sianmatthews

Needing Water

It’s hard to tell how big the seeds of the Tree Mallow (Malva arborea) are. But no matter. That’s not important. Where they grow is irrelevant to this conversation. What colour the flowers on the new plant will be is a question for another day.

These tree mallow seeds are encased in a translucence of light that shines through pearlescent skin. The Xylem — veined networks that once kept the mother plant alive are now dried up river systems — missing water*.

The protective coat is covered with the fuzz of a new born’s head, waiting, ready to burst open with the brilliance of a shooting star.

It is soft, delicate. You want to touch it.

There is life inside, all it needs is water.

 

*Sian shot this image for the Utata Weekend Project — Missing Water.

Blog photograph copyrighted to the photographer and used with permission by utata.org. All photographs used on utata.org are stored on flickr.com and are obtained via the flickr API. Text is copyrighted to the author, Debra Broughton and is used with permission by utata.org. Please see Show and Share Your Work