Zygophyllum foetidum flower

This Zygophyllum foetidum flower shows the narrow petal bases that widen and recurve out of sight in the picture. The faint pair of red markings near the base of the petals is clearly visible. Variable shapes of the pairs of asymmetrical leaflets on their long stalks are also to be seen.

This species is sometimes confused with Z. morgsana that has flowers with only four petals (Manning, 2009; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010).