Hesperantha radiata subsp. radiata flower opening

    Hesperantha radiata subsp. radiata flower opening
    Author: Ivan Lätti
    Photographer: Louis Jordaan

    Half open, the Hesperantha radiata subsp. radiata does not disclose every detail of its yellow anthers or spreading style branches yet. The tepals taper vein-lined to rounded tips, the outer ones already spread here, the inner ones taking their time.

    The specific (and subspecific) name, radiata, is derived from the Latin words and word part radius meaning a ray, radians meaning spread straight from a common centre and -atus meaning possession or likeness, referring to the veins on the tepals. 

    The flowers open after sunset when they become fragrant, invitational to moth pollinators (Curtis-Scott, et al, 2020; Manning, 2007; Andrew, 2017; iNaturalist).

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