The Cape is well known for its wealth of beautiful bulbs and in the early summer, one of the most striking sights is the tall blue spikes of Aristea major (it looks more purple to me?) It grows wild along the lower mountain slopes of the southwestern Cape. There are a few hundred flowers along each stem, but they open only a few at a time and last for less than a day. By the afternoon the open flowers start to wilt and close with the petals twisting around each other. The flowers are pollinated by pollen-collecting bees that are active early in the day. The old flowering stems remain upright for months after flowering and are quite attractive, turning a rich brown colour. Underground it has a rhizome from which the plants often resprout after fire. In the genus Aristea there are approximately 55 species distributed throughout Africa and Madagascar, most of them with brilliant blue flowers.
20 x 20cm Unlimited Edition (7.9in x 7.9in)
Prints Signed by the artist
Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308gsm
Bespoke 20 x 20cm raw wooden frame Non-Reflective UV museum quality glass
