Epilobium ciliatum [Fringed Willow-herb]

[Andrea B.]

Blum, A. G. (2017) Epilobium ciliatum Raf. (Onagraceae) Fringed Willow-herb. Flowers photographed in ultraviolet and visible light. http://www.ultraviol...ed-willow-herb/

 

Southwest Harbor, Maine, USA

18 July 2014

Wildflower

 

Synonyms:

• Epilobium adenocaulon Hausskn.
  
• Epilobium adenocaulon Hausskn. var. ecomosum (Fassett) Munz
  
• Epilobium americanum Hausskn.
  
• Epilobium ciliatum var. ecomosum (Fassett) Boivin
  
• Epilobium glandulosum var. adenocaulon (Hausskn.) Fern.
  
• Epilobium glandulosum Lehm. var. ecomosum Fassett
  

Other Common Names:

• American Willow-herb
  
• Glandular Willow-herb
  
• Northern Willow-herb
  
• Seaside Basil
  

Comment:

A key point of differentiation between E. ciliatum and the similar E. coloratum is that E. ciliatum seeds have a whitish tuft of hair. This was observed on the specimen plant.

In UV the reproductive parts are UV dark. The corolla shows a subtle UV-light/dark striping perhaps due to some iridiscence. The pollen is UV-bright.

 

Reference:

1. New England Wild Flower Society (20147) Epilobium ciliatum Raf. Fringed Willow-herb. https://gobotany.new...obium/ciliatum/

2. Haines, A. (2011) Flora Novae Angliae. Epilobium key, page 682. Epilobium ciliatum, page 683. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT.

 

Equipment [Nikon D600-broadband + Carl Zeiss 60mm f/4.0 UV-Planar]

 

Visible Light [f/11 for 1/1.3" @ ISO-400 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

^{E. ciliatum has paler pink to white flowers.}

 

Visible Light [f/11 for 1" @ ISO-400 with Onboard Flash and Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11 for 1/60" @ ISO-400 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and BaaderU UV-Pass Filter]

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11 for 15" @ ISO-400 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and BaaderU UV-Pass Filter]

^{A long exposure was made to permit multiple flashes for more even coverage.}

 

Various Identifying Photos

 

Seed pod

 

Leaves

 

Leaf, abaxial side