Bulbine abyssinica inflorescence

The inflorescence of Bulbine abyssinica is a many-flowered raceme on a fleshy, cylindrical stalk. Each flower has a thin green pedicel, subtended at its base by a short, broad membranous bract. The yellow flower opens its six oblong tepals in a star-shape, spreading to 8 mm in diameter. Each flower lasts only for about one day, but the visitor should find some open for many days in succession.

The stamens have feathery yellow appendages to their filaments, suggesting the presence of much pollen. This entices pollen-seeking insects to respond to the over-stated supply, as would-be gold diggers used to descend upon a rumoured discovery.

Once the client has been duped, the damage is done, i.e. the plant has achieved its objective of using the services of the pollinator. Fraudulent marketing is not penalised in nature; it is survival of the fittest, not the most ethical (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Shearing and Van Heerden, 2008; Blundell, 1992; iSpot).