Crassothonna sedifolia flowerheads of different ages

Crassothonna sedifolia flowerheads and fruit were positioned conveniently close together for this photo taken in August north of Springbok.

The single ring of smooth, fleshy involucral bracts is joined at the base, oblong and cohering in their upper parts.

The yellow flowerhead bears one sparse ring of spreading, fertile rays and a yellow disc. The disc florets are small, five-lobed and male; only the outer ones in the photo are open yet. Flowerhead diameter is about 1,5 cm. Flowering happens mainly from midwinter to midspring.

The white fluffy hairs of the persistent pappuses attached to the fruit are of similar length (Manning, 2009; Shearing and Van Heerden, 2008; Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist).