The outside surfaces of Gloriosa rigidifolia perianths are a creamy yellow. The texture of the slightly thickish limbs or blades is coarse.

There are prominent midribs where the tepals or segments fold in slightly; vein lines not distinct on the outside. Leaf or bract midribs are similarly clear to see (Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; iNaturalist; https://powo.science.kew.org).