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.
Described species are listed below:[2]
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.