Aloe lineata var. muirii early inflorescence, bracts only

Before the Aloe lineata var. muirii perianths are freed from the congested bud cylinder, the bracts cover them firmly in elegantly angled rows.

The acutely pointed, red-brown and dully shining bracts leave no hint of the shape or size of the up to 5 cm long perianths to come. Bract size decreases to the rounded inflorescence tip.

At this stage the bracts are dominant and fleshy, several vein lines converging at each bract tip (Reynolds, 1974).