Diosma prama flowers

The cream or white flower of Diosma prama has five round-tipped petal lobes that spread around the small corolla cup. At the base of this cup the ovary is positioned upon an undulating, fleshy and shiny green nectar-disc.

The white stamens spread beyond the corolla, here positioned in the gaps between the petal lobes. The stamens are tipped with tiny glands. The style does not protrude above the corolla.

The shorter sepals at the base of the corolla are pale to dull green, smaller than the petals and pointed similarly to them. Flower diameter is about 5 mm. The blooming season is long, from spring to summer and when conditions allow all year round.

The leaves are small, stubby and green, sessile and ovate in shape. The leaves have oil-glands and exude a strong scent resembling Eucalyptus oil when they are crushed. This has brought the plant another common name, viz. Vicksboegoe. The leaves are about 3 mm long and 2 mm wide (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iSpot; www.plantzafrica.com).