Kleinia stapeliiformis flowerhead

Kleinia stapeliiformis produces a red flowerhead comprising only disc florets (the tiny, closely clustered flowers that make up the central, usually flat part of any daisy). Other daisies may also have ray florets (flowers along the outer ring with one petal-like blade or limb protruding from the margin of the flowerhead).

The flowers grow solitary on long, slender stalks that emerge from the tops of the thick, succulent stems. The striped stalks are just about leafless. Blooming happens in spring and summer.

The brightly red flowerheads are very noticeable in the veld, particularly when appearing before the spring rain turns the vegetation lush. The fruit-heads to follow hold a multitude of seeds with fluffy whitish attachments.

This is a fairly common garden plant. It is not too happy when planted in areas with very cold winters (Hardy and Fabian, 1992; iNaturalist; www.cactus-art.biz).