<< Previous Next >>

Field Horsetail


Field Horsetail
Photo Information
Copyright: Gert Paassen (Gert-Paassen) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1352 W: 2 N: 5051] (15194)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-13
Categories: Flowers
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/100 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Bayram's Favorites-1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-29 9:08
Viewed: 1645
Favorites: 4 [view]
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [Dutch]
Latin name - Equisetum arvense

This time a flower that looks he came from jurrasic parc.
A common flower in Europe.

Equisetopsida, or Sphenopsida is a class of plants. Living species are commonly known as horsetails and typically grow in wet areas, with needle-like leaves radiating at regular intervals from a single vertical stem. Equisetopsida is placed in the botanical division of ferns (Pteridophyta),though sometimes regarded as a separate division Equisetophyta (or Arthrophyta).
The Sphenophytes comprise photosynthesising, "segmented", hollow stems, sometimes filled with pith. At the junction between each segment is a whorl of leaves. In the only extant genus Equisetum, these are small leaves (microphylls) with a singular vascular trace. However, sphenophyte leaves probably arose by the reduction of a megaphyll, as evidenced by early fossil forms such as Sphenophyllum, in which the leaves are broad with branching veins. The plumbing of these leaves is interesting: the vascular traces trifurcate at the junctions, with one thread going to the microphyll, and the other two moving left and right to merge with the new branches of their neighbours. The vascular system itself curiously resembles that of the vascular plants' eustele, which evolved convergently. A primary xylem contains carinal canals; in the Calamitales, secondary xylem (but not secondary phloem) can be secreted as the cambium grows outwards, producing a woody stem, and allowing the plants to grow as high as 10m. The cortex itself contains valecular canals; due to the softer nature of the phloem, these are very rarely seen in fossil instances.

The plant does not bear a coherent root system but underground rhizomes, from which roots and aerial axes emerge.

The plant contains an intercalary meristem: that is to say, each segment of the stem grows as the plant gets taller. This contrasts with the seed plants, which contain an apical meristem - i.e. new growth comes only from growing tips (and widening of stems). Growth was determinate - i.e. the plants' phenotype dictated a maximum height, which the plant would grow to then get no higher.

Sphenophytes bear cones (technically strobili, sing. strobilus) at the tips of some stems. These cones comprise spirally arranged sporophores, which bear spores in four clusters, and in extant sphenophytes cover the spores externally - like four sacs hanging from an umbrella, with its handle embedded in the central cone body. In extinct groups, further protection was afforded to the spores by the presence of whorls of bracts - big pointy microphylls protruding from the cone.

The spores themselves bear characteristic elaters, distinctive spring-like attachments which are hygroscopic: i.e. they change their configuration in the presence of water, helping the spores move and aiding their dispersal. Dispersal is aided in the first instance by laterally dehiscing sporangia, which pop open and scatter spores.
boreocypriensis, zulfu, jaycee, CatherineD, mariki, pekkavalo1, gracious, xTauruSx, bahadir, lise, bobcat08 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
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hi Gert:) my dear friend,
What a cute and strange flower my friend! Its realy resembles a horse-tail. Spendid macro and great shot my friend!
Many thanks for sharing this beauty!
Cheers,

Bayram

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1243 W: 0 N: 171] (916)
  • [2008-05-29 9:30]

Hello Gert, yes this plant masut be came from Jurasic Park:) superb macro capture. Great composition. TFS. Regards,
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2683 W: 11 N: 7301] (23103)
  • [2008-05-29 9:34]

Hi Gert,

What a strange looking flower - you are right - it does look straight out of Jurrasic Park. I can see how it got its name. It is quite beautiful as well as unusual. Wonderful colors and details. I don't think I will forget this one.

Jane

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2009 W: 122 N: 2581] (8426)
  • [2008-05-29 10:22]

fraaie foto Gert,
zeer mmoie pov, goede details, een prachtige dof, zeer fraai werk.prettige avond.
groet Jaap

Hello Gert,
Nice macro shot, with great details and a very good light. I like very well this plant which has beautiful tones and graphism. TFS,
Catherine

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3120 W: 34 N: 9199] (34122)
  • [2008-05-29 13:44]

Hi . very late home so just a note for now to say good picture .well done TFS.
Nick..

Hi Gert,

Very beautiful picture of this Field Horsetail with good POV and composition, sharp details and natural colours.

TFS

Pekka

Hello Gert,
This is a pretty one!
this shot in in perfect exposure and focus with great sharpness, nice colour and details
thanks for the notes too
well done
cheers
Tony

Hello Gert,
Amazing capture of this strange flower. Perfect! TFS.
Regards,
Deniz

Hello Gert, wonderful capture of a interesting natural flower which is new for me and you captured it perfect! TFS. Regards.

Hello Gert,

Very interesting and well realized picture of this strange flower. Very good sharpness and beautiful natural colours.
Cheers,

Mariki

  • Great 
  • lise Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 170 W: 48 N: 548] (2875)
  • [2008-05-31 8:23]

Hi Gert,
I always see this curious plant in spring but I never knew what is was, thanks for the note.
Wonderful sharp macro shot, great natural colours.
Very well done
Lise

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-05-31 19:07]

Hello Gert

A very cool capture graphically speaking.
The composition is lovely.
Wonderful clarity with excellent focus and sharpness.
Great use of light and colour.
Very good dof.
TFS

Rob

Hallo Gert,

Je bent me net een slag voor met deze mooie plant te posten. Ik heb d'r eentje op de Vlietlanden gefotografeerd met het idee van wat is dat nou toch eigenlijk. Wat aan het snuffelen geweest en kwam tot dezelfde conclusie als de jouwe. Mooi helder shot van deze Heremoes. Die van jou is mooier aan de steelzijde. POV. DOF en BG zijn goed. Rustige kleuren, maar daar houd jij wel van. Een zeer uitgebreide beschrijving. Je ziet de mijne t.z.t. Groeten en TFS Bob

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1536 W: 0 N: 2926] (10163)
  • [2008-06-01 20:38]

Hello Gert,
a unique kind of flower. Great clarity and nice exposition of its physical outlooks.
outstanding muted background and still moist.
Thanks for sharing.

Regards,
Foozi

very nice closeup that I missed, greetings Ori

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF