Reina de flor

Description

Cybistetes longifolia is a perennial geophyte with large bulbs, 9–14 prostrate leaves, a 13–90 flowered inflorescence, flowers funnel-shaped, ivory or pale to dark pink, tepals connate forming a floral tube. It is distinguished from Ammocharis i.e. other species of Ammocharis by the presence of zygomorphic flowers, as opposed to actinomorphic, and by its seed dispersal mechanism, with a wind blown indehiscent infructescence fruiting head that gave it its name. The fruiting head dries rapidly and is shed as a single unit, which the rolls away tumbles, born by the wind. Another distinguishing feature in the infructescence is the pedicels, which elongate, spread apart, stiffen and ultimately radiate equally in all directions.