Onoseris hyssopifolia, near Quito, Ecuador
This inflorescence of Onoseris hyssopifolia was photographed near Cayambe, a glacier-covered volcano located on the western edge of the Cordillera Real at the Earth’s equator. Cayambe last erupted in 1786, but a number of low magnitude-earthquakes were reported in late 2016-early 2017. The volcano is located within the 40,000 hectare Cayambe-Coca National Park, an area of exceptional biodiversity including over one hundred species of endemic flowering plants. Onoseris hyssopifolia is not quite endemic (there are references, including Encyclopedia of Life, reporting it in Bolivia), but it is seemingly restricted to higher elevations in the Andes. To get a sense of habitat, you can review the photographs on this tourist guide to Ecuador’s Pucará de Rumicucho.
The specific epithet of Onoseris hyssopifolia means “leaves of Hyssop“: for comparison, the leaves of Hyssopus officinalis and the leaves from the original published illustration of Onoseris hyssopifolia (and the original 1818 description, in Latin).
Dear BPOTD, you always have such interesting links for more information…it’s good of you all to take the time to explore for the rest of us.
After looking at the tourist guide, a question: is Evolvulus alsinoides really that amazing shade of intense, almost true blue? The other photos I found varied quite a bit.
Sue, it looks like the contrast was bumped-up on that photograph (either in camera or after in a program)–I doubt it is that rich of a blue under most circumstances.
I’m fascinated by the ray flowers being 3-nerved rather than 5. My eye went immediately to that, proving what a botanical nerd I am! The gradient of the deep lavender to near white is exquisite. Lovely photo.
Yes, kudos to Dick for sharing it. Not too many photos online of this species, which is clearly deserving of more photographic attention overall.