Protea subulifolia

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Protea subulifolia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Protea
Species:
P. subulifolia
Binomial name
Protea subulifolia
(Salisb. ex Knight) Rourke
Synonyms[2]
  • Pleuranthe subulifolia Knignt
  • Protea acerosa R.Br.
  • Scolymocephalus acerosus Kuntze

Protea subulifolia, the awl-leaf sugarbush, is a flower-bearing shrub belonging to the Protea genus. The plant is native to the Western Cape and occurs from the Stettynskloof to Riviersonderendberge, Langeberg, Bot River to the Elim plain.[3] The plant grows 50 cm in diameter and 70 cm tall and flowers from July to September.

Fire destroys the plant but the seeds survive. The seeds are stored in a shell and spread by the wind. The plant is unisexual. Pollination takes place through the action of rats and mice. The plant grows in sandy to heavy clay soils at heights of 60-1 300 m. The leaves are very variable, needle-like to grooved-round. Involucral bracts are softly papery, brown or pink.[3]

In Afrikaans it is known as Naaldblaarsuikerbos.[4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Rebelo, A.G.; Mtshali, H.; von Staden, L. (2020). "Protea subulifolia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020. IUCN: e.T113221293A185554444. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T113221293A185554444.en.
  2. ^ "Protea subulifolia". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Threatened Species Programme | SANBI Red List of South African Plants". redlist.sanbi.org.
  4. ^ "Langeberg". www.proteaatlas.org.za. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Protea subulifolia (Awl-leaf sugarbush)". biodiversityexplorer.info.
  6. ^ "Rodent Sugarbushes". www.proteaatlas.org.za.