Leucospermum cordifolium budding halfway

In this developing Leucospermum cordifolium flowerhead several activities are occurring simultaneously. Some perianths on the side favoured by the sun are adopting early floral colouring. A few perianths have gone further, already received the push from styles “complaining” about the cramped quarters inside the perianths. Their pale, wiry bodies are slipping out between the outer segments of the perianths giving way, low down on the precocious left of the head in picture.

Not too much of that is happening here yet, the liberation phase only starting. These styles still have to wait for the pollen to ripen before they can free their heads, and start the true life style of pincushion styles in style.

At the top, a few more florets may still appear, adding perianth tips to complete the globose head, for eventually delivering even more fruits and seeds.

On the shade side the florets develop later, increasing the head's floral duration. This keeps the pollinator restaurant open for longer, cementing the important relationships with customers of several species, when the precocious ones on the sunny side are already gone (Manning, 2007; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; iNaturalist).