Podalyria calyptrata flower and other parts

Still impressive in spite of early wear and tear, the bilobed Podalyria calyptrata banner petal, here lilac, bends back like a sail in the wind. The keel in front of it is hidden from sight, not by stormy waters but by two coy wing petals that shield it. White patches, common on Podalyria flowers, are visible at the banner and wing bases. Dark lines are also present in the white on the banner. Petal colour is quite variable on this species, including the usual pink and mauve in several shades, also rose, lavender, lilac, and violet.

The pale grey and fluffy pod section in view has less green than often seen on this plant's fruit.

Cream midrib, hesitant lateral veins and distinct but uneven net-veining are clear to see on dark blue-green leaf parts. Not all the leaves in close proximity are similarly coloured. Leaf texture is coarse, but not uniformly. Midribs are sunken or leaves fold in slightly along them. One may notice more details on a few leaves than on a thousand (Manning, 2007; Bean and Johns, 2005; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; iNaturalist; https://pza.sanbi.org).