Marsh Ecosystem

Swamp Milkweed

Order:Gentianales

Family:Asclepiadaceae

Class: Asclepias L.

Genus:Asclepias incarnata L.

Identifying Characteristics: Opposite, long narrow, lance shaped leaves with sharp pointed ends. Plants bloom in mid-summer and

produce a small, fragrant, pinkish-purpleish flowers in rounded umbrels. Whit

e sap that comes from leaf when broken.

Special Adaptations: After blooming, green seed pods are produced. When they are ripe, they will split open and release flat seeds attached to silky white hairs that catch the wind and make it easy for seed dispersal.

Swift Long Winged Skimmer

Order:Odonata

Family:Libelluidae

Genus:Pachydiplax

Species:Pachydiplax longipennis

Identifying Characteristics: small blue dragonfly with a white face, a black tip on the abdomen, and a black and yellow stripe on the thorax. Amber patch at base of hindwing. Found near ponds, lakes, bogs and marshes, or anywhere where there is still water.

Special Adaptations: Sometimes orient themselves in different positions relative to t

he sun, either to maximize of minimize heat gain, depending on temperature.

Large Milkweed Bug

Order:Hemiptera

Family:Lygaeidae

Genus:Oncopeltus

Species:Oncopeltus fasciatus

Identifying Characteristics: Adult is 9-18 mm long. Mature adults are orange with black spots.

Special Adaptations: Adults that survive winter mates in May-June when common milkweed plants have grown enough to provide shelter. Both nymphs and adults use the milkweed plant as a primary food source.

Cattail

Order:Poale

Family:Typhaceae

Genus:Typha

Species:Typha angustifolia

Identifying Characteristics: Leaves are erect, flat, and very narrow and 3'-6' tall. Flower is dense, fuzzy spike at end of stem. Males are lighter brown, females darker brown. Tall sword shaped leaves. Grows almost anywhere where soil remains wet, saturated or flood

ed during growing season.

Special Adaptations: Can grow in a variety of soil types.

Reed Canarygrass

Order:Poales

Family:Poaceae

Genus:Phalaris

Species:Phalaris. arundinacea

Identifying Characteristics: Leaf blades are blue-green when fresh, straw colored when dry and stand about 4' tall. The flowers are borne on the stem high above leaves and are pinkish at full bloom.

Special Adaptations: Considered an invasive species in wetlands, especially in disturbed areas. When it invades a wetland it suppresses native vegetation and suppresses diversity. Grows well on poor soils and industrial areas.

Silky Dogwood

Order:Cornales

Family:Cornaceae

Genus:Cornus L.

Species:Cornus amomum

Identifying Characteristics:Large Shrub, 6'-10' high. Dark green ovate leaves, yellowish-whitish flowers that bloom in mid June, and bluish fruit that matures in September.

Special Adaptations: Does well in lake states, but poorly outside of its natural area. Does best in moist soils and does well in shade, but is not adaptable to droughty conditions.

Northern Leopard Frog

Order:Anura

Family:Ranidae

Genus:Rana

Species:Rana pipiens

Identifying Characteristics: Varies from green to brown on dorsal with large dark circular spots on its back, sides, and legs. Pale green stripe from eye to shoulder. Found in permanent ponds, swamps, marshes, and slow moving streams throughout forests, open, and urban areas. Eat a wide variety of animals including crickets, worms, flies and smaller frogs. They have large mouth and can even swallow birds and garter snakes.

Special Adaptations: Well adapted to cold temperatures. Do not distasteful skin secretions, so they rely on speed to evade predation.

Western Honey Bee

Order:Hymenoptera

Family:Apidae

Genus:Apis

Species:Apis mellifera

Identifying Characteristics:Fuzzy, hairy eyes, pollen carried in balls on legs, long radial cell near the front wing tip.

Special Adaptations: Not native to western hemisphere, but can survive in cold and hot weather due to heating and cooling of hives. Brought to western hemisphere by Spanish for honey.