Eucomis schijffii toothed bract margins

Elegant curvature reminding of ancient oriental roof structures draws the attention from the flowers to the upper bracts of this Eucomis schijffii inflorescence. The flies that pollinate the flowers have to master some obfuscation from the non-floral overhead embellishments to reach their goals. Smell can be a stronger attraction in nature than looks!

What makes this plant special, is also the toothed margins of the down-curved bracts. The blades are partly green, their margins purple but such teeth are less often seen.