Mentzelia isolata [Isolated Blazingstar]

[Andrea B.]

Blum, A.G. (2013) Mentzelia isolata Gentry (Loasaceae) Isolated Blazingstar. Flowers photographed in ultraviolet and visible light. http://www.ultraviol...ed-blazingstar/

 

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona, USA

10 March 2012

Wildflower

 

Comment:

This was a very tough ID to track down. My identification of this flower as M. isolata remains partly circumstantial based on the flower's location and use of various inventory lists⁽¹⁾. Mentzelia are notoriously difficult to sort, so if any reader feels this ID is in error, kindly let me know.

This small yellow flower is UV-reflective against its UV-dark foliage and stems. The streaks and throat of the corolla are UV-dark.

 

Reference:

1. Schmidt, Powell & Halvorson (2007) Vascular Plant and Vertebrate Inventory of Organ Pipe Cactus national Monument, page 32. US Geological Survey Southwest Biological Science Center, Tucson, AZ.

 

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

 

Visible Light [f/8 for 1/250" @ ISO 400 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/8 for 1/250" @ ISO 400 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and Baader UV-Pass Filter]