Melianthus major young inflorescence darkening

The pendulous young Melianthus major inflorescence on a long and sturdy stalk has its large bract sheathing the stalk base, similar to the leaf stipules on their petioles. 

The shiny, coppery to maroon outer sepals are large, tapering to acutely pointed tips with margins rolled in. Each flower has five unequal sepals. Outer sepals of the lowest flowers in the raceme in picture have begun reflexing away from the corollas that are still small (Manning, 2007; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; iNaturalist).