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figwort
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figwort

by John Clulow

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted July 30, 201350 views3 comments
Sometimes people wonder how plants get their common names (only nerds wonder how they get their scientific names). The figwort, it seems was used to treat hemorrhoids. Don't ask me how. But I've learned that hemorrhoids used to be called "figs": Don't ask my why.

Scrophularia marilindica, it's in the snapdragon family. Common name Carpenter’s Square or Maryland Figwort or Late Figwort. Flower greenish and dull on outside has a 2-lobed upper lip. Middle lobe of lower lip bent downward. Undeveloped, rudimentary purple or brown stamen ust under upper lip does not bear pollen. The two yellow anthers are sexually potent, in flower language.

This blume is about 3-4 mm long, so I think this is a hand-held close up.

K-5, Tamron 90mm, f/16, 1/180s, ISO 3200 no flash, breezes

Comments

3 comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on July 30, 2013 at 9:01 PM
John, this looks like maybe you were just taking a handheld snapshot of the figwort flower and otherwise weren't too concerned with the comp. Everything is in the top half of the field of view, with the bottom empty. I also find the sword like leaf distracting, but maybe that's the leaf of the plant and you included it intentionally. In any event, the small centered figwort flower itself shows up very well.

Edit: John, I posted this comment before I saw your lengthy post on the Discussion forum explaining your intention to take snapshots of flora for purposes of plant identification.
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Teller on July 30, 2013 at 10:09 PM
The flower is interesting, but I think Scott has some very good observations.
Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on August 5, 2013 at 9:48 PM
Hi John :wavey: Thanks for sharing the info. :smile:
Albert Darmo
Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments