Hermannia stricta flowers

The flowers of Hermannia stricta grow solitary, drooping from pale green pedicels. The yellow-green calyces end in small, acutely pointed sepal lobes that hold the back ends of the petals.

The five petals of a flower flare and overlap neatly, one lateral margin inside, the other out. The back parts of the petals curve out in a funnel-shape, the front parts spreading fully like a sombrero, up to 2 cm wide. This means that while many Hermannia flowers have tiny mouths, this one chose the opposite way. The wide-mouthed corollas invite all comers that may prove themselves as pollinators. Some other Hermannia species follow suit. These corollas are cerise to rose-red or dusty pink. The delicately thin, round-tipped petals show translucence against sunlight.

In flower this plant is often the single colourful spot challenging the drab surroundings. The common names of desert rose and red bells are richly deserved. 

A fruit capsule ends in five recurving horns (Van Rooyen and Van Rooyen, 2019; Williamson, 2010; Manning, 2009; Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist).