I suppose this is the first occasion I am showcasing so many photos in a single post. Everything is more or less captured in the top most photo. When I took the photos yesterday, I couldn't resist taking so many photos because there are just so many interesting parts of the inflorescence, flower and pollinated fruit to feature.
Just look at the developing inflorescence which starts out with a velvety light green before it turns pinkish, with the individual flowers gradually splitting open from the buds to reveal the embedded red petals and long curled stamens carrying the yellowish anthers at its tip.
After pollination, each individual fruit develops into a laterally compressed circular and brown velvety structure, reminiscent of a clam. Interesting the curled stamens remained throughout the development of the fruit and add a different dimension to the appearance of the plant. I wonder if this structure actually has any critical function to play in aiding with the pollination of the flowers or the seed dispersal?
