That would make good sense...
I'm pretty sure I have seen the odd few BB that look skinny and bedraggled in a similar way. We have a masswhossive patch along the track (the wild bit). I tend to stay clear as it's full of red ants... Doesn't get a decent share of rain (in normal times) so the ants love it.
That's what made me wonder if the little red devils might have had something to do with it.
Alternatively might it have flowered early and be slowly drying out and snuffing it?