Rhynchopsidum pumilum [Geelsneeu]

[nfoto]

Rørslett, B. 23022. Rhynchopsidum pumilum (L.fil.)DC. Asteraceae. Geelsneeu. South-African flowers photographed in ultraviolet (UV) and visible light. LINK

 

Geelsneeu (Afrikaans) = Yellow Snow

 

This is a small annual plant with yellow flower heads, growing on dry upland soils. I photographed it on a slope of the Cederberg Mountains.

 

This species is endemic to the Cape provinces of South Africa (map from http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/details.php?langue=an&id=95449),

 

 

 

The plant is prostrate and the slender shoots are trailing,

 

 

Seen in ultraviolert (UV), the disc florets are quite dark, whilst the rays (ligulate florets) are rendered in shades of  dull, greenish-gray, the latter rendition apparently is quite unusual,

 

 

All images on this page are copyright Birna Rørslett and may not be used without explicit permission of the author.

 

[Published 10 February, 2022]

[colinbm]

Don't see that colouring in UV much.

[nfoto]

I have seen somewhat similar in the genus Tragopogon also in the Asteraceae. But agreed, 'unusual' is the correct designation here.

[Andy Perrin]

Also "lovely."