Gossypium herbaceum subsp. africanum capsule

The pale green Gossypium herbaceum subsp. africanum fruit capsule is roughly rounded with flattish base and a tiny protruding tip. A seam from base to tip indicates where the ripe fruit will eventually split for the cotton-clothed jack-in-the-box seeds to appear.

A faint shine is present upon the capsule surface that is covered in scattered pimply bumps. Remains of the actual calyx lie upon the capsule surface, the jagged-edged epicalyx bracts positioned umbrella-like above the fruit surface, at short distance from it.

Dark spots, oil glands, are present on the inner surface of the epicalyx; such spots are a hallmark of this plant.

What the ants hope to gain here is unclear. Kudu are said to favour these fruits, causing consternation among cotton farmers (Pooley, 1998; Onderstall, 1996; Letty, 1962; iSpot; Mannheimer and Curtis, (Eds.), 2009; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000).