Oh Happy Day
by Bruce Bley
Title
Oh Happy Day
Artist
Bruce Bley
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Helianthus or sunflower is a genus of plants comprising about 52 species in the Asteraceae family, all of which are native to North America. The common name "sunflower" also applies to the popular annual species Helianthus annuus.
The genus is one of many in the Asteraceae that are known as sunflowers. It is distinguished technically by the fact that the ray flowers, when present, are sterile, and by the presence on the disk flowers of a pappus that is of two awn-like scales that are cauducous (that is, easily detached and falling at maturity). Some species also have additional shorter scales in the pappus, and there is one species that lacks a pappus entirely. Another technical feature that distinguishes the genus more reliably, but requires a microscope to see, is the presence of a prominent, multicellular appendage at the apex of the style.
There is quite a bit of variability among the perennial species that make up the bulk of the species in the genus. Some have most or all of the large leaves in a rosette at the base of the plant and produce a flowering stem that has leaves that are reduced in size. Most of the perennials have disk flowers that are entirely yellow, but a few have disk flowers with reddish lobes. One species, H. radula, lacks ray flowers altogether.
The domesticated sunflower, Helianthus annuus, is the most familiar species. Perennial sunflower species are not as popular for gardens due to their tendency to spread rapidly and become invasive.
I hope you have enjoyed this photograph and will share it with others. You can see more of my work on my homepage. Thank you for visiting and please come back.
Uploaded
December 9th, 2014
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Comments (29)
Bruce Bley
David, I want to thank you for the feature in the group "Midwest America Photography". I appreciate the honor.
Bruce Bley
Nader, thank you again for the feature in the group "Fine Arts Professionals". I appreciate the honor.
Bruce Bley
Daren Thank you for the feature in the group "Flower Art 3 A Day". Thank you for the honor.
Bruce Bley
Naomi, I am very grateful for the feature in the group "AA Collectors Group". I appreciate the honor and your support.
Bruce Bley
Pamela, Thank you so much for the feature in the group "3 A Day Waiting Room Art". I really appreciate it and thank you for your support.
Bruce Bley
Neal, I want to thank you for the feature in the group "Macro Photography Group" I truly appreciate it.
Bruce Bley
Naomi, Thank you for the feature in the group "The Best Of Fine Arts". I sincerely appreciate the honor.
Violeta Ianeva
Lovely image of sunflower Bruce... f/l/g+
Bruce Bley replied:
I am glad you enjoyed this image, Violets. Thank you for the nice comment and promotions.
Angela Davies
Stunning, LF
Bruce Bley replied:
Thank you for the nice comment, Angela. I appreciate it and thank you for the L.
Bruce Bley
Denyse Thank you for the feature in the group "Amazing FAA Artists". I truly appreciate it.
Bruce Bley
Tracy, I am very grateful for the feature in the group "self taught artists your own". Thank you for the honor.
Bruce Bley
Svetlana, Thank you so much for the feature in the group "The World We See". I truly appreciate the honor and your support.
Bruce Bley
Mechala, I want to thank you for the feature in the group "Flowerly Love-100. I sincerely appreciate the honor and your support.
Bruce Bley
Doug, I am very grateful for the feature in the group "Macro Marvels". I appreciate the honor.
Bruce Bley
Karen, I want to thank you for the feature in the group "ART BY GOD 1 per day". I truly appreciate the honor.
Bruce Bley
Jay, Thank you for the feature in the group "Amateur Photographers- 2 Entries Per Day Please". I sincerely appreciate the honor.
Randy Rosenberger
Awesome macro beauty on this sunflower, Bruce! Love it! I am very happy that you provided this fine piece of art to share with your fellow artists and all potential customers out there. This is a very worthy piece of beauty and is deserving of being Featured in the Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery group. Hope the New Year brings lots of sales for you and I wish you the best over the upcoming holiday season and may your New Year be blessed, prosperous, and joyful. Forever Elvis Randy B. Rosenberger
Bruce Bley replied:
Thank you for the kind and gracious comment, Randy. I sincerely appreciate the feature in the group "Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery". Happy holidays to you and Carolyn. It has been a joy to be a part of your group.