Conicosia pugioniformis subsp. alborosea flower and sepal

The curious protrusion from the Conicosia pugioniformis subsp. alborosea flower is but one of the finger-like (or here leaf-like) sepals extending away from the dense whorl of petals just above them.

The angle at which it protrudes suggests belligerence; straight as a lance it is in position for a joust. Fortunately, no insect knight on horseback ever lurks among Conicosia petals.

There are five sepals to a flower, not quite equal to each other. The sepal has a broad base, some of them with membranous margins. A second, partly obscured sepal with tip that curves in is visible to the left (Frandsen, 2017; Le Roux, et al, 2005; Smith, et al, 1998; Herre, 1971).