What does the protea flower represent?
In local tradition, the Protea flower represents change and hope. 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.
Why is it called king protea?
The king protea, so called because of its resemblance to a crown, is the largest of all proteas and is found in the Cape Floristic region. The flower appears on South African birth certificates and passports, as well as on the South African 5-Rand coin, and the Proteas, South Africa’s cricket team, also took its name from the genus.
What is the scientific name of Protea?
Protea is both the botanical name and the English common name of a genus of South African flowering plants. These are also known as sugarbushes ( Afrikaans: suikerbos). In local tradition, the Protea flower represents change and hope. The giant or king protea is widely distributed in the south-western and southern areas of the Western Cape, ...
Where is Protea found in Africa?
Most Proteas occur south of the Limpopo River. However, Protea kilimanjaro is found in the chaparral zone of Mount Kenya National Park. 92% of the species occurs only in the Cape Floristic Region, a narrow belt of mountainous coastal land from Clanwilliam to Grahamstown in South Africa.
Why was the protea chosen to be the national flower?
Below the bird is the protea, an indigenous flower of South Africa, which represents beauty, the aesthetic harmony of all its cultures, and South Africa flowering as a nation. The ears of wheat are emblems of the fertility of the land, while the tusks of the Africa elephant symbolise wisdom, steadfastness and strength.
Why is the protea flower important?
With its mythological associations to change and transformation, it's not surprising that in the language of flowers, protea symbolizes diversity and courage.
What is the national flower of South Africa and why?
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).
Is protea a national symbol?
The South African national symbols include three animals and two plants, the Springbok, the Blue Crane, the Galjoen, the King Protea, and the Yellowwood Tree.
What does protea mean in South Africa?
Why is the South African cricket team called "proteas"? The Protea flower with pink and yellow petals, is the national flower of South Africa, and hence their cricket team is called proteas. Similarly, South Africa's rugby team is called springboks, which is the country's national animal.
What is South Africa's national flower?
King ProteaThe King Protea, (Protea cynaroides), is a flowering plant. Its flower head (what the layman will call the 'flower') is the largest in the genus Protea: the species is also known as Giant Protea, Honeypot or King Sugar Bush.
What is the meaning of national flower?
Lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera Gaertn) is the National Flower of India. It is a sacred flower and occupies a unique position in the art and mythology of ancient India and has been an auspicious symbol of Indian culture since time immemorial. India is rich in flora.
What is the rarest flower on earth?
The Middlemist's red is the rarest flower on Earth. The stinking corpse lily is the largest flower on Earth. 571 species of plants and flowers are thought to have become extinct since 1750.
What is national king protea?
South Africa's National Flower The King Protea, (Protea cynaroides), is a flowering plant. Its flower head (what the layman will call the 'flower') is the largest in the genus Protea: the species is also known as Giant Protea, Honeypot or King Sugar Bush.
What is the national flower of Japan?
Cherry BlossomsCherry Blossoms (SAKURA) in Japan Cherry blossoms (SAKURA) are Japan's unofficial national flower, formerly called tree flower (KONOHA).
What are South Africa's 5 National symbols?
National symbolsNational flower: King protea.National tree: Real yellowwood.National animal: Springbok.National fish: Galjoen.National bird: Blue crane.
Why is national symbols important in South Africa?
In South Africa, we have a perse number of people and cultures, but we are all South African. National symbols such as a national flag, an anthem and a coat of arms unite the people of a country and make them proud to be a part of that country and all its achievements.
Why is the Protea flower named after the Greek god?
He named it after the Greek god Proteus because Proteas have such a wide variety of forms and Proteus could change his form at will. Some Protea flower species, like the King Protea flower, are self-pollinating flowers.
What is the name of the flower heads of the King Protea?
The artichoke-like appearance of the flower-heads of the king protea leads to the specific name ‘cynaroides’, which means ‘like Cynara’ (the artichoke). Proteas attracted the attention of botanists visiting the Cape of Good Hope in the 17th century.
What is the structure of a protea flower?
The general structure of the Protea flower’s head consists of a mass of flowers on a woody receptacle. The ovary is protected by the receptacle and thus not seen when looking at the flower, the anthers are however present at the top of the flower which can the easily transfer the pollen to the vectors. Proteas are currently cultivated in ...
What is the meaning of the word "protea"?
These are also known as sugarbushes ( Afrikaans: suikerbos). In local tradition, the Protea flower represents change and hope.
Why is cross-pollination preferred?
Cross-pollination is however preferred as a method of reproduction because it provides genetic diversity in the population. Posted by Belinda Van Graan.
Where is King Protea found?
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. This beautiful flower-head is the largest in the genus.
Which species of protea rely on cross pollination?
Other Protea species, however, like the Protea Cordata, Protea Decurrens and the Protea Scabra are self-incompatible and thus rely on cross-pollination for successive seed set. The main vectors responsible for the transfer of pollen in Protea cultivation are birds, insects, and the wind.
