Protea compacta

Protea compacta

Family: Proteaceae

Common names: Bot River protea, Bot River sugarbush, Compacta, duinesuikerbos, suikerkan

It is a single-stemmed, lanky and sparsely branched shrub which grows up to 2.0 – 3.5 m tall. The leaves curve upwards and are ovate to lanceolate to heart-shaped at the base. They are normally 50 – 130 x 20 – 55 mm. The stemless leaves clasp the branches and overlap upwards. The young leaves are soft and hairy as opposed to hairless and leathery when mature. The oblong-obconic inflorescence is 90 – 120 x 70 – 100 mm, with outer pink involucral bracts which are fringed with hairs. These broad velvety bracts usually curve inwardly close to the top half to enclose the central mass of pink flowers. The surface is softly puberulous with pubescence rubbing of to form glabrous patches and hairy margins.

Sowing instructions: Sow seeds in well-drained soil during autumn, then cover them with a fine layer of sand and keep moist. Germination occurs readily within 30 – 40 days. It is advisable to treat the seeds with a fungicide during storage or prior to sowing as it improves germination and subsequently the number of seedlings.

Locality: Ex Hort. Harvest: February 2025