Hollyhock Macro is a photograph by Sarah Loft which was uploaded on March 14th, 2016.
Hollyhock Macro
This hollyhock was photographed in the small town of Schierstein, a suburb of Wiesbaden, Germany.... more
by Sarah Loft
Title
Hollyhock Macro
Artist
Sarah Loft
Medium
Photograph
Description
This hollyhock was photographed in the small town of Schierstein, a suburb of Wiesbaden, Germany.
Per Wikipedia: Alcea, commonly known as hollyhocks, is a genus of about 60 species of flowering plants in the mallow family Malvaceae. They are native to Asia and Europe.
Hollyhocks are annual, biennial, or perennial plants usually taking an erect, unbranched form. The herbage usually has a coating of star-shaped hairs. The leaf blades are often lobed or toothed, and are borne on long petioles. The flowers may be solitary or arranged in fascicles or racemes. The notched petals are usually over three centimeters wide and may be pink, white, purple, or yellow. The fruit is a schizocarp, a dry disc divided into over 15 sections that contain seeds.
Hollyhocks are popular garden ornamental plants. They are easily grown from seed. Breeds with red flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Cultivars have been bred, especially from A. rosea. They include the double-flowered 'Chater's Double', the raspberry-colored 'Creme de Cassis', and 'The Watchman', which has dark, nearly black, maroon flowers.
The stems of hollyhocks can be used as firewood, and the roots have been used medicinally.
A hollyhock flower, known in Japan as aoi (葵?), was incorporated into the official seal (mon) of the Tokugawa shogunate in Japan, and through this influence has maintained importance in modern Japanese culture. For example, it inspired the name and symbol of Mito HollyHock, a professional soccer club in a city formerly led by the Tokugawa family. The Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival) is one of the three main festivals of the city of Kyoto.
Note: The water mark will NOT appear on the print you purchase.
Featured in the Visions of Spring group, March 2016.
Featured in the Flower Mania group, March 2016.
Featured in the Beautiful Flowers group, March 2016.
Uploaded
March 14th, 2016
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Comments (61)
Sandra Foster
Beautiful work Sarah! I love the crinkle texture of these papery feel and look petals. A f/l too.
Wild Thing
Sarah this macro of the Hollyhock is just gorgeous! Love it! From the soft pinks to the magenta in the center this definitely a shot that has the "WOW!" factor! L/F shared on Facebook & G+ soon to be shared on Twitter ... Wildly yours, Wild Thing