Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: Elimaardroos, Skaamgesiggie, Bashful sugarbush

Family: Proteaceae (Protea)

Distribution: Western Cape

Habitat: Elim Ferricrete Fynbos

National red list: Endangered

Life form: Shrub / sub-shrub

Comments: A highly range-restricted habitat specialist that only occurs east of Elim, a village on the Agulhas plain. It grows in Elim Ferricrete Fynbos, a relatively fertile fynbos vegetation type that is more favourable for agriculture than surrounding, more nutrient-poor fynbos soils. Due to the agricultural value of the soil, Elim Ferricrete Fynbos has faced extreme transformation and is now a critically endangered vegetation type. Due to this agricultural expansion as well as alien invasion, Protea pudens has lost most of its habitat and it is now considered and endangered species.