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 National flower

Giant or king protea Protea cynaroides

The giant or king protea is widely distributed in the south-western and southern areas of the Western Cape, from the Cedarberg up to just east of Grahamstown.

The artichoke-like appearance of the flower-heads of the king protea lead to the specific name ‘cynaroides’, which means ‘like cynara’ (the artichoke). The name does not do justice to the beautiful flower-heads of this protea, which is the largest in the genus. A number of varieties in colour and leaf shapes are found, but the most beautiful is the pink coloured flower.

Sources:

Brownell, FG, Nasionale en Provinsiale Simbole. 1993. Johannesburg: Chris van Rensburg Publications.

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Last modified: 28 November 2007 14:28:24.