Stages of Pelargonium incrassatum inflorescence development are depicted in this photo taken at Naries near Springbok during August. From the cluster of green buds in the centre close to the leaves, shaped like an upturned bunch of green grapes, to individualised buds extended on pedicels, then several open flowers in and umbel, as well as a maturing cluster of needle-tipped fruits at the back, four stages are recorded.
Buds appear in all the umbels in picture, few in the older ones. Whether they will all still have a chance to open will never be known. Every floral production event operates at maximum capacity, independent of whether subsequent inflorescences will be able to succeed or not. Today is the day that must be grabbed (Manning, 2009; Le Roux, et al, 2005; Eliovson, 1990; iNaturalist).