Protea scolymocephala stem-tip leaves

The leaves of Protea scolymocephala ascend, scattered densely on the upper stems. They are narrow and linear to spoon-shaped, tapering near the base but stalkless, the tips narrowing abruptly before attenuating into thin protrusions, darkened in picture. The blades are hairless and leathery.

This species displays little variability in plant parts or growth habit, apart from the length of its leaves. Leaf dimensions are 3,5 cm to 9 cm long by 3 mm to 6 mm wide.

The tiny, early bud in view at the stem-tip already has brown tips on its tiny involucral bracts (Manning, 2007; Rebelo, 1995; Rourke, 1980; iNaturalist; http://pza.sanbi.org).