Trachyandra divaricata living in bare sand

This Trachyandra divaricata plant, sometimes commonly called dune cabbage, is half buried in loose beach sand on this dune, but does not appear to be stressed about it. The erect panicle carries ample evidence of a successful flowering and fruiting season by the time of the photo in January. The fleshy, quill-like leaves are still managing to keep their tips above the sand.

Next season the leaves may be more, the panicle may have bigger branches, in spite of living like this (Manning, 2007).