Image - Wikimedia / Bernard DUPONT
Proteas are very showy plants, especially when they are in flower. And it is that they are grouped in such a way that they create a magnificent inflorescence, sometimes really curious. You could almost say that they seem taken from a story, but fortunately they are real, and not very difficult to care if they are watered from time to time and protected from frost.
In addition, there are many types of Protea. Some are larger than others, but all of them have something that makes them unique: the ability to germinate after a forest fire. In fact, in cultivation it is advisable to sow its seeds (in the seedbed, yes) in the middle of summer, precisely because they need heat to be able to sprout. Let's know what species there are.
Protea aristata
Image - Flickr / Bernard Spragg. NZ
La Protea aristata It is an evergreen shrub native to the Swartberg Mountains in the Cape (South Africa). Reaches a height of 2,5 meters. The leaves are linear, almost similar to those of pine trees but thicker, glabrous green in color. The inflorescences are pink, and are about 5-8 centimeters in diameter.
Its life expectancy is 50 years, although growth is slow. Withstands cold and weak frosts down to -2ºC.
protea caffra
Image - Wikimedia / Paul venter
La protea caffra It is a species of evergreen tree that grows in the grasslands of South Africa. It can reach a height of between 3 and 8 meters, and its crown is wide, somewhat rounded, and is densely populated with leaves. Its inflorescences are large when open, measuring between 4 and 8 centimeters.
As a curiosity, it is said that it resists frosts down to -5ºC, although we do not recommend exposing it to such low temperatures when young or if it is acclimatized, as it could suffer damage.
Protea cynaroides
La Protea cynaroides, known as king protea or giant protea, is an evergreen shrub native to South Africa. It grows up to 2 meters in height, but the normal thing is that it stays below the meter. Its inflorescences are pink and form large heads, up to 15 centimeters in diameter, being the largest of the genus.
Apart from being used as an ornamental plant in tropical gardens, its flowers are highly valued as they live for several days once cut.
Compact protea
La Compact protea It is a shrub that grows in South Africa, from near the sea and up to 100 meters above sea level. Reaches a low height, between 2 and 3 meters. Its inflorescences are between 7 and 10 centimeters wide.
In its habitat it ends up forming population groups of thousands of individuals, which is important to know if you want to grow it in the garden if the climate is warm.
Protea laetans
Image - Wikimedia / SAplants
La Protea laetans It is an evergreen shrub native to South Africa, specifically from a place declared as a nature reserve called Blyde River Canyon. It can grow over 5 meters in height, and its inflorescences measure about 8 centimeters in diameter.
protea mundii
La protea mundii It is a shrub or tree that grows in South Africa. Reaches a height of 6 to 9 meters, and its inflorescences are white to ivory, very attractive to some insects and even birds.
It is grown in climates without frost, both in gardens and in pots.
Protea neriifolia
Image - Flickr / Derek Keats
La Protea neriifolia is an evergreen shrub from southern South Africa, which grows between 3 and 5 meters tall. Its leaves are very similar to those of oleanders (whose scientific name is nerium oleander), that's why her last name is Neriifolia (neri that comes from Nerium, and revelry which means leaf). The inflorescences can be pink or cream-green.
protea obtusifolia
Image - Wikimedia / Stan Shebs
La protea obtusifolia it is an evergreen shrub native to South Africa, specifically in mountainous areas. It can reach a height of between 1 and 5 meters, and it tends to branch a lot, so that its crown over time comes to give a pleasant shade.
protea repens
Image - Flickr / 阿 橋 HQ
La protea repens is an evergreen shrub native to South Africa, which reaches between 0,7 and 4,5 meters in height. The inflorescences are not the largest, but they can measure about 7-8 centimeters in diameter, and are light yellow in color.
Protea scolymocephala
Image - Wikimedia / Stan Shebs
La Protea scolymocephala It is an evergreen shrub native to South Africa, where we can see it mainly on the coasts. It reaches a height of between 0,5 centimeters and 1,5 meters. The inflorescences are small, about 3-4 centimeters in diameter, and yellow.
It is a threatened species in its habitat, both by the colonization of it by exotic plants, and by construction.
protea venusta
Image - Wikimedia / michael clarke stuff
La protea venusta is an evergreen shrub native to South Africa that reaches between 70 centimeters and 3 meters in height. The inflorescences bear some resemblance to those of the king protea, as they are also pink and white, but they are smaller: they measure about 10-12 centimeters in diameter.
As you can see, there are many types of proteas. Some species are better known than others, but without a doubt they all have something that makes them beautiful plants, don't you think? If you want to know more about them, click here.