Plectranthus ecklonii flowers of different ages

In bud the lower lip of the Plectranthus ecklonii flower curves up, united with the upper lip and still closed over stamens and style.

In open flowers the whitish, translucent filaments elongate and curve up, presenting their small white anthers first to in-flight pollinating visitors; slightly apart, better to waylay approaching traffic. As they age, resolve diminishes as the filaments succumb to gravity. What they offer is no longer in great demand (Manning, 2009).