Nucleus

by Connie Handscomb

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Title

Nucleus

Artist

Connie Handscomb

Medium

Photograph - Photography - Fine Art

Description

Nature never makes haste; her systems revolve at an even pace. The bud swells imperceptibly, without hurry or confusion, as though the short spring days were an eternity.
~ Henry David Thoreau [fr. his journal, 17 Sept 1839]

* --------------------- *

Flowering Dogwood

Genus: Cornus
Family : Cornaceae

The stretch of Pacific Coast from Vancouver Island through to San Diego is home to a flowering tree, the Pacific Dogwood - which is also the floral emblem of the province in Canada I live in (British Columbia). This is not the Pacific Dogwood; I believe this is the Cornus florida since the shape of the flower and petals are quite different to our Cornus nuttallii - named, incidentally, after a friend of James Audubon: Thomas Nuttall. The Pacific dogwood flowers, called bracts, are white and pink-tinged.

In full bloom, the tree is a pretty sight; butterflies think so, too: they are attracted to them. A special note here: what we call the dogwood flowers are not really flowers but modified leaves, called bracts. It is the centre of these leaves that is the actual flower.

The dogwood is used frequently as an ornamental landscape tree, and since it is used this way where I live, finding out the hardwood is used for many things surprised me: golf clubs, shuttles, and piano keys; also bows, arrow, harpoon shafts, and knitting needles.

The bark is high in tannic acid, and indigenous peoples made a tea from the bark for fevers.

Native Americans knew it was time to start planting corn when the dogwood started flowering.

In autumn, small multi-seeded fruits appear which can be used for jam (something else I wasn't aware of). Perhaps the birds, who are fond of them, ate them before I could spot them.

Sources:
The Encyclopedia of North American Trees [S. Benvie]
Plants of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland [C.Vaner]
Flowering Shrubs : A Gardener's Guide [Negus; Strong]
The Herbalist Almanac [C. & D. Meyer]

* --------------------- *

There are many dogwood trees here: they are the floral emblem of our province (British Columbia). One of my favorite dogwoods seems to not want to open up its blooms at all this year! It may be tardy due to the chilly spring weather we're having, combined with the abnormal abundance of rain. Perhaps when the sun shines a bit more (and the temperatures rise), it will present its wealth of showy, springtime foliage.

The centre of the action on the tree in springtime is the pretty button in the centre of the coloured bracts (the aforementioned modified leaves). This is the centre of regeneration: Pollination Central. This bud cluster is closed now, not yet fully open, but each portion of this small geodesic dome will open into a tiny individual flower.

Captured in natural light; unedited ; the teeniest tiniest crop for an ornery edge ... nature in all its splendour :)

💕 Heartfelt Gratitude to Macro Marvels for featuring this Image