Mimetes cucullatus flowery leaves or leafy flowers

Take a moment to inspect the shape differences among the developing Mimetes cucullatus inflorescence leaves seen here. Collectively they are fit to be called flower, but they are not yet it, not fully it.

The red leaf tip colouring doesn’t show much variation, only a little more pink on the ones towards the top. Each inflorescence leaf has a narrow upper section that is almost oblong with minimal tapering. Right at its tip the horny teeth, similar to those found on ordinary green stem leaves below are also present, but rather individually shaped on the leaves in view.

Then, at similar distance from the leaf tip, there is a sudden widening of the leaf like protruding shoulders, initially flat as seen on the youngest leaves at the stem tip, but laterally curved down strongly on the lower ones. These inflorescence leaves are preparing to assume the protective position adopted over centuries for providing some cover over the species survival parts, the flower headlet, soon to arrive.

The flat leaf tip becomes gradually concave upon its inner surface as it bends downwards in a second shape adaptation to form the slight hood for accommodating tomorrow’s flowers.

And the flower headlets? They are coming, for sure! The first one is just visible under the shade of its pagoda roof leaf-tip on the left (Manning, 2007).