Satyrium macrophyllum inflorescence

The inflorescence of Satyrium macrophyllum is erect, becoming up to 40 cm long. The fairly dense spike is many-flowered, bearing up to 90 of them. The flowers are faintly scented.

The dark purple bracts are reflexed down among the open flowers, covering the stem densely. This covering appears like a dark, thick column behind the flowers. The bracts taper to acutely pointed tips and become up to 3 cm long.

Flowering happens from late spring to mid-autumn (Pooley, 1998; www.zimbabweflora.co.zw).