Ornithogalum thyrsoides flowers

The flowers of Ornithogalum thyrsoides, here densely together in its raceme, are subtended by long bracts. The boat-shaped bracts, broad at the base and curving in, but tapering quickly into their narrow, elongated tips, are well taller than the buds yet to open.

Six spreading yellow anthers surround the dark ovary of the open flower. On three of the stamens, the ones in front of the inner tepals, whitish membranous filament wings that clasp the ovary can be seen in the photo. Inner and outer stamens don’t seem to have other differences.

This plant was photographed in the Tinie Versfeld Wildflower Reserve at the end of August (Manning, 2007).