Leonotis leonurus flower colours vary. The plant is well known for the commonly encountered bright orange flowers. But there is also this apricot yellow variety as well as a white flowering form.

The curved tubular shape of the individual flower of L. leonurus is said to have co-evolved with the beak of the sunbirds that are adapted to access nectar from the back end of the flower tube. The transaction consists of nectar as bird food in exchange for pollination to form seeds. Evolution retains life forms suited to prevailing conditions. All living things are thus what the world has allowed them to be.

True, but much remains to be said in response to such a statement! And has been said and written at length. That we shall hotly debate evolution, who and what we are, has become a key feature of human pastimes. Meaning is a survival need of humanity. Plants are different in this respect, simpler, more accepting. So far. As far as people know…

This plant was photographed in Kirstenbosch in March. It lives there by agreement with humans. People had taken the initiative and the plant has complied without enforcing a bargaining process. It shows off its charms in exchange for the care it receives.  In the same way as it does not bargain with the sunbird over pollination. Plants do not indulge in union activities to improve their share of the bargain with the parties that use them. So far!