Eustoma exaltatum ssp. russellianum [Texas Bluebell]

[dancingcat]

S. C. Frary (2022) Eustoma exaltatum ssp. russellianum (Hook.) Kartesz (Gentianaceae) Texas Bluebell. Photographed in visible and ultraviolet light.

 

Collected:  24 June 2022 in an open field and damp areas around a holding pond, Waxahachie, Ellis Co., Texas, USA.  Voucher deposited at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas Herbarium (BRIT) S. C. Frary [152].

 

Other Common Names:  Showy Prairie Gentian, Lisianthus

 

Synonyms:  Eustoma russellianum (Hook.) G. Don, Lisianthius russellianus Hook.

 

Comment:  Very showy purple flower, 1 to 2 feet high; grows in clumps.  Native to the Great Plains of the US. Prefers areas near creeks and stock ponds in full sun rather than open prairie.  Handles high summer heat well.  Annual or perennial, depending on habitat.
 
Reference:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Database, University of Texas at Austin.
 
Equipment -Visible and UV [Olympus EM1mk2-full spectrum + Olympus 30mm f/3.5 macro]

 

In Situ [OMDS OM-1, Olympus f/2.8 12-40mm zoom, very early morning light]

 
Visible Light [f/11, iso 200, 1.6”, Kolari Vision UV/IR Cut HotMirror Pro 2 filter, ambient indoor room light]

 

 

 

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11, iso 640, 25”, BaaderU filter, Kolari Vision UV LED.

 

 

 

 

[colinbm]

Such a beauty & sharp.

 

[dancingcat]

Added a closeup visible in sunlight of the flower interior showing the 2-lobed yellow stigma and the 5 "chicken-finger" anthers :-).  This was a 15-image in-camera stack with the Oly EM-1mk2, differential 3, f/11, iso 200, 0.8 sec, Kolari hotmirror 2.  My attempt at a UV image of same wasn't successful - loooong stack exposures made for a lot of noise, and the tiny working distance with my 30mm macro lens didn't leave room for good UV lighting.  Too bad the Oly 60mm macro doesn't transmit UV, that lens would be ideal for me.

 

[Andy Perrin]

That’s really gorgeous. I love your work dancingcat!

[cazza132]

Excellent work! Love the closeup visible light shot - impressive detail.