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Cephalanthera rubra [Red Helleborine]


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Rørslett, B. 2013. Cephalanthera rubra (L.)Rich. (Orchidaceae). Red Helleborine. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultraviol...ed-helleborine/

 

Cephalanthera rubra (L.)Rich.

 

NO: Rød skogfrue; raud skogfrue

SE: Röd skogslilja; rödsyssla

DK: Rød Skovlilje

FI: Punavalkku

DE: Rotes Waldvögelein

EN: Red Helleborine

 

This is a medium tall, to 0.5m, perennial orchid native to Europe. It is uncommon or rare over its distribution range and many countries have it on their Red List of endangered species or making it protected by law, or both. The usual habitats are open forest floors on calcareous soils, often as an adjunct to tall pines. It flowers late in spring with beautiful red to purple fragrant flowers.

 

Plants photographed in situ at Les Sables d'Olonne, France 3 June 2011. Specimens were found in an open coastal pine forest.

 

CEPH_RUB_G1106035916_VIS.jpg

Image reference: CEPH_RUB_G1106035916_VIS.jpg

Visible light: Nikon D3S, Voigtländer 125 mm f/2.5 APO-Lanthar lens, daylight.

 

CEPH_RUB_I1106033730_UV.jpg

image reference: CEPH_RUB_I1106033730_UV.jpg

Ultraviolet light: Nikon D40X, UV-Nikkor 105 mm f/4.5 lens, Baader U2" (Venus) filter, SB-140 flash.

 

In UV, the corolla of C. rubra is shiny UV-white except for the labellum which is UV dark. The labellum is densely set with conical cells.

 

The flowers of C. rubra, being highly three-dimensional, illustrate the problem of acquiring highly detailled UV captures in situ with a single flash as illumination. As the species is Red listed besdes being ptotected by Law, it could not be transported into a more favourable studio setting. Anyway, the shiny UV characteristic is amply demonstrated.

 

References:

http://www.ultraviol...ure-references/

 

[Published 26 June 2013]

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