Amaryllis belladonna petal tips
M. Gastil-Buhl (Mon, 30 Sep 2013 17:50:08 PDT)

For years I have admired the Amaryllis without ever noticing these
barbs at the tips of the tepals. I had to rush out and check my last
few blooming. (The white are still in bloom; the pink faded weeks
ago.) I can just barely see these and tried to get a photo but my
photo is not as sharp as David's.

http://flickr.com/photos/gastils_garden/…

It is hard to imagine what advantage these tiny barbs could serve the
flower. Maybe they help a pollinator perch without slipping off?

- Gastil