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Marshmallow Spiderhead (Geen bekende naam) - Serruria aitonii
The Marshmallow Spiderhead is characterized by its silvery leaves and hairy flowerhead stalk. It flowers from July to February, dropping its fruit to the ground where the ants collect them for burial where they are safe from fire and rodents. Most often encountered as small patches of a few dozen plants, it is surprising how seldom this plant is remarked upon. And yet its striking, pink, summer flower displays are unlikely to be forgotten by any visitor. This is a member of the Paw Spiderheads, characterized by their single flowerheads on long stalks and curved flowers (although the Marshmallow Spiderhead does not have curved flowers). Together with the Swan Spiderhead (also in the Paw group, but with stems creeping along the ground) these are the two most common of the 9 species of Spiderheads in the Citrusdal area. Spiderheads are easily identified by their divided leaves and their small single or compound flowerheads. They are related to the Spoons, Sceptres and Powderpuffs (or Clusterheads) which few people realise.