Mandevilla 'Opale Citrine' [Mandevilla Vine]

[Nico]

Chalwatzis, N. 2013. Mandevilla Diamantina® 'Opale Citrine' (Apocynaceae). Mandevilla Vine. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light.

http://www.ultraviol...devilla-hybrid/

 

Mandevilla Diamantina® “Opale Citrine”

 

The genus Mandevilla belongs to the family Apocynacea which includes mostly tropical and subtropical vines. Most of the roughly 100 species are native to the South-western United States, Mexico, Central America and South America. The genus was named after Henry Mandeville (1773-1861), a British diplomat and gardener. (http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Mandevilla).

Many hybrids have been developed; most of them have red, pink or white flowers:

http://www.lannes.pr..._diamantina.htm

Yellow varieties like “Opale Citrine” are rare. The flowers of this variety are huge with a diameter of 8-9 cm.

 

The plant was purchased from a florist, Germany July 2013 and photographed on 24 August 2013.

 

The flowers show a very prominent UV-signature with a dark centre area and a very reflective circle around the nectaries. The UV-dark area appears orange in visible light and the central UV-bright ring appears white when illuminated with visible light. The latter fact can be hardly seen in the image below, because it is shaded inside the flower.

 

Visible light: Panasonic Lumix G1, broadband modified; EL-Nikkor 80 mm/f5.6 at ~f11. Baader UV/IR cut filter.

Image reference: CHA_P1100930_130824

 

 

Ultraviolet light: Panasonic Lumix G1, broadband-modified; EL-Nikkor 80 mm/f5.6 at f8. Baader U2" (Venus) filter, UV flash: “MR21N”.

Image reference: CHA_P1100933_130824

 

 

[Published 31 August 2013]

[Andrea B.]

Nice one, Nico. I have seen these vines in local plant nurseries for sale as a summer annual. And so have often wondered what their UV signature was. They're always pink - never seen a yellow one.