The outer bracts around the old Protea laurifolia flowerhead cylinder curl back, no longer widening to the top as in their younger days. The inner, long bracts still hold the fort around the floret remains. The inner bract surfaces are slightly deeper brown than the outsides, neither side showing hairiness (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Coates Palgrave, 2002; Rebelo, 1995; Rourke, 1980; iNaturalist).