The bracts below Microdon polygaloides flowers dominate in the early stages of the developing raceme. The flower buds are shielded by the sometimes keeled and red-margined or red-tipped bracts. Nearly heart-shaped, they are short-stalked or about sessile, broad at the flat (or square) base and laterally rounded before attenuating in elongated tips.

In picture several racemes are developing, the central one notably larger already. The leaves in close proximity to the emergent inflorescence are remarkably different to the floral bracts in this plant (Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; iNaturalist).