2o8 Plants and their Ways in South Africa 



in their leaves. These meet their need of preventing trans- 

 piration in such a variety of ways that the order has received 

 its name from the mythical sea-god Proteus, who delighted in a 

 constant change of form. 



A reduction of the leaf surface is a simple mode of preventing trans, 

 piration. Australian Hackea (used for hedges), Serniria, and Protea nana 

 adopt this plan. Protea cynarhoides has broad leaves, but they are 

 protected by a thick leathery cuticle. The coating of hairs on the silver 

 leaves have a similar use, and, like all white surfaces, reflect the light-rays 

 which would heat the plant. The sugar-bush leaves present their edges to 

 the light by a twist at the base. 



Flowers usually perfect. Sepals 4, coloured ; petals want- 

 ing. Stamens 4. Anthers sessile in the tips of the sepals 

 (except Brabeium). Ovary superior, i-celled; style long. 

 Fruit an achene in South African species. 



A. — Flowers imperfect. 



Staminate flowers in racemes Aulax. 



Staminate flowers in heads Leucadendron. 



A A. — Flowers perfect. 



Flowers many in a head. 



Calyx irregular, 2-lipped, 3-sepals or all, 

 cohering. 

 Bracts showy, surrounding the head. 



Fruit bearded, tailed by the style. . Protea. 

 Bracts not showy, subtending each flower. 



Fruit neither bearded nor tailed . , Leucospermum. 

 Calyx regular, 4-parted. 



Achene not on a stalk ; leaves flat . . MiMlTES. 

 Achene on a short stalk ; leaves pinnate 



parted, needle-shaped, rarely entire . Serruria. 

 Flowers in i -flowered or 2-6-flowered involucred 

 heads, clustered in spikes or heads. 

 Calyx regular. 

 Achene not stalked ; upper leaves entire or 



cut, lower pinnati parted . . . NiVENlA. 

 Achene stalked ; leaves linear entire, or 



some of the lower compound . . SOROCEPHALUS. 



Calyx irregular, I sepal larger . . . Spatalla. 

 Flowers in spikes or racemes (not in heads). 

 Anthers sessile; nut bearded ; spikes terminal; 



leaves alternate, not notched . . . Faurea. 

 Anthers on short filaments ; drupe velvety ; 



racemes axillary ; leaves whorled, serrate Brabeium. 



