Protea cordata scale leaves

The small, lance-shaped scale leaves near the base of a Protea cordata stem are very different from the larger heart-shaped leaves higher up. The scale leaves are brown, stalkless, channelled and pointed, positioned just above the cluster of brown flowerheads.

The photo was taken in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve during July (Rebelo, 1995; Rourke, 1980; iNaturalist).