Ruschia maxima flower

The flowers of Ruschia maxima grow in small clusters at stem tips. They are small, pink-purple in colour and sweet scented. They open during the day and close at sunset. A small cone of stamens surrounded by sterile staminodes occupies the flower centre, protruding above the spread of narrow, striped petals. Their whitish anthers can be seen at the cone top here. 

This robust species exceeds the typical Ruschia flower season of spring only, by producing flowers at any time during the year, usually following rain (Smith, et al, 1998; www.plantzafrica.com).