Jammy Mouth
Ruttya fruticosa
Growing in partial shade in a wooded area, Nairobi, Kenya. July 2014.
The slender branches of this flowering shrub can reach a couple of meters in length and are terminated by clusters of very peculiar-looking orange-red flowers. The rim of the floral tube is thickened and dark-colored. One common name describes the look well, Jammy Mouth. Indeed it appears that some sort of sweet jam has been spread there. The nectar source within the tube is sought after by insects, birds and occasionally children.