Protea obtusifolia

Protea obtusifolia is a shrub that grows strongly to heights from 2 m to 4 m and spreads to a broad, rounded shape. It resembles P. repens but has broader leaves and the shape of the involucral bracts around the flowerheads are characteristic of the species. 

The distribution is along part of the south coast of the Western Cape from Stanford to Riversdale, mostly on the Agulhas Plain, sometimes commonly referred to as the Bredasdorp protea where it is much seen.

In nature this Protea is unique in exclusively growing in limestone derived soils, often on hills, flats and limestone outcrops. Reduction of the species distribution includes loss of the region from Onrus near Hermanus to Stanford, due to human impact; possibly also the Cape Peninsula. The habitat population is considered near threatened early in the twenty first century, on account of agricultural and other human activities in the region.

As a garden plant, however, it also grows well in acid soil (Manning, 2007; Rebelo, 1995; Eliovson, 1983; Rourke, 1980; www.redlist.sanbi.org).