Plumbago auriculata, Cape leadwort – 255/365
Plumbago auriculata, common name, Cape leadwort is native to South Africa but found blooming in Santa Cruz Mountains in the fall. Derived from the Latin word plumbum “lead” and agere “to resemble” for its lead-blue color.
Plumbago auriculata, Cape leadwort – 256/365
The flower has tiny glandular hairs on its calyx which secrete a sticky substace that traps and kills insects. Though it’s unknown why it kills insects as it does not digest them.
achieve1dream says:
Maybe to keep them from chewing on it? A defense mechanism perhaps? It sure is pretty!