Black-bearded Protea
Protea lepidocarpodendron L.
Protea lepidocarpodendron, known as the black-bearded Protea, is a species in the Proteaceae family. It was first described by Linnaeus in 1771 and is native to the Western Cape region, growing from Cape Town to Kleinmond. This plant typically reaches 1 to 2 meters in height and is characterized by narrowly oblong leaves and flowerheads with a distinctive purple-black beard and black hairs. It thrives in sandstone, fericrete, and granite soils. The species is classified as near-threatened.
Description
Protea lepidocarpodendron belongs to the Proteaceae family and is part of the section Speciosae within the genus Protea. It is commonly known as the black-bearded Protea and is found in the Western Cape of South Africa. The plant has narrowly oblong leaves and produces oblong flowerheads with a purple-black beard and black hairs beneath. It is adapted to grow in sandstone, fericrete, and granite soils. The species is considered near-threatened due to habitat loss and other environmental pressures.
Other common names
Black-bearded ProteaBlack-bearded SugarbushMonkey Protea
Distribution
Global · Cape Provinces
Synonyms
Leucadendron lepidocarpodendronProtea cristataScolymocephalus fulvusScolymocephalus lepidocarpodendronErodendrum neriifoliumProtea fulvaProtea lepidocarpodendron var. villosa
