Fruiting of an Othonna macrophylla flowerhead relegates the rays, previously yellow, to pale little cylinders of tight curls. Simultaneously it promotes the circle of pointed purple bracts to main protector status of the developing seeds inside.

The fleshy bracts of the involucre are joined lower down, separate near their tips, erect and hugging the contents of the head in the centre (iNaturalist; JSTOR).