Kniphofia caulescens in numbers

A mountain top colony of Kniphofia caulescens plants can present an exceptional floral show on bloom day visits, remembered longer if a photo had been taken for the record.

The shock in the contrast, flowers heralding the end of bleak season, serves an unexpected purpose: Flowers and insects co-evolve, putting pollination arrangements in place, sustained by food service provision as countervailing measure. Both parties develop looks that may ease the tasks of their partners from other species, or because all that lives is food for something else and should appear appetising in some way.

While all this goes on, brains evolve among some of the observers of everything on earth, for eyes look everywhere. At some point an aesthetic sense is kindled in some of these brain-driven species: a sudden focussing on flowers like these lasting a little longer but with no urge to eat them! It comes to some, not to all, reinforcing the way of diversity. 

The recognition of beauty is an asset in the natural world, making life so worthwhile that the struggle for life is enhanced even further in some of the living. This serves nature’s purpose.