Hoodia gordonii spiky hairdo

Something for the young at heart: This Hoodia gordonii spiny stem-tip is not to be outdone by the antics of flower buds of its own ilk. Its purple spines are momentarily arranged in punk coiffure, a bold response to the curvaceous buds celebrating their youth brazenly beside it.

The dry calyx base of a past flower in the foreground emphasises the message: Recognise the moment and live in it! Go all out at peak time while the vibrancy lasts! The surge, the ebullience will soon be gone.

For the seconds of one’s season are counted in accordance with the genes of one’s species (White and Sloane, 1937; Shearing and Van Heerden, 2008; Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist).