Spergula arvensis [Corn Spurry]

[Andrea B.]

Blum, A. G. (2014) Spergula arvensis L. (Caryophyllaceae) Corn Spurrey. Flowers photographed in ultraviolet and visible light. http://www.ultraviol...is-corn-spurry/

 

Southwest Harbor, Maine, USA

11 July 2014

Wildflower

 

Synonyms:

• Stickwort
  
• Spergula arvensis var. sativa (Boenn.) Reichenb.
  
• Spergula sativum Boenn.
  

Comment:

One of the often overlooked little white flowers of summer, S. arvensis has distinctive clustered, almost whorled looking leaves at the nodes. The plant is non-native to the US. While imported for a good cause as a sandy soil crop, it is now considered a weed⁽¹⁾.

In Ultraviolet the perianth is fairily UV-dark with the flower center slightly more so. The sepals appear to have some UV-reflectivity.

 

Reference:

1. New England Wild Flower Society (2014) Spergula arvensis L. Corn Spurrey. https://gobotany.new...rgula/arvensis/

 

Equipment [Nikon D600-broadband + Carl Zeiss 60mm f/4.0 UV-Planar]

 

Visible Light [f/11 for 1/4" @ ISO 400 with onboard Flash and Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11 for 8" @ ISO 400 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and Baader UV-Pass Filter]

A long exposure was taken so the UV flash could be used twice for better lighting.

 

Visible Light [f/11 for 1.3" @ ISO 400 with onboard Flash and Baader UVIR-Block Filter]