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