Protea laurifolia inside the cup

The inside of the open Protea laurifolia flowerhead matches the hairiness of the involucre tips for length and density, not for colour and texture. This is the stage before the perianths or individual florets have opened and released their pollen presenters or style tips. Dull beige woolliness abounds on the flat surface just lower than the black rim around the head.

Flowerheads become from 10 cm to 13 cm long (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Coates Palgrave, 2002; Rebelo, 1995; Rourke, 1980; iNaturalist).