The common snapdragon, Antirrhinum majus, is a popular garden flower known for its vibrant, two-lipped blossoms that resemble a dragon’s snout. This plant, native to the rocky regions of Europe and North Africa, holds a surprise when its flowering season ends. The seemingly cheerful bloom transforms into a small, dried structure that bears an uncanny resemblance to a human skull. This macabre metamorphosis is not a sign of decay but a perfectly natural stage in the plant’s reproductive cycle.
The Transition from Flower to Capsule
The remarkable physical change begins immediately after the flower is successfully pollinated, typically by a bumblebee strong enough to push past the bloom’s closed lips. Once fertilization occurs, the plant’s energy shifts entirely from attracting new pollinators to developing its seeds. The bright, soft petals that formed the “dragon’s head” quickly wither and fall away from the stem.
Below the former petals, the flower’s ovary begins to swell and harden, converting into a protective fruit structure. This structure is a dry, ovoid seed capsule, which is initially green and filled with developing seeds.
As the seeds inside ripen, the capsule dries out and turns a pale, brittle brown or beige color. The entire structure shrinks slightly and becomes rigid, setting the stage for the final, skull-like appearance.
Structure and Science Behind the Resemblance
The dried seed capsule is the anatomical feature responsible for the striking resemblance to a skull. The shape itself is an ovoid, measuring about 10 to 14 millimeters in diameter, which roughly approximates the size and contour of a small, shrunken human cranium. The resemblance becomes pronounced because the capsule is organized into two distinct chambers, known as locules, which correspond to the braincase and the upper jaw.
The macabre details, such as the “eyes” and “mouth,” are actually specialized pores or openings on the capsule’s surface. These pores are formed during a process called dehiscence, which is the plant’s mechanism for splitting open its fruit to disperse seeds. The snapdragon capsule typically develops three distinct apical openings located at the top of the structure.
Two of these openings are positioned symmetrically, forming the “eye sockets” of the skull. The third pore, located lower down, creates the illusion of a gaping “mouth” or nasal cavity. When the capsule is completely dry, these pores open, allowing the numerous tiny seeds inside to be shaken out and dispersed by wind or movement. This feature is simply an efficient biological design for seed dispersal.
Horticultural Management of Spent Blooms
Gardeners often face a choice regarding the spent snapdragon flowers. One option is the practice of “deadheading,” which involves removing the faded blooms before the seed capsule has a chance to fully form. This action prevents the plant from diverting energy into seed production, encouraging it instead to produce new flower buds and extend the blooming season.
Conversely, a gardener might choose to leave the spent flowers on the plant, allowing the seed capsules to mature and dry. This decision is necessary if the goal is to collect the minute, dark seeds for planting in the following season. Leaving the pods on the stem also allows the gardener to enjoy the unique, skull-like visual feature, which can add an intriguing element to the late-season garden landscape.