Albuca suaveolens, a darkened raceme

This old Albuca suaveolens raceme has nearly reached the end of flowering. It is only August in the Maskam near Vanrhynsdorp, therefore early for the species. Blooming seasons may shift this way if climates keep hotting up.

The green keel bands have turned dark red, particularly on the outsides of spent flowers that are finally closed. A different shade announces each floral stage, modified by environmental conditions of the moment. The peak time of being a flower moves consecutively up the raceme through each contributor to the pageant, followed by a similar sequence in predictable colours of the dying display characteristic of the species.

The bracts below the pedicels are holding out well, white margins spreading at the base and holding the stalks, the curve in the upper parts fairly consistent (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist).