The pale green to nearly white-tipped Paranomus reflexus early buds are initially short, grouped in fours along the cylindrical inflorescence spike. Bud elongation has started at the base of the cylinder where the buds already exceed the bracts in length, although not by much. Considerable elongation is yet to come before the buds will be ready to open.

Each group of four buds is surrounded by reddish brown, pointed bracts, the groups arranged in spiralling rows up the cylinder (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; iNaturalist).