In this bud of Protea nitida the perianths have grown to dominate as the superior components of the structure above the widely opened but subservient involucre. The flowerhead shape has progressed from oblong to globose, i.e. nearly spherical.
The original protective shield of the involucre around all the vital parts has reduced to a base for presenting the many little florets to whatever pollinators are around once they open. At this stage the perianths are still covering the pollen presenters at the style tips, the birds and insects looking elsewhere.
Nectar reward is being prepared inside the head for when the pollen is presented. Some pollen is then transported from the anthers inside the perianth segment tips to the pollen presenters at the style tips.
This means the styles will straighten, having grown longer than what the perianths ever were. The pollen presenters will serve lunch, dinner or whatever the visiting pollinators call their meals (Rourke, 1980).