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Waterstem Lily

Flower type: Annual (Stores water in its stem)

This short flower grows up to 1 inch (3 cm) tall. Its brown stems grow from the base of the plant in bunches of 6 and are thick and straight, and split into several branching stems at the base, and the small, orange leaves are asymmetrical with smooth edges. Many leaves grow at the base of the stem, and more leaves grow in pairs along the length of the stem.

Hundreds of tiny flowers grow in drooping bunches like grapes. The flowers are 9 cm (3.5 inches) wide, with petals that are light grey on the edges and cyan at the center. The flower head is an uncoordinated mess of 19 curved petals. They detach easily.

It has a delicate scent that smells like cinnamon, and it has very little pollen; it does not cause many allergic reactions. It is pollinated by a small species of bird, but is also visited by one species of insect in particular.

It is suitable for creating tough, hard-wearing textiles
It aggressively steals nutrients from other large plants (but not each other).