How to identify the thorny bird flower

1. Leaves

The leaves of the nightshade are basal, arranged in two rows, usually 5 to 6 in number, and are ribbon-shaped or linear-tongue-shaped, about 15 to 40 cm long and 2 to 3 cm wide. The tips of the leaves are obtuse, and occasionally some are concave or notched. The leaves are dark green on the upper side and slightly lighter on the back, with purple-brown spots at the base. The base is narrowed into a petiole and folded in half.

2. Flowers

The peduncle of the nightshade flower is upright, 25 to 30 cm long, dark green in color, densely covered with purple short soft hairs, with a flower growing on the top. The petals are narrow and oblong or nearly spoon-shaped, about 5 to 6 cm long and about 1.5 to 2 cm wide. The petals are flat, blunt at the tip, and have obviously wavy edges. The lip is in the shape of an inverted helmet. The petals are yellow-green or yellow-brown, with dense purple-red spots in the center and even at the base.