Protea cynaroides
Protea cynaroides | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Proteales |
Family: | Proteaceae |
Genus: | Protea |
Species: | P. cynaroides
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Binomial name | |
Protea cynaroides (L.) L.
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IUCN range
Extant (resident)
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Synonyms[2] | |
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Protea cynaroides, also called the king protea (from
The king protea is the national flower[4] of South Africa. It also is the flagship of the Protea Atlas Project, run by the South African National Botanical Institute.
The king protea has several colour forms and horticulturists have recognized 81 garden varieties, some of which have injudiciously been planted in its natural range. In some varieties the pink of the flower and red borders of leaves are replaced by a creamy yellow. This unusual flower has a long vase life in flower arrangements, and makes for an excellent dried flower.
Protea cynaroides is adapted to survive wildfires by its thick underground stem, which contains many dormant buds; these will produce the new growth after the fire.
Taxonomy
Protea cynaroides is a species of
Protea cynaroides is further placed within the subfamily Proteoideae, which is found mainly in Southern Africa. This subfamily is defined as those species having cluster roots, solitary ovules and indehiscent fruits. Proteoideae is further divided into four tribes: Conospermeae, Petrophileae, Proteae and Leucadendreae.[6] The genus Protea, and hence P. cynaroides, is placed under the tribe Proteae.
Etymology
The name of the plant family Proteaceae as well as the genus Protea, both to which P. cynaroides belongs to, derive from the name of the Greek god Proteus, a deity that was able to change between many forms. This is an appropriate image, seeing as both the family and the genus are known for their astonishing variety and diversity of flowers and leaves.
The specific epithet cynaroides refers to the artichoke-like appearance of the flower-heads: the artichoke belongs to the genus Cynara.
Description
P. cynaroides is a woody shrub with thick stems and large dark green, glossy leaves. Most plants are one metre in height when mature, but may vary according to locality and habitat from 0.35 to 2 metres (1 ft 2 in to 6 ft 7 in) in height. The "flowers" of P. cynaroides are actually composite flower heads (termed an inflorescence) with a collection of flowers in the centre, surrounded by large colourful bracts, from about 120 to 300 millimetres (5 to 12 in) in diameter. Large, vigorous plants produce six to ten flower heads in one season, although some exceptional plants can produce up to forty flower heads on one plant. The colour of the bracts varies from a creamy white to a deep crimson, but the soft pale pink bracts with a silvery sheen are the most prized.[7]
Research
The diploid chromosome count is 2n = 24.[8] The genome of king protea has been sequenced and published in 2022, corresponding to the first genome sequenced in the Proteales order.[9]
Ecology
Protea cynaroides grows in a harsh environment with dry, hot summers and wet, cold winters. Several adaptions include tough, leathery leaves, which helps to prevent excessive loss of moisture, and a large
The flowers are fed at by a range of nectarivorous birds, mainly sunbirds and sugarbirds, including the orange-breasted sunbird (Anthobaphes violacea), southern double-collared sunbird (Cinnyris chalybeus), malachite sunbird (Nectarinia famosa), and the Cape sugarbird (Promerops cafer). In order to reach the nectar, the bird must push its bill into the inflorescence. As it does so, its bill and face gets brushed with pollen, thereby allowing for possible pollination.
Along with birds, a host of insects are attracted to the flowerhead, such as
Like many other Protea species, P. cynaroides is adapted to an environment in which bushfires are essential for reproduction and regeneration. Most Protea species can be placed in one of two broad groups according to their response to fire: reseeders are killed by fire, but fire also triggers the release of their canopy seed bank, thus promoting recruitment of the next generation;
Sport
The king protea is the national flower[4] of South Africa and as such lends its name to the national cricket team, whose nickname is "the Proteas". In the early 1990s, there was a political debate as to how and if the flower should be incorporated onto the national rugby teams shirts, perhaps replacing the controversial springbok.
Gallery
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Protea cynaroides 'Arctic Ice' a white cultivar
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Western Cape, South Africa
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Western Cape, South Africa
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On Table Mountain, eastern table, near Mclear Beacon
References
- . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ "Protea cynaroides L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
- ISBN 978-0-9947024-2-5.
- ^ a b "About government - National flower". South African Government Information. Government Communications (GCIS). 28 November 2007. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
- ^ Orchard, Anthony E. (ed.). "Proteaceae". Flora of Australia, Volume 16: Elaeagnaceae, Proteaceae 1. Melbourne: Australian Biological Resources Study / CSIRO Publishing. Archived from the original on 31 October 2006. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
- .
- ^ "Protea cynaroides". Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ De Vos, M. P. (1943). "Cytological studies in genera of the Proteaceae." South African Journal of Science, 40(11), 113-122.
- PMID 36424853.
- ^ "Pollination of Proteas". Proteas Atlas Project. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
- ^ Jamieson, H.G. (July 2001). "Protea cynaroides". South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
External links
- Media related to Protea cynaroides at Wikimedia Commons
- Protea cynaroides info on PlantZAfrica.com - from the South African National Biodiversity Institute