By: Amanda Smith

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NJ Wild FLower Project
By Amanda Smith
Period 7
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Polemonium reptans
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Labled parts of a flower
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PaRtS aNd ThEiR FuNcTiOnS
Stigma Is covered in a sticky substance that
the pollen grains will adhere to.
Petal Used to attract insects into the flower,
they may have guidelines on them and be scented.
Ovary Protects the ovule and once fertilization
has taken place it will become a fruit.
Style Raises the stigma away from the Ovary to
decrease the likelihood of pollen contamination.
It varies in length.
Ovule Is like the egg in animals and once
fertilization has taken place will become the
seed.
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PaRtS aNd ThEiR FuNcTiOnS 2
Receptacle The flowers attachment to the stalk
and in some cases become part of the fruit after
fertilization e.g. strawberry.
Sepal Protects the flower whilst the flower is
developing from a bud.
Flower Stalk Gives support to the flower and
elevates the flower for the insects.
Nectary Is where a sugary solution called
nectar is held to attract insects.
Filament Stalk of the anther.
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PaRtS aNd ThEiR FuNcTiOnS 3
Anther The anthers contain pollen sacs. The
sacs release pollen on to the outside of the
anthers that brush against insects on entering
the flowers. The pollen once deposited on the
insect is transferred to the stigma of another
flower or the same flower. The ovule is then able
to be fertilized.
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Polemonium reptans aka Greek Valerian
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Polemonium reptans aka Jacob's Ladder Scientific
name Polemoniaceae (Phlox family)
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Facts
1) This native perennial plant is 11½'
tall, branching occasionally.

2) The preference is light shade or partial sun,
mesic conditions, and a rich soil with lots of
organic matter. Full sunlight and conditions that
are more moist or dry are also tolerated. It is
not aggressive, and adapts well to flower
gardens, especially in partially shaded areas.3)
Jacob's Ladder is an occasional to locally common
plant that occurs in most areas of Illinois,
except for some counties in the central portion
of the state. 4)
Habitats include deciduous mesic woodlands,
woodland borders, mesic black soil prairies,
fens, and semi-shaded areas along rivers. This
plant prefers high quality natural habitats, and
rarely wonders far from wooded areas.
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Facts 2
5) The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract
bees primarily, including honeybees, bumblebees,
Little Carpenter bees, Mason bees, Cuckoo bees
(Nomadine), Halictid bees (including Green
Metallic), and Andrenid bees. 6) The only other
species that resembles it, Polemonium vanbruntiae
(Tall Jacob's Ladder), which is native to some of
the Eastern States, doesn't occur in the wild in
Illinois. 7) The common name of these species
refers to the pairs of opposite leaflets on the
compound leaves, which supposedly resemble a
series of steps on a ladder in a dream by the
biblical Joseph. 8) Another common name for
Polemonium reptans is Greek Valerian, although it
isn't native to Greece.
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Sources

• http//www.grownative.org/image/planthb/DETA-142.j
  pg
• http//www.inhs.uiuc.edu/cwe/illinois_plants/ThePl
  ants/PGenera/PolRep/PolRep2.jpg
• http//digitalis.mobot.org/mrsid/kemper/plantfinde
  r/low/L810-0901020.jpg
• http//www.illinoiswildflowers.info/woodland/photo
  s/grk_valerian1.jpg