Syncarpha vestita coloured like rocks more than fynbos

These Syncarpha vestita plants grow narrowly upright in a substantial stand on their rocky fynbos slope. They are pale grey from furry foliage, topped by numerous whitish flowerheads. When the fynbos is still not too tall after the last fire, these plants can impress. When the competition gets taller than about 1 m, they are swamped.

Some of the plant's no longer heard old Afrikaans names disclose some of the uses it was put to in days of yore:

Tontelblom (tinder flower) harks back to the times before safety marches or the more modern fire lighting devices. The soft leaves serve the kindling purpose once a spark is created.

Matrassewejaartjie (mattress everlasting) suggests that sleeping in the veld will be more comfortable if a quantity of these plants are used to soften the experience. This application is more timeless for those that still may face the predicament (Marais, (Ed.), 2017; Manning, 2009; Mustart, et al, 1997; iNaturalist).