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Protea subulifolia Awl-leaf Rodent Protea on the Langeberg
Pr subu is one of the more exciting Proteas. Firstly, it
does not bear its blooms on the tips of the shoots, but hides them underneath
the bush at the stem. It also produces brown flower heads, which smell yeasty
and is thus pollinated by mice, rats and shrews.
But its real claim to fame is its huge variation in leaf size. Near Cape Agulhas it has leaves about 5 mm long. At Jonaskop and High Noon it has leaves 80 mm long. In between, depending perhaps on altitude, or perhaps on rainfall, it has intermediate-sized leaves. Its distribution is from Elim, near Cape Agulhas, to the Houwhoek Mountains and the Stettynsberg near Villiersdorp and the Riviersonderend (RSE) Mountains.
While walking the Bloupunt Trail at Montagu, we came across large populations of the Awl-leaf Protea on the Langeberg Mountain. This amounts to a range extension of over 40 km. As on the RSE mountains it occurs on Table Mountain Sandstone, but exclusively on southern slopes (I have seen it only on northern slopes of the RSE). On the flats however, it occurs on shale soils, so perhaps there is no reason for it not being able to cross the Robertson Karoo under conditions of higher rainfall. However, its involucral bracts are brown, not the pale pink colour typical of the forms growing at lower elevations, so perhaps I should not be so glib with my migratory explanations.
PS, I really recommend the Montagu trails (Bloupunt 16 km and Cogmanskloof 12 km). Quite apart from the snow (a dusting in season), splendid scenery, and easy walking, you can meet Pr ampl, cyna, humi, lori, magn, neri, niti, repe, subu; Ld euca, rubr, sgnm, spis s; Ls calli; Mi cucu; Pa cand; Se non-acro (see page 25 of the Protea Atlas Manual); and splendid specimens of Oldenburgia paradoxa. Although the Cedarberg Formation is obvious, it supports no additional protea species. Overnight accommodation for 12 persons is available. Contact Montagu Information Office at Bath Street (0234-42471) for bookings. Expect a six month waiting list!
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