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Protea

Protea is a genus of flowering plants comprised of 136 species, mostly found in South Africa. They have large floral heads comprised of masses of tiny florets. Depending on the species, protea "flowers" may have a few to hundreds of florets. Protea are also characterized by deep root systems. The photo below is of a species of protea located in the San Diego Zoo. This one may be a Protea leucospermum, commonly known as a pincushion protea. The stalks with yellow heads are stamen.

Most protea species have large colorful bracts surrounding the central cluster of florets. These bracts are often mistaken for petals. The protea shown below is the Pink Ice Protea, a hybrid.

There is a fairly wide variety of appearances among protea "flowers." This one is Protea afra or common protea.

The leaves of most protea species are fairly long and narrow as seen in this photo of Protea neriifolia.

This illustration shows how protea "blossoms" are structured.

When mature, this is what the wind dispersed seeds look like. These are king protea seeds.

King Protea (Protea cynaroides)

The protea genus is split into many subclasses, most containing several species. The king protea is in a class by itself.

Most king protea "flowers" are similar to the one shown above with color variations, but not all. Some are white.

King proteas typically bloom in the late fall through the spring, though some appear throughout the year. That is by Northern hemisphere reckoning; the seasons are reversed in the Southern hemisphere. 

Individual "flowers" last from two to three weeks with fresh "flowers" appearing throughout their blossoming season.

Note the shape of the leaves in this photo. King protea leaves are much rounder than most protea plants.

Most protea species are self-incompatible, meaning that pollination must come from a different plant. A couple are self-compatible, meaning that they are capable of pollinating themselves. The process is aided by the southern double-collared sunbird.

ts appearance is very similar to that of the greater double-collared sunbird shown above. It isn't the only king protea pollinator, but by pushing its head through the florets to get at the nectar, pollen adhering to the bird's head from stamen is delivered to pistils.

Healthy king protea plants will typically produce from 6 to 10 flower heads per season, but in exceptional cases, plants are known to produce up to 40 flower heads.

King protea have been known to be part of ikebana arrangements.