18 July 2010

STROPHANTHUS PREUSSII

This strange but interesting bearded-flowered plant from the Apocynaceae Family intrigued me for a long while.

The genus Strophanthus (strophos and anthos) means twisted cord flower. In this species, the long twisted threads are disturbingly long at about a feet. Are these part of the white petals? If these are the petals, what are the brownish structures in the center of the flower?

Why does the plant evolve such a morphological feature, I wonder? It still bewilders me to this day. Can someone enlighten me?