The early Liparia splendens flowerhead stage is a pinkish cone of imbricate bracts, the cone-tip swallowed by the adjacent stem-leaves.

At this stage bracts and upper stem-leaves are similarly shaped, their acutely pointed tips only differing in colour. The lower leaves change shape and colour, their veins conspicuous on upper surfaces, about invisible on lower ones (Privett and Lutzeyer, 2010; Manning, 2007; Mustart, et al, 1997).