Bertilia hantamensis young plant

Branching is only starting on this young Bertilia hantamensis plant found flowering next to the road between Springbok and Steinkopf in Namaqualand. Previously called Emilia hantamensis and commonly known in Afrikaans as the basterhongerblom (hybrid hungry flower), the annual normally branches from the base.

The plant in picture has delivered its first stem-tip inflorescence up top, only branching after achieving a good height in its central stem. Younger lateral stems tipped by clusters of budding flowerheads are now emerging all the way down (Manning and Goldblatt, 1997).