Brownleea graminicola spur display

The long spurs of Brownleea graminicola flowers are quite remarkable flower features in this photo. They are fairly straight and cylindrical with variable up-curves near their slightly bulging tips.

The flowers of this plant tend to grow on one side of the stalk only, an arrangement referred to as secund. The flowers all facing the same way remind of seagulls on coastal rocks facing into the wind, keeping their feathers unruffled.

The spike is fairly densely flowered. The darkest colouring found on these flowers in picture is the brownish purple upon the ovaries, the less noticed orchid flower part. The corollas are pale lilac, the floral bracts pale yellow-green.

Flowering happens in autumn (iSpot; www.sntc.org.sz).