Friday, January 6, 2012

Macro flowers: Swan plants- Gomphocarpus physocarpus




Gomphocarpus physocarpus
In New Zealand, schools and households plant swan plants for the Monarch Butterfly.

We have the Monarch Butterfly New Zealand Trust to help protect the endemic and native butterflies and moths of NZ and their habitat.

This is the one with fruit/follicle that is ovoid, measuring 1.5-2.5 cm in diameter, tapering gradually or abruptly into an attenuate beak.” (i.e. the true Swan Plant).The Milkweed plants are sometimes called Swan Plant because the seed pod floats on water like a swan if it is cut off. The plant are also known as Balloon Cotton, Silkpods or Cotton Bush.

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14 comments:

Carletta said...

Hi Ann,
The first shot does remind me of swans. So wonderful that these plants are protected for the butterflies.

Modern Mom said...

They are so graceful!

Violet Flowers

Jama said...

they are so pretty!

Luna Miranda said...

i believe i have seen this flower when i was a kid. but it's no very common here. i love the last photo.

SquirrelQueen said...

What a pretty flower. That is interesting about the seed pod. I like all plants that attract butterflies.

CameraCruise said...

They're so beautiful!
Love to see butterflies in my garden.
Have a great weekend.

Giga said...

Piękne kwiaty, ale ich nasiona są bardzo ciekawe i ozdobne . Pozdrawiam.

Beautiful flowers, but their seeds are very interesting and decorative. Yours.

BernieH said...

Such a lovely flower. I can see what it would be called a Swan Plant.

EB Bead and Metal Works, LLC said...

I love the first shot - gorgeous flowers and I love the last shot with the spikes (texture is awesome)!

Maia said...

It has beautiful flowers and that spiny fruit is very interesting too. You always have some interesting plants to share that don't grow in our parts.

Unknown said...

Very beautiful and it looks like a swan floating. ^_^

Pink Rose

Unknown said...

beautiful flowers!

January Zelene said...

it does look like swans dancing in the air.

Pinkish Pink

The JR said...

Unusual and beautiful!