Xerochrysum viscosum [Sticky Everlasting]

[DaveO]

Oldfield, D. 2013. Xerochrysum viscosum (DC.) R.J. Bayer. (Asteraceae) Sticky Everlasting. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultraviol...ky-everlasting/

 

Synonyms

Helichrysum bracteatum var. viscosum Sieber ex DC.

Bracteantha viscosa (Sieber ex DC.) Anderb. & Haegi

 

Maldon, Victoria, Australia

Gower road, Maldon Historic Reserve

5 November 2013

Australian Native Wildflower

 

Comment

Xerochrysum viscosum refers to the golden-yellow papery floral bracts of this example of what are commonly know as ‘Everlasting’ or paper daisies. The flowers are favoured for dried floral arrangements. The flowers show extremely strong absorption of ultraviolet light away from the specular reflection at normal incidence presumably due to the presence of conical cells on their surface. This is in marked contrast to the ultraviolet signature of many flowers which are yellow in visible light and false yellow in ultraviolet.

 

 

Visible Light: Pentax K-5 Full Spectrum Modification, Quartz 105 mm f/4.0 lens, Metz 15 MS-1 flash, 1/180 s @ f/16 ISO 200, B+W UV/IR Cut Filter.

Image Reference: DO51748

 

Ultraviolet Light: Pentax K-5 Full Spectrum Modification, Quartz 105 mm f/4.0 lens, Nikon SB-14 flash, 1/180 s @ f/16 ISO 200, Baader UV-Pass Filter.

Image Reference: DO51755

 

References:

Elliott, W.R. and Jones, D.L. Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation, Lothian 2010, Volume 9, p. 502.

 

 

Atlas of Living Australia http://bie.ala.org.a...hrysum+viscosum

 

 

Published 11 February 2014