Protea repens deeper colouring

The deeper coloured Protea repens flowerheads, the redder tones on bracts ranging from scarlet and crimson to plum-coloured, are usually associated with the Eastern Cape, around Makhanda and Alicedale. This one, however, was photographed near Hermanus during August.

In the winter rain region more nectar may be present in the heads, mixed with and diluted by rainwater. Conversely, in dry seasons and regions the nectar may be less, but stickier and sweeter. Boiled nectar or bossiestroop (little bush syrup) used to be medicinal in the Cape, mainly long ago (Rebelo, 1995; Rourke, 1980; iNaturalist).