Ranunculus bulbosus (Bulbous buttercup) [Vis UV IR]

Comparison of a Ranunculus bulbosus (Bulbous buttercup) flower in visible light (left), ultraviolet light (middle), and infrared (right).

In visible light the flower has bright yellow petals with bright yellow stamens surrounding a slightly darker yellow-green cluster of carpels at the centre. The stem and leaves are green in colour and much darker than the flower.

In ultraviolet, veining is seen much more clearly on the petals. The base of each petal has a very dark marking (a nectar guide). The carpels and stamens both appear dark as well. The stem and leaves are also dark.

In infrared the gynoecium appears the same brightness as the stamens and petals. The stem and leaves also appear much brighter than they do in visible light.

Ranunculus acris (Meadow buttercup) [Vis UV IR]

Ranunculus acris (Meadow buttercup) flower photographed in visible light (left), ultraviolet (middle), and infrared (right).

In visible light the flower has glossy bright yellow petals, with the base of the petals being slightly less saturated in colour. At the centre of the flower is a cluster of bright green - yellow coloured pistils. The gynoecium is surrounded by bright yellow coloured stamens. In terms of tone the sexual parts of the flower and the petals are roughly the same tone.

In ultraviolet the petals appear less glossy. At the base they have dark ultraviolet markings, matching the areas of the petals that appear slightly less brilliant yellow in visible light. The gynoecium and stamens appear very dark in ultraviolet.

In infrared the flower appears less glossy than it does in visible light, though glossier than in ultraviolet. All parts of the flower appear roughly the same tone, as in visible light.