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Proteaceae
King Protea
Protea cynaroides
Courage, transformation, diversity.
- Family
- Proteaceae
- Genus
- Protea
- Native to
- South Africa
- Bloom season
- Fall, Winter, Spring
- Type
- evergreen shrub
- Height
- 1–2 m
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil
- Sandy, acidic, phosphorus-poor
- Water
- Low; drought tolerant
- Hardiness
- 9–11
- Lifespan
- Perennial
Did you know
- The king protea is the national flower of South Africa and features on the country's cricket team badge.
- Proteas are among the oldest flowering plants — they evolved around 300 million years ago.
- Named after the Greek sea god Proteus, who could change forms, because of the extreme variety in the genus.
- King protea flower heads can reach 30 cm in diameter — the largest in the genus.
- Many protea species require fire to reproduce — their seed pods only open after exposure to wildfire heat.