Define Protea
According to theflowerexpert.com, "protea" is the botanical and English name of a flower genus in the Proteaceae family. The protea is a highly unusual, exotically beautiful and ancient plant that comes in many varieties. In the United States, proteas are most common on the West Coast and in Hawaii. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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Protea flowers can grow on small shrubs or trees up to 35 meters tall, according to ScienceDaily.com. The plant's leaves are tough and leathery, and its hardy flowers feature unusual, feather-like petals. They come in colors ranging from pinks and purples to bright reds, greens and yellows. The tips of the bell-shaped blooms are often a different shade from their primary color, such as the "oleanderleaf" protea, which has mauve flowers tipped in black.
Geography
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The protea flourishes in hot, arid climates. Most of the 2,000 species of protea are native to southwestern Australia and the Cape Floristic region of South Africa, though no single genus grows in both of those regions, according to ScienceDaily.com. The protea is South Africa's national flower. Most proteas in the U.S. today are grown commercially in California and Hawaii.
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History
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Europeans exploring South Africa discovered the protea in 1735. The Greek god Proteus, who could change shape at will, is the plant's namesake because of the protea's many, drastically different varieties. It's believed that the protea grew on Gondwana, the ancient supercontinent that split to form the southern continents, making it one of the oldest flowers on Earth.
Growth
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Proteas grow best in warm climates and can't survive in environments falling below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. While resistant to heat and drought, they do not tolerate alkaline substances or fungi very well and require highly acidic soil to grow. Nonetheless, too much acidity in the environment can cause negative effects---protea farmers on the Big Island of Hawaii have found that large losses correlate with increased production of the highly sulfuric volcanic smog from the nearby Kilauea volcano.
Uses
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Protea flowers are very easily dried and preserved, with two of its species---the king protea and pincushion protea---leading DiscoverProtea.com's list of the top 10 flowers with the best vase lives. This characteristic, along with its exotic appearance, makes the protea a very popular choice for long-lasting flower arrangements. Its resilience also makes the protea useful for creating handcrafted items, such as Christmas tree ornaments or wreaths.
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References
- Photo Credit Peter Baker: Flickr.com
