Protea dracomontana

Buds in different stages of development are present on this Protea dracomontana plant, seen in the Mkhomazi Wilderness Area of the Drakensberg. The young bud is oval in shape, broadening as the bracts spread upon opening. The photo was taken in January.

The leathery leaves are oblong-elliptic to oblanceolate. The leaf margins are smooth and cartilaginous, rounded at the tips. Leaf colour is blue-green or glaucous. Leaf dimensions are 8 cm to 14 cm long and 2,5 cm to 4,5 cm wide (Rebelo, 1995; Rourke, 1980; iNaturalist).