These bright red flowers stand out all over the Addo Elephant National Park, giving the Schotia brachypetala (Weeping Boer-boon) a run for its money. Its name has eluded me for some time until now: Cadaba aphylla is commonly known in Afrikaans as either Bobbejaanarm (arm of a baboon) or Swartstormbos (black storm bush). It is colloquially called a Leafless Wormbush in English. It looks a little like a broom plant.
These leafless tangled shrubs are often thorny at the tops. It is the clusters of red flowers that catch the eye as one drives through the park.
Characteristic of the flowers is that the long stamens protrude above the bright red petals – rather like a flag calling attention to passing pollinators!
The Cadaba aphyllum are hardy plants that survive frost as well as drought – which is why it is an ever-present delight to see in the park.
Something Over Tea 
Eye-catching, indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My camera does not do justice to the red. The flowers stand out especially at this time of the year when the surrounding countryside is rather drab at the end of winter.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely, as always. I love red flowers.
LikeLike
I enjoy red flowers too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a captivating bright spot to encounter!
LikeLike
It is, thank you Joy.
LikeLike
Wow it’s beautiful
LikeLike
I think so too – thank you.
LikeLike
What an attractive plant! It reminds me of a sliced pomegranate.
LikeLike
I looked at the images again and see the passing resemblance – thank you for that thought.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When one thinks of Addo’s plants the first you think of is the dominant Spekboom – but actually, if you look closer, it’s noticeable just how diverse the Addo ecosystem actually is, and, as your fine photographs show, beautiful too!
LikeLike
Dries, you would be amazed at the diversity of plants during the first flush of spring in Addo after good rains – the veld could easily rival those Namaqualand daisies then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ve only been to Addo in autumn and summer – seems we need to make a plan to see it in the other seasons too!
LikeLike
Absolutely – providing there has been some rain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely a plant worth highlight – lovely!
LikeLike
Strangely enough, I have only seen it in Addo – it must be growing elsewhere too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting that.
LikeLike