Athanasia trifurcata heads and buds

Below the flattish cluster of open Athanasia trifurcata flowerheads prepared for pollinators, the globose buds of a younger inflorescence are growing florets under rounded, green-tipped bracts.

Each funnel-shaped floret is bisexual, fertile, its tiny tube ending in five corolla lobes. The anthers have no tails or spurs, the style branches are truncated and hairy (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Manning, 2007; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; iNaturalist).