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Largenut Sugarbush (Geen bekende naam) - Protea inopina
The Largenut Sugarbush is one of our rarest proteas. Known only from Bergvleiseberg, it was discovered only in 1966! The Largenut Sugarbush is closely related to the Wagon Tree Pr nitida (Waboom) and the Clanwilliam Sugarbush Pr glabra (Kaiingsuikerbos), both of which also occur in the region. Among these "Shaving-brush" Sugarbushes it is distinct in having an underground rootstock and red-brown velvety hairs on the flowerhead bracts. It also has the largest seeds of all the Sugarbushes. These are not stored on the plant, but released onto the ground. Why the rodents don't eat all of them we do not know, but since the adults survive the fire from their underground rootstock, it cannot be too important. Flowering is from September to December. How can this species be so rare? There must be more populations waiting to be discovered! How many more undiscovered proteas are there? Join the Protea Atlas Project and help to find them!