Wednesday, February 25, 2009

The flower looks like Bird of Paradise.






Bird of paradise flower is commonly known as a crane flower in South Africa. It is because of its resemblance to the bird of paradise. These pictures were taken in Cameron Highlands.

Each flower is made up of three upright orange sepals and three highly modified vivid blue petals. Two of the petals are joined together in a structure resembling an arrowhead with the third petal forming a nectary at the base of the flower. When a pollinator, usually a sunbird, lands on the arrowhead in search of nectar, the anthers are levered clear of the flower and deposit pollen on the breast of the bird. When the bird flies to another plant, this pollen is transferred to the stigma of the new flower.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a unique and unusual flower! Very good pictures.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I am happy you told me the name of the flower, I took a picture of the same flower, in a greenhouse in south Georgia. Of course your photo is beutiful.

Bren Haas said...

This is a wonderful flower. I wish we could grow them on our farm here in Ohio. Great COlor - THank you for sharing these with us. Stop by our garden sometime.