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UltravioletPhotography

Cylindropuntia fulgida [Chain Fruit Cholla]


Andrea B.

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Blum, A.G. (2014) Cylindropuntia fulgida (Engelm.) F.M. Knuth (Cactaceae) Chain Fruit Cholla. Flowers photographed in ultraviolet and visible light. http://www.ultraviol...n-fruit-cholla/

 

Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

22 April 2013

Wild cactus as botanical garden specimen

 

Synonyms:

  • Opuntia fulgida Engelm.
  • Jumping Cholla
  • Cholla Brincadora
  • Velas de Coyote

Comment:

The joints of Cholla easily detach when bumped, so many Cholla species are informally named Jumping Cholla. The jumping joints are advantageous reproductively for the plant because the joints easily root where they fall. Chollas provide excellent nesting sites. Big horn sheep and other animals enjoy eating the juicy fruits.

New fruits of C. fulgida form on the previous year's fruits creating long chains or clusters of round green fruits. The plant can reach 15' in height. I estimate the group photographed here was well over 10' tall.

In Ultraviolet light great detail is revealed. The joints and fruit are UV-dark, while the spines are a little brighter.

 

Reference:

1. Epple, A.O. (1995) Chain Fruit Cholla, page 164. A Field Guide to the Plants of Arizona. Falcon Guides, Globe Pequot Press, Guilford, CT.

 

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

 

Visible Light [f/8 for 1/640" @ ISO 100 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

Click to view larger.

cylindropuntiaFulgidaVisSun_042213desBotGardPhoenixAZ_7862proofPn.jpg

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/8 for 1/10" @ ISO 400 in Sunlight with Baader UV-Pass Filter]

Click to view larger.

cylindropuntiaFulgidaUVBaadSun_042213desBotGardPhoenixAZ_7870origpn01.jpg

 

Ultraviolet Light [alternate false colour rendition of preceding shot]

Click to view larger.

cylindropuntiaFulgidaUVBaadSun_042213desBotGardPhoenixAZ_7870pnPf.jpg

 

Ultraviolet Light [detail crop from preceding shot]

cylindropuntiaFulgidaUVBaadSun_042213desBotGardPhoenixAZ_7870pnPf100crop.jpg

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