Brunsvigia orientalis budding

This is what the early, exploring tip of the Brunsvigia orientalis flowerhead looks like upon emerging from the top of the bulb in the sand. As the scape lengthens, the bracts separate to reveal the individual flower buds that immediately go into colour changes en route to maturity.

This reminds a bit of the launching of rockets from Cape Canaveral; just a tad slower. And the purpose of the two events can hardly be compared.