King Protea
Protea cynaroides
- Native to:
- South Africa
H. Zell,Tony Rebelo (www.inaturalist.org),Marco Schmidt [1] (www.senckenberg.de),© Pierre André,© Pierre André,© Pierre André,Ad Meskens You are free to use this picture for any purpose as long as you credit its author, Ad Meskens . Example: © Ad Meskens / Wikimedia Commons If you use this work outside of the Wikimedia projects, a message or a copy is very much appreciated. This,Ad Meskens You are free to use this picture for any purpose as long as you credit its author, Ad Meskens . Example: © Ad Meskens / Wikimedia Commons If you use this work outside of the Wikimedia projects, a message or a copy is very much appreciated. This,Ad Meskens You are free to use this picture for any purpose as long as you credit its author, Ad Meskens . Example: © Ad Meskens / Wikimedia Commons If you use this work outside of the Wikimedia projects, a message or a copy is very much appreciated. This,© Pierre André,© Pierre André,© Pierre André,© Pierre André,© Pierre André,© Pierre André,© Pierre André,©
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Proteaceae
- Genus:
- Protea
- Species:
- Protea cynaroides
- USDA Symbol:
- PRCY2
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, red, white, cream
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, insects
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Requires fire for germination
- Fire Notes:
- Native to South African fynbos, a fire-prone ecosystem. Seeds germinate readily after fire exposure and benefit from smoke treatment. Plants resprout from lignotuber after fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Avoid phosphorus-rich fertilizers; prefers native fynbos conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 21–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require smoke treatment or smoke water for improved germination. Sow in well-drained, low-phosphorus medium at 15-20°C.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI