Protea scolymocephala appeal to the sweet tooth

A Protea scolymocephala flowerhead may assume this dessert or cupcake deception before the styles start escaping from the grasp of the perianth segments, when the hairiness at segment tips still appears like icing. There is nothing for people worth eating here though.

Whatever is meant to be edible or potable for pollinators in this flowerhead is ideally offered slightly later when the pollen presenters have slipped out and their styles have straightened (Eliovson, 1983; Rourke, 1980; http://pza.sanbi.org).