The buds of the Powderpuff Tree are so tightly clenched that they almost resemble berries. The transformation of the buds unfurling almost one stamen at a time to become flowers is particularly eye-catching.
Although this tree (Barringtonia racemosa) occurs in the wild along the edges of swamps, it does very well in our garden and even tolerates periods of drought. When fully open the small flower petals surround an ostentatious puff of pale pink showy stamens.
Posted in response to the Weekly Photo Challenge with the theme ‘transformation’. Find other images on this theme here
Posted by Carol
November 29, 2017 at 2:52 am
Spectacular!
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November 29, 2017 at 3:58 am
Thanks!
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November 27, 2017 at 2:51 am
Beautiful photos, as always. The emerging flower has the form of a hermit crab! I briefly wondered if this was related to the mimosa, but a quick search disproved that idea.
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November 27, 2017 at 3:37 am
Lovely analogy – it is a bit like an emerging hermit crab 🙂
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November 26, 2017 at 2:40 am
Thanks so much, Tina.
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November 25, 2017 at 3:36 pm
What a beautiful tree, never seen one like that. Lovely example
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November 27, 2017 at 3:29 am
Thanks Tina.
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November 25, 2017 at 6:48 am
Amazing!
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November 26, 2017 at 2:40 am
Thanks!
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November 24, 2017 at 4:55 pm
I like how the airy flower is almost unexpected from its tough little bud. Beautiful photos.
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November 25, 2017 at 3:04 am
Thanks. Yes the contrast is striking.
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November 24, 2017 at 2:50 pm
Lovely shot.
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November 25, 2017 at 3:02 am
Thanks Rupali.
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November 24, 2017 at 12:31 pm
Gorgeous photos.
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November 25, 2017 at 3:02 am
Thank you Sherry.
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November 24, 2017 at 10:59 am
Stunning …. it looks like an exotic creature as it transforms from bud to flower …. amazing photography as ever and I feel I can almost touch this little alien from afar!
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November 25, 2017 at 3:01 am
Thanks! I love your description of it as a little alien from afar! That is a bit how I feel currently – with limited online connectivity I am starting to feel exactly like a little alien from a disconnected planet faraway 😦
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November 25, 2017 at 6:02 am
😔
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November 24, 2017 at 5:38 am
What a name! But it looks lovely. Such delicate blooms. Then what happens?
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November 25, 2017 at 2:51 am
Thanks Margaret. Actually the seeds are interesting too – the seed pods are tough and fibrous and float, so for this swamp plant, seed dispersal is by water …
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November 24, 2017 at 3:51 am
It has such a delicate look. Very pretty.
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November 25, 2017 at 2:45 am
Thanks Sandy. The delicate colour twins with the delicate flowers, I think.
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November 25, 2017 at 4:17 am
Yes, they compliment each other well.
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