Protea eximia bud at Greyton

Protea eximia or the broad-leaved sugarbush copes well with diverse environmental challenges without too much difference in its appearance, apart from some colour variation. The bud in picture may have been damaged somewhat by harsh weather in its past. Still, the suggestion of caring among the incurving upper leaves around the chubby bud indicates the importance of healthy florets and seed set from every bloom in securing the future of the species.

Upper bracts of the involucre display a dull, deep pinkish red below the black rims resembling dirty human fingernails. Lower down the inner parts of bract surfaces are a rich yellow.

P. eximia used to be called P. latifolia and also P. auriculata at various stages of its botanically recorded history (among yet more early names). Eximia means illustrious or distinguished in Latin; latifolia means broad-leaved; auriculata means ear-shaped, referring to the leaf bases; different features highlighted by different name-givers.

The prevailing name option is determined via orderly conventions including the publication dates of naming documentation and not by the aptness of the descriptive features chosen by the different naming parties (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Coates Palgrave, 2002; Rebelo, 1995; Rourke, 1980; Eliovson, 1973; iNaturalist).