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Impala Lily


Impala Lily
Photo Information
Copyright: Anna Eksteen (Miss_Piggy) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2285 W: 5 N: 5300] (18714)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-10-08
Categories: Flowers
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC H9, Digital ISO 100
Exposure: f/4, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Flowers, plants and fungi of Southern Africa, Loot's Favourites 1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-11-22 17:58
Viewed: 11451
Favorites: 3 [view]
Points: 102
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Impala lily / Adenium multiflorum

This photo of the beautiful Impala Lily was taken in the parking lot at the Nkuhlu picnic site. Normally when we stop at this spot (or the other picnic sites such as Afsaal, Tshokwane or Babalala) I would get out of the car (with my camera of course) to visit the restroom and the Cafeteria. Because of the high temperatures experienced in the Kruger Park (during the summer months) one normally takes in quite a bit of fluids during the day and that means regular stops at whatever restroom one can find. But first I would walk around to photograph some birds, lizards, flowers or whatever that might be of interest.

South Africa is a botanist's paradise. It is believed to be said that no-where else on earth does there exist, in one country, so immense a diversity of plants. Its total extent is not yet known - new species and varieties are continually found.

It is estimated that the Kruger National Park contains more than 2000 identified plants. For the park visitor the most obvious and certainly one of the loveliest is most probably the Impala lily.

These flowers are common to many camps and emerge from a stubby, thick stemmed plant that looks like a miniature baobab tree. It produces spectacular displays of deep ruby-pink tubular flowers that end in bursts of white petals fringed in bright, eye-dazzling red.

This short note above was extracted from Kruger - Portrait of a National Park - David Paynter & Wilf Nussey. Published by Southern Book Publishers.

Adenium multiflorum is the best known of the South African adeniums. It flowers in winter when most of the surrounding vegetation is rather dull in comparison to the brilliant white, pink, crimson, red and bicoloured flowers that cover these plants when in full bloom. The genus Adenium consists of 5 succulent species from tropical Africa, Arabia and Socotra.

Description
The Impala lily is a deciduous succulent shrub or small tree, 0.5-3m tall. Stems arise from a large underground rootstock. The bark is shiny grey to brown, with poisonous watery latex. For most of the year the plants do not have flowers or leaves. The leaves are up to 100mm long, shiny green above and pale below, usually much broader towards the tip, and are carried in clusters at the growing tips of the branches. They are shed before flowering.

The flowers are borne in terminal inflorescences, each flower 50-70mm in diameter. They vary greatly in colour, usually with pointed white lobes, crinkly red margins and red stripes in the throat. Plants with pure white flowers are occasionally found. The flowers are sweetly scented. Flowering occurs from May to September. The fruit is usually paired, cylindrical follicles up to 240mm long. The seeds are brown with a tuft of silky hairs.

These flowers are on the Red Data lists of Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe where it is regarded as threatened. Most of its distributional range in South Africa falls within the Kruger National Park where it is protected, although it does not have any threatened status in South Africa. The main threats to the species are collection for horticulture, medicinal use, agriculture and browsing by wild animals. Baboons, for example, have been seen uprooting whole plants to feed on the tuberous rootstock.

Distribution and Habitat
The natural distribution range of the Impala Lily extends from southeastern Zambia, through Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, to Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, and Swaziland. These plants are usually found in sandy soil or in alluvium in rocky habitats, in dry woodland or open grassland, on brackish flats. They are found mainly in frost-free areas of the Lowveld and eastern parts of southern Africa, south of the Zambezi River, from sea level to elevations of up to 1200m.

Ecology
Plants are found in various habitats. Where browsed extensively they tend to be small and shrubby. In protected areas, however, they can become handsome trees. The plant has thick, tuberous underground stems, helping it to survive long periods without water. In nature the plants propagate by means of seed, this are adapted for wind dispersal by having tufts of silky hairs.

Uses
The impala lily is known in Africa and southern Africa as a source of fish poison and arrow poison. The poison is prepared from latex in the bark and fleshy parts of the trunk, but it is always used in combination with other poisons. Leaves and flowers are poisonous to goats and cattle, but the plants are sometimes heavily browsed and are not considered to be of much toxicological significance. Despite the toxicity, it is used in medicinal applications and as magic potions.

Horticulturally, the impala lily is greatly valued for its flowers. A large plant in full bloom is among the most decorative of all succulents, where the climate allows it to grow in the open. Source

I hope you enjoy looking at this photo as much as I took pleasure in taking it.
NinaM, bobair, eqshannon, ramthakur, Alex99, jconceicao, Janice, Pitoncle, Pearl, ferranjlloret, smitha, Hormon_Manyer, matatur, eng55, Silvio2006, nglen, gracious, uleko, bucanas, Adanac, anel, Aaltjie, zulfu, xTauruSx, bahadir, boreocypriensis, Heaven, pilonm, sandpiper2, carmem_busko has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer [C: 773 W: 3 N: 1157] (4077)
  • [2008-11-22 18:06]

What a great flower, Miss Piggy, it is fantastic and so sharp. I love the bright pink colour against the blurred and neutral background. Great shot and thank you!

Francine

Hi Anna,
this flower sings!The photo is very sharp and well coloured with very good details working well for it.This is a very organic and lively looking capture and thank you for sharing it with us.I have seen flowers that are somewhat similar looking here in Canada as well,but I do not think they are the same. Bob

This one stopped me dead in my tracks....too beautiful to describe with words..something that almost has to be seen in person..I think we call it eye candy...but any more would be overdone...it is perfect!
Bob

This is indeed an amazingly beautiful wild flower from SA, Anna.
The five petals with subtle colour variations are beautifully captured in this composition.
Thanks a lot for sharing this lovely image.
Regards.

  • Great 
  • efsus Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 415 W: 11 N: 843] (3947)
  • [2008-11-22 21:39]

Merhaba Anna,
Öncelikle daha önce böyle bir çiçek görmediğimi söylemeliyim. Yaprakların merkezindeki beyaz rengin uçlara doğru gidilirken önce pembeye, sonra kırmızıya dönüşmesi bu yıldız biçimli çiçeğe harikulade bir güzellik katmış. Uygulamış olduğunuz enfes ve yerinde bir teknikle tüm detaylar izleyenin gözlerini okşayacak şekilde kusursuz kaydedilmiş. Bu sayede artalanın onca olumsuzluğu ve karışıklığına rağmen tüm dikkatleri çiçek üzerine çekmeyi ve onu ön plana almayı başarmışsınız. Emeğinize sağlık diyorum. Yeni karelerinizde görüşmek dileklerimle. Hoşçakalın

Hüseyin

nice one! I love Adeniums, I also grow two of them in my balcony. greetings Ori

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2008-11-22 22:35]

Hi Anna.
Pictured by you flower is so wonderful as picture of it. You managed to represent this beauty by the best way. I am simply amazed with terrific colour passages on flower petals, ultimate sharpness and details of all flower features, precise DOF. A bit blurred, natural BG is looked perfectly too. I also impressed with great framing and composition of the image. Note as usual cannot be better too. My congratulations and TFS.
Alexei.

Hello Anna,

Fantastic close up.
Beautiful colours with excellent details.
Light, focus and definition are splendid.
Good notes.

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3277 W: 148 N: 6163] (18832)
  • [2008-11-23 1:06]

Hello Anna
What a lovely lily, so pretty and eye-catching.
We have many plants in NZ that originally came from SA. But I haven't seen any of these ones here - I wish I could - it is so pretty, but not too happy about it being poisonous :)
What beautiful play of red and white. Isn't God's creation of flowers quite wonderful? 50-70mm - they are not that big, but very eye-catching.
TFS
Janice

PS How's Loot?

Bonjour Anna,
Très belle macro dans laquelle le sujet est bien valorisé par la finesse des détails et la délicatesse des couleurs avec une très bonne maitrise de la lumière.
A bientôt sur TN pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard

  • Great 
  • Pearl Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 105 W: 25 N: 76] (321)
  • [2008-11-23 1:55]

Helllo Anna,

This is a beautiful lily shot you captured. The focusing is excellent along with the sharpness and perfect lighting. I really like the details, pretty colors, the composition and POV. Good notes too. TFS.

Pearl.

Hello Anna,

Superb picture of this beautiful flower. Excellent DOF and sharpness. Very nice composition. Beautiful colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

Hi Ana, Very good photo. Good explanation. Salut.

Dear Anna,
How are you and Loot? I trust you both are fine and in good health. Seems like you are busy taking pictures.:)(Even rest rooms are given second priority.HiHi.) this is a beautiful picture of the Impala Lily,taken with good focus, excellent focus, sharpness, and DOF. The pink and white flower stands out well from the neutral background.
Thanks for the share,
Smitha.

Hi Anna,
wow - that's flower is beautiful, so delicate and the colour-gradient is so wonderful - from white to brilliant pink.
Thanks, that's a joy for my eyes, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

Hi Anna,
Wonderful textures and colors of the lily, great sharpness + DOF. pleasant to the eyes, while the note's pleasant to the mind - very informative one. Congrats and tfs this beauty - I've never seen this specie before, not even on photos.
Greetings from Hungary, László

An exquisitely delicate looking beautiful flower captured sharply and off-centrally for a fine composition Anna, good thinking on your part my friend, also letting some fuzzy green colour to show itself on the right for a bit of colour contrast... You are indeed a good nature photographer!
Cheers,
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1256 W: 42 N: 1976] (5892)
  • [2008-11-23 11:29]

Hi Anna,
Magnificent close up.Well seen and composed.Colors,framing and effect of limited DOF are excellent.
Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • izler Gold Star Critiquer [C: 1387 W: 3 N: 9] (44)
  • [2008-11-23 11:32]

hello Anna
really its a wonderful macro photo of this beautiful flower
POV, light, colours, sharpness and details are great
TFS
regards
izler

Ciao Anna, splendid flower with fantastic colors, wonderful light and excellent sharpness, very well done, brava, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2008-11-23 11:51]

Hi Anna. This is pure beauty such wonderful colours that nature has made. You have take this with sharp focusing and fine detail. along with bright colours. Well done TFs. Ineteresting notes too.

PS thanks for the kind comments.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2008-11-23 14:41]

Hi Anna,
what a stunning flower!
The colours on it are incredible!
Very, very sharp with immense detail.
Excellent composition.

Very well done,

Joe

Hello Anna,
I thank you personally for your warm critigue and nice to see your beautiful posting once again for a lovely flower!
great dof with the full details from the flower itself!
the pollen can be seen nicely with perfection!
my sincere regards to you and Loot!
from NZ, Tony

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3089 W: 230 N: 6774] (23770)
  • [2008-11-23 23:04]

A flower with lipstick!
Hi Anna,
What a beauty you have captured here.
The details cannot get any sharper,
and your whites are perfectly exposed.
I also like your presentation and your DOF.
Enjoyed your story as well, as usual.
TFS. : )

Ciao Anna,
meravigliosa composizione di questo fiore con un straordinario effetto TD ottenuto grazie alla perfetta angolazione di ripresa, la definizione è eccellente, splendidi i dettagli dei petali, magnifici i colori e molto bella l'ambientazione.
TFS.
Maurizio

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2008-11-24 6:30]

Hello Anna,
What a great close-up of this fabulous Lily that stands out so sharply against the soft background! Impressive sharpness and lovely bright colours too. I certainly envy you the flora of S. Africa!
Many thanks and best wishes, Ulla

hello anna,
very fine capture of this beautiful flower, i liked the proper exposure, the details, the colors and the point of view,
well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

Hi Anna,
Beautiful flower,very good composition,weel done.
Best regards,
Ralf

  • Great 
  • cako Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 485 W: 0 N: 772] (3395)
  • [2008-11-24 10:44]

Hi Anna
exellent image
very naturel colors and sharp
very well done.

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1273 W: 1 N: 6188] (21378)
  • [2008-11-24 19:23]

Hello Anna,
What a beautiful flower you present to us here, the colors are phenomenal. Your sharp focus brings out splendid details and your notes are wonderful. Great job Anna, thank you.
Rick

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2008-11-25 4:30]

Hello Anna,
This is really a striking flower, and if she shows her beauty in wintertime, when vegetation is poorer, so it must be a very eye-catching view. Interesting also to read about the big diversity of plants in SA. We just hope that people take care of it.
Thanks and best regards
Anne

Hello Miss Piggy
You warmed up my "girl’s" heart on this side of the world. Hettie absolutely loves your image of the Kudu Lily. It is because she is so fond of flowers herself that this has such an attraction to her. The colours are soft, yet bright and beautiful. I would love to give Hettie one of these as I compare her to it. Soft hearted and oh so beautiful. You really excelled yourself on this one. I personally prefer your macro and close-ups as to the larger animals in your portfolio. Leave the big animals to the big guys like my friend o’l Loot. You stick to the smaller things; I think that is where your talents lie. This is truly spectacular and I have to favourite it for my favourite girl Hettie, because she is so special to me.
Warmest regards
Aaltjie and Hettie

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
  • [2008-11-26 3:37]

Hello Anna,
a very sharp shot of the flower. Beautiful colour and the inner side could be seen.
Excellent composition with blurred background showing its natural surroundings.

Regards,
Foozi

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 685 W: 0 N: 2] (43)
  • [2008-11-26 10:33]

Hello Anna, splendid flower shot whic i did not see before. Details colours and composition are excellent.
TFS and regards,
Mehmet

Hello Anna,
A perfect close-up shot and composition of this ptetty flower. Colours and details are excellent.
TFS and greetings,
Deniz

Hi Anna splendid close up shot of a beautifully coloured flower with wonderful details and composition.
TFS and regards,
Bahadır

Hi Anna,
What a beautifully coloured -pinkish and white:)- flower which i have not seen before. Amazingly detailed and composed macro capture with great clarity my friend.
TFS and cheers,

Bayram

Hi Anna!

What a beauty! I'm impressed by the clarity of the picture and the great sharpness that shows rich details. The slightly blurred background is still natural and shows the flower's environment without being too present. It's rather a poem you offer us, for sure it's an eye candy.

I also appreciate the very detailed and interesting notes. I didn't know that South Africa is one of the richest places in the world concerning botanic varieties.

Kind regards

Markus

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1393 W: 119 N: 5267] (23955)
  • [2008-12-01 17:30]

A stunning piece of work Anna! The sharpness is fantastic, the light control is great and that image is just beautiful, a very well done picture, thanks!

Mario

  • Great 
  • pilonm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 588 W: 90 N: 975] (3321)
  • [2008-12-02 12:17]

Hello Anna,

Wow! What a fantastic flower and remarkable shot! You did a very good composition by following the 1/3 rule. Colors are vivid and it looks like the flower will jump out of my screen! With a little bit of imagination, I can smell it!

You did a great job and TFS!

Michel

Hi Anna,
Wonderful flower indeed! An eyecatching beauty strike anyone as a thumbnail and one can not resist to click it! The sharpness is professional and the exposure as well!
Great composition!
Ersin

Preciosa Anna !!!

Un gran enfoque y mucha profundidad para esta belleza tan bien captada. Un derroche de realismo y una gran captura de la luz y el color; realmente sorprendente. El encuadre lo veo algo justo, lo que no quita méritos a este precioso trabajo.

Un abrazo: Josep Ignasi.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2008-12-06 6:31]

hello Anna,
I missed this delightful macro of an Impala Lily.
The POV, sharpness, contrasting OOF natural Bg and colours show this beautiful flower at its best and the composition with the flower not centrally placed makes the image that more interesting.
Thanks for sharing this beauty,
Kind regards,
Ivan

One of my favourite flowers. Thanks for making my day with this lovely photo, Anna
Peter

Hi Anna

I seem to have missed your recent shots for some reason, sorry (though its more my loss than yours).
This is indeed a most beautiful flower, that deep pink is great. An excellent saturaded shot, perfectly composed with stunning sharpness and DOF.
TFS

Chris

Excellent capture and note.
TFS.
Thank you for you kind support.
Cheers!
Carmem

Hi Anna,

Amazing details captured. Lovely flower.

Sowmya

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2249 W: 65 N: 4205] (13972)
  • [2008-12-19 7:09]

Hi Anna,
Very nice close-up photo of this delicate flower. Focus, sharpness, lighting, colors, background and POV are very good. TFS
Best wishes,
Selen

Hello Anna,
wonderful picture with beautiful Impala Lily! It is very interesting for me! Great details and colours.

Best regards, Leonid

Hello Anna,

Nice image of Impala Lily. Have put up a similar picture, not sure about its id.

TFS,
Prasad

This is wonderful shot of really beautiful flower. Bright colors and good sharpness. Thanks for sharing!

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