Stachys aethiopica buds and flowers

Some Stachys aethiopica buds complete the whorl of flowers in picture, the rest already open. There are usually from four to six flowers in each whorl.

The calyces, green here, are narrowly funnel-shaped, each ending in five acutely pointed lobes. The outsides of the corollas are here white only, while the insides of the forwardly protruding lower lips also bear sparse purple markings.

Many insects visit these flowers, including honeybees (Curtis-Scott, et al, 2020; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Manning, 2007; iNaturalist; http://pza.sanbi.org).