Pink water lilies, also called Carnea or "Lotus Flower", live in freshwater areas in temperate and tropical climates around the world. These were photographed at the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. The Water Lily is a genus of aquatic plants in the family Nymphaeaceae, of which there are about 50 species.
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A purple water lily from the family of flowering plants called 'Nymphaeaceae'. Water lilies live in freshwater areas in temperate and tropical climates around the world. This one was photographed at the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
Tags: Golden Gate Park San Francisco California Conservatory of Flowers conservatory water lily Nymphaeaceae
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Camellia (Camellia sinensis), named after Jesuit botanist Georg Joseph Kamel (1661-1706), is a flowering plant with simple, thick, serrated, usually glossy leaves. The flowers are large and conspicuous with colors varying from white to pink and red, and yellow in a few species.
I took this photo on a beautiful late Winter morning, right after a rain shower, at famed Filoli Garden in Woodside, California near my home. Filoli is located 30 miles south of San Francisco. The sixteen-acre formal garden that surrounds the Filoli estate is one of America's finest historic gardens. The gardens are maintained by fourteen full-time horticulturists and include hundreds of Camellias, Rhododendrons, Roses, and many Magnolias.
Shot with a Nikon D70 and subtly enhanced w/Photoshop CS3 and Topaz.
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© EVAN READER
Copyright for this photo belongs solely to EVAN READER, GREATEST PAKA PHOTOGRAPHY. Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the express written permission of the photographer.
Tags: camellia camellia sinensis flowering plant flower Filoli gardens formal garden Woodside Georg Joseph Kamel botanist plant nature raindrops
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Iris's are perennial herbs growing from creeping rhizomes or, in drier climates, from bulbs. They have long erect, flowering stems. The inflorescences are fan-shaped and contain one or more symmetrical six-lobed flowers. The three sepals, which are spreading or droop downwards, are referred to as falls. They expand from their narrow base into a broader limb often adorned with veining, lines or dots.
Up to 300 species have been placed in the genus Iris. This one is called the "bearded German Iris" or "Iris germanica".
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Artichoke, or Kharsuf in Arabic, was born in the Mediterranean. Historians claim it was first grown by the Egyptians. As food, it was then used by the Greeks, who are credited for its current name, and they used it as a delicacy at their feasts. It was especially appreciated by the Romans. Artichoke flowers (commonly called 'Artichoke thistle' (Cynara cardunculus)) are picked early, while they are completely closed, and the outer green leaves are starting to separate a bit. If left alone the edible bud of the artichoke becomes this beautiful flower. The flowers are about 8-15 cm in diameter with numerous triangular scales. The individual florets are purple.
I took this photo in back of the Oakville Grocery in Napa Valley, California (www.oakvillegrocery.com). This is a favorite stop for us whenever we travel up St. Helena Highway (Highway 29). They've been in business here since 1881.
Shot with a Nikon D70 and enhanced w/Photoshop CS3 and Topaz.
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