Gloveria integrifolia buds

These tiny globular buds of Gloveria integrifolia were seen at the end of winter near Oudtshoorn. The plant is normally expected to flower in summer. The inflorescence is cyme-shaped, the stalks purple and the buds at this stage greenish grey.

The smooth appearance of the leaf, hiding signs of veins or midrib, is clearly displayed. The small spur-branches ending in tapering spines hold a promise of defensive effectiveness about them. Lenticels can be discerned on the stems (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Coates Palgrave, 2002).