Bright Indigo Indigofera sanguinea
South African endemic: Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga
Indigofera flowers have evolved a fascinating, explosive pollen-presentation mechanism. In the newly opened flower the stamen tube is held under tension between the keel petals by projections on their upper edges. The pressure exerted by a visiting bee dislodges these projections, releasing the stamen tube and style, which spring up, forcefully striking the underside of the visitor. Once 'exploded', the spent flower hangs limply open.
Can you see the hanging exploded ones underneath?