Tritonia undulataThis pretty irid with its long corolla tube is pollinated by horseflies Philoliche gulosa and P. rostrata and other fly species with elongated mouthparts. Particularly long-tubed races of T. undulata are pollinated by Moegistorhynchus longirostris, which has the longest mouthparts of any insect except for some butterflies. (Click here for an excellent article on pollination and a photo of the long-tongued fly.)
The crispy, curled leaves make it easy to identify, and indeed, its previous name was Tritonia crispa. It seems to be quite a variable species, and some flowers are pale apricot while others are bright pink.It occurs all over Riversong from the flat areas around the cottages, all the way up the slopes to the top pools.
Flowers in November.
Thanks to Graham Duncan for identifying Tritonia undulata and John Manning for the information about the pollination of T. undulata.
