Aulax is a South African Proteaceae genus of just three species of evergreen shrubs commonly known as "featherbushes". 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.

Aulax
Aulax umbellata female plant
with pistillate flowers
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Subfamily: Proteoideae
Tribe: Petrophileae
Genus: Aulax
Berg., 1767
Species

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Aulax umbellata male plant
with staminate flowers

Species

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Described species are listed below:[1]

Cultivation

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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

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  1. ^ "Aulax Berg. 1767". Protea Atlas Project. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Archived from the original on 2013-06-16. Retrieved 2013-05-22.