Euphorbia mauritanica flower getting on

The development of this inflorescence of Euphorbia mauritanica has gone beyond forming the vital parts of the cyathia. It shows the emerging green fruits, already partly formed. They are positioned in a circle surrounding thele the male cyathium.

Age is conspicuous in the orange of the male flower. Its duties only last until its pollen is ripe and taken. The female pseudo-flowers still stylishly sport curved styles on top of the enlarging green ovaries, developing into fruit.

This photo was taken in October at Rooiberg near Calitzdorp (Manning, 2009).