Aulax umbellata female flowerbuds

Differences can be observed between the leaves and the smaller bracts around these female Aulax umbellata flower buds, now still hiding as they develop. Tiny, needle-like projections are visible at the tips of the pale yellow bracts in the photo.

Although these flowerheads produce no nectar, they are still pollinated by insects and not the wind.

The single-stemmed, branched shrubs don’t resprout after fire. New plants grow from seeds released by the fire and dispersed by the wind. The fruit of A. umbellata is a small nut; the seed coat is damaged during the fire, aiding the germination process. The durable cup-shaped remains of the female flowers will hold the few seeds that have formed in the head until that time arrives (Manning, 2007; www.plantzafrica.com).