Nature What Kind of Blue Flower?

**angkymac** · 09-16-2021, 03:09 PM - **3 Likes**

Is it a Tradescantia occidentalis? Or is it a Commelina erecta?
No biggie to me, actually. Just an interesting point of conversation on a discrimination that I cannot get.

But I am posting it in the Critiques section for a couple of reasons:
1. I put it in the upper right due to the leaves that I really thought supported the image.
But I see the flower is looking out of the image to the right.
I'm wondering if folks have any thoughts/critiques on that.

2. A slight breeze requested a shutter speed of 1/125s; the K10D requested a low ISO setting (as is well known); and the depth of field wanted something tighter than f:5.6.
I "erred" in favor of the shallow depth of field.
Now I wish I would have risked a slower shutter and tighter aperture.
If any thoughts / critiques or suggestions, please share.

Whatever the case, enjoy the deep blue of this surprising flower that I found in my neighbor's shady "jungle area".
Angky.

Attached Images

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MikeMcE · 09-16-2021, 03:43 PM

I love the flower, ditching the leaves with a tight crop. Like this grab

Hang up and DRIVE!

**angkymac** · 09-16-2021, 08:32 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by MikeMcE

I love the flower, ditching the leaves with a tight crop. Like this grab

Hang up and DRIVE!

Well, that is a good interpretation too!
Really does put the focus on the blossom. And it doesn't hurt to lose those leaves; it changes the image, but it is still very striking--maybe even moreso.
Thanks for the input; I appreciate it!

Angky.

**jbinpg** · 09-16-2021, 10:19 PM - **1 Like**

This is where you must choose between a documentary or an artistic approach. When trying to ID plants, one must always include leaves if possible since they are often the separator among species.

Last edited by jbinpg; 09-16-2021 at 11:01 PM.

**Peter Rockstroh** · 09-17-2021, 10:39 AM

I like the way you cropped the image. The intense blue Commelina is balanced by the two leaves.
Although she seems to be "looking" to te right, there is no movement in the picture hinting towards
the right side. I really like te saturation of this image.

**angkymac** · 09-17-2021, 02:18 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jbinpg

This is where you must choose between a documentary or an artistic approach. When trying to ID plants, one must always include leaves if possible since they are often the separator among species.

Quite right you are!
I thought I had identified the flower, then compared the leaves to the on-line pictures and they didn't match.
Found leaves that matched, but the flower didn't!
So I still am not sure what specie/variety I have here!

I like what you say about differentiating between purpose of art or purpose of documentary.
Angky.

---------- Post added 09-17-21 at 02:23 PM ----------

Originally posted by Peter Rockstroh

I like the way you cropped the image. The intense blue Commelina is balanced by the two leaves.
Although she seems to be "looking" to te right, there is no movement in the picture hinting towards
the right side. I really like te saturation of this image.

Thank you for your observation with explanation.
I debated a long time about both the cropping and the saturation. Glad you like it!

Angky.

forensicscientist · 09-28-2021, 04:27 AM

I lean more towards Commelina plum ..... commonly known as Wondering Jew, but my last plant tax course was 35+ years ago...but that's my best guess.

No matter....still a nice image!

**vrphoto** · 09-28-2021, 08:07 PM

From the number of petals shown - Tradescantia has 3 petals, Commelina has 2.

**angkymac** · 09-28-2021, 08:43 PM

Originally posted by forensicscientist

I lean more towards Commelina plum ..... commonly known as Wondering Jew, but my last plant tax course was 35+ years ago...but that's my best guess.

No matter....still a nice image!

Thank you for your input on this.
A few decades ago, my mother had plants like this that she called "Wandering Jew", but it had a slightly different flower, if I recall correctly. But, as in your case, it has been a very long time.
Thanks for the note on it.

Angky.

---------- Post added 09-28-21 at 08:47 PM ----------

Originally posted by vrphoto

From the number of petals shown - Tradescantia has 3 petals, Commelina has 2.

Just so! That was my best assessment also. But are the leaves correct for Commelina?
I think the flower has the greater weight above leaves in identifying, but I am not a horticulturalist.
At any rate, it is an interesting topic and an interesting flower.
Thanks for your note on it!

Angky.

**stihlmania** · 09-30-2021, 05:03 PM

Originally posted by angkymac

Is it a Tradescantia occidentalis? Or is it a Commelina erecta?
No biggie to me, actually. Just an interesting point of conversation on a discrimination that I cannot get.

But I am posting it in the Critiques section for a couple of reasons:
1. I put it in the upper right due to the leaves that I really thought supported the image.
But I see the flower is looking out of the image to the right.
I'm wondering if folks have any thoughts/critiques on that.

2. A slight breeze requested a shutter speed of 1/125s; the K10D requested a low ISO setting (as is well known); and the depth of field wanted something tighter than f:5.6.
I "erred" in favor of the shallow depth of field.
Now I wish I would have risked a slower shutter and tighter aperture.
If any thoughts / critiques or suggestions, please share.

Whatever the case, enjoy the deep blue of this surprising flower that I found in my neighbor's shady "jungle area".
Angky.

When in the US are you located? This is a flower very common to the hill country of Texas, although not native…

**angkymac** · 09-30-2021, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by stihlmania

When in the US are you located? This is a flower very common to the hill country of Texas, although not native…

This was found as a non-native in my neighbor's "jungle area" (literally!). I think it is something he happened upon, thought it pretty, brought it home from a friend's place, dropped it down on the ground and then forgot about it. He keeps this area very wet, even misting it, and shady. The plant grows vigorously, but only one blossom.
I live in Sacramento, California--a very hot and dry spring, summer, and fall.
I have heard that these grow in Texas, which you confirm.
Angky.

**vrphoto** · 10-03-2021, 12:44 AM

Originally posted by angkymac

Thank you for your input on this.
A few decades ago, my mother had plants like this that she called "Wandering Jew", but it had a slightly different flower, if I recall correctly. But, as in your case, it has been a very long time.
Thanks for the note on it.

Angky.

---------- Post added 09-28-21 at 08:47 PM ----------

Just so! That was my best assessment also. But are the leaves correct for Commelina?
I think the flower has the greater weight above leaves in identifying, but I am not a horticulturalist.
At any rate, it is an interesting topic and an interesting flower.
Thanks for your note on it!

Angky.

according to

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commelina_erecta
and to

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin

it's quite variable, hence your indecision about the leaves.

**angkymac** · 10-03-2021, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by vrphoto

according to

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commelina_erecta
and to

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin

it's quite variable, hence your indecision about the leaves.

Well, now! That is quite interesting! That there is that much indecision at the genus level is amazing. I can understand differences at the species level, but at the genus????

So, anyway, thank you so much for that input, and for looking it up!

Angky.

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09-16-2021, 03:43 PM	#2
MikeMcE Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2020 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,093	I love the flower, ditching the leaves with a tight crop. Like this grab Hang up and DRIVE!

09-16-2021, 08:32 PM - 1 Like	#3
angkymac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 9,032 Original Poster	Originally posted by MikeMcE I love the flower, ditching the leaves with a tight crop. Like this grab Hang up and DRIVE! Well, that is a good interpretation too! Really does put the focus on the blossom. And it doesn't hurt to lose those leaves; it changes the image, but it is still very striking--maybe even moreso. Thanks for the input; I appreciate it! Angky.

09-16-2021, 10:19 PM - 1 Like	#4
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	This is where you must choose between a documentary or an artistic approach. When trying to ID plants, one must always include leaves if possible since they are often the separator among species. Last edited by jbinpg; 09-16-2021 at 11:01 PM.

09-17-2021, 10:39 AM	#5
Peter Rockstroh Admiral Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Bogota Posts: 445	I like the way you cropped the image. The intense blue Commelina is balanced by the two leaves. Although she seems to be "looking" to te right, there is no movement in the picture hinting towards the right side. I really like te saturation of this image.

09-17-2021, 02:18 PM - 1 Like	#6
angkymac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 9,032 Original Poster	Originally posted by jbinpg This is where you must choose between a documentary or an artistic approach. When trying to ID plants, one must always include leaves if possible since they are often the separator among species. Quite right you are! I thought I had identified the flower, then compared the leaves to the on-line pictures and they didn't match. Found leaves that matched, but the flower didn't! So I still am not sure what specie/variety I have here! I like what you say about differentiating between purpose of art or purpose of documentary. Angky. ---------- Post added 09-17-21 at 02:23 PM ---------- Originally posted by Peter Rockstroh I like the way you cropped the image. The intense blue Commelina is balanced by the two leaves. Although she seems to be "looking" to te right, there is no movement in the picture hinting towards the right side. I really like te saturation of this image. Thank you for your observation with explanation. I debated a long time about both the cropping and the saturation. Glad you like it! Angky.

09-28-2021, 04:27 AM	#7
forensicscientist Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: DFW Texas and Michigan - I commute :) Posts: 1,012	I lean more towards Commelina plum ..... commonly known as Wondering Jew, but my last plant tax course was 35+ years ago...but that's my best guess. No matter....still a nice image!

09-28-2021, 08:07 PM	#8
vrphoto Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Melbourne Posts: 151	From the number of petals shown - Tradescantia has 3 petals, Commelina has 2.

09-28-2021, 08:43 PM	#9
angkymac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 9,032 Original Poster	Originally posted by forensicscientist I lean more towards Commelina plum ..... commonly known as Wondering Jew, but my last plant tax course was 35+ years ago...but that's my best guess. No matter....still a nice image! Thank you for your input on this. A few decades ago, my mother had plants like this that she called "Wandering Jew", but it had a slightly different flower, if I recall correctly. But, as in your case, it has been a very long time. Thanks for the note on it. Angky. ---------- Post added 09-28-21 at 08:47 PM ---------- Originally posted by vrphoto From the number of petals shown - Tradescantia has 3 petals, Commelina has 2. Just so! That was my best assessment also. But are the leaves correct for Commelina? I think the flower has the greater weight above leaves in identifying, but I am not a horticulturalist. At any rate, it is an interesting topic and an interesting flower. Thanks for your note on it! Angky.

09-30-2021, 05:03 PM	#10
stihlmania Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Spring Branch, Tx Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 705	Originally posted by angkymac Is it a Tradescantia occidentalis? Or is it a Commelina erecta? No biggie to me, actually. Just an interesting point of conversation on a discrimination that I cannot get. But I am posting it in the Critiques section for a couple of reasons: 1. I put it in the upper right due to the leaves that I really thought supported the image. But I see the flower is looking out of the image to the right. I'm wondering if folks have any thoughts/critiques on that. 2. A slight breeze requested a shutter speed of 1/125s; the K10D requested a low ISO setting (as is well known); and the depth of field wanted something tighter than f:5.6. I "erred" in favor of the shallow depth of field. Now I wish I would have risked a slower shutter and tighter aperture. If any thoughts / critiques or suggestions, please share. Whatever the case, enjoy the deep blue of this surprising flower that I found in my neighbor's shady "jungle area". Angky. When in the US are you located? This is a flower very common to the hill country of Texas, although not native…

09-30-2021, 06:25 PM	#11
angkymac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 9,032 Original Poster	Originally posted by stihlmania When in the US are you located? This is a flower very common to the hill country of Texas, although not native… This was found as a non-native in my neighbor's "jungle area" (literally!). I think it is something he happened upon, thought it pretty, brought it home from a friend's place, dropped it down on the ground and then forgot about it. He keeps this area very wet, even misting it, and shady. The plant grows vigorously, but only one blossom. I live in Sacramento, California--a very hot and dry spring, summer, and fall. I have heard that these grow in Texas, which you confirm. Angky.

10-03-2021, 12:44 AM	#12
vrphoto Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Melbourne Posts: 151	Originally posted by angkymac Thank you for your input on this. A few decades ago, my mother had plants like this that she called "Wandering Jew", but it had a slightly different flower, if I recall correctly. But, as in your case, it has been a very long time. Thanks for the note on it. Angky. ---------- Post added 09-28-21 at 08:47 PM ---------- Just so! That was my best assessment also. But are the leaves correct for Commelina? I think the flower has the greater weight above leaves in identifying, but I am not a horticulturalist. At any rate, it is an interesting topic and an interesting flower. Thanks for your note on it! Angky. according to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commelina_erecta and to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin it's quite variable, hence your indecision about the leaves.

10-03-2021, 08:06 PM	#13
angkymac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 9,032 Original Poster	Originally posted by vrphoto according to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commelina_erecta and to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin it's quite variable, hence your indecision about the leaves. Well, now! That is quite interesting! That there is that much indecision at the genus level is amazing. I can understand differences at the species level, but at the genus???? So, anyway, thank you so much for that input, and for looking it up! Angky.