Protea scolymocephala bud

The globose Protea scolymocephala bud is lemon green, surrounded by its own phalanx of leaf sentinels, more erect than alert. The leaves end in nail-like tips, appearing fit to function on the toes of some animal or bird, here too soft to serve as weaponry.

The round-tipped flowerhead bracts have ciliate margins, i.e. fringed with short, pale hairs, a bit like the stitching on a soccer ball ensuring a tight, secure cover. The imbricate design of bract overlap forms a functional temporary cover over the many tiny florets soon to explode into bloom silently. Floral aesthetics are incidental in nature; functionality lies in contrast, being noticed by pollinator eyes.

As the bud grows, it may acquire pinkish colouring upon the upper bracts (Manning, 2007; Rebelo, 1995; Rourke, 1980; iNaturalist; http://pza.sanbi.org).