Aspalathus spinosa subsp. spinosa flowering stem section

The busy stem part in the photo is many times repeated along the Aspalathus spinosa subsp. spinosa big branches during the plant’s long flowering season.

Several floral stages are juxtaposed, from greenish buds, yellow open flowers, brown faded ones over burgeoning ovaries turning into fruit, as well as hairy pods within which the seeds are already forming.

Leaves and spines exceed the floral display in length, apart from the occasional dry style, projecting from the tip of a fruit pod (Curtis-Scott, et al, 2020; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Pooley, 1998; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist; http://www.worldfloraonline.org).