Aspen Sunflower

Helianthella quinquenervis, is commonly known as the Aspen sunflower, though it is referred to by other common names such as the nodding sunflower,... more

by Janice Pariza

Title

Aspen Sunflower

Artist

Janice Pariza

Medium

Photograph - Photography Art

Description

Helianthella quinquenervis, is commonly known as the Aspen sunflower, though it is referred to by other common names such as the nodding sunflower, and the little sunflower. Because each leaf has five prominent veins, H. quinquenervis is also called the Five-Nerved or Five-Veined Sunflower. Helianthella quinquenervis is just one of eight herbaceous perennial sunflower species in the genus Helianthella.

Habitat

H. quinquenervis occupies mountainous regions in many habitats (aspen, lodgepole pine and ponderosa pine forests as well as open meadows, wetlands and bogs). Specimens have been collected throughout the western United States, including AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, SD, UT and WY. Its range extends south to Chihuahua and Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

Ecological Relationships

Before flowering begins, the Aspen sunflower begins to secrete extrafloral nectar, which is rich in sugar and amino acids. Since the plant has no natural chemical or physical defenses, the nectar attracts ants including some species from the genus Formica, to protect flower heads from pre-dispersal seed predation. Male and female tephritid flies meet on H. quinquenervis for courtship and mating. The female lays her eggs between the bracts of the unopened flower head. When the eggs hatch, the fly larvae feed on the seeds. The ants collect the nectar produced by H. quinquenervis and patrol the stalks while they are waiting for more nectar to be secreted. When an ant encounters tephritid flies mating or laying eggs, the ant will charge the flies, causing them to leave. Seed loss decreases significantly when ants are present among Aspen sunflowers.

Note: The two most common species of tephritid flies on Helianthella around Gothic are Neotephritis finalis and Trupanea nigricornis.

PURCHASE OPTIONS:
Prints of this art are available on canvas, metal, acrylic and gallery prints, framed or unframed, greeting cards and iPhone or Galaxy phone covers along with so many other quality items. FAA has a large selection of frames, mats and surfaces available for you to create museum quality masterpieces of your original print selections. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact me and I can give you any suggestions! Thank you!

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Uploaded

August 25th, 2013