Protea asymmetrica Beard

Flora Zambesiaca. Vol. 9, Part 3. Polygonaceae-Myriaceae. Pope GV, Polhill RM, Martins ES. 2006.

Type

Type:Zimbabwe, Nyanga (Inyanga), Beard 823 (PRE, holotype).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Middle bracts 1.8–3 × 1.5–1.8 cm, obtuse, appressed-tomentose or the margins glabrescent, the hairs usually silver-brown, glabrous parts brown; inner bracts 5–6.7 × 0.6–1 cm, linear-oblanceolate, equalling the flowers, indumentum as for middle bracts, white flushed with pink Middle bracts 1.8–3 × 1.5–1.8 cm, obtuse, appressed-tomentose or the margins glabrescent, the hairs usually silver-brown, glabrous parts brown; inner bracts 5–6.7 × 0.6–1 cm, linear-oblanceolate, equalling the flowers, indumentum as for middle bracts, white flushed with pink.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers 5–6.7 cm long, pinkish Heads 9 cm diameter, opening on one side first Flowers 5–6.7 cm long, pinkish.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Perianth base glabrous or with a few long brown appressed hairs on the upper part; claw with dense or rather sparse long brown appressed hairs outside; limb 14–18 mm long, villous on the 3 fused segments or glabrescent or with the dense tuft of hairs at the apex persisting Perianth base glabrous or with a few long brown appressed hairs on the upper part; claw with dense or rather sparse long brown appressed hairs outside; limb 14–18 mm long, villous on the 3 fused segments or glabrescent or with the dense tuft of hairs at the apex persisting.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style glabrous. Style glabrous.

Note

The epithet refers to the flowers opening on the western side first, which is peculiar to this species only.

Distribution

ZIM E Zimbabwe Known only from the mountains of Nyanga Distr.

Morphology General Habit

Shrub up to 1.6 m from a rootstock with predominantly simple stems showing several bud scars at intervals (apparently flowering only after several year’s growth). Shrub up to 1.6 m from a rootstock with predominantly simple stems showing several bud scars at intervals (apparently flowering only after several year’s growth)

Morphology Branches

Young branches with long spreading deflexed hairs, retaining their epidermis, glabrous when older. Young branches with long spreading deflexed hairs, retaining their epidermis, glabrous when older

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 8–12 × 2.3–3 cm, 3–5 times as long as broad, narrowly elliptic or narrowly oblanceolate to oblanceolate, cuneate at the base, obtuse to rounded at the apex, with rather sparse long spreading irregular hairs when young, rapidly glabrescent or hairs persisting at base and midrib. Leaves 8–12 × 2.3–3 cm, 3–5 times as long as broad, narrowly elliptic or narrowly oblanceolate to oblanceolate, cuneate at the base, obtuse to rounded at the apex, with rather sparse long spreading irregular hairs when young, rapidly glabrescent or hairs persisting at base and midrib

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Heads 9 cm diameter, opening on one side first.