Alicia Hauff Studio
Mixed Media Fine Artist in Fargo, ND
“Shooting Star, Queen Bees’ Knees”
$1,920.00
“Shooting Star, Dodecatheon meadia, has delicate nodding blooms that seem to fly upward and away from the pointed red and yellow flower center, resembling a shooting star. The leafless stalks arise from a lush foliage base, creating the perfect backdrop for the exquisite flowers.
A spring bloomer and true prairie ephemeral, Shooting Star goes completely dormant in late summer. It is best grown in a lightly shaded area. Fall transplanting is best, but early spring planting is also fine. Mature plants can be propagated by division: Dig the mature crowns in the fall when dormant, then divide and replant.
Bumble bees are the chief pollinators of Shooting Star, and the pollen must be extracted from a narrow tube formed by the united stamens. The bees accomplish this by vibrating their bodies against the tube to shake the pollen out, a technique known as ‘buzz pollination.’ Other common names include Midland Shootingstar and Prairie Pointers.” (Source: Prairie Nursery)
Pollination Facts:
The Queen Bee Connection: Queen bumblebees are the primary pollinators. They emerge in the spring at the same time the shooting star blooms, and possess the sheer muscle power needed to vibrate at the correct frequency to dislodge the pollen.
No Nectar: Shooting stars do not produce any nectar. They offer only protein-rich pollen as a reward, which is vital food for the queen bees to provision their early-season nests and feed their young larvae.
- The Physics of Pollination: The bee hangs upside down from the flower, grasps the yellow cone of fused stamens, and fires up its thoracic muscles. The resulting sonic frequency causes pollen to spray out of tiny pores at the tip of the anthers and coat the underside of the bee.
- No Self-Pollination: Shooting star flowers have a long stigma (the female part of the flower) that protrudes beyond the pollen pores. When the vibrating bee visits the next flower, the pollen already dusting its abdomen brushes against the stigma, accomplishing cross-pollination.
Who is in this piece?
This piece features the Queen Bumblebees who do this important work! Long live these queens.
Frame Details: Hard maple float frame
Framed Size: 31x41x2(inches)
View Frame Options Gallery >
We offer hand made custom frames constructed from natural wood of your choice. Click on the photos below to open and preview the frame options.
All orders will be shipped in 3-10 business days via USPS Priority mail, UPS or FedEx, depending on the size of the item and whether framing was desired. For medium to larger works, and if crating is needed to safely ship, it will be UPS or FedEX. USPS can ship larger works but it is a lot more expensive!
If I anticipate framing will take longer for any reason, I will reach out and let you know! You will receive a tracking number via email once the work has shipped.
If you are in the Fargo-Moorhead area and wish to pick it up, please select STUDIOPICKUP at checkout. I will have a table in the front lobby with your piece labeled for pick-up between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM. I will always try to say hello if I am in the studio!
Thank you for supporting a small business!
Shop My Artwork
Footer
