The common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Web.) as seen through my UV-Nikkor 105 mm lens. Note the enhanced contrast of the flower heads against the dark background. The elevated UV reflectance of the outer floral parts is widespread in the plant kingdom and serves to make the flowers visible at long range for pollinators. When the insects come close, the detailed UV patterns of the flowers provide a visual 3-D map for the visiting insect (see close-up of dandelion flower).
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Last Update 1 October, 2002
