[John J]

As Umbrian's puzzle picture seems to be causing a lot of head scratching I thought I'd give you something a bit easier so that you don't get disheartened.

[Alice]

Plukenetia volubilis seed capsule?

[John J]

Gosh, Alice, I certainly had to look that one up!! My plant is endemic to a different continent although it has become naturalised in a couple of others and I got it from much closer to home.

[Alice]

One never knows with your exotics, John!
Nymania capensis?

[John J]

Alice, you are really bringing out the unusual in the exotic line. Actually you are quite close in one respect and the place I got my plant is closer to your home than mine.

[John J]

This one seems to have stalled rather, perhaps it needs a bit of a sweetener to get things buzzing again.

[Umbrian]

Your clues are going round and round in my head John but no suggestions forthcoming ........something major rather than minor and beloved by the bees for its nectar?
(Hope by attempts at italics worked - still struggling there as well!)

[John J]

Halfway there, Carole, but the association with our striped friends may be from a slightly different angle.

[Alice]

Melianthus major?

[John J]

Alice, I should have guessed that you'd be the one to get it right!
I acquired my plant from Sparoza, hence the closer to your home than mine.
The scientific name derives from the Greek meli honey and anthos flower, hence the common name of Honeybush and the clues about sweetener and bees, of course.
The original photo is of a seed pod.

[Alice]

That was a really tricky photo, John!