Aloe humilis buds nearly ready

This Aloe humilis plant is in industrious mode. The peduncle is not very long (yet), the sterile bracts below the flowers may well grow further apart before this inflorescence is done. A good crop of buds are looking up, nearly in unison. Hope and determination may not be valid personification for a performing Aloe, but don’t underestimate the resilience of these plants.

The end of preparation for blooming is imminent. The presentation of flowers to the world has started with reddening in one perianth, sagging in another. All the annual effort for setting seed by this Aloe species culminates in one simple raceme. No half measures and rarely mistakes (Van Wyk and Smith, 2003; Reynolds, 1974; iNaturalist).