About Protea aurea (Burm.fil.) Rourke
Protea aurea, commonly known as the long-bud sugarbush, is a shrub or small tree that grows with a single trunk. It is found in mountain fynbos vegetation, and it most commonly grows on cool, moist southern-facing slopes. This species is endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. Its flowerheads grow alone, and take on a shape similar to a shuttlecock when they open. The fruit it produces is a densely hairy nut. Two subspecies of Protea aurea are currently recognised: Protea aurea subsp. aurea, and Protea aurea subsp. potbergensis. The latter subspecies is rare, and grows only in the Potberg area.
