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November 10, 2008 : Alonsoa unilabiata
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Plant Family / Families: Scrophulariaceae
Scientific Name and Author: Alonsoa unilabiata (L.f.) Steud. | syn. Diascia unilabiata (L.f.) Benth.
Name Location: Vanrhyn’s Pass, South Africa
Thanks again to Jackie Chambers for today's entry (both the photograph and write-up):
There is something mysteriously attractive about Alonsoa unilabiata, or the mask flower. The pink flowers have a dark purple centre with two obvious yellow patches -- giving the slightly eerie effect of bright eyes looking out from behind a mask. The dark centre to the flower and contrasting yellow patches are characteristics shared by members of the closely-related genus Diascia, e.g., Diascia longicornis.
The rather theatrical effect created by the petals is complimented by the double rows of curved appendages at the base of the flower. These are the stamens, which are swollen and curled downwards, also seen in this photograph.
These peculiar flowers range from 15-18 mm across, and bloom from August to October. This annual plant can reach up to 15cm in height and has oval leaves with toothed margins arranged in opposite pairs along the stem.
This little flower was spotted at Vanrhyn's Pass, just outside of the small village of Nieuwoudtville on the Bokkeveld Plateau, an area which is home to an incredible variety of spring-flowering annuals and geophytes. For more about this fascinating place (and to start planning your own trip) see Nieuwoudtville -- Place of Hidden Treasures.
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at November 10, 2008 9:00 PM
Comments
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Posted by: Sue in Bremerton WA at November 10, 2008 11:14 PM
What a great photo, well done love the flower looks like it has eyes. just Brilliant!
Posted by: Ann Seedhoues at November 11, 2008 3:53 AM
Very beauatiful. What a place South Africa must be!
Posted by: Meg Bernstein at November 11, 2008 4:07 AM
This certainly brought a smile to my face. Thanks.
Posted by: Jacqueline at November 11, 2008 4:54 AM
Great photo! Love having both front and side views in focus. What a striking color combination. Do they grow thickly? Would they make a display of any impact ? Where can I get seeds? (If I can get seeds, I can eventually answer those questions for myself.)
Posted by: Connie at November 11, 2008 7:17 AM
What an aptly named plant! What pollinates it? The stamens hang down so far away from where I presume the nectar is located.
Posted by: Dan at November 11, 2008 7:18 AM
This looks to me like an evil octopus wearing a baby bonnet! Sounds like fodder for an extremely-limited-circulation botanical comic book villain series.
Posted by: corrina at November 11, 2008 9:08 AM
What a beautiful little being!
Posted by: Elizabeth at November 11, 2008 10:04 AM
Time has passed since I posted the first time on this link. But I have a need to know something.
I clicked on the link, had no clue as to what country the lovely one on today's post came from, and then I cliked on the map. Immiediately i nearly swooned. There are some little puff ball qhite flowers on a rather medium green base of leaves. What they look like are white puff balls in green vases. They're just as amazing as today's wonderful entry.
Any clue about what these are? Are they whole plants?
Can either of these lovely things be grown in the Pacific North West? Or a hot house?
Posted by: Sue in Bremerton WA at November 11, 2008 11:56 AM
What a great picture and inducement to start planning a spring trip, even if it may be in the somewhat distant future.
A trip to Africa is a must and a stay in one of the beautiful guesthouses in this village will definately be a part of it.
Posted by: John Murtaugh at November 11, 2008 3:59 PM
DANIEL, don't know if this has already been answered, but if it is possible to send only to Sue rather than post, that would be nice.
Just an answer to Sue in Bremerton. If you right click on the image of the white flowers on the Nieuwoudtville link, the properties says "Polyxena ensifolia". And a quick check of that species looks correct and includes some sources.
Posted by: Rosemarie Parker at November 19, 2008 4:37 PM
Please share your comments about the photograph(s) and accompanying write-up. Telling a story about the subject of the photograph(s) is also much appreciated! If you have a gardening question, the best place to ask is on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums. Thank you!
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Botany Photo of the Day is a project of the UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, located in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada. UBC BGCPR is a department of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems within The University of British Columbia.
What an incredibly beauiful flower. Reminds one of pansies, but so much better.
Good post, this one.