Tylecodon wallichii subsp. wallichii flowers

The flowers of the kandelaarbos (candelabra or chandelier bush), Afrikaans common name of Tylecodon wallichii subsp. wallichii, grow on long stalks in multiple thyrses. The dark bare stems topped by the greenish yellow inflorescences resemble the candelabras suggested by the colloquial name. The photo was taken in the Koo Valley near Montagu in December.

The flowers are urn-shaped, 1 cm in length and the same in diameter. The stamens of similar colour as the corolla are well exserted. Pointed calyx lobes clasp the back of the corolla tube. Summer flowers alternate with winter leaves on this plant.

The fruit is a papery, narrowly cylindrical capsule. It has five chambers containing many small seeds (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Manning, 2009; Vahrmeijer, 1981).