Dilatris pillansii inflorescence

The flowers of Dilatris pillansii may be blue with some white as in this photo, while some are pink or a pinkish mauve. The flowering stem is hairy, tall and sturdy.

The flowers with their elliptic tepals are densely clustered in the flat-topped panicle. Flowers open gradually; several will have a cup-shape while the oldest ones are open wide, the rest of the panicle still in bud. Dark marks can be seen at the tepal tips.

One stamen is shorter than the rest with a larger anther, while all the stamens are shorter than the tepals.

The photo was taken in Fernkloof in December where the plant is common (Bean and Johns, 2005; Mustart, et al, 1997).