Ultraviolet Flowers: Hieracium sp.

Hieracium sp. L.

Asteraceae

Visible light
(L37C filter)

UV light
(FF , SB-140)

Both images: Nikon D1H , UV-Nikkor 105 mm f/4.5 @800 ISO

The huge genus Hieracium comprises a myriad of microspecies, many of which feature beautiful UV patterns. A typical example is depicted here.

The yellow flower heads are frequently visited by a number of insects, but since these species all are apomictic and able to set seeds without pollination, the need for UV advertising is slightly enigmatic.