Euryops othonnoides plant in flower

This ample-flowering Euryops othonnoides shrublet was seen at Kagga Kamma during September.

The wiry, leafless peduncles hold the flowerheads at the ready for anticipated guests, a good distance above the foliage. Distancing possibly contributes to deterring herbivore pollinators from getting the wrong idea in their tiny heads. The better evolutionary plan has generally been to produce sufficient leaves for sharing some as food, which is also happening here.

The dense foliage competes for sunlight, most lobe tips erect. Down below it is all about bare, woody stems and withered leaves with no hope of sunlight, ready to take their leave.

Grey-velvety and thread-like, the upper leafy togetherness also contrasts against the flowerheads above that use space for drawing attention to themselves.

Low-flying insects benefit from clear visibility for detecting which heads are open, closed and past the food provision stage. The plant design favours flying pollinators over walking ones (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; iNaturalist).