Eriocephalus africanus var. paniculatus coloured staminodes

This Eriocephalus africanus var. paniculatus photo is interesting for showing groups of pink purple pigmented staminodes, or vestigial, sterile stamens lacking anthers, based in the female ray florets around the perimeter of each head. The disc florets are functionally male, tubular with stamens topped by pollen-bearing anthers.

The finger-like leaves also in picture are green without much to show in the form of hairiness (Euston-Brown and Kruger, 2023; Curtis-Scott, et al, 2020; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; iNaturalist).