Verbesina encelioides [Cowpen Daisy]

[Andrea B.]

Blum, A.G. (2020) Verbesina encelioides (Cav.) Benth. &Hook. f. ex A. Gray (Asteraceae) Cowpen Daisy. Flowers photographed in ultraviolet and visible light. https://www.ultravio...s-cowpen-daisy/

 

Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

Found growing in graveled lot next to Pet Smart Store on Cerrillos Road. Approx. 7000'.

21 Oct 2019

Wildflower

 

Synonyms:

• Ximenesia encelioides Cav.
  

Other Common Names:

• Golden Crownbeard
  
• Butter Daisy
  
• Crown-beard
  

Comment: This tough little flower was found growing up out of the graveled, landscaped area next to a pet food store in Santa Fe. The crushed leaves are a bit malodorous hence the reference to cattle lots where "eau de bovine"^[2] is present.

The flower is quite striking in UV, exhibiting a broad central UV-absorbing bullseye and UV-dark veining on both front and back.

The plant is used medicinally and for dyes by Native Southwestern-Americans. Butterflies are attracted to its nectar.

 

Reference:

1. Allred, Kelly W. & Ivey, Robert D. (2012) Flora Neomexicana III: Identification Manual. Key, page 198. Print on demand Lulu.com, Jan. 2020.

2. Finley, Willa F. & Nieland, Lashara J. (2013) Land of Enchantment Wildflowers. Page 82-83. Texas Tech University Press, Lubbock, TX.

 

 

 

Equipment [Nikon D610-broadband + Nikon 105mm f/4.5 UV-Nikkor]

 

 

Visible Light [f/11 for 1/25" @ ISO-800 with Onboard Flash and Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

Note 3-pronged ray tips.

 

 

Visible Light [f/11 for 1/25" @ ISO-800 with Onboard Flash and Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

Side view.

 

 

Visible Light [f/11 for 1/25" @ ISO-800 with Onboard Flash and Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

Typical leaf and hairy stem. The foliage is somewhat greyish-green, but that shows less well under the camera flash lighting.

 

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11 for 15" @ ISO-800 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and BaaderU UV-Pass Filter]

^{A long exposure was made to permit multiple flashes for more even coverage.}

^{If you click this photo and view it at a slightly larger size, then you can see some of the conical cell outlines.}

 

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11 for 3" @ ISO-800 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and BaaderU UV-Pass Filter]

^{A long exposure was made to permit multiple flashes for more even coverage.}

Abaxial view. The UV-dark abaxial areas are not as distinctly demarcated as they are adaxially.

[bvf]

Wonderful photos, Andrea. That UV-Nikkor seems to be quite a lens.

[Andrea B.]

Thank you.

The UV-Nikkor is quite sharp with good contrast.

I would like to make some stacked versions of flowers like the Verbesina above to better show all the details of the central disk. Perhaps when the flower gods grant me more patience, eh?

[Andrea B.]

Here is a Verbesina photo which is not a technically pure UV-induced Visible Fluorescence image because I made it in ambient light rather than in darkness. This photo probably would not have been possible to make in full, strong sunlight. But the indoor light was "dark enough" that some fluorescence was visible. The fluorescent stripes on the disk flower fused anthers are cool!

 

There is some fluorescent debris on the flower - and maybe some pet hair. No surprise given its public location.

[nfoto]

Patience can be "home-grown"

 

I have owned various UV-Nikkors for a long time, the oldest perhaps being close to 30 years now. They are really robust work horses and apart from a trip to the repair shop every 20th year or so for relubrication and possibly tightening of the helicoid guides, they just go on to deliver amazing sharp imagery. Not the lens with the smoothest of bokeh in UV, though, but that goes with the other qualities.

[colinbm]

Nice details Andrea

[GaryR]

Bristling detail and UV clarity!

The UVIVF shot, adds a bit of spark to the image.