Hermannia stricta flowers

The flowers of Hermannia stricta grow solitary, drooping from pale green peduncles. The yellow-green calyces end in small, acutely narrow sepal lobes that hold the back of the petals that flare in a neatly overlapping spiral. The corolla is cerise to rose-red or dusty pink. The delicately thin, rounded-tipped petals show some translucence against sunlight. The corolla tips curve out in a funnel-shape, up to 2 cm wide.

The common names of desert rose and red bells are richly deserved by these flowers. In flower, this plant is often the single colourful item challenging the drab surroundings.

The fruit capsule ends in five recurving horns (Van Rooyen and Van Rooyen, 2019; Williamson, 2010; Manning, 2009; Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist).