[UV] Mirabilis jalapa UV ultraviolet fluorescence - from "Kingdom of Plants"

Today about some earlier work I have done on Mirabilis jalapa flowers, that have some very special abilities - their pollens and flower petals are fluorescent when seen under ultraviolet light. This may also bee seen in the forthcoming new series about Kew Gardens by Sir David Attenborough called "Kingdom of Plants 3D".

[click on image to see a larger one]

Visible light:


UV induced visible fluorescence:


Mirabilis' pollen emits a strong blue greenish fluorescent light and some scientists believe that the special night active moths that pollinate them, might be able to see this.

Stay tuned, more will follow on that fascinating subject...

More info on this very interesting field may be found on my site http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos