Biology:Aulax

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Short description: Genus of evergreen shrubs in the family Proteaceae

Aulax
Aulax umbellata 1DS-II 1-C4489.jpg
Aulax umbellata female plant
with pistillate flowers
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Subfamily: Proteoideae
Tribe: Petrophileae
Genus: Aulax
Berg., 1767
Species

See text

Aulax umbellata male plant
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

Described species are listed below:[2]

Cultivation

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

Wikidata ☰ Q588402 entry