|
|
|
Thorn Apple in winter
 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Datura stramonium, Family: Solanaceae. Also known as Stinkblaar, is a widespread annual in South Africa. It is easily identified by its glabrous, purple stems, toothed leaves, and spiked fruits.
It is found in fields, waste ground, cultivated areas, roadsides... just about anywhere. The plant spreads by seed. The seeds are very poisonous. In South Africa it is top of the list of plants most commonly poisoning people .... mainly children.
Datura stramonium is packed with tropane alkaloids. These alkaloids are autonomic nervous system blocking agents. Apparently, the level of alkaloids in individual plants varies from day to day depending on environmental conditions and stages of plant development. This can lead to problems for people who use the plant as a narcotic, as higher levels of these alkaloids can cause death instead of the intended "trip."
In our Clarens Conservancy we are busy with re-habilitating a donga as a wetland. On an assessment walk I noticed this invader standing proudly, lit beautifully in the late evening sun.
Technical: Aperture priority, 1/80, f5.0, ISO 100, lens 17mm-85mm, 44mm, RAW, tripod. |
marhowie has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
|
|
|
I like the DOF that was used not to mention the background .. the shot has a real 3-D effect !!
scott
Hi Irmgard,
Excellent notes on the "Stinkblaar" (what a name) ;}
Great detail and well seen from this BG.
Well done.
Howard
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 88 W: 5 N: 76]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
![Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 20 W: 1 N: 65]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-g.gif)
(323)![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5713 W: 1221 N: 10537]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}