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UltravioletPhotography

Comandra umbellata [Bastard Toadflax]


Andrea B.

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Blum, A.G. (2013) Comandra umbellata (L.) Nuttall (Santalaceae) Bastard Toadflax. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultraviol...stard-toadflax/

 

Mesa Verde National Park, Montezuma County, Colorado, USA

02 May 2013

Wildflower

 

Synonyms:

  • Comandra richardsiana Fern.
  • Thesium umbellatum L.

Comment:

The Colorado subspecies is C.umbellata ssp. pallida. However, the genus Comandra contains only the single species C. umbellata with its subspecies.

This plant performs photosynthesis but also parasitizes the roots of nearby plants and so may be called a hemiparasite. The clusters of pink buds open to become a white flower with tinges of green. Unfortunately, C. umbellata is a host for a damaging pine fungus.

The blooming flower's sepals are UV-dark against the much lighter unopened buds.

 

Reference:

1. Weber & Wittmann (2012) Comandra Nuttall, page 158. 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/8 for 1/200” @ ISO 100 with onboard Flash and Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

comandraUmbellataVisFlash_050213mesaVerdeNpCO_10674origPNres.jpg

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/8 for 1/200” @ ISO 400 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and Baader UV-Pass Filter]

comandraUmbellataUVBaadSB14_050213mesaVerdeNpCO_10668pfPn2res.jpg

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