Camellia

An unidentified Camellia japonica, growing in our garden. This particular one is admirably hardy, having survived growing about a foot from the foundations of the house, for many years in utter shade while smothered with overgrown Cape hawthorn, being sawed off almost to the ground, and at least two termite tentings. The flowers have a tendency to wither rather quickly, but I have to admire its persistence.

This one is I think in the "formal double" shape, with its series of neatly overlapping petals, without revealing the stamens. The color is a salmon pink; I would say it is "Ed Combatalade" were it not for the pale pink stripes. Time to head over to Nuccio's, perhaps ...

An unidentified mushroom

An unidentified mushroom, found near our compost pile this afternoon, under a very large and spreading pine tree. It has a distinctly purple cast to the cap, which intensified since I picked it. It measures about 3.5 cm from the soil line to the top of the cap, and about 2.5 cm across at the widest point. It might be somewhat old, as it feels rather harder than might be expected. Possibly a blewit (Clitocybe nuda)?