Protea neriifolia
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| Protea neriifolia | ||||||||||||||
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| Protea neriifolia R.Br. |
Protea neriifolia , also known as oleanderleaf protea, is a flowering plant. which is endemic to South Africa.
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[edit] Description
It forms a large shrub 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Ecology
The species is pollinated by various insects including protea beetles, scarab beetles and also birds which are attracted by the insects and nectar.
[edit] 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.
