King Protea
by Eva Lechner
Title
King Protea
Artist
Eva Lechner
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Protea cynaroides, the king protea, is a flowering plant. It is a distinctive member of Protea, having the largest flower head in the genus. The species is also known as giant protea, honeypot or king sugar bush. It is widely distributed in the southwestern and southern parts of South Africa in the fynbos region.
The king protea is the national flower 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.
Original macro photography by Eva Lechner,taken at Palheiro Gardens,Madeira
Uploaded
May 13th, 2018
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Comments (16)
Bruce Bley
What an amazing capture, Eva. Love the composition, color, and wonderful detail. F/L/T/G+/P/FB
Yoonhee Ko
Wow~ I've never seen this kind of flower! Eva! Thanks for sharing it! Awesome work of art! l/f