Parasitic plant?

Parasitic plant?

Observation - Parasitic plant? - Southern Africa. Description: Maroon red flowers clustered along a spike, very densely packed. No leaves visible, inflorescence emerging straight from the sand. Clustered around Protea repens roots but also in independent clusters. No strong scent.

Maroon red flowers clustered along a spike, very densely packed. No leaves visible, inflorescence emerging straight from the sand. Clustered around Protea repens roots but also in independent clusters. No strong scent.