Protea cynaroides

Protea cynaroides, the king protea, is an upright, sparsely branched shrub reaching heights from 30 cm to 3 m. The hairless stems arise from a thick underground rootstock from which the plant resprouts after fire. The variably shaped, hairless leaves are distinctly stalked.

Flowerhead colour varies: the pale pink variety is common and well liked, while deep crimson and creamy white flowering forms exist. The shrub is relatively small for such big heads. The large flowerhead consists of many individual flower tubes or perianths, bunched together within the cup of involucral bracts. A well-growing bush may produce a large number of flowerheads in a season which may last all year and a flowerhead may contain about 400 viable seeds.

The distribution is in the Western Cape from the Cederberg and the Cape Peninsula in a coastal belt to the Eastern Cape as far as Makhanda (Grahamstown).

The habitat is fynbos slopes and coastal mountains at all elevations found in the region, receiving medium to high rainfall. The population in habitat is considered of least concern early in the twenty first century.

This plant traditionally enjoys a position of honour among the proteas and all plants of South Africa. As the national flower it is cherished, also as the emblem of local sports teams. The spectacular big flowerheads are recognized widely, convincing gardeners of every new generation to grow the plant and maintain it as a prestigious local garden subject. The king protea is grown and sold as a cut flower and nursery plant today in many countries (Manning, 2007; Rebelo, 1995; Rourke, 1980; Eliovson, 1973; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).