The Proteas

The Proteas are very old plants, to the extent that they are within the southern hemisphere in three continents (Africa, Australia and South America.), implying that were already present before their separation, living with the dinosaurs

Protea Flower

About the name of this family there are variations to consider. First, the word is documented Protea comes from Greek mythology. The God Proteus, son of Poseidon, god of the seas and has the power to change shape and appearance, as the Proteas have a great diversity in form and color. Also in South Africa are called 'Suikerbossie', variant 'Sugarbush' which means 'wood sugar'. And that was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 under the name of Leucodendron repens their creeping certain bearing. Later, it was Carl Thunberg who changed his name to the new 'Protea mellifera', Known for his engagement in the production of honey.

Virtually all the Proteas need a rather poor soil, sandy, well ventilated, drained and slightly acidic pH. Their exposure should be sunny and temperatures without frost.

Under these conditions often have problems, whereas very wet, wet lands, is almost certain to die from asphyxiation root or the occurrence of the dreaded PhytophthoraThe enemy fungus most important source of the Proteas.

Currently grown variety Proteas in different countries for use in trade fresh flowers ornamentals. Among the most prominent countries are South Africa, followed by Australia, United States (California and Hawaii Islands), Israel, Zimbabwe, Portugal (South, Madeira and the Azores), Spain (Canary Islands, and the area of Huelva), Costa Rica , Chile, New Zealand, China and Japan.



As a curiosity associated with the ProteasWe can say that the Protea repens was for 200 years, the national flower of South Africa, in 1976 was replaced by Protea cyneriodes with the reason that this particular type produces the largest flower in the Proteas.