Spider flower (Cleome hassleriana)

Spider flower 醉蝶花 

The spider flower (Cleome hassleriana) is a common annual flower from South America that also goes by other common names including “spider legs” and “grandfather’s whiskers.” The common name “spider flower” comes from the appearance of the long, thread-like stamens of the individual flowers and the elongated seedpods that develop below the blooming flowers. Many types have no noticeable fragrance, while others are very fragrant, often described as a musky, sweet and pungent, or spicy scent. Spider flowers bloom from early summer until late fall in Shenzhen. In Qianhai’s Guiwan Park, there is a sea of spider flowers and visitors can also find spider flowers in Guanlan Printmaking Village in Longgang District. Photos by Wang Haolan