Protea Flower Information
There are over 100 different species of protea flowers, which are all in the Proteaceae family. The designation protea, which is derived from the Greek god Proteus, was given to the plant by a man named Linnaeus in 1735. This flower has distinguished flower heads, and thus can serve as an ornamental. But, the flower can also provide food for wildlife. Does this Spark an idea?
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Types
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Common protea species are sugar bush (Protea caffra), King Protea (Protea cnaroides), Bot River
Protea (Protea compacta), broad-leaved sugar bush (Protea eximia), 'true' sugar bush (Protea aristata), and South African (Protea coronata). A generic name for the protea is sugar bush. Other popular common names are rose spoon, pincushion, sunset and discolor.
Structure and Form
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Protea flowers grow out from a shrub-like base of light-green, to green, to dark-green foliage. The foliage
is oval-shaped, from 2 to 5 inches in length, and rounded at the tip, which curls up slightly. Leaves do not have stems, and grow directly from branchlets extending from the plant's base. The entire plant, base and flowers, can reach a height up to 8 feet, but average anywhere between 1 to 5 feet. The width of the plant varies, as individuals can group together, forming large clusters. -
Flower
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The flower, when in bloom, averages 3 to 6 inches in width. The flower head features an outer rim of erect petals, positioned alongside each other, that come to a point. These petals are also called bracts. The bracts vary in color, from white, to pink, to red, to yellow and any combination. In the center of each flower head are the actual flower portions, which contain seeds and pollen. These portions are small, 1 to 2 mm in width or less, are cylindrical and curve inward, forming a tight mass. The color of the inner sections often match the bracts, but it can vary.
Location
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The protea genus can grow in a wide variety of climates. The Protea compacta only grows 300 feet below sea level. The Protea cynaroides can grow from sea level up to 5,000 feet. The protea can be found throughout the world. Specifically, it grows in North America, South America, Africa, Europe, especially the Mediterranean, Asia and Australia.
Propagation
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A protea is pollinated by birds, scarab beetles and protea beetles. Each protea flower produces a small amount of seeds, which can remain within the flower for up to a year. Birds, small mammals, and natural causes, such as fire, can distribute the seeds. Human, or gardener, propagation, can be done by cutting out a root section, and replanting it, or even replanting seeds straight from the flower head. Seeds are planted in March.
Diseases
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Fungus growth often infects the protea species. Poor air circulation and over watering can cause this type of growth. Fungus can affect the root systems and leaves. An infected root system will cause a decrease in the nutrients that reach the plant body, resulting in wilting and slow, poor growth. Infected plants are removed, to prevent the fungus from spreading. When fungus infects foliage, usually of a young plant, individual leaves turn black. Fungicides or removal are treatments.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Proteas image by Elzbieta Sekowska from Fotolia.com
