as a single stem. The stem is round when rolled between the fingers. Leaflike stipules are located on the stem at the junction of the petiole. All leaves are even-pinnate compound with 8-24 leaflets, which makes this species very easy to identify at a young seedling stage. The first few leaves have 8 leaflets, and subsequent leaves may have up to 24 leaflets. Leaflets have a pointed tip. Hair on the stem and leaflet margins can be seen easily with a hand lens.
LOOK-ALIKES
leadplant: hairlike stipules
milk vetch: notched and rounded leaflet tips
GERMINATION AND GROWTH
Seed germination of partridge pea is improved by scarification followed by moist-cold stratification. This species grows in mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. Partridge pea is an annual plant that grows rapidly and flowers in the first year. Seed photo: pod removed.
White wild indigo Baptisia alba | Fabaceae, legume family
round stem
leaflike stipules
alternate leaves
compound leaves with 3 leaflets
balloon-shaped leaflets with notched tips
stem and leaflet hair absent
SEEDLING DESCRIPTION
White wild indigo emerges as a single stem. The stem feels round when rolled between the fingers. Leaflike stipules are located on the stem at the junction of the petiole. The first leaf is simple and balloon-shaped. Subsequent leaves are alternate, compound with 3 leaflets, and connected to the stem with a very short petiole. Leaflets feel thick and fleshy when rubbed between the fingers. Stem and leaflets are hairless.
LOOK-ALIKES
cream false indigo: hair on stem and leaflets
round-headed bush clover: hairlike stipules
showy tick trefoil: hairlike stipules
white prairie clover: hairlike stipules
GERMINATION AND GROWTH
Seed germination of white wild indigo is improved with scarification followed by moist-cold stratification. This species grows in wet-mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. Emerging shoots in spring look like asparagus. White wild indigo seedlings grow very slowly; 3 or more growing seasons may be needed to produce flowering plants. Seed photo: color variants and pod removed.
Chapter Three
Forbs: Key Characteristic Group 3Round stem, stipules absent, alternate leaves
Flowering spurge Euphorbia corollata | Euphorbiaceae, spurge family
round stem
alternate leaves
elliptic and oval leaf shapes
very short petiole
hairy stem and leaves
SEEDLING DESCRIPTION
Flowering spurge emerges as a single stem. The stem feels round when rolled between the fingers. Leaves are elliptic to oval, alternate, and connected to the stem with a very short petiole. Hair on the leaf margins and stem can be seen without a hand lens. This seedling has a unique appearance and is easily identified in the field.
LOOK-ALIKES
leadplant: hairlike stipules
showy tick trefoil: hairlike stipules
GERMINATION AND GROWTH
Germination of flowering spurge can be tricky. This species has a hard seed coat, and moist-cold stratification is needed to break seed dormancy. Flowering spurge grows in mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. Seedlings grow very slowly, and 2-3 growing seasons may be needed before flowering plants are produced. Seed photo: color variants.
Grass-leaved goldenrod Euthamia graminifolia | Asteraceae, daisy family
round stem
alternate leaves
3 linear veins on leaves
linear, straplike leaf shape
sessile leaves
SEEDLING DESCRIPTION
Grass-leaved goldenrod emerges as a single stem. The stem feels round when rolled between the fingers. Look closely at this seedling plant because there are some identification characteristics that can be easily missed. Leaves are strap-like, alternate, and connected to the stem without a petiole. Linear veins on the leaf surface resemble those of the grasses. Leaf margins have very small serrations that cannot be seen with the naked eye but make the leaf edges feel rough when rubbed across the fingers.
LOOK-ALIKES
butterfly milkweed: opposite leaves
common mountain mint: opposite leaves
slender mountain mint: opposite leaves
prairie coreopsis: opposite leaves
GERMINATION AND GROWTH
Seed germination of grass-leaved golden rod can be improved by moist-cold stratification. To maximize light for germination, seeds should not be covered with soil after sowing. This species grows in wet to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. Seedlings grow very slowly; 2-3 growing seasons may be needed before flowering plants are produced. Seed photo: color variants, pappus removed.
New England aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae | Asteraceae, daisy family
round stem
alternate leaves
spatulate leaves
leaves clasp stem
pubescent hairs on stem and leaves
SEEDLING DESCRIPTION
New England aster emerges as a single stem. The stem feels round when rolled between the fingers. Leaves are alternate and shaped like a spatula. Leaves are connected directly to the stem, clasping it without petioles. Short, soft hairs on the leaves and stem can be seen without a hand lens.
LOOK-ALIKES
smooth blue aster: leaf petiole present
tall boneset: opposite leaves
GERMINATION AND GROWTH
Seed germination of New England aster can be improved by moist-cold stratification. This species grows in wet-mesic to dry-mesic soils and in full to partial sunlight. In late summer to early fall, when most other prairie flowers have finished blooming, the rose-purple to purple flowers of New England aster glow in a planting. Expect flowering plants in the second growing season. Seed photo: color variants, pappus removed.
White sage Artemisia ludoviciana | Asteraceae, daisy family
round stem
alternate leaves
serrated margin on less than half of leaf
stem and leaf hair prominent
sage odor of crushed leaf
whitish foliage
SEEDLING DESCRIPTION
White sage emerges as a single stem. The stem feels round when rolled between the fingers. Leaves are spatula-shaped and alternate. Less than half of the leaf is serrated. Leaves appear whitish from the hair on the leaf surface. Seen through a hand lens, the hairs appear matted and tangled on the leaf. As the seedling matures, the foliage takes on a whitish color and is easily recognizable. Crushing the leaf produces a strong sage odor. The leaf hair and sage odor are unique characteristics for this species.
LOOK-ALIKES
None
GERMINATION AND GROWTH
Seed germination of white sage can be improved by dry-cold or moist-cold stratification. To maximize light for germination, seeds should not be covered with soil after sowing. This species grows in mesic to dry soils and in full to partial sunlight. The unique white foliage of white sage makes up for its lack of showy flowers. Seed photo: color variants.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from The Tallgrass Prairie Center Guide to Seed and Seedling Identification in the Upper Midwest by DAVE WILLIAMS Copyright © 2010 by Tallgrass Prairie Center. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Contents
About This Book....................ixAbout the Photographs....................xi
Acknowledgments....................xi
Forbs: Key Characteristic Group....................1
Leadplant, Amorpha canescens....................7
New Jersey tea, Ceanothus americanus....................8
Purple prairie clover, Dalea purpurea....................9
Round-headed bush clover, Lespedeza capitata....................10
Showy tick trefoil, Desmodium canadense....................11
White prairie clover, Dalea candida....................12
Forbs: Key Characteristic Group....................2
Cream false indigo, Baptisia bracteata....................15
Milk vetch, Astragalus canadensis....................16
Partridge pea, Chamaecrista fasciculata....................17
White wild indigo, Baptisia alba....................18
Forbs: Key Characteristic Group....................3
Flowering spurge, Euphorbia corollata....................21
Grass-leaved goldenrod, Euthamia graminifolia....................22
New England aster, Symphyotrichum novae-angliae....................23
White sage, Artemisia ludoviciana....................24
Forbs: Key Characteristic Group....................4
Butterfly milkweed, Asclepias tuberosa....................29
Culver's root, Veronicastrum virginicum....................30
Ironweed, Vernonia fasciculata....................31
Prairie phlox, Phlox pilosa....................32
Prairie sunflower, Helianthus pauciflorus....................33
Saw-tooth sunflower, Helianthus grosseserratus....................34
Swamp milkweed, Asclepias incarnata....................35
Tall boneset, Eupatorium altissimum....................36
Forbs: Key Characteristic Group....................5
Blue vervain, Verbena hastata....................41
Common mountain mint, Pycnanthemum virginianum....................42
Hairy mountain mint, Pycnanthemum pilosum....................43
Hoary vervain, Verbena stricta....................44
Ox-eye sunflower, Heliopsis helianthoides....................45
Prairie coreopsis, Coreopsis palmata....................46
Slender mountain mint, Pycnanthemum tenuifolium....................47
Wild bergamot, Monarda fistulosa....................48
Forbs: Key Characteristic Group....................6
Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta....................53
Bottle gentian, Gentiana andrewsii....................54
Canada anemone, Anemone canadensis....................55
Compass plant, Silphium laciniatum....................56
Foxglove beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis....................57
Fragrant coneflower, Rudbeckia subtomentosa....................58
Golden alexanders, Zizia aurea....................59
Gray-headed coneflower, Ratibida pinnata....................60
Great blue lobelia, Lobelia siphilitica....................61
Heath aster, Symphyotrichum ericoides....................62
Old field goldenrod, Solidago nemoralis....................63
Pale purple coneflower, Echinacea pallida....................64
Prairie smoke, Geum triflorum....................65
Prairie violet, Viola pedatifida....................66
Rosinweed, Silphium integrifolium....................67
Showy goldenrod, Solidago speciosa....................68
Smooth blue aster, Symphyotrichum laeve....................69
Sneezeweed, Helenium autumnale....................70
Stiff goldenrod, Oligoneuron rigidum....................71
Thimbleweed, Anemone cylindrica....................72
Wild quinine, Parthenium integrifolium....................73
Forbs: Key Characteristic Group....................7
Ohio spiderwort, Tradescantia ohiensis....................77
Prairie blazing star, Liatris pycnostachya....................78
Prairie onion, Allium stellatum....................79
Prairie spiderwort, Tradescantia bracteata....................80
Rattlesnake master, Eryngium yuccifolium....................81
Rough blazing star, Liatris aspera....................82
Wild garlic, Allium canadense....................83
Grasses: Key Characteristic Group....................1
Big bluestem, Andropogon gerardii....................91
Bluejoint grass, Calamagrostis canadensis....................92
Indian grass, Sorghastrum nutans....................93
Little bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium....................94
Side-oats grama, Bouteloua curtipendula....................95
Grasses: Key Characteristic Group....................2
Canada wild rye, Elymus canadensis....................99
Virginia wild rye, Elymus virginicus....................100
Grasses: Key Characteristic Group....................3
June grass, Koeleria macrantha....................105
Kalm's bromegrass, Bromus kalmii....................106
Prairie cord grass, Spartina pectinata....................107
Prairie dropseed, Sporobolus heterolepis....................108
Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum....................109
Tall dropseed, Sporobolus compositus....................110
Grasses: Key Characteristic Group....................4
Porcupine grass, Hesperostipa spartea....................113
Glossary....................115
Index....................117