Moquiniella rubra flowers young and old

Moquiniella rubra flowers in a range of developmental stages on the same branch suggest feeding opportunities for birds and insects.

The green corolla cylinders still need to change colour before the flower becomes of any interest to diners, for now last on the list of pleasing the unknown pollinator.

At the other extreme, some stamens are already gone from yesterday’s dinners. Once the red-tipped styles stand solitary over rolled back corolla lobes, the flowers are no longer of value to the usual visitors.

Maybe the early bug does find something scrumptious here today, if the early bird doesn’t eat it first (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Coates Palgrave, 2002; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; iNaturalist).