Andrea B. Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 Blum, A.G. (2017) Spergularia rubra (L.) C. Presl (Caryophyllaceae) Red Sand-spurry. Flowers photographed in ultraviolet and visible light. http://www.ultraviol...ed-sand-spurry/ Shore Cottage, Southwest Harbor, Maine, USA29 July 2014Wildflower Synonyms:Arenaria rubra L.Spergularia rubra var. perennans (Kindb.) B.L. Robins.Tissa rubra (L.) Britt.Comment:In spite of the fact that Red Sand-spurry is an non-native weed, the little pink stars arrayed over a grassy summer lawn is quite a fetching sight. The tiny flower petals are moderately UV-absorbing with UV-black central reproductive parts. The longer sepals, however, seem to have some UV-iridescence and appear brighter under the petals making for a distinctive UV-signature. Story: The Elusive Ruby Spurrey Reference:1. New England Wild Flower Society (2017) Spergularia rubra. Red Sand-spurry. https://gobotany.new...rgularia/rubra/ Equipment [Nikon D600-broadband + Carl Zeiss 60mm f/4.0 UV-Planar]Unless otherwise noted. Visible Light [f/14 for 1/200" @ ISO-400 with Nikon Df + Micro-Nikkor 60/2.8G in Sunlight]Pink stars. Visible Light [f/11 for 1/1.6" @ ISO-800 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter]Note glandular hairs on the sepals and leaves. Ultraviolet Light [f/11 for 1/1.6" @ ISO-800 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and BaaderU UV-Pass Filter] Link to comment
Hornblende Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 What a coincidence! I saw this exact same plant alongside the road today, I tried to identify it but I gave up :(I thought ALL pinks have fringed or deeply cleft petals.Now I know. Link to comment
Andrea B. Posted July 8, 2017 Author Share Posted July 8, 2017 Well, you are now learning how those botanical classifications go. There is a basic family "type" - such as the fringed/cleft petals for Carophyllaceae. But -- BUT -- there are always a number of deviations from type to make us confused. :blink: I'm amazed that the botanists could derive all the elaborate family classifications before the DNA era using only microscopes and cellular data. Since DNA has been used, there have been re-classifications - but not as many as one would think. Since I recommended the Botany in a Day book to you, I have been reading in it again. Such an amazing book! It is really very, very well done. I originally found that book several years ago when it was in its 4th or 5th edition. The latest 6th edition with colour and additional material is superb. I've decided to go out and put into practice the suggested flower observation given on page 24. Having learned so many local flower IDs, I have gotten a bit lazy about it all. So spending a day practicing careful observation will be rewarding and remind me about what to look for when I do encounter a new flower. Link to comment
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