Learning Curve

Maybe It's A Will O’ The Wisp

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Exactly a year ago, I spotted this plant in a public-access area and I scratched my head because I had no idea what it was. The other thing that caught my interest was the manner in which the main stem seemed to grow in a curve.

I didn’t think anything of it at the time, but I just assumed that the stem would probably straighten out as the plant continued to grow. I went back to the same spot a couple of weeks later and found that the stems had not produced blooms yet, but that the curve was now much longer and even more pronounced.


I also noticed the fine, fibrous tendrils on the lower part of the plant, Like wisps of angel hair, they would have been great to photograph in the late afternoon, because they would have caught the sunlight and would have stood out more clearly on any image.

As it happened, I had my standard 18-125mm lens on the camera, so I had to use an all-encompassing composition that showed the plant’s structure as well as the delicate white wisps. And to answer the question I know you are going to ask – no, I still don’t know what the plant is called. Any information will be gratefully accepted.


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