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Cornflower


Cornflower
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1179 W: 0 N: 4488] (13384)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-06-23
Categories: Flowers
Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds MkII, Canon 24-70 mm f 2,8 L-USM
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-12-16 2:57
Viewed: 529
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I took this on a weekend trip to Poland earlier this year. I was mainly sightseeing in cities (really beautiful), but was amazes to see many, many cornflowers in the fields - I have NEVER seen any in the UK (see below). I only got this shot because I turned off the main road, in search of a tree!

Centaurea cyanus (Cornflower, Bachelor's button, Basket flower, Bluebottle, Boutonniere flower, Hurtsickle) is a small annual flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to Europe.

It is an annual plant growing to 40-90 cm tall, with grey-green branched stems. The leaves are lanceolate, 1-4 cm long. The flowers are most commonly an intense blue colour, produced in flowerheads (capitula) 1.5-3 cm diameter, with a ring of a few large, spreading ray florets surrounding a central cluster of disc florets. The blue pigment is protocyanin, which in roses is red.

In the past it often grew as a weed in crop fields. It is now endangered in its native habitat by agricultural intensification, particularly over-use of herbicides, destroying its habitat; in the United Kingdom it has declined from 264 sites to just 3 sites in the last 50 years. It is also however, through introduction as an ornamental plant in gardens and a seed contaminant in crop seeds, now naturalised in many other parts of the world, including North America and parts of Australia.

In folklore, cornflowers were worn by young men in love; if the flower faded too quickly, it was taken as a sign that the man's love was unrequited.

In herbalism a decoction of cornflower is effective in treating conjunctivitis, and as a wash for tired eyes.

The Blue Cornflower has been the national flower of Estonia since 1968 and symbolizes daily bread to Estonians. It is also the symbol of the Estonian political party, Rahvaliit, the Finnish political party, National Coalition Party, and the Swedish political party, Liberal People's Party. The Cornflower is also often seen as an inspiration for the romantic symbol of the Blue Flower.

The Blue Cornflower was the favourite flower of Kaiser Wilhelm I. Because of its ties to royalty, authors such as Theodor Fontane have used it, often sarcastically, to comment the social and political climate of the time.

In Austria it is a political symbol for pan-German and rightist ideas. The Members of the Freedom Party wore it at 2005's Parliament Opening.
jcoowanitwong, Adanac, nglen, jaycee, ramthakur, angybone, Evelynn has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello James,
The blue color of this flower is brilliant. The petal shape like crown. Very nice shot of this beautiful flower. Very well done and tfs.
JC

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1029 W: 1 N: 3944] (13268)
  • [2007-12-16 3:57]

Hello James,
Beautiful flower captured with great camera work. The lighting is nice and the details and colors captured are great. Thanks James for this fine image and great notes.
Rick

Hello James,
great Dof to show the sharpness, vivid colour and details of this cornflower!
the exposure and focus is excellent
well done
best regards
Tony

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1855 W: 2 N: 4966] (19088)
  • [2007-12-16 10:57]

Hi James A nice spot of colour in the dull winter days. this is a very clear well detailed shot of the cornflower. good detail you have used the light so well. good notes too,

Well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1542 W: 233 N: 5128] (18077)
  • [2007-12-16 11:29]

Gorgeous image James!
Your composition is outstanding!
Great colours and lighting.
Well done mate,
Joe

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1639 W: 8 N: 4185] (13683)
  • [2007-12-16 14:45]

Hi James,

I may not have seen a cornflower before! The color is absolutely amazing. Wonderful sharp details and a superb composition.

Jane

I like the colour of this Cornflower, James.
It is is so refreshing to look at.
The natural light falling on the flower gives different tones to the petals.
Thanks for sharing this lovely image.
Ram

Simple, elegant, graceful...effective lighting, wonderful sharpness. A beauty.

That is so sharp I could almost reach out and pick it! Technically it looks perfect. Color is nice.

TFS
Evelynn : )

Witaj James,
Very clear of this Cornflower. Sharp and there are beautiful colours. In Poland happened in cereal very often. Wish you put out from my country one shot. I think that you to us will come yet once.
Pozdrawiam serdecznie z Polski - Roma

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