Hymenolepis crithmifolia on a steep rocky slope

This flower profusion presented by Hymenolepis crithmifolia adorns the side of Clarence Drive west of the Kogelberg by the sea. This happens annually just before and during the Christmas holidays unless fire has destroyed the plants. The large shrubs retain capacity in the dry season by a strong root system and needle-thin leaves that do not part with too much moisture in their hot bloom time.

Hymenolepis and Athanasia flowers resemble each other in having these flat topped inflorescences, a rounded cluster of many small circular flowerheads, each comprising tiny disc flowers... yellow circles within circles. The two genera are distinguished by the seed of Hymenolepis having a crown of tiny scales which is lacking in Athanasia species (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Manning, 2009).