California Snow Flower by 0rest4wicked
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Description
There are only two day's a year I get to do as I would want. My B~day and Father's day...lol! So of course we are heading out of town tomorrow and I wanted to wish all the Dad's a glorious day!!!
My Father enjoys unique things and so I thought to share this rare find. Have only seen these on a few occasions in my time and with all the hiking I do, well... as said, it is a rare sight indeed.
Spotted these Snow Flowers on the side of the road when bringing the family over the Sierra Nevada to Devils Postpile National Monument. Upon seeing them I pulled off ASAP, and the family cried out, "What are we stopping for!". Now I understand the outburst as we were on the higher narrower points of the Tioga Pass road and figure the flowers went unseen by them. So excited at the sight I simply said "Snow Flowers", putting the truck in park and reaching for my camera. Of course the family knows my routine and that there is no stopping this excursion, and so they grab their own cameras and follow. :~)
I learned at one point that they contain no Chlorophyll and have a symbiotic relationship with the surrounding trees root systems, but knew little more than that. Here is a little more detail from Wikipedia.
Sarcodes is a monotypic genus of a single springtime flowering plant in the heath family containing the single species Sarcodes sanguinea, commonly called the snow plant or snow flower. It is a parasitic plant that derives sustenance and nutrients from mycorrhizal fungi that attach to roots of trees. It is unable to photosynthesize nutrients. Ectomycorrhizal (EM) symbioses involve a mutualism between a plant root and a fungus; the plant provides fixed carbon to the fungus and in return, the fungus provides mineral nutrients, water and protection from pathogens to the plant. The snow plant takes advantage of this mutualism by tapping into the network and stealing sugars from the photosynthetic partner by way of the fungus.
The plant's aboveground tissue is its inflorescence, a raceme of bright scarlet red flowers wrapped in many straplike, pointed bracts with fringed edges, themselves bright red to orange in color.
Sarcodes sanguinea is native to western North America from Oregon through the mountains of California into Baja California. Its name derives from the striking red flower that emerges from the sometimes still snow-covered ground in early spring or summer; this may be as late as July in high elevations, such as those of the High Sierra Nevada and Cascades.
To the kind souls that leave their mark whether a comment, rating, or save the image as a fav, you are very much appreciated, thank you!!!
Thank you all that viewed my last image below.
"Worn smooth"
"Worn smooth"
Comments (28)
jayfar
Very well worth stopping for Dana and something that I've never seen or heard of before.
gaius
I don't know how these beautiful flowers are called in French...they are magnificent.
caty77
Wonderful flower, I didn't know them.
flaviok
Que maravilha meu amigo, soberba captura, aplausos (5)
UVDan
I love your flower and Happy Fathers Day to you.
Richardphotos
I do not recall seeing any before. very beautiful
Faemike55
Very beautiful flowers and great capture Wonderful narrative as well.... Happy Father's Day to you and your Dad
ronmolina
Beautiful find and capture!
Leije
Excellent capture !
Cyve
WOW ... Marvelous image !
MrsRatbag
A new one for me; fantastic shot!
SidheRoseGraphics
Never saw or heard of them. A fortunate spotting and capture, Dana! Thank you for the info on them. Quite an intriguing 'flower'. I wish you and your Dad a very fun and Happy Father's Day!
adrie
Very beautiful photoshot my friend.
m_j_s
They are exquisite looking! Very well spotted too:) Enjoy father's day mate!
flavia49
wonderful capture
sandra46
VERY NICE
blinkings
Fascinating.
mgtcs
Amazing and exotic plant dear friend, excellent shot !
bebopdlx
Beautiful.
wysiwig
Strange and beautiful and new to me. Have a safe trip and a great father's day.
ia-du-lin
very nice flower.
dochtersions
How very special this flower is, especially the color, which I love. Thank you for showing this beautiful picture, Dana. I wish you and your father (the two Dana's) a wonderful Father's Day.
rainbows
Never seen anything like this, Dana. Excellent capture. Happy Fathers day to you, have a good one. Hugs for all day. Di. xx
dakotabluemoon
Wow that is sure different and must b rare very nice shot.
alida
great find
blondeblurr
I don't blame you, for coming to a big screeching halt - I would have done the same, if I knew what to look for ;) I am fascinated by the amazing info from Wikipedia ... never knew, something like this existed and that is, why it is so special - learning something new every day - thanks for that lesson! BTW - the flower itself also looks spectacular, great find! BB Bless you, for having such a great relationship with your father!
danapommet
A super find Dana and I have never seen them before. A fantastic zoom to check out the edges!
Celart
Never seen before. Great capture, DOF and POV