Uncarina sakalava

Endemic to Madagascar, this succulent shrub or small tree in the sesame family occurs in dry shrubland in the northwestern and west-central parts of the island. Its woody stems are fleshy, and its broad leaves are softly hairy. Yellow trumpet-shaped flowers have five rounded lobes. Within the flowers, the stamens form a tight block that bees must penetrate with their mouthparts to reach nectar. The seed capsules carry sharp projections that help them catch on passing animals, allowing the fruits to travel away from the parent plant. Photographed in Florida.