Chorispora tenella [Blue Mustard]

[Andrea B.]

Blum, A.G. (2013) Chorispora tenella (Pallas) de Candolle (Brassicaceae) Blue Mustard. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultraviol...a-blue-mustard/

 

Mesa Verde National Park, Montezuma County, Colorado, USA

02 May 2013

Wildflower

 

Synonyms:

• Crossflower
  

Comment: This tiny, pretty, pinkish-blue flower, an alien from southwestern Asia, is the first non-yellow Mustard that I have seen. However, unfortunately, it has become invasive in some areas of the US.

In UV the petals, which form an X, are UV-bright distally and UV-dark proximally giving the X a dark center.

 

Reference:

1. Weber & Wittmann (2012) Chorispora R. Brown, page 127. Colorado Flora: Western Slope, 4th Ed. The U. of Colo. Press, Boulder, CO.

 

Equipment: [Nikon D600-broadband + Nikon 105mm f/4.5 UV-Nikkor]

 

Visible Light [f/11 for 1/400” @ ISO 400 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11 for 1/125” @ ISO 400 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and Baader UV-Pass Filter]

[DaveO]

Surprise, surprise! "Blue mustard" (not sure if it's the same species) has just been recognised here in Australia as a new problem weed. Ho hum...

[Andrea B.]

It is a cute little invasive weed.