Haemanthus humilis subsp. hirsutus flowerhead

White, pink and yellow bits of colour herald the busy Haemanthus humilis subsp. hirsutus flowerhead, probably high on many insect itineraries. It is densely flowered, comprising numerous tiny, white perianths. Each spreads six narrowly oblong and pointy-tipped tepals in pollinator welcome. The tepals are from 1 cm to 2.1 cm long.

The six stamens are well exserted from each open floret, forming a bewildering outer hemisphere of anthers beyond the corollas. The filaments are white or pink, the tiny anthers at their tips white, yellow or brown, depending on their stage of development. Those laden with ripe and ready pollen appear bigger in the photo. The filaments can be up to 3,5 cm long, exserted up to 1,5 cm above the perianths.

The hemispherical flowerhead is from 5 cm to 12 cm in diameter. A pollinator’s dream… but do they ever?

From seven to ten old bracts are likely still concealed around the tip of the peduncle below the florets. These bracts covered all the buds collectively and tightly before the flowerhead opened.

Flowering happens in spring and summer, peaking in late spring and early summer (Pooley, et al, 2025; Duncan, et al, 2016; Pooley, 1998; iNaturalist).