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Little blue lantern
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Took this shot a while ago and complete forgot about it. I like the blue flowers, unfortunally this flower is now consider as a pest plant in New Zealand.
Lily of the Nile
Scientific Name: Agapanthus orientalis F.M. Leighton
Synonym: Agapanthus praecox ssp orientalis
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Origin: Southern Africa
The Lily of the Nile naturalizes easily in Phoenix. They take the summer heat more easily if they get some shade in summer. The summer flowers don't last very long but their thick strap shaped leaves are decorative the year around.
Cultural Practices:
The Agapanthus needs regular watering during the hot weather period. It will grow fine in any soil, although does better in a soil rich in organic matter. Plant 1 to 2 feet apart depending on the variety. Feed 3 times a year in early spring, early summer and fall.
Blooming Habits:
The lily of the nile has flowers of various shades of blue or white during May-June. The flower stems are excellent for cut flowers. They are often coming at a time where there are not too many other flowers, and are an excellent resource
Flower structure:
Agapanthus have flower-heads known as umbels, which are large and rounded and made up of many tubular flowers. Some, such as A. inapertus have pendulous flowers. Their colour ranges from shades of blue through to violet, but there are also pure white forms. Deciduous varieties, such as 'Blue Globe' and 'White Superior', are more hardy cultivars for the garden. Evergreen species include the majestic A. comptonii, a frost-tender species that is ideal for containers.
Plant history:
The name agapanthus is derived from the Greek 'agape', meaning love, and 'anthos', flower. The plants are native to South Africa and were brought back to Europe in the seventeenth century by the first European settlers when they stopped in the cape to replenish their supplies. Agapanthus africanus was first introduced to Europe in 1679. Its origins in the cooler temperatures of the Western Cape, made it an ideal candidate for exporting.
Poisonous Part: Plant sap in leaves.
Symptoms: Irritation of skin and eyes from cell sap. Irritation and ulceration of mouth if ingested.
Causes severe pain in the mouth if eaten! Skin irritation minor, or lasting only for a few minutes.
From this site, the article said "For the first time, agapanthus is included in the Pest Strategy as a research organism. Agapanthus is widespread in many coastal communities where it is seen as useful for holding banks. But it is invading coastal cliffs at Piha and other west coast locations.
The Strategy proposes research on its impacts on ecosystems and methods of control. Following research over the next two years, an amendment may be made to the Strategy making agapanthus a pest and banning it from sale." |
red45, Runnerduck, Janice, dew77, AndyB, keerthik, Comandante, ddg, gerhardt, PDP, FParkus has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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- Zeno
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 451 W: 0 N: 975]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(8383) - [2005-06-05 7:55]
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These flowers are like lights.Incredible!
I like the contrasts in this photo. The combination of light blue and black is beautiful.
great performance again.
regards,
zeno.
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- red45
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2703 W: 74 N: 8857]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(30219) - [2005-06-05 13:40]
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Sweety - just beautifull. I love everything in this picture. Slightly 'chaotic' composition, colours and shapes of these pretty flowers, almost glowing surfaces, dark BG, frame. It is superb so I'll take it to my favs :-)
This is such a beautiful flower, I don't think I've ever seen one of these before. They look like tiny little lanterns! Perfect composition.
Well done!
-I am going mad! I've just seen your title, which is probably why I was thinking they look like 'little lanterns' ......
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- Janice
(18646)
- [2005-06-05 16:18]
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Very artistic shot of the Agapanthus Sweety. The colours and lighting are great. Well composed too. I see some are out flowering again now - they've got their seasons all wrong. Well done.
Hello Sweety!
The same blue as my butterfly today!
Superb shot!
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- Ina
(767)
- [2005-06-05 22:31]
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Very lovely picture.... I like the glow of these flowers and the black background add a fine contrast... TFS... Ina...
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- dew77
(13209)
- [2005-06-06 2:17]
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Hello Sweety!
Wonderful picture.Black BG,colors,lighting,framing and composition are perfect.TFS...:-)
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- AndyB
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1391 W: 32 N: 1350]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(3982) - [2005-06-06 2:37]
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A beautiful shot.
Very well composed,nice lighting and the flowers look superb set against the dark background.
Nice work,well done.
Beautiful flowers and good lighting
Hi Sweety, I've been noticing this shot for a few days. At last I have a little time to do something about it. Lovely mood here conveyed by your composition and DOF. Lighting, colours and BG are all excellent. TFS :)
Hello again Sweety!
Wonderful work from you again.Colors,DOF,lighting and composition are perfect.Thanks for sharing
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- ddg
(5111)
- [2005-06-08 12:59]
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Ces fleurs bleues semblent irrélles ! Bravo Sweety c'est trop beau. TFS Didier.
This looks so nice Sweety. A very "cool" effect you got here. Is it PP work or did you manage this with the camera?
Very well done.
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- hekcik
(1825)
- [2005-06-14 15:35]
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Hi Sweety,
Fantastic colours. Very, very nice composition. This is artistic shot, good job.
Norbert
Une photo que l'on aime c'est ue photo que l'on aurait aimé réaliser soit même.
Celle là est sublime et j'aurais été fier d'en être l'auteur.
C'est certainement une photo qui a été faite avec le coeur comme toutes les photos que vous réalisez mon cher Puffy.
Je suis sensible à cette approche qui au dela de la technique révèle des sentiments.
Je vois que nous avons des points communs et ce que j'aime sur ce site c'est que, d'un coté à l'autre de la terre il y a des gens qui regarde la nature avec respect et passion.
Cordialement de France.
Roger
Désolé mais je parle très mal anglais
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- PDP
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-n.gif)
(11769) - [2005-06-22 17:34]
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I missed this, and wow...it's great. I love the way you have presented this. The lighting is great. How much post processing did you do?
Great shot Sweety!
