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Perfection of Evolution
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This is a shot of a passion fruit flower taken in a garden of London.
I've posted a HPP version of this photo here:
http://www.treklens.com/gallery/photo419293.htm
But then I still look at the original and think... It's so beautiful, I must let people see this as well.
Hope you like it
Facts about this flower:
How did the passion flower get its name?
When the first Christian missionaries landed in South America in the sixteenth century, they found a plant which seemed to be a very good omen for the success of their mission. They called it the passion flower because they thought that it symbolised the death of Christ. The five sepals and five petals of the flower, which are similar in appearance, represent the disciples without Peter and Judas. The double row of coloured filaments, known as the corona, signifies to some the halo around Christ's head and to others the crown of thorns. The five stamens and the three spreading styles with their flattened heads symbolise the wounds and the nails respectively. The tendrils resemble the whips used to scourge Christ and the lobed leaves look similar to the clutching hands of the soldiers.
Growing requirements:
Most passion flowers can only be grown indoors in the UK because they require fairly high temperatures. Since they are generally rather sprawling climbers, they are best grown as conservatory or glasshouse plants. However, when small, some species can be grown successfully as houseplants, blooming whilst still young.
Biology
Most decorative passifloras have a unique flower structure, which requires a large bee to effectively pollinate. In the American tropics, wooden beams are mounted very near passionfruit plantings to encourage Carpenter bees to nest. At the same time, the size and structure of flowers of different species of passiflora vary. Some species can be pollinated by hummingbirds and bumble bees, others by wasps, still others are self-pollinating. Passiflora species are used as food plants by the larva of the moth, Cibyra serta and many Heliconiinae (longwing butterflies). Notable among the latter are species like the Melpomene, Sara, and Rosina longwings.
The bracts of Passiflora foetida are covered by hairs which exude a sticky fluid. Many insects get stuck to this. Studies have suggested that this may be an adaptation similar to that seen in carnivorous plants.
Medical and entheogenic uses:
Passiflora incarnata leaves and roots have a long history of use among Native Americans in North America. Passiflora edulis and a few other species are used in Central and South America. The fresh or dried leaves are used to make an infusion, a tea that is used to treat insomnia, hysteria, and epilepsy, and is also valued for its painkilling properties. [1] It has been found to contain beta-carboline harmala alkaloids which are MAOIs with anti-depressant properties. The flower has only traces of these chemicals, but the leaves and the roots of some species contain more and have been used to enhance the effects of mind-altering drugs. Once dried, the leaves can also be smoked.
Passion flower also may be effective for anxiety disorder, but further studies are needed. |
mesquens1, teamill has marked this note useful
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Olá David, Very good post, good colors and sharpness. Good POV. Excelente Note.
Greetings
Raimundo
Wow David, very sharp and clear. I like the ocmposition too.
Trudy
- Koala
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 391 W: 32 N: 90]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(4019) - [2008-06-08 7:27]
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Such a beautiful flower!
Never seen one :(
Very good note too!
Have a nice day!
Alexandra
passifloras are a great subject, i quite like the POV and framing
regards
jo
Hi dear David
Great macro. Excellent details. Beautiful flower. I didn't see enything like this
Best wishes
Melany
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