Protea laurifolia Seeds - Indigenous Endemic Cut Flower Fynbos Shrub, New

Protea is both the botanical name and the English common name of a genus of South African flowering plants, sometimes also called sugarbushes in Eglish and Suikerbos in Afrikaans. The genus Protea was named after the Greek god Proteus, who could change his form at will, because plants within this genus have such a wide variety of forms. The Proteaceae family to which proteas belong is an ancient one. Its ancestors grew in Gondwana, 300 million years ago. Most protea occur south of the Limpopo River. They are evergreen shrubs or trees usually found in fynbos. Protea blossoms make excellent cut flowers, keeping their colour for up to three weeks.

In the garden they do well in rockeries and also make excellent feature plants. An added attraction during flowering time is the numerous birds attracted to the plants. Other well-known genera of the Proteaceae are Aulax with brightly coloured pincushion flowers, Leucospermum also known as pincushions, Leucadendron with decorative woody cones and Serruria, of which Serruria florida, the blushing bride, with its beautiful pale pink flowers is the most well-known, Spatalla and Telopea with its unique bright flowers.

Protea laurifolia commonly known as Laurel Protea, Laurel-leaf Protea or Grey-leaf Sugarbush in English and Louriersuikerbos in Afrikaans forms a tall erect shrub, up to 8 meters in height. Both the male and female parts are carried in each flower. It is a South African endemic species. It grows in the Western Cape Province from from Nieuwoudtville to Franschhoek and Anysberg. It blooms from April to November when it is also pollinated by birds. The fruit is stored on the plant and the seeds are then dispersed by the wind.