Aloe suprafoliata floral phases of facing up and down

The initially erect Aloe suprafoliata buds slump to nodding positions as they open and later recover to being erect in the fruiting phase when their pedicels elongate and possibly strengthen. The nearly nodding bud in picture is still keeping its dark mouth shut. The already more orange one below it is open, its mouth part greener but nothing protrudes from it (yet).

The six stamens elongate in two groups of three inside the perianth: the inner whorl on thinner, thread-like filaments lengthen first, followed by the outer three, also grown on flattened filaments, but the stamens of this Aloe rarely exsert their anthers. The style tips are, however, exserted in older flowers. So, the pollinators have to find the pollen they crave inside the perianth tips, while the exposed, by now ripe styles are easier to reach and pollinate (Van Wyk and Smith, 2003; Pooley, 1998; Reynolds, 1974; Jeppe, 1969; iNaturalist).