Protea roupelliae subsp. roupelliae

Unobstructed by other trees here, the presence of the Protea roupelliae subsp. roupelliae silvery foliage and vibrant flowerheads is notable on the rolling, grassy plains and slopes of Drakensberg panoramas. So much life goes on here that people rarely form part of!

These plants thrive in the fire-prone grasslands of montane expanses, growing on open slopes, often in close proximity to rocky outcrops. The seeds of this Protea are canopy-stored (serotinous), germinating best after fire. This makes these trees a key indicator of healthy fire cycles which benefit the terrain greatly. Canopy seed banks are the aggregated seed stored in the upper layer known as the canopy in plants, as opposed to soil seed banks.

Montane grassland achieves a broader ecological significance from the presence of their sentinel tree inhabitants that flower late in summer and until after midautumn. This is after the rainy season, aligning with pollinator activity cycles and seasonal transitions.

Clearly the local bird population will eye the proteas as favourite nesting spots. People gazing at the bushes and small trees in flower get ideas about garden subjects. Birding photographers patiently await pollinators by these trees on sunny days. Others value the trees as sources of firewood. Some locals obtain medicine from the bark, for doctors are far, the plants all around them (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Rebelo, 1995; Pooley, 1993; Rourke, 1980; iNaturalist; https://clarensnews.co.za).