Sunday 10 October 2010

Macro Monday - Ericaceae

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Normal blogging service will now resume.

Ericaceae - the family of plants including the heathers, azaleas, rhododendrons and all of those beautiful berry bearing plants such as cranberries, blueberries and huckleberries. They thrive in acidic soils and temperate climates. Here we can see a very typical ericaceous flower of a heather plant - little vase-shaped, downward pointing flowers with fused petals.



These flowers belong to the salal, aka shallon or Gaultheria. It is native to western North America, where the berries are often usd to make jams and preserves, and the leaves to make a tea to treat heartburn, indigestion and menstrual cramps.


Now,we all know about how all those Europeans bought all sorts of foreign fauna and flora to the shores of North America and how many of these exotics now run riot across the continent. Well, here is a case of North America getting its own back, since salal was introduced into Britain in 1828. It is now forming dense stands of vegetation in many dry heathland and acidic woodland habitats, smothering out the natural vegetation.

For more Macro Monday, go here.

PS Thanks for my nominations - I am now officially a nominated blog for the Canadian Blog Awards. It did take a bit of bullying and the threat of an invasion from the Netherlands, but my name is now on the list. Go me!

22 comments:

EG CameraGirl said...

Beautiful tiny blossoms that look like bells.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

What gorgeous flower!!!!!  Really beautiful! Cathy

Marisa said...

What beautiful little flowers these are, fantastic macro shot :)

Mike B. said...

I love salal- a great native plant that likes our northwest weather. And, the berries are edible- maybe not the greatest meal in the world, but edible.

Christina, Sweden said...

tje blossoms of heather are lovely and even better in closeup

Cortes said...

Another collection of excellent photos. Go you indeed, you deserve it!

Joanne Olivieri said...

Fantastic macros with each tine and hairy detail displayed. Well done

Ben and Carrie Tracks said...

Incredible....Macro is so gorgeous isn't it? Thanks for sharing, glad to have stumbled across your site and looking forward to seeing more :)

Kelli said...

great macro and such gorgeous flowers

Kala said...

These are lovely little flowers - great macros.

Jama said...

So pretty, looks like little bells hanging !

Anonymous said...

Very pretty flowers and fantastic macro shots.

Maaike said...

what a lovely macro's
sweet little bells

Hootin Anni said...

They look like bells!!! So very pretty.

Here is a link to my MACRO MONDAY Do hope you can stop by for a visit!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous, they look like little white bells!

Unknown said...

Oh I love them! That first shot - wonderful! I think I hear the breeze making them tinkle. :)

Photography said...

What Beautiful flowers! Joined your blog - it is lovely!

Baino said...

Oh sorry, only just back and didn't vote. But I would have, it's an amazing bog and worthy of a win let alone a nomination! You just make me miss my camera all the more *sob*

jay said...

Oh, that's pretty! I haven't seen any here, but I'm probably in the wrong area... yes, these things happen, and it's only surprising that it doesn't happen more often, really.

jay said...

I must be dense today because I can't see how to vote for you on that site. Help! :(

Don't Bug Me! said...

Thanks for all your lovely comments! If you were wanting to vote for me, go to the link and then click on Best Blog Overall - you then get to pick which one you think is best, which, hopefully will be me!!!

Carletta said...

I love that first shot!
Congrats on your Canadian blog status and good luck!