Lessertia spinescens inflated fruit

Lessertia spinescens produces white and purple flowers followed by these cream and purplish red, inflated fruit. Flowering and fruiting make the plant seasonally conspicuous.

Some spines, the retained stalks of fruit of previous seasons, are visible in the photo.

The plant is palatable to game and stock (Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist).