Lobostemon trichotomus filaments nearly white

In this aging Lobostemon trichotomus flower the filaments of the stamens are turning white, losing their initial pink-purplish colour. The petals have, however, not turned pink yet, if they ever do in all cases. The pale blue corolla lobes are well shorter than the stamens. Their lobe tips are mostly curved out. Hairiness is visible on the staminal scales in the flower base.

Next week’s flowers protrude as hairy buds against the side of the corolla. They are accompanied by the back end of a camera-shy beetle, here discovered black-footed rather than red-handed (Manning, 2007; Manning and Goldblatt, 1997; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist; JSTOR; http://www.worldfloraonline.org).