The initial colouring of the ovary that swells into the Euphorbia hamata fruit is green and very shiny; in time it turns red.

Flowers are unisexual in this Euphorbia species and the plants dioecious. This means pollen is provided per insect courier from male flowers elsewhere in the vicinity grown on a different plant.

The pointed bracts around the flower remind of bonnets worn in traditional dress of some nations. Coloured style branches are still present in picture.

Narrow grey leaves, folded in and red-marginned, are present below the flowers in the photo among the stems (Frandsen, 2017; Smith and Crouch, 2009; Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist; http://llifle.com).