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Amsinckia tesselata [Devil's Lettuce]


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Rørslett, B. 2013. Amsinckia tesselata A. Gray (Boraginaceae). Devil's Lettuce. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultraviol...devils-lettuce/

 

Amsinckia tesselata A.Gray

NO: Mosaikkgullurt

EN: Devil's Lettuce; Fiddlerneck

 

This genus contains species that are quite similar in appearance and all are plants of dry areas in the southern parts of the US. They have stems and foliage covered with sharp spine-like hairs that easily break or fall off when touched and can cause a skin rash, hence their name. Several species, including A. tessalata, have been introduced to Europe and other parts of the world.

 

Plants photographed at Joshua Tree National Park, California 5 Mar 2012. Identified as A. tesselata by having a calyx split in three independent lobes.

 

AMSI_TES_G1203052820_VIS.jpg

Image reference: AMSI_TES_G1203052820_VIS.jpg

Visible light: Nikon D3X, Voigtländer 125 mm f/2.5 APO-Lanthar, daylight.

 

AMSI_TES_I1203054478_UV.jpg

Image reference: AMSI_TES_I1203054478_UV.jpg

Ultraviolet light: Nikon D40X, UV-Nikkor 105 mm f/4.5 lens, Baader U 2" (Venus) filter, SB-140 flash.

 

The small red spot on the throat entrance of the corolla are UV-black and appear bigger than the visual counterparts. The corolla itself is very UV-bright to set the smallish flowers apart from the UV-dark foliage surrounding them.

 

[Published 18 Apr 2013]

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