Euphorbia hamata flying the colours

This colourful specimen of Euphorbia hamata was found blooming in August to the west of Kamieskroon in Namaqualand.

The ovate bracts below the cyathia are adorned in yellow, orange, pink and green colours in a habitat that usually have millions of daisies on show at this time of the year.

The fleshy green stems, contorting in flashy undulations below their reproductive offerings, have the benefit of a rainy season just ending. The marks of hardship endured in past seasons are present in withered tips among the festive embellishments (Frandsen, 2017; Smith, et al, 2017; Smith and Crouch, 2009; Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist; http://llifle.com).