Protea scabra leaves at Salmondsdam

The leaves of Protea scabra point upwards in tufts of slender, almost linear green finger-like pennants. As more tufts from the underground stems of one plant surface over the years, a clump of them may be observed that might create the idea of a colony of separate plants.

The leaves are channelled lengthwise and become slightly wider towards the tips that are rounded. Leaf surfaces are covered in sparse long white hairs when young, growing hairless as they mature (Manning, 2007; Rebelo, 1995; Rourke, 1980; Eliovson, 1973; iNaturalist).