The globose, grey-green Athanasia pubescens buds have about four rows of ovate bracts covering the numerous developing disc florets inside.

Whitish, velvety hairs cover these bracts that have incurved margins. The buds are lumpy from the gaps among the imbricate, bulging bracts. Some bracts develop dark green central spots, their highest points, where the indumentum or hairy covering may have touched something and the hairs rubbed off (Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist).