Aloe claviflora in full bloom

In full bloom a mature Aloe claviflora plant is festooned with many racemes, pointing in many directions but up. The flowers nearest the base and nearest the ground have opened yellow first. The common name of cannon aloe makes sense as one considers the numerous inflorescences pointing outwards as if in defensive artillery position.

The young, red buds above alert insects from afar. They approach, flying around in circling mode before identifying the most promising landing spots. Small insect brains are not overtaxed here with complex decision-making challenges, as multiple trial and error landings are ideal from the plant’s perspective.

Even checking flowers that have already been serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to numerous customers, the kitchen depleted and exhausted, is good for the plant. There’s always a chance that the disappointed diner will carry one more pollen parcel to a suitable destination, or deliver one.

Pollination is a messy and hectic, but also a meticulous job, although precision of movement doesn’t come into it much. All types of insect and bird flight, crawling and feeding styles will do for some plants, even munching or dislocating a petal along the way. Every sport has its injuries (Smith, et al, 2017; Jeppe, 1969; iNaturalist).