Protea scolymocephala head flowering

The open involucre of Protea scolymocephala holds nothing back when spreading its bracts to offer all florets for pollinator enjoyment.

The wide, circular landing strip around the bunched flowers is paved with the sturdy inner bract surfaces for visitor comfort, although the lax flight control prevailing in the airspace here does not prevent daredevil insect or bird pilots from dropping in on the floret tops themselves.

The oblong bracts of unequal length have fimbriate margins, i.e. fringed by short hairs (Manning, 2007; Rebelo, 1995; Rourke, 1980; iNaturalist; http://pza.sanbi.org).