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Taraxacum (Dandelion) for SMITHA


Taraxacum (Dandelion) for SMITHA
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3993 W: 153 N: 4803] (12728)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-17
Categories: Flowers
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Flora of Turkey & Cyprus, Bayram's dedications, Dedications at Trek Nature part Four [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-28 0:32
Viewed: 738
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 60
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Taraxacum spp. (Dandelion)

[A General Appearance shot in WS]

The common name Dandelion is given to members of the genus Taraxacum, a large genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. In the Asteraceae (formerly Compositae) the "flowers" are morphologically a composite flower head consisting of many tiny flowers called florets. Dandelions are native to Europe and Asia and have been widely introduced elsewhere. Many Taraxacum species produce seeds asexually by apomixis, where the seeds are produced without pollination, resulting in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent plant.

Dandelions are tap-rooted biennial or perennial herbaceous plants, native to temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere of the Old World. They are commonly known as weeds or ruderals. The genus is taxonomically very complex, with numerous macrospecies, and polyploidy is also common; over 250 apomictic microspecies have been recorded in the British Isles alone. Some botanists take a much narrower view and only accept a total of about 60 species. The leaves are 5–25 cm long, simple and basal, entire or lobed, forming a rosette above the central taproot. As the leaves grow outward they push down the surrounding vegetation, such as grass in a lawn, which kills those plants by cutting off their access to sunlight. A bright yellow flower head, which is open in the daytime but closes at night, is borne singly on a hollow stem (scape) which rises 4–30 cm above the leaves and exudes a milky sap (latex) when broken. A rosette may produce several flowering stems at a time. The flower head is 2–5 cm in diameter and consists entirely of ray florets. The flower head matures into a spherical "clock" (also known as a "wishie") containing many single-seeded fruits (achenes). Each achene is attached to a pappus of fine hairs, which enable wind-aided dispersal over long distances. Dandelions are used as food plants by the larvae of some species of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths).

While the dandelion is considered a weed by most gardeners and lawn owners, the plant does have several culinary uses, and the specific name officinalis refers to its value as a medicinal herb. Dandelions are grown commercially on a small scale as a leaf vegetable. The leaves (called dandelion greens) can be eaten cooked or raw in various forms, such as in soup or salad. They are probably closest in character to mustard greens. Usually the young leaves and unopened buds are eaten raw in salads, while older leaves are cooked. Raw leaves have a slightly bitter taste. Dandelion salad is often accompanied with hard boiled eggs. The leaves are high in vitamin A, vitamin C and iron, carrying more iron and calcium than spinach. Dandelion flowers can be used to make dandelion wine, for which there are many recipes. It has also been used in a saison ale called Pissenlit (literally "wet the bed" in French) made by Brasserie Fantôme in Belgium. Another recipe using the plant is dandelion flower jam. Ground roasted dandelion root can be used as a coffee substitute. Dandelion root is a registered drug in Canada, sold principally as a diuretic. A leaf decoction can be drunk to "purify the blood", for the treatment of anemia, jaundice, and also for nervousness. Drunk before meals, dandelion root coffee is claimed to stimulate digestive functions and function as a liver tonic. "Dandelion and Burdock" is a soft drink that has long been popular in the United Kingdom with authentic recipes sold by health food shops. It is unclear whether cheaper supermarket versions actually contain extracts of either plant. The milky latex has been used as a mosquito repellent, the milk is also applied to warts, helping get rid of them without damaging the surrounding skin. Yellow or green dye colours can be obtained from the flowers but little colour can be obtained from the roots of the plant.

Many scpecies (approx. 30) of Dandelions are found in Turkey. It is very hard to identify this at specific level since I am not a botanist. However, when I take into consideration the flowering time, this beautiful flower may be Taraxacum buttleri (in Turk. Cırtlak). I encountered with it while I was climbing to Karagöl Lake (Bolkar Mt, Taurus Range) at 2300 m asl.

*****************************

Today I would like to dedicate this beautiful flower shot to one of our heartfelt friends in TN, Smitha Komath (smitha) from India for her kind interest my herpetological captures and in thanks for her lovely dedication to me with a beautiful Rat Snake portrait shot. Thank you Smitha for your kind dedication once more and especially your valuable contributions to TN.

Hoping that you like these shots!


Cheers,

Bayram

Ps. Thanks to Ori for generic ID.

*****************************

References:

1. Dandelion-Wikipedia
2. Van Florası Sanal Herbaryumu.
yasin, zulfu, nkasot, yasemin, maurydv, gannu, xTauruSx, haraprasan, bahadir, marhowie, montivipera, spalaxtr, Silvio2006, jaycee, eng55, Gert-Paassen, nglen, Jamesp, goldyrs, rousettus, smitha, kmr13777, CeltickRanger, jpdenk, vanderschelden, SelenE, cypturk has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To vanderschelden: in good health:)boreocypriensis 1 05-30 09:45
To smitha: :)boreocypriensis 1 05-29 01:18
To rousettus: Hacı selamboreocypriensis 1 05-28 16:48
To Jamesp: Hi Friendboreocypriensis 1 05-28 15:06
To jaycee: Hi My Big Sisboreocypriensis 1 05-28 07:37
To xTauruSx: Sağplboreocypriensis 1 05-28 01:46
To gannu: Thanksboreocypriensis 1 05-28 01:41
To maurydv: Thanksboreocypriensis 1 05-28 01:40
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 0 N: 95] (585)
  • [2008-05-28 0:43]

Bayram Hocam sarının en yabani güzelini harika görüntülemişsiniz. Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • yasin Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 31 W: 1 N: 43] (129)
  • [2008-05-28 0:43]

An excellent captured, Bayram!
Very good composition, details, plus framing.
TFS,

Best regards from Indonesia

Yasin

Katılıyorum. Sadece güzeli değil aynmı zamanda bonus olarak misafirlerini de görüntülemişsiniz. Mükemmel bir kompozisyon olmuş. Elinize sağlık.
Nazım

Bayram ne guzel cicek bu.papatyayi andiriyor ama harika cekmissin. eline saglik. Karincaciklar da guzel gorunuyor:). Selamlar.

Stupendo tarassacco, eccellente POV, bellissimo taglio compositivo quadrato con i petali che esplodono di in questo sgargiante colore giallo, ottime nitidezza e definizione dei dettagli. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 927 W: 4 N: 2317] (10792)
  • [2008-05-28 1:40]
  • [+]

Hello Friend
Smith is double lucky. This is a nice shot and yes we were neighbors. Lovely shot and I like those little insect inside the flower. probably they also want to be a part of the dedication to smitha. Well done Ganesh

Bayram hocam her çekiminizde kesin bir bonus var. Bunda da öyle... çiçekten bal almayı çok seviyorlar herhalde:P. Elinize sağlık. Nefis olmuş. Kompozisyon da harika.
Deniz

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1003 W: 6 N: 2707] (10057)
  • [2008-05-28 2:18]

Hi Bayram,a most common flower but a terrible yellow,not easy to take it so perfectly,my best compliments for the note too,have a nice day,Luciano

Hi Bayram,
A lovely capture of this beautiful dandelion flower. Superb details and a lovely composition. I am sure Smitha will like it a lot. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Splendid macro capture of this beautiful dandelion Hocam with superb details. We can also some small insects amongst flower leafs. Wonderful composition. TFS. Regards,
Bahadır

Nice work Bayram,
I like the overall environment you've shown with the flower, including the FG details and the defocused BG.
Very good color, exposure, detail, and DOF.
Well done & TFS!
Howard

Merhaba Hocam,
Gene harika bir kare olmuş, elinize sağlık.
Saygılar
Naşit
Not: Sunumunuz kaçtaydı Hocam?

Bayram merhaba,
Senden bir bitki görünce şaşırdım, ama nefis olmuş. Bolkar'dan bitki hayvan ne gördüysen çektin galiba. Çok da iyi ettin. Elinde o bölgeye ait iyi bir fotoğraf kolleksiyonu olur. Ben de gittiğim yerlerde göcek, kuş, bitki ne görürsem çekmeye çalışıyorum. Serinin devamını merakla bekliyorum. Selamlar
Mustafa

Hi Bayram, lovely Taraxacum with little visitors, splendid sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hi Bayram,

I saw plenty of these in Colorado but not here in Arizona. The insects seem to be attracted to this one! Lovely colors, sharp details and an excellent composition.

Jane

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 353 W: 3 N: 376] (1127)
  • [2008-05-28 8:39]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Güzel bir çiçek makrosu.Detaylar,renkler,detaylar ve kompozisyon mükemmel olmuş.3 Boyutlu gibi.
Selamlar,ellerinize sağlık!

Hello Bayram,

Nicely captured and good of details.

Gert

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1696 W: 242 N: 5596] (19883)
  • [2008-05-28 12:30]

Hello Geckoman,
a lovely photo of this Dandelion.
I like all the little bugs in between the petals :-)
Nice vibrent colours and excellent lighting.
Sharp and crisp.
Brilliant central composition.
Great dedication to Smitha :-)

Cheers Bayram!

Joe

  • Great 
  • cako Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 389 W: 0 N: 371] (1986)
  • [2008-05-28 14:05]

Merhaba Bayram bey nefis poz olmuş ellerinize sağlık.

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 0 N: 4842] (14380)
  • [2008-05-28 15:03]
  • [+]

Hi Bayram

Greetings from Jasper National Park.

Lovely shot - excellent detail and exposure.

James

Smitha is a lucky girl!What a lovely flower, my dear brother!Excellent notes as well!
The insects in the flower are soooooo sharp and clear!
Cheers!
Goldy

benim gibi çeşitlemelere devam demişsin hoca. çekilecek ne varsa kaçırmamaya çalışıyorum. pek de güzel bir görüntü olmuş. eline sağlık. selamlar.

THANK YOU very much for this gorgeous looking flower, Bayram.:)
I am really touched and honored by this dedication.
For me dedications means there are friends who appreciate you and your work.So thank you friend for your gesture of appreciation.:)you should see me now, I am sitting here with a beeeaaaaming smile on my face.:)
As for the picture, it is a beautiful capture with immaculate sharpness and amazing details. I loved the way those tiny black flies clinging to the petals.Excellent POV and DOF.Spot on exposure and lovely colours.
It was god of you to include the picture of the whole plant in the workshop as I haven't seen it before.
Thanks once again, Bayram
Best,
Smitha.

Brilliant shot Brother!!
Excellent details, exposure and a great close up shot. It's a very serene flower to look at probably because of the very subtle petals.

TFS
Kirti

hello Bayram

beautiful flowers petals hading the colour and look of the sun,
fine POV and DOF, beautiful colours, with excellent sharpness and details,

TFS

Asbed

Hi Bayram
This is indeed a feast for the bees - very well illustrated. Amazing how it grows between the rocks! Good picture Bayram!

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1993 W: 5 N: 5571] (21050)
  • [2008-05-29 8:31]

Hi Bayram. A very good close up of the yellow dandelion. Yellow is not an easy colour to get right so you have got this one just right. good bright colours and fine detail . and a few little insect to go with it. a nice dedication to smitha. TFS.
Nick..

Hello bayram,
Thank you for your contribution.
Great dedication to Smitha.
I think, I'll go for the dandelion wine;-)
Well done
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2351 W: 61 N: 3811] (12226)
  • [2008-06-10 23:21]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Canli renkleriyle cok guzel olmus. Elinize saglik
Selamlar

Hi Uncle... Wonderful shot of this beautiful yellow flower. Very neat and sharp image and the bright sunlight gives it a fabulous glow. Kind regards, Cypturk

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