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Nikau Palm Flower


Nikau Palm Flower
Photo Information
Copyright: Steve Reekie (LordPotty) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1172 W: 145 N: 2712] (8404)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-09-11
Categories: Rain Forest
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/50 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2007-10-25 1:05
Viewed: 545
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This series of photos shows the opening of a flower of the Nikau Palm (Rhopalostylis sapida)

The New Zealand Nikau is the worlds southernmost palm tree.
Rhopalostylis sapida is found in lowland forest throughout the North Island,and in the South Island to Banks Peninsula in the east and Greymouth in the west.
It is very slow growing and can eventually reach a height of 10 metres or more in the wild.
The fronds emerge from bulbous sheaths atop a single trunk that is ringed with the scars of fallen leaves.

Flowering doesn't begin until a Nikau is about 30 years old.
Large spiky inflorescences containing tiny purplish flowers sprout from the trunk.
The flowers are followed by bright red fruits that take a year to ripen. In wet conditions they may not ripen fully before they age too much and fall while either green or brown.

The coastal Nikaus of the South Islands West Coast have a distincive character of their own.
Whereas the forest Nikau of the North Island are tall and thin with long slender fronds,the Souther variety are often stockier,with shorter erect fronds that have evelved to withstand the heavy salt laden coastal winds.

I have included a close up shot of some partially mature Nikau fruits in the workshop.

Hope you like it.
Cheers
Steve
eqshannon, marhowie has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To fragman: Thank you OriLordPotty 1 10-25 05:45
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Critiques [Translate]

thanks for showing all stages, greetings Ori

Hello Steve
Very intersting spiece to shoot,
I haven't seen this before :o)
Great Collage ,Welldone.

Regards
Fartash

I was going to say that this violet color is more of a spring colour duh...'Tis spring for you fella. Waxing down that board? No wait..you don't wax those, that's snow.....well I can't even swim...

Anyhoo...a very nice montage of unusual flora. It almost feels like Easter. I tend to get my Easter mixed with Coconut flavorings....

Bob
....I think

Nice quad Steve, I like it..
Great colors and detail, showing the grand opening very well :)
Have a great weekend,
Howard

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-10-26 20:22]

Hello Steve

A well composed montage of the stages of flowering of this palm.I must admit the flower looks more impressive before it spreads out.LOL.The colours are rich and well saturated.Very good detail and sharpness.Are the flowers aromatic? are the fruit edible?
TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2007-10-27 1:28]

Hi Steve,
Just acknowledging this wonderful shot. Will come back with a proper critique in a while.
Regards.
Sumon

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