Euphorbia nutans [Nodding Spurge]

[Andrea B.]

Blum, A.G. (2013) Euphorbia nutans Lagasca (Euphorbiaceae) Nodding Spurge. Flowers photographed in ultraviolet and visible light. http://www.ultraviol...nodding-spurge/

 

Death Valley National Park, California, USA

01 March 2012

Wildflower

 

Synonyms:

• Eyebane
  
• Chamaesyce nutans
  

Comment:

This plant is native to the eastern US where I live, so I'm amused by finding it in Death Valley.

Unlike many desert Euphorbias, E. nutans does take the prostrate 'sand mat' form but has erect stems. There are both male and female flowers with 5-10 male flowers clustered around one female flower. At first glance to the uninitiated, the white and pinkish appendages at the base of the flowers appear to be petals, but they are bracts, or modified leaves.

In UV light, the white bracts have a false colour different from the leaves, stems and flowers. However, the overall look of the plant in UV is uniform with moderate reflection. Closer studies might reveal some brigher bits on the tips of styles or stamens.

 

Reference:

1. Jepson eFlora (2013) Euphorbia nutans. Jepson Herbarium, U. of Cal.-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA. http://ucjeps.berkel...JM.pl?tid=25480

 

Equipment [Nikon D300-broadband + Carl Zeiss 60mm f/4.0 UV-Planar]

 

Visible Light [f/4.8 for 1/4000" @ ISO 200 with Nikon D3S + Nikon 60/2.8G Micro-Nikkor]

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11 for 1/250" @ ISO 800 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and Baader UV-Pass Filter]

[Nico]

Interesting to see that the leaves are much more UV reflective than those of most other plants where leaves are frequently UV-dark (black).

[Andrea B.]

It is interesting that we do not always get the UV-dark leaves. As we go along, we should look for characteristics or construction of leaves which might explain it.