Justicia protracta subsp. protracta erect upper lip
Author: Ivan Lätti
Photographer: Thabo Maphisa
This Justicia protracta subsp. protracta flower has its upper lip erect, not curving down or slightly hooded over the flower centre. The corolla lobe tips are uneven in the photo, sinuate or wavy on the lower lip and notched or raggedly toothed on the upper one.
The two stamens arising from the corolla tube are slightly exserted. They have two-lobed anthers, one behind the other and the lower one tailed.
Honeybees are known pollinators of these flowers (Pooley, 1998; Letty, 1962; iNaturalist; www.theplantlibrary.co.za).