44
Design
44
Design
Protea
By Nita Robertson, AIFD, CFD
Botanical Name: Protea
Common Name: Sugarbush
Family: Proteaceae
T
he many species in the genus Protea are among
the most fascinating fl owers on the planet. e
best-known genus in the Proteaceae family, and
the one for which it is named, Protea comprises more than
130 species, the majority of which are native to the African
continent—primarily the Cape provinces of South Africa
(the Cape Floral Region) but also countries in the tropical
regions of Africa, which are north of South Africa. It is
often—but incorrectly—believed that Protea is native to
Australia, which is understandable because the majority of
genera in the Proteaceae family, including Banksia, Telopea
(waratah) and Grevillea, are native to the Land Down Under.
Just not Protea.
To clear up other common misunderstandings, here is a list
of the most widely known genera in the Proteaceae family
that are widely cultivated as cut fl owers and that many
people refer to as "proteas." Again, the genus Protea—which
is the focus of this article—is just one member of this family
of distinctive blooms; the others are "Proteaceae," not "Protea."
Genus Common Name(s)
Protea
sugarbush—so named because of the copious
amounts of nectar these fl owers produce
Banksia no common name(s)
Leucospermum pincushion
Leucadendron conebush
Telopea waratah
Grevillea
the fl owers are commonly known as
spider fl ower, and the foliage is
commonly known as silky oak
Serruria
the S. fl orida species is commonly known
as blushing bride
Dryandra no common name(s)
Hakea needle bush, pincushion tree
Isopogon conebush, conefl ower, conestick, drumstick
Persoonia geebung, snottygobble
44
Design
