Metalasia species

Metalasia shrubs are common in Western Cape fynbos. This one may be Metalasia muricata. It grows in the De Hoop Nature Reserve. As the picture indicates, this is a much branched shrub with many erect stems densely clad in sharp-pointed leaves. The discoid capitula or flowerheads are present at the top of almost every stem in bloomtime. 

Metalasia sometimes forms dense stands of robust plants in scrub and fynbos.