Arctopus echinatus male flowers

Male Arctopus echinatus flowers grow in a dense umbel or cluster on a longish stalk. This is unlike the female flowers that are sessile in the centre of their leaf rosette, growing on a separate plant in this dioecious species.

A multitude of these fleshy, yellow flower stalks are grown as in the photo. They are erect or angled above the prostrate leaves, offering insect passersby easy access to their pollen.

The male flowers are tiny, coloured cream or pink, surrounded by five to seven spine-tipped bracts. Inside that there are five sepals and then the oblong petals with tips flexed inwards. The stamens are taller than the petals (Manning, 2007; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000).