These plants flower during autumn and winter, from April to June or rarely July.
They can now be found in the area west of the tennis courts and between the long grass near the Tow Path.
The pale green leaves are lance-shaped with a prominent mid-vein, 12-20 mm wide. The deep orange flower is trumpet-shaped with a tube that is divided into a slender, twisted lower portion, 7-15 mm long, and then abruptly swollen into a cylindrical upper portion, 16-25 mm long. The flowers are arranged in a spike all facing one side. The fruits are dark purple which mature into large, swollen capsules that split open to expose the seeds, which are pea-sized and bright orange.
The long-tubed, orange flowers are adapted to pollination by sunbirds, the Lesser Double-collared Sunbird, being the most frequent visitor. These birds have a perfectly shaped beak to insert into the flower. As they drink the nectar, the pollen sticks to their heads, for transfer to another part of their habitat. The seeds have a thin, fleshy seed coat that is watery and sweet, and are adapted to dispersal by fruit-eating birds, especially Red-winged Starlings. These active birds are attracted to the brightly coloured seeds and fruits and successfully transport the seeds from bush clump to bush clump.
The long-tubed, orange flowers are adapted to pollination by sunbirds, the Lesser Double-collared Sunbird, being the most frequent visitor. These birds have a perfectly shaped beak to insert into the flower. As they drink the nectar, the pollen sticks to their heads, for transfer to another part of their habitat. The seeds have a thin, fleshy seed coat that is watery and sweet, and are adapted to dispersal by fruit-eating birds, especially Red-winged Starlings. These active birds are attracted to the brightly coloured seeds and fruits and successfully transport the seeds from bush clump to bush clump.
