Scots Pine-Female Flower by nongo
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Description
Scots pine is the most widely distributed conifer in the world, with a natural range that stretches from beyond the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia to southern Spain and from western Scotland to the Okhotsk Sea in eastern Siberia. Within this range it grows at elevations from sea level to 2,400 meters (8,000 feet), with the elevation generally increasing from north to south. Despite this wide distribution, the Scots pine forests in Scotland are unique and distinct from those elsewhere because of the absence of any other native conifers.
Male and female flowers occur on the same tree. They appear in May with the females on the tips of the higher and more exposed branches and the males clustered together, often en mases, on the branches just below. Pollination is by wind, and fertilized female flowers take two years to become a fully-grown cone. The cones ripen in April, opening while they are still on the tree, and the tiny winged seeds, each weighing 0.005 grams, are dispersed by the wind. Cone production is variable, with good seasons, in which a mature tree can produce 3,000 cones, occurring every 3-5 years, while in between a tree will produce few cones, or none at all. The seeds are generally carried as far as 50-100 meters from the parent tree, although in some situations, especially when there is snow on the ground and a frozen top layer forms, the seeds have been known to travel several kilometers over the smooth, icy surface.
Comments (21)
Apophis906
Wow thats so pretty. Just love trees, and so awesome to see their flowers.
Cosine
Wow, not only a very pretty and well-done photo, but a free botany lesson, too. I love the way you left in so much blurred background; it really sets of the main subject.
keeneye
All those baby needles are soooo cute, let alone those incredible flowers! I've never seen flowers like this before?? Thank goodness for the macro shots!!!! Super cool work Akemi!!!!!
jocko500
never saw anything like this cool looking and so lovely
wonderworld
Fabulous capture and love the colors!!!!
Littlejock
Great DOF colour and composition. Excellent macro
Margana
I wonder if it's called a 'Scot's' pine because of it's resilience and willingness to thrive under the harshest of conditions...Would be interesting to know it's nomenclature. Often, these 'common' names can be quite telling in their origins. Regardless, this is a wonderful capture, Akemi. As always, it's perfectly shot and presented.I've missed seeing your work. Hope all is well with you.-M :^)
sharky_
Beautiful flower with an excellent DOF. Never saw anything like this before. Aloha
Valerie-Ducom
So beautiful ! :)
kansas
Thanks for sharing. This is a beautiful photo/capture.
Janiss
Wow... such fabulous composition!
newleaf
This is a fantastic capture. Great depth and lovely colour, perfect
kayleenmichelle
wow, this is very different. not a flower you usually see
marybelgium
never have seen this kind of flower ! thanks for sharing and for the interesting info !
gunsan
Looks delicious in it's colors, perfect!
maggiemai
Oooh Akemi! Beautiful photo of a very pretty and interesting flower! Excellent DOF on this and I really enjoyed reading the information you shared with us about it too!! :-) Excellently crisp and clear! :-)
Loloe
Wow! excellent macro! never seen this flower before, it's beautiful! Bravo!!!
Dianthus
Beautiful image. HAve missed your work:)
auntietk
Fascinating! I had no idea. Great shot!
NefariousDrO
Who'd have dreamed that a pine tree would have such a beautiful flower? Great capture!
smittan
Very Nice !!