Crossyne flava thick, short scape

When the mature scape of a Crossyne flava inflorescence reaches the end of its useful period, it is thick and strongly compressed. The scape varies in length from 20 cm to 28 cm and in width from 2 cm to 5 cm. Greenish yellow or yellow-brown in colour and smooth, the scape detaches from the plant naturally at ground level when the fruit capsules are ripe. 

The dry head full of seed embarks forthwith on a rolling journey without planned route or schedule, like the ultimate drifter or tumbleweed. The protruding stalk contributes to unexpected course changes and jolting movements of the structure, bent on losing its seed in instalments. This means that all the random activity happens in accordance with a bigger plan of widest seed dispersal, spreading risk and maximising opportunity, weather permitting.

There are two broadly lance-shaped spathe bracts, oblong membranes or valves at the base of the flower pedicels, the top of the scape. These yellowish bracts are translucent, displaying numerous dark vein lines.

Recurving at anthesis (flower opening), the bracts initially covered the numerous buds before pedicel elongation took place, rendering them irrelevant (Duncan, et al, 2016; Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist).