Thesium euphorbioides conducting fynbos music

Thesium euphorbioides grows a few long branches, angular and willowy, often seen swinging freely above the fynbos. Further branching near the tips is common, allowing the itinerant winds increased purchase. Don’t try photographing them on windy days. The wind that blows here in sunshine, the southeaster, inspires wand-like branches to vigorous movement. Composing music inspired by the branch bouncing would challenge, also the orchestras standing in the veld with their instruments.

The sandstone slopes of the Western and Eastern Cape along which T. euphorbioides is naturally distributed are known for their windy spells. 

The old leaves change colour to pale beige before they fall, not too different from the yellow floral bracts at the top (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Manning, 2007; Bean and Johns, 2005; iNaturalist).