Melianthus major colour deviant

This already fully open Melianthus major inflorescence lacks the usual maroon to chocolate brown sepals and the partly hidden red petals inside them. The sepals are here pale yellow, the petals dull purple. The petals often start off purple‑brown before turning the usual saturated red.

This may either be a genetic extreme or deviation, or the absence of the usual colouring caused by environmental influences, such as cool weather, much shade, or a nutrient deficiency (Curtis-Scott, et al, 2020; Manning, 2007; iNaturalist).