This may be my final post before heading over the ocean to Montreal next week. I will schedule some B&W photos to keep things ticking over whilst I am mainlining Maple syrup.
Meanwhile, here is a Friday geeky plant post:
A month ago I wrote a post about Lithops (Builder’s Bums in my wife’s parlance). This is kind of a sequel to that, though I realise this blog risks turning into the botanical equivalent of the Benny Hill show or a Carry On movie. At least I am not (yet) featuring Argyroderma testiculare or Clitoria ternata (there are clues in the names).
Whilst Lithops fascinate me, the closely related Conophytum are far more variable in size, shape, markings, hairiness and flower colour. Unlike Lithops they are winter-growers which makes their management a little trickier.
Very broadly they can be divided into two large groups of species:
- the species that flower in day time and have much more showy flowers with no scent.
- the species which flower at night and are highly scented but usually have small and less pretty flowers – no point using visual attraction to moth pollinators at night time.
Having said that, there are some species which I think have a foot in both camps. Conophytum ficiforme has highly scented but attractive flowers that stay at least partially open in daytime.
It is also noticeable that the nocturnal species tend to have the more exotically hairy or spotty bodies. Kind of like students in many respects.
Do I have a favourite? Probably Conophytum angelicae ssp tetragonum with its wonderful sculpted leaves like Klingon foreheads and tiny but incredibly scented flowers at night time.
One species is one of the smallest flowering plants in the world. Conophytum achabense has usually solitary pea-sized bodies which are mostly underground in habitat, only the match-head size tip is exposed. Almost impossible to find except when it produces its unfeasibly large flower. In a twist of nature’s irony – this species has the largest seeds in the genus.
Here are some pictures of leaf surface textures:
There are hairy species in both the daytime and nocturnal flowering species. Here are the nocturnal C. stephanii and the daytime C. mirabile:
C. stephanii has small brown nocturnal flowers but the flowers of C. mirabile are rather prettier:
Another favourite is the very aptly named Conophytum cubicum:
Finally a collage of flowering plants:
Beautiful post!:)
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Thank you Stellaπ I don’t know you well enough yet to ask if you think hairy builders bums are beautiful ππ
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Haha!:) well I never thought of it but evidently I do!:)
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I think theyβre almost rather beautiful! Strange but strange in a beautiful way!
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I like strange so am right with you there Katie!π
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The mind boggles at the sight of that hairy,bulgy builders bum but very interesting and some of the flowers are really quite delicate and dainty.
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Thank youππ
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Love a bit of rude gardening! Especially the flower held between cheeks!
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Didn’t that happen in the pilot episode of Cold Feet ? And it was a rose too. Ouch!
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Reblogged this on Rattiesforeverworldpresscom.
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A flower between the cheeks, like Ali said, seems to soften the builder bum appearance. So excited for your trip! ππ
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Thank you and so am Iππ
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Builders bums indeed π
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These are so peculiar and beautiful. Mother Nature has a funny sense of humour! I really like the leaf texture that looks like a brain and the pretty Conophytum cubicum. Great post Darren.
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Thank you Dominiqueπ. Even if one does not find them aesthetically beautiful there is a beauty in their variation to fit their ecological niche. The hairy ones are found in South Africa’s west coastal fog belt and the hairs trap moisture from the fog.
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That’s a wild way to get a drink! π
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Despite the fact that I shall be carrying the image of hairy builder’s bums with me all day, I hope you have a wonderful holiday Darren :O) xx
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Thank you Lisa and I hope it was not too traumatic for youππ
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Likewise on both counts! Enjoy your adventure.
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Thank you Marieπ
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Hope you will share some of your adventure. I hope to when my energy returns, it’s still catching up!!
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I look forward to reading about your trip!π. I will of course share mine on here. I have also agreed to model in one of Dominiques photo shoots during my trip so will pop up on her blog too if they manage to make me look half presentable…
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Well I can’t wait to see your photo shoot and the beginning of a new career! How lovely to be meeting up with your blogging partners/friends…have fun!
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Thank you and I intend toπ
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Amazing images showing all the process They look like little brains but when they bloom they look pretty, I like that they have scents I love going out at night and smell flower fragrances in the air especially at night. Say hi to my beautiful friend Dominique while in Canada please and eat as much maple syrup as you can for both of us as I love it. Happy weekend xoxo Cris
https://photosbycris.blogspot.com/2018/08/my-life-my-style-my-adventure.html
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Thank you Cris and I shall give Dominique an extra hug for you!
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Stunning post! So many lovely images and showcasing nature’s glory!
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Thank you!πππ
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I feel another collection coming on…
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They are addictive Lindaπ
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And so it’s begun…
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Wow, they are weird, but wonderful. I’m sure some of the names made everyone chuckle π
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Lisa went and googled them straight away. I think she did not believe me!π
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Beautiful photos as always! Enjoy your holiday!
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Thank youπ.
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Those are so bizarre!! Save me some of that maple syrup!π
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Thank you! Dominique provided a food parcel for me. It does indeed contain a can of Maple Syrup!π
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haha πHow is the hotel?
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Greatπ
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