The pale beige, hollow inside of the persisting half of the dry Gomphocarpus cancellatus fruit husk holds the remains of the axis to which the numerous ovules were attached at the start of the fruiting process.
A curious, long-pedicelled bud that may have failed or is failing, is present higher up on the stem in picture. It is solitary instead of forming part of the usual flower cluster; maybe an out of season afterthought of mistimed diligence ((Manning, 2007; Bean and Johns, 2005; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; iNaturalist).