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Althytrion — Little Satellite
Published: 2011-06-23 16:35:01 +0000 UTC; Views: 812; Favourites: 61; Downloads: 0
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Description
Succisa pratensis, the Devil's-bit Scabious, is a rare European plant, growing on moist meadows and swamplands, mostly in montane regions.
The strange name (German "Teufelsabbiss", Middle High German "abbiz", Latin "morsus diaboli"; the name Succisa means "cut off at the lower end") refers to the black root of the plant that looks like bitten off by someone. In folk tales, people assigned a motive for this to the devil, since he was very angry about the fact that this plant was able to cure scabies and other ailments.
So, if you're suffering from such diseases don't miss to collect a plant during the next night, as it is said that the root is especially effective during the night before June 24th. 
Full size view, please!
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Comments: 26
So make sure you don't get sick after june 24th! I love the old folk tale which accompanies this flower, really interesting
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Beautiful as always! The composition is lovely and I love the clarity in this. The flower itself is very stunning 
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I'm glad you like it, Marybeth!
Thank you so much!
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wow, very interesting information!
So precious this is flower!!
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The most beautiful satellite I've ever seen, dear Kevin!
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Not a huge fan of the focus on this one. Too much in my face that's blurred.
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I have to agree to you, Katie!
I took a series of photos of these inflorescences while changing the focus adjustment but for all of the pictures, I had to use F/5.6 in order to keep the exposure time smaller than 1/200 s, due to the heavy wind that moved the stems (2 ft high!) so much that I even had difficulties to keep the flowers within the viewfinder. 
Thank you very much for this fair critique!
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That's unfortunate! D:
Oh well, such is life and photography!
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Thank you very much, LeeAnne!
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I like your title. I can be very rewarding to see another lifeform without the blinkers of familiarity!
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Yes, I agree, Alec!
Thank you very much!
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Beautifully amazing Kevin! its tenderly color is just perfect. 
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Aww, thank you so much, little mermaid!
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Most welcome as always sweetheart.
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The flowers look adorable.
Make me wonder "Why before the 24th?" Folklore, it just leads to more questions.
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This is a special night in folklore: St John's Eve, the feast day of Saint John the Baptist. In Ireland and Southern Germany, for instance, there is (or was) a tradition to celebrate this event with bonfires.
Thank you very much, Gloria!
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That does explain it. Thank you!
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