Pappus Collection

Macro dandelion seed

Yellow salsify seeds. Close-up of a seed leaving the seed-head of the yellow salsify (Tragopogon dubuis). This plant has a similar seed head to the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Johannes Pappus - 2
JOHANNES PAPPUS German Lutheran churchman and theologian from Lindau on the Bodensee. Date: 1549 - 1610

Johannes Pappus
JOHANNES PAPPUS German Lutheran churchman and theologian from Lindau on the Bodensee. Date: 1549 - 1610

" Parachutes" or pappus of a dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, seedhead

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) seedhead C016 / 4717
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) seedhead. Close-up of an opening flower (left) and seedhead (clock, right) of a dandelion plant. Photographed in the UK

Perennial Sow-Thistle - in flower with seed heads
ROG-14458 Perennial Sow-Thistle - in flower with seed heads Sonchus arvensis Bob Gibbons contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Dandelion flower, light micrograph
Dandelion flower. Light micrograph of a section through a flower from a dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) plant. The flower stem (bottom) is made up of parenchyma cells (light blue)

Dandelion pappus, SEM
Dandelion pappus (Taraxacum officinale), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This is the top of one of the hundreds of seeds attached to a dandelion seedhead

Daisy seeds, SEM
Daisy seeds. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of two seeds of a daisy plant (family Asteraceae, formerly Compositae). The seeds (bottom) are known as cypselas

Dandelion seed-head, Taraxacum
Dandelion seed-head. Silhouette of a dandelion seed-head (Taraxacum sp. ). The seed-head, or clock, is covered in seeds. Each individual seed is attached to a parachute of fine hairs

Dandelion clock
Dandelion seeds. Close-up of seeds leaving the seed-head (or " clock" ) of the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

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"Pappus: The Macro Beauty of Dandelion Seeds" Johannes Pappus, a renowned botanist and mathematician, once said that nature's intricate designs are the true wonders of our world. Just like the pappus of a dandelion seed, these tiny parachutes hold secrets waiting to be discovered. In the realm of macro photography, capturing the delicate details of a dandelion seedhead is an art form in itself. Each fluffy pappus acts as a miniature parachute, allowing these seeds to travel far and wide on gentle breezes. The Taraxacum officinale, commonly known as the dandelion, showcases its enchanting seedheads with grace and elegance. These spherical clusters burst forth with hundreds of feathery pappi ready for their airborne journey. Through Johannes Pappus' lens, we witness the mesmerizing beauty hidden within each individual pappus. Underneath his microscope or scanning electron microscope (SEM), he reveals intricate structures resembling ethereal feathers designed for flight. As we explore further into this botanical wonderland, we encounter other fascinating species such as Perennial Sow-Thistle. In full bloom with vibrant flowers accompanied by matured seed heads adorned with countless pappi awaiting dispersal. Even at a microscopic level, when observed under light micrography techniques or SEM imaging technology, dandelions continue to captivate us. Their unique pappi reveal themselves in stunning detail - delicate strands intertwining together like celestial threads connecting us to nature's grand tapestry. Pondering upon these images evokes a sense of awe and appreciation for Mother Nature's ingenuity. From Johannes Pappus' perspective to ours today; it is clear that even something as seemingly ordinary as a dandelion can possess extraordinary beauty when examined closely enough.