Not every plant reflects the same amounts of infrared light. Leaf shape, sun exposure, size and photosynthetic activities make the difference in light reflection. Plants use infrared light to communicate: are some plants shouting and others whispering?

Enjoy this infrared tour in the tropical and desert greenhouses of Zürich botanical gardens: white means presence of infrared, black means none.

Cactaceae and yuccas strongly reflect infrared.

Infrared transparencies of hanging plants

Shadows from leaves and roots: with infrared photography black and white borders are highly contrasted

Epiphyte plants: hanging ferns and soft mosses

Infrared sunset at the tropical houses of Zürich Botanical Garden. Learn more about plant communication and infrared photography at the Uni Zürich Science Trail I will lead on the 26th of February: registration required!

Click on each picture to magnify and enjoy leaf structures. Pictures shot with Nikon D800 + 50 mm f/1.4 + infrared filter.