The Protea acaulos flowerhead bracts have here not yet spread into a continuous ring around the compact mass of still closed perianths. The visible inside bract surfaces are lemon yellow, while the soft-haired concentration of perianth tips inside is tricoloured in white, purple and rusty brown.
The arches of lengthening styles protrude to the outside over the bracts, coloured the same as them. Much floret opening activity is imminent here, peaking when the pollen presenters break free.
Ant scouts are checking proceedings, focussed on prospects of feeding (Manning, 2007; Rourke, 1980; iNaturalist).