Dracopsis amplexicaulis [Clasping Coneflower]

[dancingcat]

Frary, S.C. (2022) Dracopsis amplexicaulis (Vahl) Cass. (Asteraceae) Clasping Coneflower. Photographed in ultraviolet and visible light. LINK

 

Collected 13 May 2022, roadside, Waxahachie TX, USA (32.4340 -96.8345).  Voucher deposition: Botanical Research Institute of Texas Herbarium (BRIT) S. C. Frary [131].

 

Other Common Names:  Clasping-leaf Coneflower

 

Synonyms: Rudbeckia amplexicaulis

 

Comment:  “Clasping” refers to the curl of the stalkless bottom of the oblong leaf blade curling around the stem.
 
References:
1. Ajilvsgi, Geyata Wildflowers of Texas rev. ed. 2002, p. 147.  Published by Shearer Publishing, Fredericksburg Texas.
2. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Database, University of Texas at Austin.

Equipment [Olympus EM1mk2-broadband + Olympus 30mm f/3.5 macro]
 
Visible Light [f/11, iso 640, 0.8”, Kolari UV/IR Cut HotMirror Pro 2 filter, ambient indoor light]

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11, iso 640, 25”, BaaderU filter, Kolari full spectrum flash (no UV cap), full power, manual strobe 3x]

 

 

 

In situ

 

[Andrea B.]

This looks so much like Mexican Hat aka Prairie Coneflower - Ratibida columnifera.

LINK

 

Look at all those wildflowers on the Prairie! Lovely.

 

Love the abaxial (back side) view of this flower because it shows all that interesting UV-dark veining which is not present on the topside.

 

For better comparisons over time, you might want to work on standardizing your white balance? It is a funny thing about false colors - they really are not "real" in any wavelength sense, but they are "real" in the UV photograph. That coneflower, if white balanced, should show false yellow tips. The interesting thing is that while the false color is not real, it can still serve -- potentially-- an important role in identification. I do not have any papers on reference about that. But both Birna and I have thought that false color standardization, while not perfect by any means, is still important. Now none of what I just wrote implies in any way that your UV photo of the Clasping Coneflower is incorrect or invalid, OK?