Protea neriifolia

Protea neriifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Protea
Species: P. neriifolia
Binomial name
Protea neriifolia
R.Br.

Protea neriifolia, also known as oleanderleaf protea, is a flowering plant that is endemic to South Africa.

Description

It is a large shrub, growing from about 3 metres to 5 metres in height. Its flower head ranges in colour from pink to creamy-green, with a black fringe that intergrades to white. The flowers are cup-shaped and contain nectar.[1]

Distribution

Protea neriifolia occurs on sandstone-derived soils in the southern coastal mountain ranges of South Africa, between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It is found at altitudes ranging from sea level to 1300 metres.

Ecology

The species is pollinated by various insects including protea beetles, scarab beetles and also birds which are attracted by the insects and nectar.

Taxonomy

Although it was first discovered by Europeans in 1597, and was the subject of a botanical illustration in 1605, the plant was only described as a distinct species in 1810 by botanist Robert Brown.

Other common names for the species include baardsuikerbos, and baardsuikerkan, blousuikerkan.

In Cultivation

Protea neriifolia is among the most widely cultivated protea species. It is grown in gardens and commercially for cut flowers not only in its native South Africa, but also in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and other countries with climatically suitable areas. In addition to selected cultivars, such as 'Green Ice', 'Margaret Watling', 'Pink Mink' and 'Silvertips', the species has been crossed to produce several hybrids, such as 'Carnival' (Protea compacta x Protea neriifolia).

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Protea neriifolia.

References

  1. Weaver, C. (producer) 1982. pp. 50–56 Wildlife Through the Camera. 1982. British Broadcasting Corporation ISBN 0-563-20069-3


This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/8/2014. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.