This Veltheimia capensis inflorescence was caught with upper buds still covered by pointed, triangular, green bracts curving in.

The developed buds below them show a slight club-shape, narrowing to the base. The cream and white surface speckling occurs in many unrepeated shapes on the perianths.

The lobe tips keep the tubes closed in concerted action, the triggers announcing readiness for opening not received yet. They will arrive in brisk sequence, lowest flowers first (Manning, 2007; iNaturalist).