Gasteria bicolor var. bicolor flowers

Gasteria bicolor var. bicolor flowers have the stomach shape characteristic of the genus. The feature gave rise to the generic name of Gasteria. The angle of the photo may add a little discomfort in the stomach.

Like the bulging, curving shape of the flower, the colouring adds to its allure. In picture the flowers lower down in the raceme, the older ones, have lost colour already compared to the smaller, young buds higher up. Flowers of plants in the Asphodelaceae family, Gasteria, Aloe, Bulbine and other genera have inflorescences opening lowermost flowers first.

The inflorescence of this Gasteria may branch into a panicle, although many remain single racemes. As the flowers reach maturity and the inflorescence gets heavier, it tends to lean sideways or horizontally.