Gladiolus inflatus ballerina inspiration

Long ago and far away (from Tulbagh) the creative fathers and mothers of the art of ballet must have watched floral poses similar to what this Gladiolus inflatus inflorescence is presenting naturally to the world. Millions of young women endure agony in order to resemble such floral stances on pointed toes, driven by relentless instructors. Ballet does not feature in the life of this flower, the Tulbagh bell.

Perfection is achieved by continued striving for that which awaits at the ends of the earth. Here is one such end to which flowers of another species can be lured by analogy and imagination.