Tylecodon cacalioides midsummer blooming

The inflorescences of Tylecodon cacalioides are dense flower clusters at the tops of long peduncles grown from stem-tips. They are presented high above the stubby, leafless stem.

The yellow buds and flowers are erect on their pedicels. Flowering happens in summer when there are no leaves on the stems.

Last winter’s stem growth is pale, the older big caudex and thicker stem parts further down are dark in the photo that was taken at Minwater near Oudtshoorn in January. Some of last years flower stalks are still persisting on the plant, now turned grey. The new peduncles are yellow towards the top, grading into light brown lower down (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; iNaturalist).