From the Portland Oregonian, 1899, on a man who grew incredibly large pumpkins. “Every day he fills a quart vessel with milk, places it on the ground,

From the Portland Oregonian, 1899, on From the Portland Oregonian, 1899, on a man who grew incredibly large a man who grew incredibly large

pumpkins.pumpkins.

““Every day he fills a quart vessel with milk, places it Every day he fills a quart vessel with milk, places it on the ground, and connects it to a slit in the on the ground, and connects it to a slit in the pumpkin vine with a rubber tube. The vine draws in pumpkin vine with a rubber tube. The vine draws in the milk by capillary or some other attraction. It was the milk by capillary or some other attraction. It was extremely interesting to go out in the evening and extremely interesting to go out in the evening and see the owner feed the pumpkins. The vines had see the owner feed the pumpkins. The vines had become so used to it, and appeared to like the milk become so used to it, and appeared to like the milk so well, that they actually rustled as the man with so well, that they actually rustled as the man with the milk approached. And when the milk had been the milk approached. And when the milk had been consumed, the vines settled down for the night, as consumed, the vines settled down for the night, as contentedly as a band of cows chewing their contentedly as a band of cows chewing their cuds….” cuds….”

Believe it or not…and Happy Halloween!Believe it or not…and Happy Halloween!

Milkfed Pumpkin?

Spongebob Pumpkin

Have it your way pumpkin.

Smashing Pumpkins

CucurbitaceaeCucurbitaceae

CucurbitaceaeCucurbitaceae is a plant family commonly is a plant family commonly known as known as melonsmelons, , gourdsgourds or or cucurbitscucurbits and includes crops like cucumbers, and includes crops like cucumbers, squashes (including pumpkins), luffas, squashes (including pumpkins), luffas, melons and watermelons. The family is melons and watermelons. The family is predominantly distributed around the predominantly distributed around the tropics, where those with edible fruits were tropics, where those with edible fruits were amongst the earliest cultivated plants in amongst the earliest cultivated plants in both the Old and New Worlds.both the Old and New Worlds.


Most of the plants in this family are Most of the plants in this family are annual vines but there are also woody annual vines but there are also woody lianas, thorny shrubs, and trees. The lianas, thorny shrubs, and trees. The stems are hairy and pentangular. stems are hairy and pentangular. Tendrils are present at 90° to the leaf Tendrils are present at 90° to the leaf petioles at nodes. Leaves are petioles at nodes. Leaves are exstipulate, alternate, simple, exstipulate, alternate, simple, palmately lobed or palmately palmately lobed or palmately compound. compound.


Many species have large, yellow or Many species have large, yellow or white determinate inflorescences and white determinate inflorescences and flowers. The flowers are unisexual, with flowers. The flowers are unisexual, with male and female flowers usually on male and female flowers usually on different plants (dioecious), or less different plants (dioecious), or less common on the same plant common on the same plant (monoecious). The female flowers have (monoecious). The female flowers have inferior ovaries. The fruit is often a kind inferior ovaries. The fruit is often a kind of berry called a pepo. of berry called a pepo.



Flowers usually open for only a day.Flowers usually open for only a day. Sepals usually 5, usually connate.Sepals usually 5, usually connate. Petals usually 5, usually connate and Petals usually 5, usually connate and

bell-shaped.bell-shaped. Stamens 3-5, adnate to hypanthium.Stamens 3-5, adnate to hypanthium. Carpels usually 3, connate.Carpels usually 3, connate. Seeds flattened, the seed coat with Seeds flattened, the seed coat with

several layers.several layers.


Major genera worldwide:Major genera worldwide: Cayaponia, Momordica, Gurania, SicyosCayaponia, Momordica, Gurania, Sicyos Major genera in continental United Major genera in continental United

States:States: Cayaponia, Cucumis, Cucurbita, Cayaponia, Cucumis, Cucurbita,

Cyclanthera, Echinocystis, Iverbillea, Cyclanthera, Echinocystis, Iverbillea, Marah, Melothria, Momordica, SicyosMarah, Melothria, Momordica, Sicyos

Genera native,naturalized to Montana:Genera native,naturalized to Montana: Bryonia, EchinocystisBryonia, Echinocystis

Bryonia albaBryonia albaFamily: CucurbitaceaeFamily: Cucurbitaceae

Native to Europe into northern Iran – introduced weed in Montana

Bryonia albaBryonia albaFamily: CucurbitaceaeFamily: Cucurbitaceae

Echinocystis lobataEchinocystis lobataFamily: CucurbitaceaeFamily: Cucurbitaceae

Wild Cucumber/ Native Montanan

Echinocystis lobataEchinocystis lobataFamily: CucurbitaceaeFamily: Cucurbitaceae


CucurbitaCucurbita – pumpkins, winter and – pumpkins, winter and summer squashes, gourdssummer squashes, gourds

CucumisCucumis – cantaloupe, muskmelon, – cantaloupe, muskmelon, honeydew melon, cucumberhoneydew melon, cucumber

CitrullusCitrullus – watermelon – watermelon LagenariaLagenaria – bottle gourd – bottle gourd

BrassicaceaeBrassicaceae

BrassicaceaeBrassicaceae or or CruciferaeCruciferae, also known as , also known as the the cruciferscrucifers, the , the mustard familymustard family or or cabbage familycabbage family is a family of flowering plants is a family of flowering plants (Angiospermae). The name Brassicaceae is (Angiospermae). The name Brassicaceae is derived from the included genus derived from the included genus BrassicaBrassica. . CruciferaeCruciferae is an older name, it means "cross- is an older name, it means "cross-bearing", because the four petals of their bearing", because the four petals of their flowers are reminiscent of a cross or crucifix. flowers are reminiscent of a cross or crucifix. According to ICBN Art. 18.5 (Vienna Code) both According to ICBN Art. 18.5 (Vienna Code) both CruciferaeCruciferae and and BrassicaceaeBrassicaceae are regarded as are regarded as validly published, and are thus accepted as validly published, and are thus accepted as names for the family.names for the family.


It contains over 330 genera and about It contains over 330 genera and about 3,700 species, according to the Royal 3,700 species, according to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The largest genera Botanic Gardens, Kew. The largest genera are are DrabaDraba (365 species), (365 species), CardamineCardamine (200 (200 species, but its definition is controversial), species, but its definition is controversial), ErysimumErysimum (225 species), (225 species), LepidiumLepidium (230 (230 species) and species) and Alyssum Alyssum (195 species.)(195 species.)

Our text says 356 genera and 4130 Our text says 356 genera and 4130 species.species.


The family is included in Brassicales, The family is included in Brassicales, according to the APG system. Older according to the APG system. Older systems placed them into the Capparales, systems placed them into the Capparales, a now defunct order which had a similar a now defunct order which had a similar definition.definition.

The family contains well-known species The family contains well-known species such as such as Brassica oleraceaBrassica oleracea (cabbage, (cabbage, cauliflower...), cauliflower...), Brassica rapaBrassica rapa (turnip, (turnip, Chinese cabbage...), Chinese cabbage...), Brassica napusBrassica napus (rapeseed...), (rapeseed...), Raphanus sativusRaphanus sativus (common (common radish), radish), Armoracia rusticana Armoracia rusticana (horseradish), (horseradish), Matthiola Matthiola (stock), and many others.(stock), and many others.


The family is cosmopolitan, but is The family is cosmopolitan, but is concentrated in the northern temperate concentrated in the northern temperate regions and reaches maximal diversity regions and reaches maximal diversity around the Mediterranean area. There are around the Mediterranean area. There are also many in our region of western North also many in our region of western North America.America.

A close relationship has long been A close relationship has long been acknowledged between Brassicaceae and acknowledged between Brassicaceae and the caper family, Capparaceae, in part the caper family, Capparaceae, in part because members of both groups produce because members of both groups produce glucosinolate (mustard oil) compounds. glucosinolate (mustard oil) compounds.

Capers are the Capers are the pickled flower buds of pickled flower buds of Capparis spinosaCapparis spinosa, a , a small, prickly small, prickly Mediterranean shrub.Mediterranean shrub.

Our text says this Our text says this plant is now in the plant is now in the Family Brassicaceae, Family Brassicaceae, order Brassicales. order Brassicales.


Genera native or naturalized in Genera native or naturalized in Montana:Montana:

See See Dorn 1984Dorn 1984 for large listing. for large listing.

The family consists only of The family consists only of herbaceous plants with annual, herbaceous plants with annual, biennial or perennial lifespans.biennial or perennial lifespans.


The The leavesleaves are alternate (rarely opposite), sometimes are alternate (rarely opposite), sometimes organized in basal rosettes. They are very often organized in basal rosettes. They are very often pinnately incised and do not have stipules.pinnately incised and do not have stipules.

The structure of the The structure of the flowersflowers is extremely uniform is extremely uniform throughout the family. They have four free saccate throughout the family. They have four free saccate sepals and four clawed free petals, staggered. They can sepals and four clawed free petals, staggered. They can be disymmetric or slightly zygomorphic, with a typical be disymmetric or slightly zygomorphic, with a typical cross-like arrangement (hence the name 'Cruciferae'). cross-like arrangement (hence the name 'Cruciferae'). They have six stamens, four of which are longer (as They have six stamens, four of which are longer (as long as the petals, so relatively short in fact) and are long as the petals, so relatively short in fact) and are arranged in a cross like the petals and the other two arranged in a cross like the petals and the other two are shorter (are shorter (tetradynamoustetradynamous flower). The pistil is made flower). The pistil is made up of two fused carpels and the style is very short, with up of two fused carpels and the style is very short, with two lobes. Superior ovary. The flowers form ebracteate two lobes. Superior ovary. The flowers form ebracteate racemose inflorescences, often apically corymb-like.racemose inflorescences, often apically corymb-like.


Iberis umbellataIberis umbellataFamily: BrassicaceaeFamily: Brassicaceae

BrassicaceaeBrassicaceae The The fruitfruit is a peculiar kind of capsule named is a peculiar kind of capsule named a siliquea silique

(plural siliques). It opens by two valves, which are the (plural siliques). It opens by two valves, which are the modified carpels, leaving the seeds attached to a modified carpels, leaving the seeds attached to a framework made up of the placenta and tissue from the framework made up of the placenta and tissue from the junction between the valves (junction between the valves (replumreplum). There is often an ). There is often an indehiscent beak at the top of the style and one or more indehiscent beak at the top of the style and one or more seeds may be borne there. Where a siliqua is less than seeds may be borne there. Where a siliqua is less than three times as long as it is broad , it is usually termed a three times as long as it is broad , it is usually termed a siliculasilicula. .

The silique may break apart at constrictions occurring The silique may break apart at constrictions occurring between the segments of the seeds, thus forming a sort between the segments of the seeds, thus forming a sort of loment (e.g. radish), it may eject the seeds explosively of loment (e.g. radish), it may eject the seeds explosively (e.g. (e.g. CardamineCardamine) or may be evolved in a sort of samara ) or may be evolved in a sort of samara (e.g. (e.g. IsatisIsatis). ).

Unsurprisingly the fruit is often the most Unsurprisingly the fruit is often the most important diagnostic character for plants in this important diagnostic character for plants in this family.family.

Lunaria annuaLunaria annuaFamily: BrassicaceaeFamily: Brassicaceae

Aka Money Plant


AsteraceaeAsteraceae

(formerly (formerly COMPOSITAECOMPOSITAE) - ) - The Daisy The Daisy Family Family This is one of the largest plant This is one of the largest plant families, with over 25,000 species families, with over 25,000 species distributed all over the world. It includes distributed all over the world. It includes shrubs, perennials and annuals, but not shrubs, perennials and annuals, but not trees or aquatics. Many of them are weeds trees or aquatics. Many of them are weeds (e.g. Dandelion and Thistle), many are (e.g. Dandelion and Thistle), many are familiar garden flowers (Aster, familiar garden flowers (Aster, Chrysanthemum and Echinacea), and some Chrysanthemum and Echinacea), and some are edible (Lettuce and Artichoke).are edible (Lettuce and Artichoke).


Characteristics of this Plant Family:Characteristics of this Plant Family: Leaves, Stem & Roots ~ Leaves, Stem & Roots ~ The leaves of The leaves of

this family are often undivided and spoon-this family are often undivided and spoon-shaped, but they are sometimes toothed or shaped, but they are sometimes toothed or divided, and they may be prickly. There is divided, and they may be prickly. There is often a basal rosette, as in the Daisy or often a basal rosette, as in the Daisy or Dandelion, and there may be leaves on the Dandelion, and there may be leaves on the stem, as in the thistle. The stem itself may stem, as in the thistle. The stem itself may be solid or hollow and it, too, may be prickly. be solid or hollow and it, too, may be prickly. The roots may be short and near the The roots may be short and near the surface, as in the Daisy, or there may be a surface, as in the Daisy, or there may be a long tap root, as in the Dandelion or Thistle. long tap root, as in the Dandelion or Thistle.


Flowers -Flowers - It is the flowers which give this plant It is the flowers which give this plant family its original name of Compositae They are family its original name of Compositae They are composite, or made up of many individual flowers. composite, or made up of many individual flowers. These flowers may be regular (disc florets), with all These flowers may be regular (disc florets), with all the petals the same size, or irregular (ray florets), the petals the same size, or irregular (ray florets), with some petals larger than others. Often, the disc with some petals larger than others. Often, the disc florets form the central disc of short flowers, and the florets form the central disc of short flowers, and the irregular ray florets form the outside 'petals' with the irregular ray florets form the outside 'petals' with the larger edge on the outside of the flower head. In a larger edge on the outside of the flower head. In a sunflower for example, the dark center of the flower sunflower for example, the dark center of the flower is the disc florets and the outer 'petals' are the ray is the disc florets and the outer 'petals' are the ray florets. Some members of this family are made up of florets. Some members of this family are made up of only disc florets or only ray florets. only disc florets or only ray florets.



Seeds - Seeds - Each single flower can produce a seed. The Each single flower can produce a seed. The flowers sit on a disc surrounded by the bracts. After flowers sit on a disc surrounded by the bracts. After pollination, the seeds grow and mature until they are pollination, the seeds grow and mature until they are ripe and ready to be dispersed. In some species, the ripe and ready to be dispersed. In some species, the bracts surrounding the flower simply open and allow bracts surrounding the flower simply open and allow the seeds to be dispersed by the wind. In this case, the seeds to be dispersed by the wind. In this case, the seed is often attached to its own 'parachute', as the seed is often attached to its own 'parachute', as in the Dandelion. In other species, the bracts close in the Dandelion. In other species, the bracts close over the disc while the seeds mature, and this seed over the disc while the seeds mature, and this seed case also turns brown as the seeds ripen. When the case also turns brown as the seeds ripen. When the seeds are ready to be dispersed, they separate from seeds are ready to be dispersed, they separate from the disc. Seeds of this family are oval and may be the disc. Seeds of this family are oval and may be flat or rounded. They can be straw-colored, warm flat or rounded. They can be straw-colored, warm brown or nearly black. brown or nearly black.


As the flowers of this Family are composite, that is, As the flowers of this Family are composite, that is, composed of a number of individual florets, the composed of a number of individual florets, the seedhead is made up of the seeds of all the individual seedhead is made up of the seeds of all the individual flowers. Each flower produces one seed, formed from an flowers. Each flower produces one seed, formed from an inferior ovary, and is called a cypsela. Often, there are inferior ovary, and is called a cypsela. Often, there are fine hairs attached which help it to be dispersed, or it fine hairs attached which help it to be dispersed, or it may have scales or bristles. may have scales or bristles.

The individual seeds may be rounded or curved, but they The individual seeds may be rounded or curved, but they are very often almost flat. The genus are very often almost flat. The genus DimorphothecaDimorphotheca was named because it produces two different types of was named because it produces two different types of seeds - thin, stick-like seeds from the outer florets, and seeds - thin, stick-like seeds from the outer florets, and flat, disc-like seeds from the inner florets. flat, disc-like seeds from the inner florets.

It is worth noting that often not all the florets in each It is worth noting that often not all the florets in each flowerhead (capitulum) form seeds although they may flowerhead (capitulum) form seeds although they may produce the fluffy hairs. produce the fluffy hairs.


Many members of this plant family do not Many members of this plant family do not produce viable seeds. Often, they produce what produce viable seeds. Often, they produce what looks like a fine seedhead of white fluff, but on looks like a fine seedhead of white fluff, but on examination it will be seen that there is no seed examination it will be seen that there is no seed at the bottom of the 'parachute'. In some cases, at the bottom of the 'parachute'. In some cases, there may be a seed case full of ripe brown there may be a seed case full of ripe brown 'seeds', but they may be flat or bent and spindly, 'seeds', but they may be flat or bent and spindly, and if they are compared to a healthy seed, it can and if they are compared to a healthy seed, it can be seen that they are not viable seeds. Healthy be seen that they are not viable seeds. Healthy seeds are easily recognizable - there is a slight seeds are easily recognizable - there is a slight bulge to even the flat-looking viable seeds, and bulge to even the flat-looking viable seeds, and some are fat and rounded. some are fat and rounded.


Cypsela on a dandelion


Members of this Family usually have daisy-Members of this Family usually have daisy-type flowers and are herbs, shrubs, or type flowers and are herbs, shrubs, or small trees; not aquatic.small trees; not aquatic.

The family Asteraceae is the largest family The family Asteraceae is the largest family of flowering plants (Angiospermae), in of flowering plants (Angiospermae), in terms of number of species.terms of number of species.

Asteraceae are cosmopolitan, but most Asteraceae are cosmopolitan, but most common in the temperate regions and common in the temperate regions and tropical mountains.tropical mountains.




Achillea Anaphalis


According to our text, the family According to our text, the family comprises 1535 genera and 23,000 comprises 1535 genera and 23,000 species. The largest genera are species. The largest genera are SenecioSenecio (1,250 species), (1,250 species), VeroniaVeronia (1,000 (1,000 species), species), CousiniaCousinia (650 species), and (650 species), and CentaureaCentaurea (600 species). The (600 species). The circumscription of the genera is often circumscription of the genera is often problematic and some of these have problematic and some of these have been frequently divided into minor been frequently divided into minor subgroups. subgroups.


Genera in this family include: Genera in this family include: Achillea, Anaphalis, Arctotis, Argyranthemum, Achillea, Anaphalis, Arctotis, Argyranthemum,

Arnica, Aster, Bellis, Bidens, Calendula, Carduus, Arnica, Aster, Bellis, Bidens, Calendula, Carduus, Centaurea, Cichorium, Cineraria, Coreopsis, Centaurea, Cichorium, Cineraria, Coreopsis, Cosmos, Cynara, Dahlia, Dimorphotheca, Cosmos, Cynara, Dahlia, Dimorphotheca, Doronicum, Echinops, Emilia, Erigeron, Gazania, Doronicum, Echinops, Emilia, Erigeron, Gazania, Gerbera, Gynura, Helenium, Helianthus, Gerbera, Gynura, Helenium, Helianthus, Helichrysum, Inula, Leontopodium, Liatris, Helichrysum, Inula, Leontopodium, Liatris, Ligularia, Mutisia, Osteospermum, Raoulia, Ligularia, Mutisia, Osteospermum, Raoulia, Rudbeckia, Santolina, Senecio, Solidago, Rudbeckia, Santolina, Senecio, Solidago, Stokesia, Tagetes, Taraxacum, Ursinia, ZinniaStokesia, Tagetes, Taraxacum, Ursinia, Zinnia. .


Antennaria roseaArtemisia cana


In Montana, there are many genera In Montana, there are many genera and species:and species:

See See Dorn 1984Dorn 1984 for complete listing. for complete listing.


Arnica longifolia

Aster conspicuus


Balsamorhiza sagittata Centaurea cyanus


Centaurea maculosa Centaurea montana


Circium arvenseIntroduced Noxious Weed

Circium undulatumNative


Erigeron linearis Grindelia squarrosa


Helianthus annuus Liatris punctata

??? From Sara??? From Sara

pe·rig·y·nouspe·rig·y·nous (p -r j -n s) adj. (p -r j -n s) adj. Having sepals, petals, and stamens around Having sepals, petals, and stamens around

the edge of a cuplike receptacle containing the edge of a cuplike receptacle containing the ovary, as in flowers of the rose or cherry. the ovary, as in flowers of the rose or cherry.

A A half-inferior ovaryhalf-inferior ovary (also known as “half- (also known as “half-superior”, “subinferior,” or “partially superior”, “subinferior,” or “partially inferior,”) is embedded or surrounded by the inferior,”) is embedded or surrounded by the receptacle. Such flowers are termed receptacle. Such flowers are termed perigynousperigynous or or half-epigynoushalf-epigynous. In some . In some classifications, half-inferior ovaries are not classifications, half-inferior ovaries are not recognized and are instead grouped with recognized and are instead grouped with either the superior or inferior ovaries.either the superior or inferior ovaries.

??? From Justin??? From Justin

The word The word arvensearvense comes from the Latin word comes from the Latin word arvumarvum which means “field.” Thus, which means “field.” Thus, Convolvulus Convolvulus arvensisarvensis, aka Field Bindweed. , aka Field Bindweed.

Picea marianaPicea mariana ( (Black SpruceBlack Spruce) is a species of ) is a species of spruce native to northern North America, from spruce native to northern North America, from Newfoundland west to Alaska, and south to Newfoundland west to Alaska, and south to northern New York, Minnesota and central British northern New York, Minnesota and central British Columbia. This area is also known as the taiga Columbia. This area is also known as the taiga forest. This species is not native to Montana.forest. This species is not native to Montana.

??? From Dwayne??? From DwayneThree-needled Pine Three-needled Pine

A check of my records revealed a A check of my records revealed a purchase of this tree from a nursery in purchase of this tree from a nursery in Wisconsin in 2002. I had overlooked Wisconsin in 2002. I had overlooked the purchase. It is the purchase. It is Pinus bungeanaPinus bungeana aka aka Lacebark Pine. Native to China, it was Lacebark Pine. Native to China, it was introduced into horticultural cultivation introduced into horticultural cultivation in 1846. It was first observed by a Dr. in 1846. It was first observed by a Dr. Bunge near Beijing in 1831, cultivated Bunge near Beijing in 1831, cultivated in a temple garden. in a temple garden.

Documents

From the Portland Oregonian, 1899, on a man who grew incredibly large pumpkins. “Every day he fills a quart vessel with milk, places it on the ground,