Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)

Gelbe Wolken

Posted by "GrrlScientist" on March 28, 2010
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Gelbe Wolken.

Nordwestzentrum Open Air Market, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Image: GrrlScientist, 3 March 2010 [larger view]


When I saw these brilliant lemon yellow flowers, I was immediately captivated. I took half a dozen photographs, trying to capture the fluffiness and the brilliant yellow color of the flowers and contrast that against the dark background as well as the sharp edges of the green leaves. I don’t think I succeeded at this, but this is still a nice image to look at anyway.

Does anyone know what species of plant produces these lovely flowers?

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Comments

  1. #1 stripey_cat
    March 28, 2010

    It looks like Acacia dealbata (which is the species normally grown for cut flowers), although I’m not ready to swear it isn’t some other kind of wattle.

  2. #2 DrA
    March 28, 2010

    Definitely an Acacia, which means each little yellow powderpuff is a whole inflorescence and not a single flower.

  3. #3 "GrrlScientist"
    March 28, 2010

    thanks for the ID.

  4. #4 Adrian
    March 28, 2010

    Yes, also known as Mimosa, and I got the German this time, “Yellow clouds”. Very poetic, Grrl

  5. #5 joshua
    March 29, 2010

    Hey Grrlscientist,

    Do you give your lorikeets Bottlebrush (Callistemon)?

    All my parrots absolutely love it. They especially love the nectar filled blossoms, but they love to chew on the wood and leaves too.

    I always make a point of taking some when I walk home from downtown. Everyone stares and thinks I’m nuts. It is, after all, designed to get attention!

  6. #6 Anthea Fleming
    March 30, 2010

    Here in southeastern Australia *Acacia dealbata* (Silver wattle)is very common. The leaf fronds have nectar glands along the central stem and I have often seen wild Lorikeets (Musk and Rainbow) chewing the twigs to get the nectar – which also supports many insect species. Your parrots might like it if you can get any not drenched in insecticides. The seeds support beautiful Bronzewing Pigeons.
    A French acquaintance was furious when told that it is not a plant native to Provence – apparently it is well naturalized there as a result of the “Mimosa” growing trade.