Arctotheca calendula few rays

An Arctotheca calendula flowerhead may have few ray florets, as seen on this one managing eight in the Biedouw Valley during September.

The rays each has two longitudinal channels dividing the blade into three sections. The central section is slightly wider, particular in its middle, where the curving channels are furthest apart. All ray florets are sterile in Arctotheca, serving only as marketing banners for attracting insect attention.

These visitors will find it hard upon landing to avoid the numerous exserted anthers and stigmas protruding from the open disc florets of the head. But keeping themselves clean is never part of the plan when feasting on flowers (Manning, 2007).