Flowering plant serve to protect the sporophylls and to form an envelope attractive to pollinators. The individual members of these surrounding structures are known as sepals and petals (or tepals in flowers such as "Magnolia" where sepals and petals are not distinguishable from each other). The outer series (calyx of sepals) is usually green and leaf-like, and functions to protect the rest of the flower, especially the bud. The inner series (corolla of petals) is, in general, white or brightly colored, and is more delicate in structure. It functions to attract insect or bird pollinators. Attraction is effected by color, scent, and
Lophospermum scandens with age and developing a woody caudex – a swollen, bulb-like structure at the base of the stem. The leaf stalks (petioles) are long, occasionally twining to grasp supports, thus enabling the plant to climb. The leaves are narrowly heart-shaped, long by wide, with a pointed apex and toothed edges (dentate or crenate). The leaves and stems are sparsely covered with short hairs. "Lophospermum scandens" flowers and fruits from May to November in its native habitat. The flowers are borne singly on stems (peduncles) long. The calyx has sepals that are generally narrowly ovate, long and wide at the base,