Brassica rapa [Field Mustard]: Another Example

[Andrea B.]

Blum, A.G. (2013) Another Example of Brassica rapa L. (Brassicaceae) Field Mustard. Flowers photographed in ultraviolet and visible light. http://www.ultraviol...nother-example/

 

Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown, New Jersey, USA

15 May 2013

Wildflower

 

Synonyms:

• Brassica campestris L.

Other Common Names:

• Bird's Rape

Comment: Rørslett (2013) first showed B. rapa in ultraviolet⁽¹⁾. Here is another example found in a local park which also exhibits the differences in UV reflectivity of the upper and lower surfaces of the petals.

 

Reference:

1. Rørslett, B. 2013. Brassica rapa L. ssp. campestris (L.) A.R. Clapham (Brassicaceae). Wild Turnip. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultraviol...is-wild-turnip/

2. Newcomb, L. (1977) FIeld Mustard, page 142. Newcomb's Wildflower Guide. Little, Brown & Co., New York City, NY.


 

Equipment:

[Nikon D600-broadband + Nikon 105mm f/4.5 UV-Nikkor]

[Nikon Coolpix A]

 

Visible Light [f/13 for 1/60” @ ISO 100 with Coolpix A]

A shot of a clasping leaf for identification purposes.

 

Visible Light [f/8 for 1/50” @ ISO 400 with onboard Flash and Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11 for 1/30” @ ISO 400 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and Baader UV-Pass Filter]

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/8 for 1/80” @ ISO 400 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and Baader UV-Pass Filter]

[nfoto]

Taxonomy and nomenclature in this genus are complex not the least due to the fact that several species have been cultivated for ages and the frequent interbreeding of the taxa..In light of this the similarity of UV signatures between your plant and the Norwegian plant I showed earlier (http://www.ultraviol...is-wild-turnip/) is encouraging. We should try to document ad- and abaxial views of every species since there may be additional features of the signature hidden there.

[Andrea B.]

Excellent suggestion about capturing both abaxial/adaxial surfaces of the flowers - and leaves too.