Wildflower series ~ Rock dagga

in #wildflowers6 years ago (edited)

leontis microphylla.jpg

I get an excuse to post my one of my favourite flowers to photograph, because this is a different species, Leontis microphylla, a small-leaved form of the common Wild Dagga. Wild Dagga is a pioneer plant that grows especially in disturbed places and comes up in my garden regularly but this relative keeps itself to itself on the hill. Here are the small leaves although there are so many plants in this picture, you'd be forgiven for wondering which I mean. It's the plant in the bottom-left corner. The spiky round leaves on the right are False Nasturtium.

leontis microphylla leaves.jpg

The Leontis family blooms year round and is a favoured flower of sunbirds: the flower is specially adapted for its bird-pollinators - the long tube-shaped flowers are at an angle that allows the birds to perch on the stem and reach in with their long beaks to collect nectar. They are also high enough off the ground for birds to feel safe from predators and the red colour of the flower is also a visual signal to birds

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Nice flowers. The main thing is that they allow birds to collect nectar from the petals.

So much varied of life is found in these open burned areas.

They take full advantage of the small opportunities for growth. Ithink that water tends to collect in that spot

This flower looks great I must

Freaky looking Flower!!

That a really interesting flower, almost like it was tailor made for the birds.

That's evolution at work. It is

wonderful photography, what a beautiful colors and macro

Thank you. Nice to see that you are back to posting

Very beautiful orange flowers! Those green leaves look like they just arrived from Mars!

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