Psychotria capensis subsp. capensis buds

A Psychotria capensis subsp. capensis inflorescence grows stalked in a dense, much-branched head from a stem-tip. It is rounded to flattish, becoming about 8 cm in diameter.

The buds in picture are of great variety in size and readiness to open. The green calyces on the stalked buds are small compared to the bulging deep yellow corollas. The bud corollas are darker than the inside surfaces of the open flowers. The persistent calyx of every flower is hairless with marginal teeth.

The corollas are yellow or a rich cream in colour. The corolla tube is about 4 mm long, the five pointed lobes spreading to 4 mm in diameter, or are more than spreading, slightly reflexed.

The five stamens arise from the centre of the tube, the filaments about as long as the anthers. The inferior ovary has two locules, bearing one ovule each. The style is thread-like, the stigma two-lobed.

Flowering happens from late winter to before midsummer (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; Pooley, 1993).