Proteaceae. Tribe Proteae.
Protea, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 169.
Protea pityphylla, Phill. var. latifolia, Phillips var. nov., a typo foliis
latis differt.
The Protea figured on the accompanying plate is readily distinguished from the species by its flat, linear leaves, and on this character alone has been described as a variety of P. pityphylla, Phill. We are indebted to Miss L. Guthrie of the Bolus Herbarium for the specimens, which she received from Mr. de Wet of Ceres. The plant is stated to grow in the same habitat and to be found associated with P. pityphylla and P. Marlothii. It has the characteristic involucre of the former species, namely, the long leaf-like appendages from the apices of the lowermost bracts and also the same pendulous heads. The section of the genus (§ Pinifoliæ), comprising species with narrowly linear, filiform or needle-shaped leaves, to which this plant belongs is illustrated here for the first time.
Description:—Branches glabrous. Leaves 5·5-6·5 cm. long, 3 mm. broad, linear, bluntly apiculate, slightly narrowed to the base, glabrous. Head sessile, 4·5 cm. long, about 6·5 cm. in diameter, cernuous. Involucral-bracts 7-8-seriate, glabrous; the outer ovate, obtuse, sometimes subacuminate, minutely ciliate, the lowermost produced into long foliaceous appendages resembling the leaves; inner 3·5 cm. long, 1·3 cm. broad, concave, arching over and exceeding the flowers. Perianth-sheath 2 cm. long, dilated and 3-keeled below, setulose on the uppermost portion, otherwise glabrous; lip 5·5 mm. long, 3-toothed, 3-keeled, setulose below; teeth subequal, ·5 mm. long, the middle tooth smaller than the two lateral. Filaments ·5 mm. long; anthers 3·5 mm. long, linear, with an ovate fleshy apical gland less than ·5 mm. long. Ovary covered with long golden hairs; style over 2·5 cm. long, widened and much compressed at the base, sickle-shaped, glabrous; stigma 4 mm. long, scarcely swollen at the junction with the style, obtuse. (National Herb. Pretoria, No. 2586.)
[Plate 108.]—Fig. 1, receptacle; 2, unopened flower; 3, flower with perianth segments separated; 4, base of style showing the flattened portion.
F.P.S.A., 1923.