Volkameria glabra flowers

Volkameria glabra flowers grow in congested terminal and axillary heads, from 3 cm to 14 cm in diameter. The white or pinkish flower is thinly tubular with four or five, spreading, pointed corolla lobes, usually strongly recurved. The tube varies in length from 4 mm to 10 mm, the lobes up to 4 mm long.

The flower cluster in picture has many creamy buds, their closed corollas pointedly furled. The open flowers have tall, exserted stamens on straight or curved filaments, tipped with purple-brown anthers. Volkameria filaments are often long-exserted.

While the crushed leaves exude an unpleasant smell, the flowers vary: they may either have an alluring verbena-like fragrance or an unpleasant smell.

Flowering happens from summer to early winter (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; Pooley, 1993; www.plantzafrica.com).