Wachendorfia paniculata

This Wachendorfia paniculata flower was photographed in August just north of the Clanwilliam Dam. The strap-like, hairy leaves are pleated, orientated with their flat surfaces facing the stem.

Dark maroon-brown lines surround the yellow markings at the base of the upper three tepals. Surface cells on the otherwise pale apricot coloured tepals glisten whitely here, bringing a shiny texture. The tepal margins are variably rounded to pointed and slightly wavy with dark rims in places.

The flowers wither in the afternoon (iSpot; www.pacificbulbsociety.org).