Disa stachyoides ovary attachment to the stem

Curious bicolouring in the attachment ridges of the ovary bases runs down the Disa stachyoides flower stem, glistening on the non-corolla parts in view. Firm adhesion is needed, as well as adequate flow of juices to and from the flowers for living through all the diverse floral and fruiting phases, until drying in seed set.

Deeper purple is reserved only for the stem in picture, green for the bracts shielding the ovaries and pale lilac for the corollas. White lips indicate the most convenient landing sites for food-seeking pollination visitors. Post-graduate botany students can sit and watch such proceedings for days in proving degree-delivering points, not much different to small kids watching planes land at an airport (Pooley, 1998; Onderstall, 1984; Trauseld, 1969; iNaturalist).