Trachyandra falcata, the branching

The lowermost bracts on the stout Trachyandra falcata flowering stem may be sterile as here, having no flowers to support. Floral bracts dry out after performing early service to their buds. They become dark at their narrow tips and along a line down the central axis; white and papery elsewhere on the broad, basal part.

A still wider, short bract is present where the lateral, short raceme branches from the main stem. The branch angles out only in its lower part, the head turning vertical, parallel to the main stem.

The yellowed leaf margins are tough as the leathery blades, appearing cartilaginous (Manning, 2007; Le Roux, et al, 2005; Manning and Goldblatt, 1997).