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Ceres Sugarbush Hekskaamblom - Protea pityphylla
The Ceres Sugarbush occurs in the Hex River Mountains from Ceres to the Sanddrift Peaks, with an outlier on the Dasklip Pass.
With its bright green, long leaves, sprawling habit and nodding flowerheads, it is quite distinct. It is closely related to the Swan Sugarbush, but this has short, grey leaves and hairy, creeping stems. It is also related to the Mountainrose Sugarbush (Pr nana), but this has small flowerheads.
The Ceres Sugarbush flowers during winter. It is probably pollinated by birds, but the strong yeasty odour suggests that mammals might be more important visitors. After flowering the seeds ripen and are stored in the flowerhead until a fire kills the plant and the seeds are released. Seeds germinate in the autumn rains, and young plants may flower from about five years of age.
Pines and Wattles are invading the distribution of this species. Unless they are removed this species will become still rarer. Fortunately the Working for Water Project is removing aliens from our water catchment areas. Preserving our plant species is not a fruitless task - we benefit by getting more water, more enjoyment, more tourists and a more dynamic future.