King Protea Plant

I saw these unique flowers in the Flower Dome recently. I was keen to know more about them. So, I took some photos and did a bit of research on the internet. The following are what I found out.

Protea cynaroides, also called the king protea, is a distinctive member of Protea, having the largest flower head in the genus. - Wikipedia

The species is also known as giant protea, honeypot, or king sugarbush because of the incredible amount of nectar produced by the flower heads.

The king protea is an incredibly hardy plant. They grow in harsh environments with dry, hot summers and wet, cold winters, and can survive a wildfire! It has thick underground stem, which contains many dormant buds. These will produce new growth after a fire. The King Protea can live up to 15 years naturally in the wild!

Proteas look amazing, which is why they are used as ornamental plants. They have large and velvety flower heads that smell faintly like honey. They are also popular in flower arrangements because their flowers have a long vase life.

The leaves of certain protea species can be used to make tea, and the nectar produced by the flowers can be used for medicinal purposes. 

King protea, is the national flower of South Africa and represents change and hope. In European nations, the beautiful flower also symbolises diversity and courage.

You can click on the picture for a better view.

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