« Previous Day: Fucus gardneri |
Main
| Next Day: Grasslands National Park »
Oct 7, 2008: Asplenium ceterach
Oct 7, 2007:
Acer circinatum
Oct 7, 2006:
Nepenthes sibuyanensis
Oct 7, 2005:
Petasites japonicus var. giganteus
August 12, 2005 : Hydrangea robusta
Interested in subscribing? Visit the main Botany Photo of the Day page and fill out the form in the upper right corner!
Keywords: Hydrangeaceae | Hydrangea robusta Hook.f. & Thomson | 34684-0598-1999
Photographed yesterday in the David C. Lam Asian Garden at UBC, this hydrangea is a favourite for its “lilac-dusted leaves” caused by petals falling from the senescing flowers. The effect is barely visible in this photograph, but if you are sharp-eyed, you can spot it on some leaves in the lower left of the plant. Long-time readers of Botany Photo of the Day might also recognize the Acer shirasawanum 'Aureum' previously featured in June.
From The Jade Garden:
The name Hydrangea comes from the Greek hydro meaning “water” and angeion, meaning “a vessel”, in reference to the dehiscent seed capsules, which are shaped like a Grecian water jar.
The Flora of China's written account of Hydrangea robusta is accompanied by an illustration of the seed. If you're curious, compare that drawing with a photograph of a Grecian urn to see if you agree with the literal meaning of Hydrangea.
As an aside, I note that in Keats' “Odes on a Grecian Urn”, the poem ends with 'Beauty is truth, truth beauty'--that is all / Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.. Was it inspiration for Botany Photo of the Day's tagline of In science, beauty. In beauty, science. Daily.? Not consciously, I promise.
In UBC Botanical Garden news, the mythical monster has arrived (mentioned cryptically in the BPOTD entry on Vaccinium 'Northland'). Check out Minotaur Unleashed! for a photograph and information about this temporary art installation, part of the Vancouver Sculpture Biennale.
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at August 12, 2005 2:03 AM
Read recent comments on all BPotD Entries
Comments
Posted by: judy at August 13, 2005 4:46 AM
Judy:
Many of the Hydrangeas you are probably familiar with in the southeast would be one of the many hundreds of cultivated varieties, many of those derived from the species Hydrangea macrophylla. The large "mophead" clusters of blooms of those plants are composed largely of sterile flowers. (Soil pH is a factor in the color of the bloom in those varieties, with acidic soils generally resulting in blue flowers.) What look like petals are bracts which surround the actual flower.
These plants have been bred to favor those with the largest, showiest flower heads. There are many other varieties and species of Hydrangea, some with showy blooms, others much more inconspicous ones.
-Matt
Posted by: Matt at August 13, 2005 10:10 PM
thank you for clearing that up!
Posted by: judy at August 14, 2005 4:54 AM
You're welcome. Hope it wasn't too much information!
Posted by: matt at August 14, 2005 1:35 PM
once again I thank my Lord for the beauty and rich color he allows me to see and enjoy every day
Posted by: Brandi at August 15, 2005 8:45 AM
Thanks Matt.
Posted by: Daniel Mosquin 
at August 15, 2005 11:08 AM
I thank Daniel and the other hard-working people who make this site possible and allow me to enjoy it and other beauties.
Posted by: Jeremy Cherfas at August 16, 2005 1:11 AM
I wonder if the hydra may not actually be a reference to the multiple seed heads therefore Hydra the many headed beast of Greek mythology?
Posted by: Adam Woodhams at August 30, 2005 9:57 PM
Please share your comments about the photograph(s) and accompanying write-up. Telling a story about the subject of the photograph(s) is also much appreciated! If you have a gardening question, the best place to ask is on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums. Thank you!
Post a comment
XML Feeds: Atom | RSS 2.0 | RSS 1.0 | What is RSS? | RSS Tools
Botany Photo of the Day and all associated images are licensed under a Creative Commons License except when otherwise specified in the accompanying written entry.
About Botany Photo of the Day | Submit Your Photos via Flickr | Submit Your Photos via UBCBG's Discussion Forums
Botany Photo of the Day is a project of the UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, located in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada. UBC BGCPR is a department of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems within The University of British Columbia.
I am no botanist, but I have had plenty of Hydrandeas in my southern hometown of Mobile, Al. and have seen them scattered over the Southeast. This photo must be of a different variety than grown in the southeastern U.S.? It bears no resemblance to that which I am familiar.
curious,
judy sells