Bolusafra bituminosa flower and bud

The bright yellow flowers of Bolusafra bituminosa grow from leaf axils in sparse racemes, their shape resembling pea-flowers.

The flower in picture shows dark red vein lines across the recurving banner petal on the outer surface, seen through the blade. The wing petals are round-tipped, flanking a boat-shaped, faintly hairy keel.

Flowering is usually from late winter to after midsummer, but this photo was taken in May at Nature’s Valley.

Oblong, swollen pods follow the flowers, usually containing about five seeds (Privett and Lutzeyer, 2010; Manning, 2007; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist; www.fernkloof.org.za).