Stapelia hirsuta var. hirsuta exhibiting its own versatility

No, the green stems are not chasing the hairy beast! The Stapelia hirsuta var. hirsuta leaves are leaning over, committed to provide sustenance to the flower produced by the plant they’re part of. Everything else here looks very different to this plant. And even its parts differ dramatically from each other.

The diversity of attributes in individual species makes up part of the diversity displayed in every ecology. Species can survive from cottoning on to particular attributes of their cohabitants in a particular ecological community that could be useful to them. Diverse features are welcomed of every participant in the give and take of attempting survival.

Western Cape spring annuals in the grass add to the range of natural veld features flourishing here after rain. Their leaves offer something useful to others, very different to what their flowers offer. Every component has a potential appeal to a random partner of the living community. The exuberance of the ephemeral members among the more stable reality features of rock and shrub complete the picture. Or add to it, for there’s always more present everywhere in nature than the items noted at first glance (White and Sloane, 1937; iNaturalist; https://www.worldfloraonline.org).