Calodendrum capense flowers

The flowers of Calodendrum capense are borne in large panicles at stem tips from mid-spring to early summer. The pale pink to almost white flowers are large and faintly sweet-scented. A tree in flower presents a striking spectacle.

The small calyx of the flower is star-shaped and persists into the fruiting stage. Each flower has five long, narrow petals up to 5 cm long and 0.5 cm wide, alternating with five petal-like staminodes (sterile stamens). The staminodes are also pale pink, but dotted with purplish to maroon glands (Coates Palgrave, 2002; www.plantzafrica.com).