The genus Protea is one of the most well-known and charismatic of the Cape Floristic Region’s (CFR) Fynbos Biome. The King Protea (Protea cynaroides) is South Africa’s national flower. Members of the genus are exported as cut flowers all over the world, prized for their beauty, diversity and longevity. They are often depicted in artwork and are popular garden plants. Members of the genus are often known as sugarbushes.

Top: Protea aristata Above: Protea longifolia. Photos © Zoë Chapman Poulsen.

The genus Protea was named in 1735 by Linnaeus after the Greek God Proteus, who was known for being able to change shape at will. According to legend, Proteus had the power of being able to predict the future and was thus often sought out by people to foretell what was in store for them.

However, Proteus did not share this wisdom easily and would often change shape to escape and avoid this. People would have to hold on to him tightly for him to share what was to come. Parallels are drawn between the many forms that Proteus took and the wide variety of different Protea flower forms.

Above: Protea nana growing in altimontane fynbos in the Hex River mountains. Photo © Zoë Chapman Poulsen.

There are around 112 Protea species, 89 of which are restricted to southern Africa and most of which only occur within South Africa’s CFR. The genus Protea forms part of the Proteaceae family alongside Leucospermum, Leucadendron, Serruria, Mimetes and several other genera.

The Proteaceae family contains more than 1,700 species, most of which come from the Southern Hemisphere. Members of the Proteaceae family are distributed northwards to tropical Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, New Caledonia, Borneo, India, Southeast Asia and Japan.

Evidence from fossil pollen has shown that the Proteaceae family has its origins from the supercontinent Gondwana 140 million years ago. Fossil evidence has also revealed that proteaceous plants were even once found in Antarctica prior to climatic cooling turning it into the icy wilderness that we know today.

Top: Endangered Protea decurrens growing in Overberg Renosterveld. Above: Protea lorifolia growing in the Swartberg Mountains. Photo © Zoë Chapman Poulsen.

Within the CFR, Proteas can grow into tall trees up to five metres. Protea nitida, also known in Afrikaans as the Waboom or Wagon Tree is one example. It was historically used for firewood, making charcoal and tanning leather. The wood was also used for making brake blocks and wheel rims for wagons. The bark was stripped and used to make an infusion for treating diarrhoea. The leaves were used for making ink.

Meanwhile, Proteas can be as small as the diminutive Protea nana, also known as the Mountain Rose. The dainty hanging red flower heads emit a yeasty aroma and are pollinated by rodents.

Above: Protea odorata, one of the world’s rarest and most threatened Protea species. Photo © Zoë Chapman Poulsen.

Some species of Protea such as the King Protea (Protea cynaroides) are relatively common and widespread. It is distributed from the Cederberg southwards to the Cape Peninsula and eastwards to Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape and can be found in a variety of different forms, colours and sizes according to the area of origin.

Meanwhile, there are other species of Protea teetering at the brink of extinction and needing all efforts possible to conserve them. Protea odorata, also known as the Swartland Sugarbush, is listed as Critically Endangered on the Red List of South African Plants. Only around 30 plants of this species now survive in the wild where it is distributed in lowland vegetation from Klapmuts to Riverlands. The small and delicate pink and white flowers of this species are pollinated by wasps.

Top: Protea magnifica flowering in winter snow in the Hex River Mountains. Above: Protea repens is a common element of Critically Endangered Cape Flats Sand Fynbos vegetation on the Cape Peninsula. Photos © Zoë Chapman Poulsen.

These are just a few examples of the richness and diversity of the genus Protea and far more can be seen while exploring the mountains and lowlands of the Cape Floristic Region. Why not take yourself out for a hike and find out more?

Further Reading

Paterson-Jones, C (2000) The Protea Family in Southern Africa, Struik Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa.

Rebelo, A.G (2000) Proteas of the Cape Peninsula, National Botanical Institute, Cape Town

Rebelo, A.G (2001) Proteas: A field guide to the Proteas of Southern Africa, Vlaeberg Press, Cape Town, South Africa.

Rourke, J.P (1982) The Proteas of Southern Africa, Centaur Publishers, Johannesburg, South Africa