Lachenalia membranacea inflorescence peduncle

The central axis or peduncle of the Lachenalia membranacea inflorescence serving the spaced flowers is far from cylindrical. It develops tissue bulges resembling muscles between and around every flower, all in support of successful flowering.

The peduncle colour is dull grey-brown and subdued, offering no competition to the multicoloured flowers. The flowers do their best to look their best for the benefit of hopefully energetic and famished pollinators (iNaturalist; www.pacificbulbsociety.org).