Wachendorfia paniculata flower

This Wachendorfia paniculata flower was photographed in August just north of the Clanwilliam Dam. The strap-like, hairy leaves are pleated, curve down smoothly. They are normally orientated with one margin 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 lasting up to a day usually wither in the afternoon (Manning, 2009; iNaturalist; iSpot; www.pacificbulbsociety.org).