Pachycarpus schinzianus flowers

Pachycarpus schinzianus may live up to its lilac pachycarpus common name when the outside of the corolla is in view. This depends on one’s idea of lilac. Or different shading may be found on flowers of the majority of plants of the species.

White with a faint line occurs down the centre on the inside of each lobe, only the outsides are finely speckled red-purple in picture. The acutely pointed lobe tips curve out elegantly. This curving out may increase, while the purplish tinge may spread to the insides of corolla surfaces as well.

The corona inside the corolla is quite different: In-curving lobes like white hoods cover heads of black-faced figures, seated around a table for five in each flower.

The eating to take place will, however, only be enjoyed by visiting pollinators climbing rudely over all and sundry, as if owning the place or at least having been invited first. Exemplary table manners will never do when a key feature of the exercise involves getting smeared with pollen over and over (Manning, 2009; Van Wyk and Malan, 1997).