Protea cynaroides (L.) L.

King protea

These imposing flowers, natives of southern Africa, are the national flower of South Africa, and the largest of their kind. They are not found in the wild in North America. The genus Protea, which shows a very wide range of shapes and colors, is named for the Greek god Proteus, who could change his shape at will; cynaroides is named for the resemblance of flowerheads to artichokes.

Plants: This woody shrub has thick stems and varies from 1–6½′ (35–200 cm) in height, typically 3′ (1 m).

Leaves: Glossy and dark green, rounded to elliptic, up to 6″ (13 cm) long.

Flowers: The “petals” surrounding each flowerhead are really bracts, while the interior consists of many small flowers. Each flowerhead is 4½–12″ (12–30 cm) in diameter. Flowerheads may be cream-colored, deep crimson, or pink. Flowers appear from winter to mid-summer.

Fruits: Seeds are retained on the shrub.

Habitats: Moist areas in poor sandy soils at elevations of 328–3281′ (100–1000 m).

Online References:

Protea cynaroides description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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