Description: This native perennial plant is 1-3'
tall; it is unbranched toward the base, but branches occasionally in the upper
half. The light green stems are glabrous and occasionally glaucous; they
are
slightly wider and angular at the base of the petioles. The compound leaves are
trifoliate. The lower compound leaves have long petioles, while the upper
compound leaves are sessile, or nearly so. There is an elongated membranous
sheath at the base of the petioles. The leaflets of the compound leaves are up
to 4" long and 2" across, becoming smaller as they ascend the stems. Each
leaflet is ovate, elliptic or lanceolate in shape, doubly serrated along the
margins, and hairless. Some leaflets may be shallowly to deeply cleft along
their margins and have 1 or 2 lobes. Each leaflet is rounded or wedge-shaped at
the base and it tapers to a winged petiole (i.e., a winged petiolule). The
upper stems terminate in compound umbels of tiny white flowers. These umbels
are somewhat irregular and span about 2-3" across. Each umbel divides into
about 3-8 umbellets, while each umbellet consists of 3-10 flowers. Neither
umbels nor umbellets have any significant bracts. Each flower is less than 1/8"
across, consisting of 5 white petals, 5 white stamens, a conical pistil that is
light green, and a tubular green calyx without teeth. Each petal usually curves
inward at its tip. The blooming period occurs during early to mid-summer and
lasts about a month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Each flower is
replaced by an elongated ribbed seed that tapers at both ends. The seeds are
initially green, but they later become dark-colored. The root system consists
of a taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself; it occasionally forms
colonies at favorable sites.
Cultivation: The preference is medium to light
shade, mesic conditions, and a loamy soil with organic material. Conditions
that are more moist or dry are tolerated as well.
Range & Habitat: Honewort is a common plant that
occurs in most areas of Illinois (see
Distribution
Map). Habitats include mesic deciduous woodlands (especially Sugar Maple
& Basswood woodlands), woodland borders, shady seeps, wooded areas along
springs, bluffs, fence rows that are overgrown with trees, and shady edges of
yards. This species adapts well to shaded areas with a history of light to
moderate
disturbance. It can also be found in higher quality woodlands with more
conservative species.
Faunal
Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts primarily small
bees, wasps, flies, and beetles. This includes the parasitoid Ichneumonid wasps
and Wild Carrot wasps (Gasteruptiidae). The caterpillars of the butterfly
Papilio polyxenes asterias (Black Swallowtail) feed on the foliage of
Honewort and many other members of the Carrot family. White-Tailed Deer browse
occasionally on the foliage.
Photographic
Location: Busey Woods at Urbana, Illinois, where there are areas of
mesic deciduous woodlands. In the upper right corner of the lower photograph is
foliage of a Viola sp. (Violet).
Comments: Honewort is a woodland wildflower that
blooms in the shade during the summer. Its white flowers are quite small and
not very showy, which is quite typical of wildflower species that adapt to this
type of habitat. Because their are many members of the Carrot family with
umbels of small white flowers, they can be difficult to identify. Honewort can
be distinguished from similar species by the following characteristics: 1) It
has hairless leaves and stems, 2) it has trifoliate leaves which are sometimes
cleft, 3) its leaflets are lanceolate to ovate, rather than narrowly linear, 4)
its umbels of white flowers are compound, rather than simple, and 5) it has no
significant bracts at the base of each umbel or umbellet. If this isn't
sufficient to produce an identification (this is a difficult group of plants),
then consider the following two characteristics of the leaflets: Theirs margin
are usually doubly serrate, and the base of each leaflet tapers to a winged
petiole (sometimes it is quite short).