Bidens spp could be considered the capital of the “Cling-on Empire”. Commonly known as Begger’s tick (among other names), it’s a composite flower characteristic of the Asteraceae family. When magnified, ominous looking barbed nutlets stick out of this little flower like a porcupine. They stick to just about anything for dispersal but are actually paper-thin and about 0.6cm long; the barbs about 2-3mm long in this species. A farily common wetland plant and is considered a valuable food plant for waterfowl and other species. These pictures were taken in succession of flower to seed with the Canon 1dM1V, ef MP-e65 macro lens, MT 26ex twin flash, and post processed in Bridge, Photoshop 6 and stacked with Zerene. So not to go over the daily photo limit, it comes in 2 parts (the best tomorrow ).
The first image shows the flower and the second a close-up of the disc flowers (curling style and stigmas). The tubular florets are pretty clear (contrast was low) with numerous bracts. The bright yellow background are ray flowers.
The third image is looking at the side of the flower with barbed nutlets; notice where they extend out from the top of green immature nutlets. The forth image is a later view from the side of the flower - little more senesced. The fifth is looking down at the top of a seed head. 2beContinued.
Bidens spp – a sticky subject (part 1)
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