Thamnochortus fraternus, both genders

Female erect spikelets of Thamnochortus fraternus appear brush-like, becoming 2 cm long. The male and female flowers, growing on separate plants as in the case of all restios, are longer than they are wide. Flowers become up to 4 mm long, their lateral sepals narrowed at the tips, the pedicel exposed between the sepal bases.

Being Thamnochortus, there is only one style per flower. The ovary has only one chamber. The male pollen-producing flowers are pendulous.

Plants of opposite gender grow closely together here for the photo to capture flowers of both genders. Close proximity helps for pollination, especially when wind has to perform the duty.

Flowering occurs in late autumn and early winter (Dorrat-Haaksma and Linder, 2012; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; Privett and Lutzeyer, 2010; www.plantzafrica.com).