Syncarpha milleflora on a mountain near Oudtshoorn

The knoppies-sewejaartjie (small knobs little seven years (!)) common name for Syncarpha milleflora may sound ridiculous with two diminutives built into one name. Afrikaans is known for prolific indulgence in descriptive diminutives, usually with some literal or other traceable sense, justifying the choice. Sewejaartjie has been the long-standing name for a large variety of dry bract flowers from at least five genera that require no water when displayed in a vase.

S. milleflora has a large number of densely crowded, knobbly flowerheads in compact presentation at stem tips, a feature thought by a forgotten local name-giver to be worthy of special recognition in Afrikaans. Those not quite satisfied with a chosen name are always free (and sometimes inspired) to propose creative substitutes for testing in everyday talk. This happens over time, leaving noted plants (and all renowned things) with enough names to make dictionaries heavy (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010).

(See also the entries in the Shrubs Album under Types on this species elsewhere on the Site.)