Lapeirousia pyramidalis subsp. pyramidalis floral bracts

The bracts of the flowering spike of Lapeirousia pyramidalis subsp. pyramidalis are ribbed and pale green or brick-red as in the photo.

Before the flowers appear the main feature is these short, broad bracts in their distichous arrangement, folding over each other like plaited hair. Each bract will subtend a stalkless, long-tubed flower for a while at bloomtime.

Note that the long leaves, narrow and ribbed, emerging lower down on the small plant are quite different to the floral bracts (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Manning, 2007; www.pacificbulbsociety.org).