Serruria elongata fruit

Green and red fleshy fruits are compactly together in this Serruria elongata head at the end of October in Fernkloof. Some twisted black and white flower remains are still present. Appearing more functional or purposeful at this stage are the short, broad bracts subtending each fruit in the cluster. The bracts have protruding, narrowly pointed tips.

Note the narrow, mainly creamy yellow bracts along the stems of the flowerheads and would-be flowerheads, as well as what might be stipules at the base.

Seeing fruit that will hopefully release healthy seed one day is a good sight in the light of a declining population, the species being near threatened (www.redlist.sanbi.org).