Exotic Flora As Art Subject
There are many different subjects on which artwork can focus on, one of them being Exotic Flora. The word 'exotic' means 'of foreign origin, strikingly unusual or strange.' The word 'flora' means 'plants of a particular region.' Therefore, Exotic Flora refers to those plants and flowers which are 'unusual or strange' and are from foreign origin. Exotic Flora often have surprising and unique characteristics; they can reside in different climates and habitats, be different species, have special features, and can be described with a variety of adjectives. Three such specimens of Exotic Flora include the Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae), the Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula), and the Cupid's Dart (Catananche caerulea).
The Bird of Paradise flower (S. reginae) is a flowering plant native to South Africa. It primarily used as an ornamental plant, especially considering its vividly and brightly colored flowers. It prefers loamy soil and requires little water; it is somewhat tolerant of climate, although temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit can damage the plant. The Bird of Paradise prefers warm and sunny climate; for this reason, it is typically kept indoors in temperate climates. Among its special features include that its petals form in such a way that the flower looks like a bird in flight; the petals form the wings and the spathe forms the body of the bird. The flower is also considered an 'allergy-fighting' species. The Bird of Paradise can be described as 'bright,' because of the color of the petals and 'sturdy,' because birds can use the spathe as a perch when pollinating the flower.
The Venus Flytrap (D. muscipula) is also an exotic plant, but unlike the Bird of Paradise, it is native to coasts of the Carolinas in the United States. The habitat of the Venus Flytrap is that of Nitrogen- and Phosphorus-poor environments, like bogs and swampland. The Venus Flytraps prefer wet and humid coastal climates, as all naturally-found species are located within 60 miles of Wilmington, North Carolina, a port city. Some of the special features of the plant is that it is carnivorous; it consumes mostly insects and spiders. Its leaves form the trap for which the plant is named. In fact, the plant evolved to be carnivorous because of the poor soil quality, it takes the nutrients which it cannot find in the soil from the bugs it consumes. The Venus Flytrap can be described as 'spiky,' because of the teeth-like protrusions on the ends of the trap leaves and because of the trigger hairs, which look like thorns. It can also be described as 'carnivorous,' because it consumes insects.
The Cupid's Dart (C. caerulea) is a member of the daisy family and is native to the southern Europe and northern Africa regions, typically around the Mediterranean Sea, unlike both the Bird of Paradise and the Venus Flytrap. It is often used in gardens and in flower bouquets. It prefers a climate with full sun and good drainage, making it a drought-tolerant species. Among its features include a symmetrical arrangement of petals, which are often violet or white. Its pollen is yellow. The flower was used by the ancient Greeks in love potions, which is how it got its name as 'Cupid's Dart.' The plant can be described as 'bright,' because of the striking violets and whites of its flower petals and 'spiky,' because of the sharp ends of its bracts.
In conclusion, Exotic Flora is an interesting art subject focusing on plants and flowers of foreign regions. Exotic Flora can be described in different ways, including its species, its native habitat and climate, its special features, and its characteristics. Three different examples of Exotic Flora which can be the basis of a piece include the Bird of Paradise, the Venus Flytrap, and the Cupid's Dart.
