Holothrix randii inflorescence

The spaced flowers of a lax Holothrix randii inflorescence doesn’t suggest orchid as the logical family connection. In fact, the unusual outline doesn’t even say flower too confidently. The stylised floral shape might well have been a button designed for a flashy feminine garment.

But yes, they are natural, living in Highveld to central African grassland and in need of protection early in the twenty first century.

H. randii plants reach a height of 24 cm to 35 cm. The flowers face to one side of the stem in secund fashion (Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; www.redlist.sanbi.org).