The Arctotheca populifolia bud preceding the flowerhead is spherical and hairy. It shows little of the several rows of involucral bracts at the base of the open head, now still covering all inner floral parts fully. A second bud is partly obscured by a leaf.

Leaves, stems and buds are here all borne very close to the sand (Manning, 2007; Le Roux, et al, 2005; Mustart, et al, 1997; Manning and Goldblatt, 1996; iNaturalist).