 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 Beautiful Colors of the Hollyhock

   June 25, 2021

    Menashe_Picture1

    Menashe_Picture2

   Photographer:  Menashe Davidson

   Summary Author:  Menashe Davidson

   Alcea setosa ( Bristly Hollyhock) is prominent in springtime in the
   Middle East. Its impressively colored and large flowers are arranged
   along a conspicuous,  inflorescent stalk (top photo). I’ve been able
   to domesticate this wild plant in my garden apartment (growing them in
   containers) in Rishon LeZion, Israel.

   Each flower extends about 3-5 inches (7.5-12.5 cm) when its fully open.
   Overlapping petals allow the flower to attain the shape of a funnel
   that acts to guide pollinators toward the flower’s interior, where its
   reproductive organs and nectar are found (bottom photo). Each
   individual flower has both male and female organs ( hermaphroditic).
   But the flowers avoid self-pollination by having the male and female
   organs mature at different times. So, by the time the female is
   receptive, the  pollen of the same flower is gone, and only pollen
   from another flower can do the job. Photos taken on April 2, 2021.


   Rishon LeZion, Israel Coordinates:  31.9730, 34.7925


Related EPODs

    Beautiful Colors of the Hollyhock  Purple Anemone  May Apples
   in My Garden  Blooming of Pico de Graja on La Palma  Bald Cypress
   Trees and Their Enigmatic “knees”  Terraces Dryland Farming
    More...

Plant Links

     *  Discover Life
     *  Tree Encyclopedia
     *  What are Phytoplankton?
     *  Encyclopedia of Life - What is a Plant?
     *  USDA Plants Database
     *  University of Texas Native Plant Database
     *  Plants in Motion
     *  What Tree is It?

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   Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the  Universities
   Space Research Association.

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