Hypocalyptus sophoroides bracts of the buds

At the top of this pyramidal Hypocalyptus sophoroides inflorescence, the near-white, thread-like to bristle-like floral bracts still persist among the buds. When the flowers open, the bracts drop off.

The older flowers low in the inflorescence have also lost the yellow of their nectar guides. Turned white, nectar guides may not be needed as route maps for pollinators at this stage, or they may politely indicate that there’s nothing left to eat in these flowers any longer (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Manning, 2007; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; iNaturalist; https://www.worldfloraonline.org).