Flying the standard

Flowers that are pollinated by insects and birds often have coloured markings to guide the animals in. In Kennedia, these landing lights take the form of contrasting patches on the biggest petal, which is known as the standard. Here's a selection of standards from some of the Kennedia species in my garden. I'll let them speak for themselves.

Kennedia retrorsa, a short range endemic from New South Wales

The Kennedia nigricans cultivar 'Minstrel'

Kennedia beckxiana from the Esperance region of Western Australia