Cerastium tomentosum [Snow-In-Summer]

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Rørslett, B. 2013. Cerastium tomentosum L. (Caryophyllaceae). Snow-In-Summer. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light.

 

Cerastium tomentosum L.

NO: Sølvarve; filtarve

SE: Silverarv

DK: Filtet Hønsetarm

FI: Hopeahärkki

DE: Filziges Hornkraut

EN: Snow-in-summer

 

A creeping mat-forming plant, native to southern Europe, which sees widespread usage as a ground-covering ornamental plant in rock gardens. It is frequently naturalised from garden escapes. Flowering is mid May and continues into June..

 

Plants photographed near Oslo, Norway 30 May 2012. The population has survived here for at least 10 years so the species is winter hardy in a Nordic climate.

 

Image reference: CERA_TOM_I1205300280_VIS.jpg

Visible light: Panasonic GH-2, Coastal Optics 60 mm f/4 APO lens, Baader UV/IR Cut filter, daylight.

 

Image reference: CERA_TOM_I1205300290_UV.jpg

Ultraviolet light: Panasonic GH-2, Coastal Optics 60 mm f/4 APO lens, Baader U 2" (Venus) filter, SB-140 flash.

 

C. tomentosum features a prominent central UV pattern of the 'Bull's eye" category. This is not usual for white flowers. Even more unusual is the two-toned false-coloured appearance in UV with a transition zone made up of conical cells. Anthers and styles are all UV dark.

 

[Published 29 Apr 2013]