A stand of Othonna macrophylla in the veld has blue-green leaf bulk at or close to ground level. Above the leaves the tall slender inflorescence presents well-spaced flowerheads and fruitheads in season.

The visible parts of the plant will disappear later in the season after the seeds have been dispersed. This gives the perennial underground parts much time to prepare for the next season when a new set of everything concerned will appear on the above-ground stage for a repeat performance, weather permitting (iNaturalist; JSTOR).