Erica glandulosa subsp. fourcadei vigorous buds

This ample umbel-like cluster of Erica glandulosa subsp. fourcadei flower buds warranted the photo. It is now still all about leaves right up to the stem-tip, as well as sepals and bracts. The lush growth suggests another photo in a week or two will show new flowers dominant.

The straight, hairy pedicels radiate from the stem-tip, matching or exceeding the developing corollas in brightness of colour. Where floral colour change has begun on buds, the lower parts of the tubes show translucence prevented at the tips by the covered, bunched anthers. 

A smaller inflorescence endowed with a taller stem in the background manages to divert some of the attention from the leading performer group (Manning and Helme, 2024; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; Baker and Oliver, 1967; iNaturalist;; http://pza.sanbi.org).