Protea Biology

Red Protea Hybrid, Leucospermum. A photo in indoor lighting of the latest addition to my back yard menagerie. Leucospermum flowers appear to actually be an aggregation of a cluster of tiny flowers.

The hairs probably have something to do with pollinator specificity. It appears that, when in active bloom, Leucospermum are pollinated by birds, sugarbirds and sunbirds who perch on the flower heads or the stems and probe into the flower head in search of nectar. However, the Leucospermum seeds have an elaiosome that attracts ants who carry the seeds away to their nests to consume the elaiosome while dispersing the seeds which eventually grow, particularly after fires. Thus, the hairs may keep the ants out while the plants are in active bloom but the elaiosome serves as an ant attractant to the withered flowers with mature seed.

Furry Pincushion

Furry Pincushion Protea. Some flowers are just too fastastic to figure out. Can you tell where the pollen and the stigma are? Hahah! Me neither. Cool though. I wonder what its pollinator looks like?

Pushing for Protea

Protea blooming in my back yard. Protea species are known for originating in South Africa and being used for cut flowers that last and last and last. A Protea farm owner told me that they like well drained, sandy, moist soil and lots of sun. Constant moisture is particularly helpful if you are trying to root a cutting. While Southern CA is a bit dry, they appear to do well here as evidenced by this really healthy specimen on the North side of my house. Note that some of them grow quite large.

Proteas and the family Proteaceae come in a great variety of shapes, colors and forms, thereby earning the moniker from the Greek God Proteus who could change his form at will. Protea species are also native to Australia and South America.

Quail Botanical Gardens Plant Sale

This Protea was one of many wonderful plants for sale today at the Annual Quail Botanical Gardens Plant sale. We ended up with two geraniums, one that smells like spearmint and the other like chocolate, two tomatos and a bunch of succulents for the garden.