Kigelia africana anthers

The four stamens of this sausage tree flower are poised to perform their designated function, i.e. to donate pollen surreptitiously to all nectar seekers. Kigelia africana flowers are visited by animals like monkeys and baboons, at night by epauletted fruit bats, but also by many birds and insects that share in delivering the pollination services.

The stamens reach just beyond the mouth of the maroon corolla that presents ample colour contrast against the green backdrop of the tropical forest to be noticed.

The invitation to feast is delivered in the form of a distinct aroma, unpleasant to people, but ensuring that even nectar consumers needing glasses will not miss out. The curving filaments, pale and fleshy, hold the yellow anthers at the ready, not easily missed by the visitor with intimate intent.

The undulating to crinkly corolla surface is irregularly shaped, not radially symmetric; its margins curving down (Coates Palgrave, 2002; www.plantzafrica.com).