Phacelia campanularia [Desert Bluebell]

[Andrea B.]

Blum, A.G. (2013) Phacelia campanularia A. Gray (Boraginaceae) Desert Bluebell. Flowers photographed in ultraviolet and visible light. http://www.ultraviol...esert-bluebell/

 

Synonyms:

• California Bluebells
  
• Desertbells
  

Reference:

1. Jepson eFlora. (2013). P. campanularia A. Gray. Jepson Herbarium, U. of Cal.-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA. http://ucjeps.berkel...JM.pl?tid=37428

2. Jepson eFlora. (2013). P. campanularia subsp. vasiformis G. Gillett. Jepson Herbarium, U. of Cal.-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA. http://ucjeps.berkel...JM.pl?tid=52109

 

Set 1

Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA

Lat [N33°43'08.6"] Lon [W115°48'41.6"]

05 March 2012

Wildflower

 

Comment:

The deep vivid blue of P. campanularia is very unexpected in a desert setting making these flowers a real treat to encounter in the Mohave.

The Visible white patches where the petals overlap become UV-black, but the white base of the corolla remains UV-light. The patch reversal is better seen in Set 2 below.

This was identified as Phacelia campanularia subsp. vasiformis G. Gillet. Its cousin P.c. A.Gray subsp. campanularia, having a more saucer shaped corolla, also grows in Joshua Tree.

 

Equipment [Nikon D300-broadband + Nikon 105mm f/4.5 UV-Nikkor]

 

Visible Light [f/16 for 1/200" @ ISO-400 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11 for 1/4" @ ISO-1000 in Sunlight with Baader UV-Pass Filter]

 

Infrared Light [f/11 for 1/400" @ ISO-400 in Sunlight with B+W 092 IR-Pass Filter]

 

Set 2

Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA

Lat [N33°44'37.6"] Lon [W115°49'36.7"]

05 March 2012

Wildflower

 

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

 

Visible Light [f/11 for 1/250" @ ISO 400 with onboard Flash and Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11 for 1/250" @ ISO 400 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and Baader UV-Pass Filter]

 

Set 2

Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

21 April 2013

Wildflower in botanical garden

 

Comment: Seen here growing next to a barrel cactus in a botanical garden setting, Phacelia campanularia, a US desert native, has an interesting UV presentation. The visible white/yellow anthers and the five visible white patches midway down the funnel-shaped corolla all reverse to UV-black. The corolla also features an interesting UV-dark ring.

 

Equipment [Nikon D600-broadband + Nikon 105mm f/4.5 UV-Nikkor]

 

Visible Light [f/6.3 for 1/500" @ ISO 100 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

 

Visible Light [f/11 for 1/160" @ ISO 100 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11 for 1/160" @ ISO 400 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and Baader UV-Pass Filter]

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11 for 1/2" @ ISO 400 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and Baader UV-Pass Filter]

 

 

UPDATED: 20 March 2015

[Nico]

Indeed, very nice and very UV-bright. Certainly attractive for pollinators, since the UV and the blue add up.

[Andrea B.]

Thanks, Nico. The deep blue is so striking to see in the desert - rather unexpected. I would like to find out what the pollinators are for this Phacelia.