Permanent open flowers in Nelia Schwantes, Aizoaceae - an approach to the secret

Since Haworth 1803 and N.E.Brown 1928 the white flowers of Nelia have been described as permanent open ("Aduncainclauden-Tia", "Sterropetalum"). They open only once and stay open. Petals and staminodes show special morphological characteristics that have not been found in other members of Aizoaceae and are obviously responsible for this special flower state.