Strumaria bidentata showing fresh desert flowers

The flowers of Strumaria bidentata grow in a small umbel on an erect scape of about 12 cm. The pedicels of about equal length present the flowers in a compact semi-globular formation, about 3 cm across. The small flowers have pale purple anthers that can be seen here, or sometimes red ones, conspicuous against the white corolla background. Narrow, tapering membranous bracts remain on the flower below the umbel.

No leaves are in sight when the flowers appear after the summer heat; yet another hysteranthous member of the Amaryllidaceae family. Leaves will grow after flowering and winter rain (Williamson, 2010; iSpot; www.rareplants.co.uk).