Protea aurea subsp. aurea near the Outeniqua Pass

The southern slopes of the Outeniqua Mountains are about the eastern end of the geographical distribution of Protea aurea subsp. aurea in nature. It is where this photo was taken.

The long buds on show brought the plant one of its common names, viz. long-bud sugarbush or long-bud protea. The open flowers illustrate the reason for another common name: shuttlecock sugarbush.

The flowerheads may be white, cream or pink in various shades.

There is more on this plant in the Protea Album of this Site (Manning, 2009; Coates Palgrave, 2002; Rebelo, 1995; Rourke, 1980; iNaturalist).