Protea lorifolia

Protea lorifolia, in English called the strap-leaved sugarbush,[1] strap-leaved protea[1] or strap-leaf sugarbush[4][5] is a flowering shrub which belongs to the genus Protea.[5]

Protea lorifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Protea
Species:
P. lorifolia
Binomial name
Protea lorifolia
Synonyms[3]
  • Erodendrum lorifolium Salisb. ex. Knight
  • Protea macrophylla R.Br.
  • Scolymocephalus macrophyllus (R.Br.) Kuntze

In Afrikaans this species is known by the vernacular name of riemblaar-suikerbos.[1]

The tree's national number is 91.[6]

Taxonomy

Protea lorifolia was first described as Erodendrum lorifolium by Richard Anthony Salisbury in the 1809 work ostensibly authored by the gardener Joseph Knight titled On the cultivation of the plants belonging to the natural order of Proteeae.[2][7] It was moved to the genus Protea by Henry Georges Fourcade in 1932.[2]

Description

The compact, round-shaped shrub grows up to three metres in height, and blooms from April to October. The plant is monoecious with both sexes in each flower.[5]

Distribution

The plant is endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa.[1][3] Its distribution covers a wide area, from the Koue Bokkeveld Mountains through the Swartberg, Riviersonderend and Langeberg Mountains, to the Baviaanskloofberge and Kouga Mountains. It can be seen near the towns of Makhanda and Riebeek East, and on the Boschberg mountain in Somerset East.[5]

Ecology

Potential wildfires destroy the adult plants, but the seeds can survive such events, being safely stored in a cap. The seeds are eventually dispersed by means of the wind. Pollination occurs through the action of birds. The plant grows on dry slopes in sandstone-derived soils, and is found at altitudes of 450 to 1,400 metres.[5]

Conservation

It is not threatened.[5]

Protea lorifolia with dried inflorescences in August

References
  1. Rebelo, A.G.; Mtshali, H.; von Staden, L. (3 June 2019). "Strap-leaved Sugarbush". Red List of South African Plants. version 2020.1. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  2. "Protea lorifolia". International Plant Names Index. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries and Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  3. "Protea lorifolia (Knight) Fourc". Plants of the World Online. Kew Science. 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  4. "Protea lorifolia (Strap-leaf sugarbush)". Biodiversity Explorer. Iziko - Museums of South Africa. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  5. "Bearded Sugarbushes - Proteas". Protea Atlas Project Website. 11 March 1998. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  6. "National List of Indigenous Trees Occurring in South Africa".
  7. "Erodendrum lorifolium". International Plant Names Index. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries and Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 20 July 2020.



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