Melianthus major young inflorescence adding shine

As the first flowers in the Melianthus major inflorescence start to lift some sepals or calyx lobes, colouring and shine generally intensify. Each flower has five sepals but only one of them outsized and long with conspicuously attenuating tip.

Flower stalk elongation is also noticeable among the buds (Manning, 2007; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; iNaturalist).