Aulax
| Aulax | |
|---|---|
| |
| Aulax umbellata female plant with pistillate flowers | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Proteales |
| Family: | Proteaceae |
| Subfamily: | Proteoideae |
| Tribe: | Petrophileae |
| Genus: | Aulax Berg., 1767 |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
with staminate flowers
Aulax is a South African Proteaceae genus of just three species of evergreen shrubs commonly known as "featherbushes". The name Aulax was named by a botanist named Linnaeus; he named Aulax after the Greek god Proteus, who is known to inherit the ability to change his shape at will.[1] It is unusual among the many South African Proteaceae in having male and female flowers on separate plants. The bushes have fine needle-like foliage. In spring and summer female plants produce funnel-shaped Leucospermum-like flowerheads that develop into seed cones. The catkin-like male flowers are yellow.
Species[edit]
Described species are listed below:[2]
- Aulax cancellata (L.) Druce, 1753, 1914 - Channel-leaf featherbush
- Aulax pallasia Stapf, 1912 - Needle-leaf featherbush
- Aulax umbellata (Thunb.) R.Br., 1781, 1810 - Broad-leaf or fluffy featherbush
Cultivation[edit]
In all respects except frost hardiness, these are tough plants. They tolerate extreme heat, very low humidity, and prolonged drought. Like virtually all Proteaceae plants, they grow best on a light gritty soil with good drainage. They propagate from seed or half-hardened late summer-autumn cuttings.
References[edit]
- ^ "Aulax umbellata". www.plantzafrica.com. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
- ^ "Aulax Berg. 1767". Protea Atlas Project. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Archived from the original on 2013-06-16. Retrieved 2013-05-22.