Syncarpha vestita, floral beauty in the packaging

Even small Syncarpha vestita plants may flower, bearing solitary flowerheads at the tips of their leafy stems. A thin leaf covering of woolly hairs leaves a whitish sheen upon the pale blue-green leaves that ascend next to the hairy stems.

The narrowly tapering floral bracts curve inwards, arranged in a pleasing pattern of many rows. They promise food reward to pollinators. The bracts around the still hidden floral disc of the bud in picture will soon part to unveil the set menu. A feast to be celebrated by appreciative guests not invited by name. They all qualify because their ancestors in untold generations have made it all possible, firmed up in the interspecies alliance, and established by the sustained habit.

If you see it, go for it! If your size, shape and hunger are up to it, help yourself. No need to stay for the after dinner speech. Go wipe your wings and feet at the do on the next branch. And life is good for the plant and animal alliance (Manning, 2009; iNaturalist; https://pza.sanbi.org).