Taraxacum erythrospermum [Red-seeded Dandelion]

[Andrea B.]

Blum, A.G. (2013) Taraxacum erythrospermum Andrzejowski ex Besser (Asteraceae) Red-seeded Dandelion. Flowers photographed in ultraviolet, visible and infrared light. http://www.ultraviol...eded-dandelion/

 

Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit, New Jersey, USA

Boy Scount Camp

14 April 2010

Wildflower

 

Synonyms:

• Taraxacum laevigatum (Willdenow) de Candolle var. erythrospermum (Andrzejowski ex Besser) J. Weiss
  
• Taraxacum officinale F. H. Wiggers var. erythrospermum (Andrzejowski ex Besser) Babington
  
• Taraxacum scanicum Dahlstedt
  

Comment:

It was exciting to finally spot the brick-red cypselae in this T. erythrospermum clock after searching for a couple of years to find an example of this Taraxacum.

In UV, T. erythrospermum has the same UV-black central bullseye as its ubiquitous cousin T. officinale. The fused anthers, protruding styles and curled stigmas are all UV-black against the UV-bright rays. In Infrared the styles and stigmas are IR absorbing which is unusual as most flowers are IR-bright.

The name T. erythrospermum is being used by Flora of North America until nomenclatural issues are resolved. For an extensive discussion of Taraxacum in North America and T. erythrospermum in particular, please see the two listed references.

 

Reference:

1. Flora of North America Online (2013) Taraxacum vol. 21 pg. 239 FNA. New York & Oxford. http://www.efloras.o...taxon_id=132314

2. Flora of North America Online (2013) Taraxacum erythrospermum vol. 21 pg. 241 FNA. New York & Oxford. http://www.efloras.o...on_id=242417345

 

Equipment [Nikon D200-broadband + Novoflex 35mm f/3.5 Noflexar]

 

Visible Light [f/11 for 1/350" @ ISO 400 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

Mature red seeds of T. erythrospermum.

 

Visible Light [f/5.6 for 1/1500" @ ISO 400 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

 

Visible Light [f/11 for 1/250" @ ISO 400 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

 

Visible Light [f/8 for 1/500" @ ISO 400 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

Immature red cypselae of T. erythrospermum.

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/8 for 1/2" @ ISO 400 in Sunlight with Baader UV-Pass Filter]

 

Visible Light [f/11 for 1/350" @ ISO 400 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11 for 1" @ ISO 400 in Sunlight with Baader UV-Pass Filter]

 

Infrared Light [f/11 for 1/500" @ ISO 400 in Sunlight with B+W 092 IR-Pass Filter]