Protea acaulos ravaged but still

This harassed Protea acaulos flowerhead, its dead neighbour and haggard, surrounding leaves remind that success in life, like victory in war, comes at a price. The end of a productive season may not arrive soon enough for rest and replenishment.

The fruiting inside behind the used, red styles, tipped by pollen presenters never to function again, is a satisfying result, the chance of new life from the season’s toils (Manning, 2007; Rebelo, 1995; Rourke, 1980; iNaturalist).