Tridentea pachyrrhiza flowering and fruiting

Tridentea pachyrrhiza is adapted for desert conditions. This one, flowering and fruiting in habitat shows a multitude of fruit follicle V-signs heralding good times. Much seed is being set with floral promises of more, later in the season. The flowers are broad and conspicuously coloured to attract pollinators, probably flies.

The pointed, paired, erect cylinders of the follicles have purple blotches on dull, mainly grey-green surfaces. These dull-coloured fruits are the tallest plant parts, although height is relative and not a big issue here. Still, winds function better if what has to be blown is positioned at a higher vantage point.

The hair-winged comas attached to the seeds of this plant require only wind for dispersal, once the dull-coloured follicles dehisce. So, there is no need to advertise the existence of concealed family treasures in the form of seed, the risk of being raided in this world being what it is.

The mat of compactly configured plant parts cover the ground over the roots as well as possible, minimising evaporation of moisture captured in the sand underneath (White and Sloane, 1937; Frandsen, 2017; Williamson, 2010; iNaturalist).