Lithophragma tenellum [Woodland Star]

[Andrea B.]

Blum, A.G. (2013) Lithophragma tenellum Nuttall (Saxifragaceae) Woodland Star. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultravioletphotography.com/content/index.php?/topic/617-lithophragma-tenellum-woodland-star/

 

Twin Pines, La Plata County, Colorado, USA

28 April 2013

Wildflower

 

Synonyms:

• Slender Woodland Star
  
• Lithophragma australe Rydb.
  
• Lithophragma brevilobum Rydb.
  
• Lithophragma rupicola Greene
  
• Lithophragma tenellum Nutt. var. thompsonii (Hoover) C.L. Hitch
  

Comment:

These sparkling little white Woodland Stars were found growing in companionship with some Blue-Eyed Mary. Woodland Stars sometimes have a pinkish shading on the petals. Lithophragma sepals and petal bases are fused into a cup called the hypanthium. For the L. tenellum species the hypanthium is spherical, and the five petals are cut into more than 3 lobes. In other Lithophragma the hypanthium is elliptical, and the petals cuts fewer.

The UV-black sepals of L. tenellum show some sparkles in UV. The petals are moderately UV-dark.

 

Reference:

1. Weber & Wittmann (2012) Lithophragma Torrey & Gray, page 336. Colorado Flora: Western Slope, 4th Ed. The U. of Colo. Press, Boulder, CO.

 

Equipment: [Nikon D600-broadband + Nikon 105mm f/4.5 UV-Nikkor]

 

Visible Light [f/6.3 for 1/1600” @ ISO 200 with Nikon D50 + Nikon 60/2.8D Micro-Nikkor]

 

Visible Light [f/6.3 for 1/800” @ ISO 200 with Nikon D50 + Nikon 60/2.8D Micro-Nikkor]

 

Visible Light [f/4.5 for 1/2000" @ ISO 200 with Nikon D50 + Nikon 60/2.8D Micro-Nikkor]

Lobed basal leaves.

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/8 for 1/30” @ ISO 400 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and Baader UV-Pass Filter]