Putnam Park Wildflowers


Flower ID: IMG_1965.JPG-06-26-2019
Flower name (scientific): Menispermum canadense Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) men-ih-SPER-mum ka-na-DEN-say
Flower name (common): Canadian Moonseed
Family name (common): Moonseed
Family name (scientific): Menispermaceae
Scientific name origin:
     Genus: From the Greek words mene for crescent moon, and sperma for a seed, referencing the shape of the seed.
    Specific epithet: From or of Canada
Common name origin: From a native habitat and the crescent moon-shaped seed.
Flower description:
     Size: 0.2 to 0.3 inches (0.5 to 0.8 cm)
     Petal count: 6 (can be 4 to 9)
     Color: white
     Other: flower arrangement, Panicle
Plant description: Long woody vine
     Size: 72 to 360 inches (1.8 to 9.1 m)
     Stem hairy:
     Other:
Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple and lobed
     Size: Leaves up to about 20 cm long and up to 24 cm wide.
     Color:
     Hairy:
     Other: Shape: leaf, blade ovate or nearly orbiculate, rarely reniform (FNA)
Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native
Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common
Bloom time (typical): June to July
Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial
Habitat: Disturbed sites, roadsides, forests, woodlands, thickets, streambanks, sun or part shade, moist.
Fruit: White turning to blue-black berry. Should NOT be eaten, the fruit is toxic to humans.
Seed:
Importance to wildlife:
Similar species (if any): Some Vitis sp. (wild grape) are similar. The leaves of Menispermum canadense are not toothed, whereas the leaves of Vitis riparia (Riverbank Grape) are toothed, as are those of Vitis aestivalis (Summer Grape). Ampelopsis cordata (Raccoon Grape, False Grape) has some resemblance, but this species has not been recorded in Michigan, Wisconsin, or Minnesota, but is present in Iowa, Illinois, and more southern states. The fruit of Menispermum canadense looks like a wild grape, but supposedly has an unpleasant taste and should not be eaten, since the fruit is toxic. Tendrils are absent for Menispermum canadense but present for Vitis riparia and Vitis aestivalis.
Ethnobotany: No recorded uses by tribes from Wisconsin. The Cherokee used the plant to treat stomach and bowel issues, and as a remedy for venereal disease. The Delaware employed the plant to treat sores (Moerman, p. 338, 1998).
Latitude: 44.795903
Longitude: -91.501732
Altitude: 248.40
Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Clark, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Dunn, Eau Claire, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Winnebago) Click here for distribution map
In US: (AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map
In Canada: (MB, ON, QC) Click here for distribution map
References:
Synonym(s):
Basionym: na
Homotypic Synonym(s):
Heterotypic Synonym(s):
Autonym: na
Wetland Status (NC): FAC
Wetland Status (MW): FAC