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Close-up of water fern (Azolla) and duckweed ...

Close-up of water fern (Azolla) and duckweed  ...

Close-up of water fern (Azolla) and duckweed when exposed to regular daylight as well as when illuminated by a 365 nm ... Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 11, 2024



The image is a close-up photograph of water fern and duckweed plants, captured under two different lighting conditions: natural daylight and ultraviolet (UV-A) blacklight illumination at 365 nm wavelength.

**Photograph Details**

* The photograph consists of two identical sections side by side.
* Each section displays the same aquatic plant species, but with distinct visual effects resulting from the different light sources:
   + **Daylight Section:** Water ferns and duckweed appear greenish-brown in color, indicating a natural appearance under regular daylight conditions.
   + **UV-A Blacklight Section:** The plants exhibit a striking red and blue fluorescence when illuminated by the UV-A blacklight. This suggests that these plant species contain fluorescent pigments or compounds that absorb UV light and emit longer-wavelength radiation.

**Context and Significance**

The image captures the unique properties of water ferns and duckweed in responding to different light sources. The use of a specialized UV-A blacklight highlights the plants' ability to fluoresce, which could be an adaptation for attracting pollinators or defending against pathogens. This phenomenon is likely related to the plants' biology and ecological roles within their aquatic environment.

**Conclusion**

The image showcases the fascinating interaction between water ferns and duckweed with light sources, revealing their inherent fluorescent properties when exposed to UV-A radiation. – AI vision

Sam Houston Forest - College ... 2024
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