Piaranthus geminatus subsp. geminatus twin flowers

These twin star flowers occur in pairs often enough to warrant the specific name of geminatus (Latin), meaning repeated or having been done again. The plant grows southwest of Oudtshoorn.

The corolla of Piaranthus geminatus subsp. geminatus has no tube, its five lobes spreading widely. Their margins curve down and taper to acute tips. Corolla lobes are not always straight as seen here; they may curve back or be reflexed. Velvety hairs are found on the inner surfaces (on top) of the corolla lobes, their outside surfaces hairless. Flower diameter is about 2,5 cm.

The small, central corona surface is pale to bright yellow, star-shaped. Its five narrowly oblong lobes are acutely tipped or slightly toothed at the apex where they meet. They are positioned upon the backs of the anthers (White and Sloane, 1937; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010).