Sweet Dahlia
by Bruce Bley
Title
Sweet Dahlia
Artist
Bruce Bley
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
This photograph of a miniature red and yellow dahlia was taken while visiting a local greenhouse in Rock Falls, Illinois.
Dahlias are a genus of bushy, tuberous, herbaceous perennial plants native mainly in Mexico, but also Central America, and Colombia. A member of the Asteraceae or Compositae, dicotyledonous plants, related species include the sunflower, daisy, chrysanthemum and zinnia. There are at least 36 species of dahlia, with hybrids commonly grown as garden plants. Flower forms are variable, with one head per stem; these can be as small as 2 inches diameter or up to 1 foot ("dinner plate"). This great variety results from dahlias being octoploids that is, they have eight sets of homologous chromosomes, whereas most plants have only two. In addition, dahlias also contain many transposons genetic pieces that move from place to place upon an allele which contributes to their manifesting such great diversity.
The stems are leafy, ranging in height from as low as 12 in (30 cm) to more than 6-8 ft (1.8�2.4 m). The majority of species do not produce scented flowers or cultivars. Like most plants that do not attract pollinating insects through scent, they are brightly colored, displaying most hues, with the exception of blue.
The dahlia was declared the national flower of Mexico in 1963. The tubers were grown as a food crop by the Aztecs, but this use largely died out after the Spanish Conquest. Attempts to introduce the tubers as a food crop in Europe were unsuccessful.
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.
Uploaded
May 6th, 2015
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Comments (19)
Lynn Bauer
Love the beautiful colors and great detail that you have captured here, Bruce!! So pretty!!! f/l
Bruce Bley
Navin, I appreciate the feature in the group "T100 Appreciating Quality Works From All Mediums 1 a day". Thank you so much for your continued support.
Bruce Bley
Bruce, I want to thank you for the feature in the group Note Cards'. I appreciate the honor.
Bruce Bley
David, Thank you again for the feature in the group "Midwest America". I truly appreciate the honor.
John Bailey
Congratulations on being featured in the Fine Art America Group "Images That Excite You!"
Bruce Bley replied:
Thank you again for the feature in the group "Images That Excite You". I truly appreciate the honor.
Connie Handscomb
This is such a happy looking blooms, Bruce. .& I must say, one I've not seen before; this is an unusual dahlia .. very pretty! ;))
Chrisann Ellis
Bruce, Your Work has been Featured On The Home Page of Weekly Fun For All Mediums..Happy Days..Congrats!!!
Bruce Bley replied:
Chrisann, Thank you again for the feature in the group "Weekly Fun For All Mediums. I sincerely appreciate it.
Bruce Bley
Doug, I am very grateful for the feature in the group "Macro Marvels". I sincerely appreciate the honor.