Aulax

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Ordo: Proteales

Familia: Proteaceae
Subfamilia: Proteoideae
Tribus: Petrophileae
Genus: Aulax
Species: A. cancellata – A. pallasia – A. pinifolia – A. umbellata
Name

Aulax P.J.Bergius, Descr. Pl. Cap. 33 (1767)
References

Bergius, P.J. 1767. Descriptiones plantarum ex Capite Bonae Spei, cum differentiis specificis, nominibus trivialibus, et synonymis auctorum justis. [1]-362. Stockholmia. BHL Reference page.
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Aulax in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 08-Apr-12.

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.
Species

Described species are listed below:[1]

Aulax cancellata (L.) Druce, 1753, 1914 - Channel-leaf featherbush
Aulax pallasia Stapf, 1912 - Needle-leaf featherbush
Aulax umbellata (Thunb.) R.Br., 1781, 1810 - Broad-leaf or fluffy featherbush

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

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

Botanica Sistematica