Continuing with this week's flower theme, here is a daylily I found growing in the town of St. Mary's, Georgia. I found the colors quite striking but wasn't happy with the composition. I enlisted some help in the Photography Forum (thanks everyone) and decided to give the blossom the "Onslow" treatment. I could not get in touch him, so I did my best to replicate the look he achieved with some recent "antiqued" flowers. I didn't quite get there, but was pleased overall with the result. So Richard, this "Bloor Bloom" is for you! 8^] ----- The DAYLILY The daylilies comprise the small genus Hemerocallis of flowering plants in the family Hemerocallidaceae. Despite the name they are not true lilies (Lilium, Liliaceae). The name Hemerocallis is based on the Greek words for day and beauty, which reflects the fact that the individual flowers last for only one day. The flowers of most species open at sunrise and wither at sunset, to be replaced by another one (sometimes two or none) on the same stem the next day; some species are night-blooming. Because individual flowers are short-lived, they do not make good cut flowers for formal flower arranging although they otherwise make good cut flowers as new flowers will continue to open on cut stems over several days. Originally from Eurasia, native from Europe to China, Korea, and Japan, their large showy flowers have made them popular worldwide, and there are over 60,000 registered named hybrids. Only a few are scented; some will rebloom later in the season, particularly if their developing seed pods are removed. The flower consists of three petals and three sepals, collectively called tepals, each with a midrib in the same or in a contrasting color. The centermost section of the flower, called the throat, has usually a different and contrasting color. There are six stamens, each with a two-lobed anther. After pollination, the flower forms a pod. The flowers of some species are edible and are sold (fresh or dried) in Asian markets as golden needles. They are used in hot and sour soup and moo shu pork. The young green leaves and the tubers of some (but not all) species are also edible. The plant has also been used for medicinal purposes. The daylily petals are delicious when picked directly off the plant after blooming. In doing so, make sure that they are free of pesticides. Therefore they should be "organic" when consumed. Their flavors range from peppery to peachy. Also, make sure they are daylilies and not true lilies (Lilium, family Liliaceae). There is a difference between the flowers and the lilies can be very toxic if consumed. Your best bet would be to purchase a guide for edible flowers when experimenting with them. More info on the daylily can be found HERE. ----- Thank you for your buggy comments on my last upload, Magnoliascape.

----- Olympus C-8080WZ & PhotoshopCS. (624)