The early colouring of Melinis nerviglumis flowers is purple to deep purple. Discolouring relates to the ages of individual flowers. Flowering happens almost all year round, sometimes discontinued in a part of spring, while most prolific in summer.

The inflorescence may be up to 10 cm long.

The colourful flowers have turned the plant into a garden subject, seeding itself after introduction (Van Oudtshoorn, et al, 1991; iNaturalist; Wikipedia; www.zimbabweflora.co.zw; http://pza.sanbi.org).