Dandelions in shade
I shot these for my Fiancee, who loves dandelions ! keeping the focus on the central three and leaving the rest slightly out of it, seemed to be one way of bringing some interest to a shot that most of us walk past because we feel these are way to common and ‘ordinary’ for us to take notice but, and, as with lots of parts of Human Life, there is more to see than meets the eye. The extraordinarily vibrant yellows & orange centres of these flowers, in almost any light, and their super superstructures which make sure that each individual pencil leaf is angled at just the right elevation and height to catch as much of the available light as each one can, while they can, makes for interested looking. Those strong stems are also the only reason these quite heavy plants (at least by many plant standards) keep on thrusting upwards and outwards, and the sheer prolificness of them tells you they are being successful in he competition for light and space. They are classed as a ‘Daisy’ in horticulture and both the flower and the stem have alls orts of medicinal properties a la herbology than most ordinary vegetables on your plate, such as Vitamins A & C, Potassium plus iron as well as antioxidant properties such as beta-carotene polyphenols. Studies have shown that Dandelion roots (which can go down 15m or more!) and leaves can reduce cholesterol and boost the immune system. (so get picking and cooking !) They even close up at night, about half way closed, which is a lot of energy-use for a small flower/plant. Is all of the above why these small plants are so common ? so they can be of use to as many Humans as need their health-giving properties as possible ? The most successful plant on the planet is ‘Grasses’, and without them, what we all do, and yet a grassy sward is as common as anything to us, so we don’t think about it all that often - unless we suddenly haven’t got it any more ! mm
