Ultraviolet Flowers: Taraxacum vulgare

Taraxacum vulgare Web..

Asteraceae

Visible light
(85B filter)

UV light
(FF , SB-140)

Both images: Nikon F5 , UV-Nikkor 105 mm f/4.5 Fuji RTP @64 ISO

This species has virtually no visual indication of a bull's-eye pattern. UV reflectance of the outer petals is high, but variable, and so is the area extent of the dark central zone in the bull's eye pattern. The common dandelion comprises a myriad of apomictic microspecies and this probably gives the observed variability in UV patterns. Still, dandelions are among the easiest subjects for perfecting your UV photographic skills.