l62 



Plants and their Ways in South Africa 



support by brilliantly illuminating the tree at Christmas time 

 with its flowers. When ready for " lighting," the tips which hold 

 the ends of the stamens become black. When this sensitive 



KiG. i6o. — l.oranthus olecefolius, Ch. and Sell. The sensiti\'e tips of the 

 corolla fly back and scattrT the |3ollen as the stamens are released. 



point is struck by birds, back fly the petals, and the pollen is 

 thrown some distance as the stamens are freed from confine- 

 ment. In Natal another species (Z. Natalitius, Meisn.), whicli 

 the children know as " lighted candles," has waxy white flowers 



