Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON
One of the things about visiting different countries is that the local flora is always fascinating. This shot was taken in Malaysia, during our family holiday last July. We were on the tropical island of Langkawi when I first spotted these flowers growing in a clump near the beach.
They caught my attention because of the grace of the long, tapering petals and the manner in which they seem to be flung at random to all points of the compass. These white tendrils formed beautiful arcs against the dark green foliage underneath and in the background.
It was only after I moved closer to take this shot that I spotted the delicate, long pistils with the dark pods. I had my 18-125mm lens on the camera, which is a great all-purpose lens. Despite the deep shadows in the vicinity, the strength and contrast of the colours really dictated the way I composed these two shots.
Do I know what the flowers are called? Er, no, but if you have any clues, do let me know.
Visit Luiz Santilli Jr for the home of Today's Flowers.
Looks like some sort of lily or maybe a relative of ilium (I posted some of those today); they are oddly lovely and I look forward to someone naming them for us
ReplyDeletei imagine a sweet scent of nectar aroung them?
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots. They look so graceful.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right. The amazing colors and contortions of plants is just a wonderous source of study.
ReplyDeletebeautiiiiful !!!
ReplyDeletei wait each day for ur post...coz there's something new...something funny... some message always...
Nice. I want a good camera. I keep hoping cannon will send me an email offering a free one for posting an ad on my blog. So far, all offers have been for weird stuff that I would never use or want.
ReplyDeleteI love the graceful trailing petals of those flowers. Gorgeous. Bet they smell heavenly too!
ReplyDeleteWe call them spider lilies. I don't know the botannical name. Here is Houston TX. They grow in my yard. Of all the things that grow in my yard, this is the one my daughter likes best.
ReplyDeleteIs it a kind of lily?
ReplyDeleteMakes a good picture whatever it is.
There is a terrible lily beetle that kills off lilies in my part of the world. Red with black dots. Bigger than a ladybird.
Someone left the name of spider lily; I love that name. I wonder if they can grow in the Northwest too. Thanks, David.
ReplyDeleteSadly, this time I can't even hazard a guess as to what to begin searching for - you do find wonderful flowers to track down!
ReplyDeleteGot it, thanks to Ellen's Spider Lillies. The family is Amaryllidaceae, which belong to the following genera:- Crinum, Hymenocallis, Lycoris.
ReplyDeleteHymenocallis is this one! I do like to know...
Those are really interesting and your shots are great. Why did they remind you of Noah's Arc?
ReplyDeleteLooks like firework in shape! And delicate!
ReplyDeleteThey're very beautiful (and spidery!) whatever plant they are.
ReplyDeletesuch a delicate blossom!
ReplyDeleteYou have a genius for finding the most wonderful botanical treasures! And your photography ain't bad either ;-) LOL...Janine
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of this beautiful flower.
ReplyDeleteI have found Spider Lilies, family is Amaryllidaceae, growing in Samana, Dominican Republic.
It is a tropical plant.
Gorgeous!! Methinks I have to find out if those will grow/thrive here in Arkansas.
ReplyDeleteGreat contrast with the white and green.
ReplyDeleteI have those in my garden here in West Bengal; they're from the lily family. No scent to speak of, which is unfortunate, as they do look so intriguingly beautiful. I have them in a vase on my desk right now...how funny to see them on your blog :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome, each country has its own beautiful flowers. Have you been to South America?
ReplyDeleteHi David
ReplyDeleteWonderful and delicate flower!
In World there are many kinds of interesting flowers, isn't easy to know all their names!!
Thanks, David, for posting for TODAY'S FLOWERS every Sunday!
Luiz
Super shots but sorry do not know the flower name.
ReplyDeleteThanks for these works of art.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful virginal white spider something-or-otheriana, the little box in my brain seems to be ticking.
ReplyDeleteDavid,
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by my site and leaving your kind comment. I was out of town or would have paid you a visit sooner. What an amazing photo you captured of this graceful lily. I struggle to get a decent shot with my pitifully inadequate point and shoot camera. I appreciate the crispness and clarity along with your artistic ability demonstrated.
Cathy~
Lovely and graceful like ballerinas.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful flower.
ReplyDeleteThey are really unusual. Not sure I actually like them to be honest but your photography is sensational as always.
ReplyDeleteCJ xx
I adore flower photos. If you have time to look back at some of my 'Doorus garden' blogs, you'll see many photos from our land.
ReplyDeleteThis is a real beauty. I'd love to be able to grow exotic plants, but here in Ireland it's wet and boggy so a no go area for most of them.
Beautiful photograph of a lovely flower. Well done to Jinksy for nailing it. I wouldn't have got close, but I do remember seeing one under glass in Kew Gardens.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea about the flowers, which are lovely but your post title cracked me up!
ReplyDeleteWhat a unique blossom ;--)
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings,
Wow, incredible! Thank you for sharing. They are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flower, unusual in my part of the world I think.
ReplyDeleteWow! Those are the most amazing blooms ever. They almost seem like sea creatures.
ReplyDelete