Luffa aegyptiaca [Luffa]

[msubees]

Huang, Z.Y. (2015) Luffa aegyptiaca Mill. (Cucurbitaceae) Luffa. Flowers photographed in ultraviolet, visible light and simulated insect vision. http://www.ultravioletphotography.com/content/index.php/topic/1382-luffa-aegyptiaca-luffa/

 

Beijing, China

22 Sept, 2014

Cultivar in vegetable garden.

 

Comments: This plant is widely planted in China and the rest of Asia. Young fruits are usually made into a soup that has a sweet taste and old ones produce a natural sponge-like material that is used for dish-washing or for bath-scrubbing. Luffa is also available now at Meijer in Michigan, perhaps due to an expanding Asian population. There are two species of luffa, one that is smooth (Luffa aegyptiaca) and one that has ridged surface (Luffa acutangula).

I have previously seen many bees visiting this flower, perhaps for both nectar and pollen. They are not highly attractive to bees, so visits by honey bees happen usually only in the fall (Sept to Oct).

 

Synonyms:

• Cucurbita luffa hort.
  
• Luffa cylindrica M.Roem.
  
• Luffa aegyptica (lapsus)
  
• Luffa pentandra Roxb.
  
• Momordica cylindrica L.
  
• Momordica luffa L.
  

Common Names:

• Luffa, loofah, 丝瓜 sigua (Chinese)
  

Comment:

Photographs taken with both female and male flowers, in the order of visible light, ultraviolet, and simulated insect vision.

 

Reference:

1. Wikipedia (23 May 2015) Luffa aegyptiaca. Wikimedia Foundation, San Francisco, CA.

 

 

Equipment [Panasonic DMC-G5-broadband + El Nikkor 80mm f/4.5 old format]

 

Set A, a male flower.

 

1. Visible Light [f/8 for 1/30" @ISO160, S8612 (1.75 mm thick), natural light]

http://ww2.beetography.com/var/albums/UV/P1120476-s.jpg?m=1432413972

 

2. Ultraviolet Light [f/8 for 15" @ISO160, S8612 (1.75 mm thick) and UG 11 (1 mm thick), natural light]

 

http://ww2.beetography.com/var/albums/UV/P1120475-s.jpg?m=1432413974

 

2b. 100% crop of the flower showing trichomes (hairs) that absorb UV and shown as dark.

http://ww2.beetography.com/var/albums/UV/luffa-100%25.jpg?m=1432415235

 

3. Simulated Insect Vision [f/8 for 4" @ISO160, S8612 (1.75 mm thick) and UG 5 (1.5 mm thick), natural light]

http://ww2.beetography.com/var/albums/UV/P1120477-s.jpg?m=1432413970

 

Set B, a female flower. UV signatures are very similar.

 

4. Visible Light [f/8 for 1/200" @ISO160, S8612 (1.75 mm thick), natural light]

http://ww2.beetography.com/var/albums/UV/P1120485-s.jpg?m=1432413968

 

5. 2. Ultraviolet Light [f/8 for 1.3" @ISO160, S8612 (1.75 mm thick) and UG 11 (1 mm thick), natural light]

http://ww2.beetography.com/var/albums/UV/P1120487_v1-s.jpg?m=1432413963

 

6. Simulated Insect Vision [f/8 for 1/4" @ISO160, S8612 (1.75 mm thick) and UG 5 (1.5 mm thick), natural light]

http://ww2.beetography.com/var/albums/UV/P1120486-s.jpg?m=1432413966

[colinbm]

These are excellent Zach

Do you CWB off PTFE, with each setup ?

Col

[msubees]

Col,

 

thanks. yes, I do for both UV and bug vision. for visual I use auto WB. G5 is nice since it has 2 custom WBs, but my Nex7 now has only 1. so I now have to shoot the PTFE square often. should build a profile in photoninjia to avoid this.

 

These are excellent Zach

Do you CWB off PTFE, with each setup ?

Col

[colinbm]

Thanks Zach

I don't get this result with my CWB on a PTFE block ?

eBay seller, UVIROptics, has some sintered fibrous PTFE now, so I am looking forwards to trying this out.

Col

[msubees]

Collin,

 

I used "virgin PTFE" as suggested by Igor, then Steve (UVIROptics) suggested me sanding the surface, which I did. I also ususally use 2-3 bars (perhaps -1 EV?) underexposure with G5. Now my Nex7 always gave me error, but it still seems to be ok with WB. but only one!

[Andrea B.]

Excellent work, Zach. Thanks for posting this. I think this is our very first UV photo made in Beijing - cool!!

 

For some subjects, it's never a perfect call between the wildflower or cultivar designation. Given that the Luffa is so widely cultivated and that you saw it in a garden setting, the cultivar placement was probably the correct one. I should mention that I have a plan to add links in the wildflower section to all the cultivars.

 

For completeness, I added the 'simulated insect vision' to your reference string at the top of the post. :( That way if your post is ever referenced elsewhere (we hope someday!!) it will be more descriptive.

 

Interesting those UV-dark trichomes.

[msubees]

Thanks, Andrea. I have a pumpkin flower from Taiwan :( :) not sure if it is done here or not.

 

And I have "wild cucumber" also done in UV, but not in bug vision.