Gorteria diffusa subsp. calendulacea dark but intentions clear

In the bud stage the Gorteria diffusa subsp. calendulacea involucral bracts spread first, offering landing facilities to hungry insect scouts surveying the food situation, as the one in picture is doing.

Patience is required here, as the ray florets still haven’t straightened to allow access to the disc florets in the flowerhead centre. The rounded tips of the double row of rays already divulge the secret of the orange customer announcement, semi-concealed on the inside.

The dark outer surfaces gave the first hint of things to come in the soon to be opened eatery. Pre-advertising is a tried marketing technique for ensuring many feet on the exciting opening day when the produce is at its freshest (Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist).