Hippeastrum Anthers, a closer look.
Anthers were the sticky-up yellow powdery things that released pollen to insects and the wind. This model worked well through 40 years of science teaching. Biology was a sideshow; chemistry and the wonders of the Periodic Table was my area of expertise.
How pollen emerges from its anther is a wonder to behold. Just a pity it took 70-plus years before I witnessed it.
Hippeastrum Emerald.
Another pot plant from Palmers Gardenworld Rotorua. Big bulbs, long stems with the most graceful blooms you will ever see.
Hippeastrum Hercules.
Hippeastrum is my favourite flower. With the local Palmers five minutes away and room for pots at home, who needs a garden?
Mandevilla vines and their quirky pollination technique.
Isolated granite outcrops known as Inselbergs are common in the tropics and temperate regions. Mandevilla vines first gained a foothold there, evolving as they adapted to the challenging environments.
Some Flower Pics.
I came across this small collection of flower pics from a while back. I didn’t use a macro then. Sometimes it’s just enough to admire colours and curves with the odd insect.
Anything else is botany.
Tibouchina, a first look.
I love this plant. The flower opens with a smile while arm-shaped stamens, complete with an elbow wave madly to attract bees.
Ray flowers burst into action on my Echinacea plant. Disc floret buds spiral out from the disc centre.
Bright pink ray flowers are showy but don't produce seeds. Bees love their bright colour, and the beautiful subtle perfume attracts them in swarms. It took roughly a week for this to happen.
Echinacia Purupurea, from bud to flower.
Echinacea plants don't rush their progress from early bud to full bloom. The process follows a clear pathway. Buds grow slowly to find their place in the sun.
Me and the thistle are a long way from home on the Lake Okareka walkway.
The thistle plant and I are both a long way from home, and we both enjoy the New Zealand climate. I found this specimen on a ramble along the Okareka walkway.
Pet plants, Miltoniopsis.
Plants make good pets, and Orchids are a favourite. They will pack a sad and drop their flowers if you don’t look after them.
Anigozanthos under the macro; focus stacking with Helicon Focus.
Don’t just smell the flowers, take some pics. Macro photography provides a great opportunity to study plants at various times during their life cycle.
Centennial Park Rotorua, late October.
Centennial Park Rotorua is stunning at any time of the year.
Argyranthemum on display.
Argyranthemum is otherwise known as Marguerite, or marguerite daisy and belongs to the family Asteraceae.
Centennial Park Rotorua, cherry blossom time in late September is brief.
Violent history; peaceful present.
Magnficent magnolia tree blossoms
Magnolia blooms in Centennial Park Rotorua.
Helleborus part 1.
Pictures of a fascinating plant.
Helleborus flowers start out in their party best. Once showy blooms are done with pollination, Helleborus does something weird with its petals.
Hyacinth Blue
Distinct bouquets define single malts before taste buds respond warmly to the amber nectar. Drops of nectar dribble down the hyacinth ovary before 84 different aromatic molecules infuse the room with a beautiful musky odour.
Death on the Style.
Sometimes I like to visit the local Palmers Rotorua and buy a plant to look at in detail.
Trachelium Caeruleum unplugged.
Lake Tikitapu, The Blue Lake
Picture Perfect with a violent past.
Twenty minutes out of Rotorua on the Tarawera road lies picturesque Tikitapu.