Figure 1 – Balloon Plant or Bishop’s Balls, Madison, WI. (c) DE Wolf 2014.
Figure 1 is a photograph of the Balloon plant a form of milk weed that I photographed last month at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin. It has the formal name – Gomphocarpus physocarpus but has many common names. My favorite is “Bishop’s Balls.”
The photographic appeal is obvious. It is a study in shape, composition, and texture. The needles add a complexity of texture. But what appeals to me the most is the subtle contrast between the greens and the magentas.
Canon T2i with EF70-200mm f/4L USM lens at 118mm, ISO 1600, Aperture-priority AE Mode 1/250th sec at f/18.0 with no exposure compensation.
Has been growing this plant on the roof for since last year. The first one I had made only one balloon. During a hail storm it was hit with hail and broke open. I took seeds from inside and this year had several plants. One of the new plant had more than 60 balloons.