Massonia depressa coloured filaments

In this young Massonia depressa inflorescence the cream, oblong anthers match the now still green, surrounding bracts in height. The inflorescence sits upon the two spreading leaves over the gap between them, where the stem connects the flowers to the underground bulb. The bulb of this Massonia species is edible and the nectar of the flowers sweet.

The filaments of the stamens are still red purple to maroon at this early age, likely to turn white a little later. When they are old, having lost these granular surfaces laden with pollen, the anthers may become white and the filaments brown.

The plant was seen at Kagga Kamma during September, growing in coarse sandy soil (Manning, 2007; Le Roux, et al, 2005; Manning and Goldblatt, 1997).