Aloe africana up-curved perianths

The tapering, conical raceme of Aloe africana has yellow to yellow-orange open perianths and red to red-orange buds, all of them curving up distinctively. This curvature is accentuated in the open flowers by the stamens being far exserted to present their pollen-laden anthers in the open.

Each of the six segments of the flower or perianth has a stamen from its base, the filament emerging from next to the ovary. These segments grow in two whorls of three as in all the monocot families related to the lilies.

The inner three anthers on their flattened filaments are pushed out of the perianth mouth earlier than the outer trio, prolonging the period of providing fresh pollen to all willing clients. For clients, read all the nosy passers-by; all those keen to touch are indiscriminately included.

The exserted filament part turns orange, the included part in the perianth tube remaining lemon yellow. The style pushes the stigma beyond the anthers for the duration of the open flower remaining intact (Van Wyk and Smith, 2003; Coates Palgrave, 2002; Reynolds, 1974; Jeppe, 1969; iNaturalist).