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Limestone Sugarbush - Protea obtusifolia
The Limestone Sugarbush is one of three sister species in the Agulhas Plain. Whereas it occurs on limestone, its sister, the Bot River Sugarbush grows on sandstone sands, and the other sister, the Stinkleaf Sugarbush grows on neutral sands between the two. All three are bird pollinated. All three store their seeds in cones on the plants as a fire protection strategy. All three release the seeds after a fire, which kills the adult plants. The wind blows the seeds around. These germinate in autumn after the first heavy rains. But each keeps to its own substrate. Little pockets of limestone in sandstone, and neutral sands in limestone, have taught us that Fynbos can be managed in very small patches or remnants. Provided that alien plants are controlled and the fires are maintained. The Limestone Sugarbush occurs from the Gouritz River to Hermanus, wherever there is limestone. It may grow on solid limestone rock - the roots grow through small cracks and extend many metres down to the water table. The Limestone Sugarbush flowers from April to September. It attracts sunbirds and sugarbirds. New leaves - which are bright red - are produced mainly from September to March, although some can be found at most times of the year. All limestone proteas do very well in gardens.