Aerva leucura worm-like flower spikes

The tiny flowers of Aerva leucura are produced in dense and woolly cylindrical spikes growing on thin side-branches. The outside of both the conspicuous, dry, woolly bracts around the flowers and perianth exteriors are white or creamy white.

Few flowers are open at any one time; the open ones displaying pointed perianth tips and five yellow anthers visible in the flower mouth. The spots of yellow colouring are scattered along the spike where flowers are open.

Flowering begins in summer, lasting through autumn (Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; www.plantzafrica.com).