Flowers South Africa : King Protea

King Protea

Protea Cynaroides is part of national Flowers South Africa. The king protea flower is large when opened and can grow to about 12 inches in diameter. Flower petals are stiff and tapered and are often light-colored on the bottom and then become pink or red nearer to the top. The flowers South Africa are prized for their beauty and are often used in flower arrangements. 

"South Africa’s national flower is actually the King Protea, the largest species of protea!"

Meaning & Symbolism of Flowers South Africa : King Protea

Among the oldest families of flowers on earth, dating back 300 million years, Greek legend tells us that protea were named after Proteus, the son of Poseidon. A sea god who had the power to know all things past, present and future, Proteus was defiant and preferred to nap on the island of Pharos rather than prophesize. To deter those seeking his insights, he would change his shape at will, and it's said that the protea flower was named after him because it, too, presents itself in an astounding variety of shapes, sizes, hues and textures to make up more than 1,400 varieties.


With its mythological associations to change and transformation, it’s not surprising that in the language of flowers, protea symbolizes diversity and courage.

About Flowers South Africa : King Protea

Distribution and habitat

Protea cynaroides has one of the widest distribution ranges of all the Proteaceae and occurs from the Cedarberg in the northwest to Grahamstown in the east. It occurs on all mountain ranges in this area, except for the dry interior ranges, and at all elevations, from sea level to 1500 meters high. The combination of the different climatic conditions with the large range of localities has resulted in a large variety of leaf- and flower sizes, as well as flower colours and flowering times. The different forms retain these characteristics even when grown under the same conditions on a commercial scale. This has made it possible to grow Protea cynaroides as a cut flower for a wide variety of export markets, where the flowers are needed at different times of the year. 

Derivation of name and historical aspects

Protea cynaroides is part of an ancient plant family, the Proteaceae, which had already divided into two subfamilies before the break-up of the Gondwanaland continent about 140 million years ago. Both subfamilies, the Proteoideae and the Grevilleoideae, occur mainly in the southern hemisphere. In southern Africa there are about 360 species, mainly from the subfamily Proteoideae, of which more than 330 species are confined to the Cape Foral Kingdom, between Nieuwoudtville in the northwest and Grahamstown in the east. Protea cynaroides belongs to the genus Protea, which has more than 92 species, subspecies and varieties. Other well-known genera of the Proteaceae are the Leucospermum with the brightly coloured "pincushion" flowers, Leucadendron with yellow or red-brown foliage and Serruria, of which the Serruria florida or "Blushing Bride" with its pale pink flowers is widely used in bridal bouquets.

 

This flowers South Africa pride, need fire to flourish. Proteas, which are a type of fynbos, are referred to as a pyrophylic or fire-loving vegetation, and in need to burn every few years to survive.

 

Fire plays a role in germination, and it also acts as a mineralising agent. Some fynbos species will die when it burns and regenerate from seed stored in the canopy that is only released after a fire, while other species build up seed stores in the soil, according to the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve (KBRC). Seed germination is stimulated directly through heat and indirectly through changed environmental conditions caused by a fire.

 

The primary symbolic meanings of the protea flower are strength, courage, and resilience since the plant survives in extreme climate conditions. Proteas also symbolize diversity, due to the hundreds of variations in color and shape found within their genus. In South African local traditions, protea flowers often represent change and hope since the plant gracefully regenerates itself after severe wildfires. Being one of the oldest flowering plants on earth, proteas are also an emblem of longevity. Finally, the flower’s unique appearance is often perceived as a symbol of idiosyncratic beauty, individuality, and courage to stay true to oneself.

Flowers South Africa
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