Midday Flower, Lampranthus amoenus

Lampranthus is a genus of plants in the family Aizoaceae. Shrubby succulent perennial, up to 3 feet tall. All Lampranthus species are large and colourful plants, but the common name of this species hints that it is particularly striking. Indeed, its scientific species name amoenus means ‘beautiful' in Latin. The leaves of the showy lampranthus, which measure up to 40 millimetres long, are slightly spreading. The flowers may be any shade between white and purple. Endemic to the Cape Floristic Region, a region of remarkable plant diversity in south-western South Africa.