Andrea B. Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Blum, A.G. (2013) Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (Asteraceae) Purple Coneflower. Flowers photographed in ultraviolet and visible light. http://www.ultraviol...ple-coneflower/ Middletown, New Jersey, USA 14 August 2007 Wildflower in home garden Synonyms: Eastern Purple Coneflower Brauneria purpurea (L.) Britt. Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench var. arkansana Steyerm. Rudbeckia purpurea L. Comment: E. purpurea is native to the eastern US, but is also found in the midwest and on the central prairies. This particular example was part of a wildflower seed mix I grew. Echinacea has long been used medicinally as an immune system booster and as a treatment for upper respiratory ailments. Recent studies cast doubt on its efficacy, but we should never underestimate the power of the placebo effect. Each disc floret has a stiff sharp-pointed bract. Together these bracts give the disc a spiny appearance - hence the genus name from the Greek echinos meaning either 'hedgehog' or 'sea urchin'. In UV the rays are UV-absorbing with some narrow UV-bright pinstripes along the ray creases. Both florets and bracts on the disc are UV-black with the stigmas and pollen showing UV-brightness. Reference: 1. Flora of North America Online (2013) Echinacea purpurea, vol. 21, pp. 91. FNA. New York & Oxford. http://www.efloras.o...on_id=220004561 Equipment [Nikon D200-broadband + Nikon 105mm f/4.5 UV-Nikkor] Visible Light [f/16 for 1/10" @ ISO 400 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter] Ultraviolet Light [f/16 for 1/20" @ ISO 400 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and Baader UV-Pass Filter] Link to comment
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