Kigelia africana flower and buds

The dark burgundy to maroon of a Kigelia africana flower is an impressive sight in almost any setting. The yellow anthers contrast well against the velvety backdrop of the wide corolla trumpet.

The cluster of pale greenish purple buds dangling below the flower will not develop if the open one on the shared stalk is successfully fertilised. They wither and fall, allowing all allocated energy arriving to the inflorescence from the tree to develop the one large sausage-shaped fruit (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Pooley, 1993; iNaturalist; https://pza.sanbi.org).