Disa zuluensis buds

The Disa zuluensis buds seen here still have their lateral sepals over the flower mouths.

Strongly curved spurs grow from the backs of the dorsal sepals. They are visible on those buds that have already assumed the pale lilac flower colouring. The green buds near the tip of the spike are still sufficiently hidden behind their bracts to obscure vision of any spurs that may have grown.

The yellowish bracts lower down have not only lost their green colouring, but their tips have already turned black, although still held erectly or slightly in-curving. At the top of the spike the bracts are still pale green (www.orchidspecies.com).