Colchicum circinatum bracts and leaves

A mature Colchicum circinatum plant becomes about 8 cm in diameter. This developing one was seen at Naries, west of Springbok. The large bracts that surround its flower are lined with parallel veins and purple or black spots.

Outside the bracts the narrow, channelled leaves spread on the ground for their first, basal part. Further on they taper to the tips, twisting or coiling while their margins undulate. No matter how excessive these leaf antics, they still do not attract more attention than the bracts.

Initially this competition hardly includes the actual flower, bashful in the shade provided. It is pollinator cravings that determine the winner though, as nectar beats colour or shape for insects and birds.

The claw-like perianth segments of the flower, creamy beige in colour and small in comparison to the bracts, tower over the purplish-brown anthers facing inwards. Although their backs are turned to approaching visitors, the anthers perform effectively as far as the normal traffic is concerned. There are also some stigmas to be touched by passersby and, of course, the lure of the nectar (Williamson, 2010; iNaturalist).