Senna artemisioides [Silver Cassia]

[Andrea B.]

Blum, A.G. (2013) Senna artemisioides (Gaudich. ex DC.) Randell (Fabaceae) Silver Cassia. Flowers photographed in ultraviolet and visible light. http://www.ultraviol...-silver-cassia/

 

Death Valley National Park, Furnace Creek Ranch, Furnace Creek, California, USA

13 March 2012

Wildflower on shrub in hotel landscaping

 

Synonyms:

• Silver Senna
  
• Cassia artemisioides Gaudich. ex DC.
  
• Cassia eremophila sensu auct. non Vogel
  
• Cassia helmsii Symon
  
• Cassia oligophylla (F.Muell.)
  
• Cassia sturtii R. Br.
  

Comment:

This shrub is not native to the California deserts but has become naturalized in many areas. An interesting UV-absorbing, black alluvial venation is seen on both the abaxial and adaxial petal surfaces in ultraviolet light. The seed pods are UV-black also.

 

Reference:

1. Jepson eFlora. (2012) S. artemisiodes (DC.) Randell. Jepson Herbarium, U. of Cal.-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA. http://ucjeps.berkel...JM.pl?tid=44132

 

Equipment:

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

[Nikon D3S + Nikon 60mm f2.8G AFS Micro-Nikkor]

 

Visible Light [f/4 for 1/6000" @ ISO 200 with D3S]

 

Visible Light [f/11 for 1/8" @ ISO 200 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11 for 1/250" @ ISO 200 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and Baader UV-Pass Filter]