Mar. 23rd, 2013

[identity profile] theidolhands.livejournal.com
Cry·stall·o·fo·li·a (ˈkrɪsˈtlˌoʊˈfəʊlɪə):
origin: Greek krystallon = crystal, Latin folium = leaf

noun
Frost flower (see also: ice blossoms, rabbit frost, and ice ribbons)


Rabbit Frost  1
source @ MarkInspex

Between fall and early winter, weather will be just right to provide the possibility for these uncommon "blossoms" -- exactly when the air is below zero, but the soil beneath has not frozen. Under these conditions sap will slowly freeze, forming nearly invisible cracks (linear fissures) in stems as the pressure builds, inevitably splitting open.

Due to the softer ground, these linear fissures do not interfere with the plants ability or need to pull up water. Slowly, slowly the water & sap continue to meet & seep out of these cracks to curl into ghostly fauna.

Expand~more examples~ )

Today's post inspired by Thursday Word: Frazil

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