A Very Small Flower & Seed Pod
May 10, 2015 18:13:54 #
This little volunteer Fringed Willowherb (Epilobium ciliatum) plant grows a few feet from my front door. I am fascinated by its propagation mechanism. Notice the itty-bitty flower (3-mm across) that blooms at the end of a growing seed pod in image #1. Once the flower is fertilized, the seedpod expands with internal seeds, until it dries, then progressively splits to release the seeds, images #2. Notice the symmetry of splitting pod in image #3. All photographed near 1:1, then cropped tighter.
Hand-held Nikon D5200 at ISO 200, with Nikkor 105G macro lens, 1/200-sec at f/16, Nissin Di866 speedlight at 1/16 power, with 6x8-inch FotoDiox softbox diffuser.
Hand-held Nikon D5200 at ISO 200, with Nikkor 105G macro lens, 1/200-sec at f/16, Nissin Di866 speedlight at 1/16 power, with 6x8-inch FotoDiox softbox diffuser.
1.) Buds and 3-mm flower, each on a growing seedpod
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2.) Profile view of opening seedpod
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3.) Dorsal view of opening seedpod
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May 10, 2015 18:25:01 #
Very nice photos of an interesting plant. That seed distribution system is something else!
May 10, 2015 18:30:28 #
looks alien, belongs in a SciFi movie releasing fighter craft. Very cool shot, very elegant release method.
May 10, 2015 18:32:29 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
great set. . . fascinated by its propagation mechanism.
May 10, 2015 18:35:43 #
Ah, very cool. Great shots, interesting subject!
Fringed Willow-herb, Epilobium ciliatum, in the evening primrose family (Onagraceae), I believe - source UC Davis. Native to California, widespread through the state and across North America: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/WEEDS/willowherbs.html
It is seen as a pest in the nursery industry, maybe the number one pest, because the seeds are so mobile and it so readily germinates in containers. It does no harm in your yard, however, and is a host plant for a variety of lepidoptera species - Mompha franclemonti, Mompha powelli, Eudryas brevipennis, Hyles lineata. (Source - Natural History Museum in London). Those last two are beautiful, maybe worth trying to attract.
Fringed Willow-herb, Epilobium ciliatum, in the evening primrose family (Onagraceae), I believe - source UC Davis. Native to California, widespread through the state and across North America: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/WEEDS/willowherbs.html
It is seen as a pest in the nursery industry, maybe the number one pest, because the seeds are so mobile and it so readily germinates in containers. It does no harm in your yard, however, and is a host plant for a variety of lepidoptera species - Mompha franclemonti, Mompha powelli, Eudryas brevipennis, Hyles lineata. (Source - Natural History Museum in London). Those last two are beautiful, maybe worth trying to attract.
May 10, 2015 18:44:50 #
Blenheim Orange wrote:
Thank you for the ID. I have updated my OP, and combined your two posts.Fringed Willow-herb, Epilobium ciliatum.
May 10, 2015 18:56:02 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
Very good.Thank you for the ID. I have updated my OP, and combined your two posts.
I am still using with great results, the system you suggested back when I first joined the UHH Macro Forum:
Hand-held Canon 5D at ISO 200, with Canon 100 macro lens, 1/200-sec at f/16, Canon Speedlight at 1/16 power, with 6x8-inch FotoDiox softbox diffuser.
Mike
May 10, 2015 19:44:33 #
May 10, 2015 20:02:57 #
Nice series and explanation. This is one time when the "top down" view of a plant really works. Love the symmetry in the third shot. Well done.
May 11, 2015 01:31:30 #
May 11, 2015 07:47:10 #
Nikonian72, these are awesome pictures, great detail and colors. I enjoyed viewing these picture. Thanks for sharing. :thumbup: Tejaswrangler :)
May 11, 2015 07:50:18 #
Nice photos. Definitely an effective way of making sure the fluff on the seeds gets opened up to catch the wind.
May 11, 2015 09:23:24 #
Outstanding series, Douglass! Thanks for posting. The last shot is outstanding.
May 11, 2015 10:19:02 #
May 11, 2015 11:37:13 #
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