This is one of those smaller old-fashioned Hibiscus unlike the large and gorgeous hybrids that we see nowadays. However, it is not without its charm. The white petals are streaked with fuchsia-pink lines which merge towards the tubular part giving it a pink throat.
The markings serve as a good guide for pollinators as to the sweet treasure within.
In Hibiscus the numerous stamens comprising filaments and anthers are carried on a long upright staminal tube which also encloses the style.
The style branch into five, each carrying a stigma at its end. The stigmas look like orange pom-poms.
"In the end, life lived to its fullest
is its own Ultimate Gift" - Jim Stovall
The anthers have popped releasing the fine pollens.
A top view of the outstanding reproductive part of the flower.
This long protrusion of anthers and stigma cast a shadow under the morning sun.
After the shower, the flower is still fresh for the picking.
This greyish brown butterfly has a single large ring (ocellus) on the forewings while there are five ocellus on the hindwings. The last pair is counted as one. The ocellus or eyespots are black enclosed by yellow rings. The eyes are grey, matching the wing colours.
A Hibiscus leaf is the prefered landing perch of this brown moth. It has dark brown patches strewned in wavy lines across its wings. Unlike butterflies the antennae of moths do not end in clubs. As they are nocturnal, moths are more furry so as to counter the lower temperatures at night. Note that a main distinguishing feature of moths is that they rest with the wings flat whereas butterflies have their wings folded upwards.
Posted from Cork, Ireland (I've only a few days left from my one-month sojourn in Ireland).
