Limonium peregrinum calyces

Limonium peregrinum buds in picture are far richer in colour variations on their calyces and protruding, cone-shaped corolla tops than the inside of the undulating open flower. It does not matter which part attracts the pollinators, as long as they arrive and know where to go.

There are pale grey to beige bracts below the buds of each spikelet and brown bracteoles with pale, membranous margins around the base of each bud’s calyx.

The corollas of the smallest buds are still white when first breaking the grip of their calyces. The bud tips only turn deep pink on the outside of the petal surfaces once they gain length in narrow cone-shapes and approach readiness for spreading (Manning, 2007; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; Manning and Goldblatt, 1996; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist).