Veronica chamaedrys [Germander Speedwell]

[Andrea B.]

Blum, A.G. (2013) Veronica chamaedrys L. (Plantaginaceae). Germander Speedwell. Flowers photographed in ultraviolet and visible light. http://www.ultraviol...nder-speedwell/

 

Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown, New Jersey, USA

15 May 2013

Wildflower

 

Comment: The vivid blue, zygomorphic flowers become UV-light with a UV-dark eye and stamens. In both the Visible and the UV dark spokes radiate from the center.

 

Reference:

1. Newcomb, L. (1977) Bird's-eye Speedwell or Germander Speedwell page 96. Newcomb's Wildflower Guide. Little, Brown & Co., New York City, NY.

 

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

 

Visible Light [f/8 for 1/50" @ ISO 400 with onboard Flash and Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/8 for 1/100" @ ISO 400 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and Baader UV-Pass Filter]

[nfoto]

Apparently the Veronica species behave differently under UV illumination. Some, like V. chamaedrys and V. serpyllifolia, are highly UV reflective so corollas show up as near white or very pale blue. Other species are sky blue under UV too, indicating their corolla is moderately UV reflective.

 

Norwegian material of V. chamaedrys in UV are a facsimile of the plants shown in the first post.

[Andrea B.]

And so, again we might be led to wonder if there are any taxonomic re-classifcation possibilities with these different UV-signatures amongst the Veronica?

Please publish your V. chamaedrys too.

[nfoto]

Here it is. Photographed outside Oslo, Norway 1 June 2011. Panasonic GH-2 with the Coastal APO 60 mm f/4 lens, Baader U 2", hand-held.

 

Image reference: VERO_CHA_I1206010302_UV.jpg