Francoa appendiculata, a Chilean native that looks, by the leaf size, to be settling into the soil and situation on the Chilean Terrace at the garden. This is now sending out a second flush of flower spikes, 300mm tall and with stunning magenta pink flowers. The dried seed heads remain in place bleaching to a light brown standing sentinel to a job well done. This is a clump forming evergreen herb that degraded and shredded through last winter but recovered admirably to flower profusely in mid summer and again through this present month.

From the image ants can be observed within the flower. Searching for nectar and in the process pollinating.

Francoa appendiculata. Photo by Tony Garn

Francoa appendiculata

Francoa appendiculata. Photo by Tony Garn

Francoa appendiculata

Francoa appendiculata. Photo by Tony Garn

Francoa appendiculata