The globose Protea scolymocephala bud is lemon green, surrounded by its own phalanx of leaf sentinels, more erect than alert. The leaves end in nail-like tips, appearing fit to function on the toes of some animal or bird, here too soft to serve as weaponry.
The round-tipped flowerhead bracts have ciliate margins, i.e. they are fringed by short, pale hairs, a bit like the stitching on a soccer ball ensuring a tight, secure cover. The imbricate design of bract overlap forms a functional temporary cover over the many tiny florets soon to explode silently into bloom. Floral aesthetics are incidental in nature; functionality lies in contrast, being noticed by pollinator eyes.
As the bud grows, it may acquire pinkish colouring upon the upper bracts (Eliovson, 1983; Rourke, 1980; http://pza.sanbi.org).