Arctotis fastuosa showing its involucre

When the Arctotis fastuosa ray florets are not yet spreading in the early morning, as in this one next to the road between Springbok and Steinkopf, the involucral bracts are on display, at least partly.

The inner ones, broad and round-tipped, are thin and transparent, positioned against the ray bases or close to them. The outer ones are densely woolly and dark green with narrow, spoon-shaped tails that veer away from the head (Manning, 2009; Eliovson, 1990; iNaturalist).