Monday, December 28, 2015

Red and green, but not a poinsettia

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I was out hiking the desert on December 25 when these red and green Christmas colors sparked my interest.
A lone eucalyptus tree, in an eye-catching stage!


You can enlarge this photo a lot and enjoy the pretty opercula.
I'm just learning this botany vocabulary and what fun to discover that eucalypt comes from the  Greek for "well covered," just like we can see in the photo!

Wikipedia explains
Eucalyptus is one of three similar genera that are commonly referred to as "eucalypts" . . . Many species, but far from all, are known as gum trees because they exude copious kino from any break in the bark (e.g. scribbly gum).
The generic name is derived from the Greek words ευ (eu) "well" and καλύπτω (kalýpto) "to cover," referring to the operculum on the calyx that initially conceals the flower.
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7 comments:

  1. A very pretty plant, when dried this plant makes lovely dried flower arrangements.

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  2. The plant looks amazing on the desert

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  3. Strange location for a very nice and interesting plant...

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  4. I've just discovered this wonderful plant in Greece and wish I had taken more photos - also wish I had kept my cuttings for a dried flower arrangement - oh well, next year! Beautiful post~ xx

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  5. Dina! you have captured the joy of christmas in efflorescene.against the sand landscape and the pale blue sky the plant almost does look like it is filled with divine grace as it dances across the landscape well it actually is filled with grace.--
    but you Bethlehem in the land of Judah are not the least among the rulers of Judah
    For out of you shall come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.

    thankyou for this treasureDina.Merry Christmas again and Happy Hannukah.
    HUGS and may God Bless you.

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