Agathosma species nova (lanata) flower clusters

The flowers of Agathosma species nova (lanata) grow in dense clusters at branch tips. In the photo these clusters present different developmental stages, starting off in tiny white buds, half covered by the green of leaves, bracteoles and the five sepals of every flower.

Once flowers start bursting open, the first stamens protrude, each crowned with a young, purplish anther. The anthers are sometimes red, a colouring not seen here. When the flower cluster is fully open there is a multitude of white petals with curving tips, stamens with old anthers turning pale yellow, staminodes lacking anthers and long styles with tiny stigmas; a joyous affair celebrated in small scale (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; iSpot).