Caesia contorta illuminated by sunshine

Against the sunlight this Caesia contorta flower, also known as the blue grasslily, shows cells glistening upon a pale blue tepal. The central band upon the tepal is opaque, contrasting against its translucent lateral sections. The tepals taper to tips where some brown tissue indicates damage.

The tricoloured filaments, yellow at the base, blue-back in the centre and white near the anthers that have curving tips, are less straight than the white style emerging from the centre of the ovary. Tiny white spots are visible on the stamens, possibly tiny hairs.

These delicate flowers, 2 cm in diameter, last for one day only (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Bean and Johns, 2005; Manning and Goldblatt, 1996; iSpot).