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Protea L.Proteaceae |
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Common names
sugarbush Species cultivated
Most commonly cultivated Protea cynaroides (L.) L. includes 'King Protea' Other species P. compacta R. Br. P. eximia (Knight) Fourc. P. grandiceps Tratt. P. lacticolor Salisb. P. magnifica Link P. mundii Klotzsch P. nana (Bergius) Thunb. P. neriifolia R. Br. P. pityphylla Phillips1 P. repens (L.) L. P. scolymocephala (L.) Reichard hybrids based on these species, as well as on P. burchelli Stapf and P. susannae Phillips. Origin
South Africa and north to tropical Africa. Brief characterization
Entire, ovate to oblong, leathery leaves; dense solitary head of irregular, elongate flowers, enclosed in involucre of imbricate, showy, colored bracts; perianth of 4 segments, of which 3 are connate, and 1 free; 3 fertile stamens associated with the 3 connate segments, and 1 sterile stamen associated with the 1 free segment; style long, stiff, needle-like. Cultivar and/or species variation
Leaves commonly oblong, also linear, elliptic and other shapes; leaf apices rounded to acute; heads to 20 cm across; involucre cup-shaped or turbinate to narrowly funnel-shaped; involucral bracts vary in shape and color from red and pink to green, with apices rounded to acute. Countries exporting
South Africa, Zimbabwe. ![]() |
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Protea cynaroides: flower
(left), perianth segment bearing stamen (right) |
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Protea eximia 'Rose Spoon'
(Duchess Protea)
Photo: © California Cut Flower Commission |
Protea magnifica 'Rose
Queen' (Queen Protea)
Photo: © California Cut Flower Commission |
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Protea neriifolia 'Pink
Mink'
Photo: © California Cut Flower Commission |
Protea repens Sugarbush
Photo: © California Cut Flower Commission |