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UltravioletPhotography

Salvia columbariae [Chia]


Andrea B.

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Blum, A.G. (2013) Salvia columbariae (Lamiaceae) Chia. Flowers photographed in ultraviolet and visible light. http://www.ultraviol...lumbariae-chia/

 

Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA

05 March 2012

Wildflower

 

Pollinator: Bees. Also self-pollinating.

 

Comment:

Chia, abundant in the US southwest and Mexican northwest, produces seeds which have medicinal value to many Native American nations. The seeds also have some economic value for novelty planters frequently sold in the US during the Christmas season.

Birds, ants and other insects and rodents feed on the seeds. Nectar loving insects visit also. The plant is easily grown, drought tolerant and does not require fertile soil.

The dark green, corrugated leaves are quite attractive. The primary marker on the flower is the Visible white ring on the lower lip. In UV, the two-lipped flower shows some moderate to heavy UV-absorbing tonalities with no distinct marks. The stem is UV-bright, so the darker flower cluster does stand out somewhat.

 

Reference:

1. Natural Resources Conservation Service (2013) Chia Plant Guide. US Department of Agriculture. http://plants.usda.g...df/cs_saco6.pdf

 

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

 

Visible Light [f/8 for 1/2000" @ ISO 400 with Nikon D3S + Nikon 60mm f/2.8G Micro-Nikkor]

The plant is quite attractive in the arid desert.

salviaColumbariae030512joshuaTreeNpCA_35252origProofPn.jpg

 

Visible Light [crop from preceding photo]

Dark, wrinkled leaves.

salviaColumbariae030512joshuaTreeNpCA_35252proofPn2.jpg

 

Visible Light [f/11 for 1/250" @ ISO 635 in Sunlight with Baader UV-Pass Filter]

Many reddish bracts subtend the flowers.

salviaColumbariaeVisSun030512joshuaTreeCA_23249origProofPn2.jpg

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/8 for 1/250" @ ISO 635 in Sunlight with Baader UV-Pass Filter]

Moderate to dark UV tones on the flowers and bracts with a UV-bright stem.

salviaColumbariaeUVBaadSB14030512joshuaTreeCA_23254origProofPn.jpg

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