<< Previous Next >>

Gentiana alba


Gentiana alba
Photo Information
Copyright: John Denk (jpdenk) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 265 W: 1 N: 400] (1084)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-22
Categories: Flowers
Camera: Nikon D70, Micro Nikkor AF60mm f2.8
Exposure: f/11, 1/200 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-03-15 8:35
Viewed: 446
Points: 15
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Cream Gentian, Gentiana alba, also known as Gentiana flavida. In Illinois, the state where I live, it's usually found in prairies but is also found along edges of upland forests, sandy oak savannas, limestone glades, and rocky bluffs. Populations of this plant may have occurred in other habitats, such as sand or gravel prairies, but were destroyed before they could be identified. It is a rare plant here, but can be fairly abundant in the stations where it occurs.

Unlike most Gentians, which typically have deep blue flowers, its flowers are white, greenish-white or creamy white, with green leaves that turn to a light yellowish-green in dry conditions, such as were present when I made this photo. It usually blooms in late August.

Its unusual flowers, always closed except for a small opening at the tip, are primarily pollinated by Bumblebees, which are strong enough to force their way into the flowers.

This plant is rare enough that I won't publish it's location beyond the county level, as poaching of rare plants is a serious problem here.
lovenature, nkasot, Ena, Bass, nirmalroberts, boreocypriensis has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To boreocypriensis: Thanksjpdenk 1 05-20 05:42
To nirmalroberts: Thank youjpdenk 1 05-02 19:13
To Bass: Thank youjpdenk 1 03-23 09:06
To Ena: Thanksjpdenk 1 03-17 10:08
To nkasot: Thanksjpdenk 1 03-15 17:56
To ellis49: Thanksjpdenk 1 03-15 10:42
To lovenature: Thanksjpdenk 1 03-15 09:23
To fragman: Thanksjpdenk 1 03-15 09:09
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

nice pic and informative note! TFS Ori

Hi John
This Cream Gentian is beautiful. I love it's soft green and cream colours. I can see it would blend into its surrounding very well. The only thing I can see that would make the flower stand out is if the background was darker but still a very nice image.
TFS Janice

Hi John,
a nice picture with fine details and colours.
Good sharpness and fine details.
Maybe a bigger aperture for more OOF in the BG but thats personal.
Well done.

Hi John,
Beautiful shot of this wonderful flower. TFS. Regards,
Nazım

  • Great 
  • Ena Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 359 W: 61 N: 570] (2341)
  • [2008-03-17 0:36]
  • [+]

Hello John,
Lovely flower!
Good composition!
TFS
Ena

  • Great 
  • Bass Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 101 W: 0 N: 115] (467)
  • [2008-03-23 8:20]
  • [+]

Hi John,
what a nice gentiana. I love this green composition: several kinds of greens, the brightest at the front and the dark ones as a blur BG.. good.
Great details over the leaves of the flower, nice POV. Although natural colours seems real good, maybe a bit more of light would be nice too, just to see more the flower than the BG.. but is just my opinion.
TFS
have a nice day
regards
Brenda

Hi John,
Lovely white flowers. Nice well composed picture. Perfect exposure for the white.
TFS.
- Nirmal

Hi John,
Wonderful capture and beautiful flowe. TFS. Cheers,
Bayram

Ps. I have just returned from a trip to SE Mediterranean Anatolia

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF