Septulina glauca flowers

The flowers of Septulina glauca grow in small clusters on short pedicels from leaf axils. The calyx is a tiny rim at the base of a long, slender perianth tube, above the also tiny bracts. Calyx length is from 2 cm to 4 cm.

Perianth colour is grey-green or dull purple red to bright red, longitudinally ridged and sparsely hairy. The perianth turns abruptly pale and sometimes narrows near the upper end where its four narrow segment lobes spread or recurve after opening, revealing whitish, greenish or orange red insides. The filaments in the tube are about as long as the anthers. The style is thread-like, tapering slightly.

Flowering happens from autumn to spring, but the season may vary geographically.

The fleshy, ellipsoid, red fruit ripens only long after flowering. Mousebirds are important seed dispersal agents as they ardently devour the fruits (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Le Roux, et al, 2005; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist).