Beauty Within #4
by Bruce Bley
Title
Beauty Within #4
Artist
Bruce Bley
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
This macro shot of a blue iris blossom was taken on a from one of my flower beds.
Iris is a genus of 260-300 species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species, as well as, being the scientific name, iris is also very widely used as a common name for all Iris species, though some plants called thus belong to other closely related genera. A common name for some species is 'flags', while the plants of the subgenus Scorpiris are widely known as 'junos', particularly in horticulture. It is a popular garden flower.
Irises are perennial plants, growing from creeping rhizomes (rhizomatous irises) or, in drier climates, from bulbs (bulbous irises). They have long, erect flowering stems which may be simple or branched, solid or hollow, and flattened or have a circular cross-section. The rhizomatous species usually have 3-10 basal sword-shaped leaves growing in dense clumps. The bulbous species have cylindrical, basal leaves.
The inflorescences are fan-shaped and contain one or more symmetrical six-lobed flowers. These grow on a pedicel or lack a footstalk. The three sepals, which are spreading or droop downwards, are referred to as "falls". They expand from their narrow base, which in some of the rhizomatous irises has a "beard" (a tuft of short upright extensions growing in its midline), into a broader expanded portion ("limb"), often adorned with veining, lines or dots. The three, sometimes reduced, petals stand upright, partly behind the sepal bases. They are called "standards". Some smaller iris species have all six lobes pointing straight outwards, but generally limb and standards differ markedly in appearance. They are united at their base into a floral tube that lies above the ovary (known as an epigynous or inferior ovary). The styles divide towards the apex into petaloid branches; this is significant in pollination.
The iris flower is of interest as an example of the relation between flowering plants and pollinating insects. The shape of the flower and the position of the pollen-receiving and stigmatic surfaces on the outer petals form a landing-stage for a flying insect, which in probing for nectar, will first come into contact with the perianth, then with the stigmatic stamens in one whorled surface which is borne on an ovary formed of three carpels. The shelf-like transverse projection on the inner whorled underside of the stamens is beneath the overarching style arm below the stigma, so that the insect comes in contact with its pollen-covered surface only after passing the stigma; in backing out of the flower it will come in contact only with the non-receptive lower face of the stigma. Thus, an insect bearing pollen from one flower will, in entering a second, deposit the pollen on the stigma; in backing out of a flower, the pollen which it bears will not be rubbed off on the stigma of the same flower.
I hope you have enjoyed this photograph and will share it with others. You can see more of my work on my homepage in the various galleries I have created. Thank you for visiting and please come back.
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February 18th, 2015
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Comments (62)
Bruce Bley
Mariola, I am grateful for the feature in the group " 500 Views -1 Image a Day". Thank you so much for the honor.
Bruce Bley
Jasna, Thank you for the feature in the group "Global Flowers Photography". I sincerely appreciate it.
Bruce Bley
Robert, Thank you so much for the feature in the group "Your Very Best Photography". I truly appreciate it.
Bruce Bley
David, I am grateful for the feature in the group "Midwest America Photography". Thank you for the honor.
Bruce Bley
Johanna, I want to thank you for the feature in the group "Imagination-Artistry=Creativity"/ I sincerely appreciate the honor.
Bruce Bley
Nina, I am grateful for the feature in the group "ART - It Is Good For You". I appreciate the honor.
Bruce Bley
Doug, Thank you for the feature in the group "Cannon Full Frame Cameras". I sincerely appreciate it.
Bruce Bley
Dora, I am grateful for the feature in the group "Visions of Spring = Glances of Summer. I sincerely appreciate it.
Bruce Bley
Julie, Thank you so much for the feature in the group "Your Story of Art". I sincerely appreciate it.
Bruce Bley
Judy, I am grateful for the feature in the group "USA Photographers ONLY". Thank you for the honor.
Bruce Bley
Thank you so much for the feature in the group "Art District, Pamela. I truly appreciate it.
Reid Callaway
Worthy Of Praise!.....Outstanding work all thru your collections, Bruce. To God be the Glory!...L/F....Carry On!
Bruce Bley
Tanjica, Thank you for the feature in the group "Nature as Abstract Artist". I sincerely appreciate the honor.
Bruce Bley
Darren, Thank you so much for the feature in the group "Flower Art 2 A Day". Thank you for the honor.
Brian Tada
Absolutely breathtaking macro, Bruce! Huge Kudos on your selection as Artist of the Week for the Exquisite FIorals On Fine Art America! Stunning photography, Bravo! F/L
Dora Sofia Caputo Photographic Art and Design
Congrats, Bruce, on being selected Artists of the Week A well deserving recognition.
Jill Greenaway
Congratulations Bruce on being selected Artist of the Week. I love your image "Beauty Within '.
Donna Kennedy
Bruce, Congratulations on being selected Artist of the Week in Exquisite Florals!...F/L