Protea obtusifolia

Protea obtusifolia

Family: Proteaceae

Common names: Bredasdorp protea, limestone protea, limestone sugarbush, Bredasdorp suikerbos

It is a large upright, rounded shrub, 2-4 m tall with a spread of up to 5 m, and a stout main trunk up to 600 mm in diameter. Leaves are upward curving, broadly lance-shaped, 100-150 x 20-40 mm, with the broadest part above the middle, an obtuse to rounded apex, and tapering to a distinct petiole. The leaves are rich dark green, covered in minute soft hairs when young but hairless when mature, and leathery. It has large, oblong, flower heads, 90-120 x 50-80 mm. The inner involucral bracts are hairless and shiny, with a fringe of silver white hairs along the margin. Their color varies from deep carmine to creamy white, with many shades of pink in between. The outer involucral bracts are covered in small, fine hairs and the tips turn brown even in fresh heads.

Sowing instructions: It is easily raised from seed, sown in autumn, in well-drained soil, lightly covered with clean sand or fine-milled bark and kept moist but not wet. Germination occurs after about 30 days. Treating the seed with a fungicide increases the number of surviving seedlings. Transplant into individual containers as soon as the first pair of true leaves has developed.

Locality: Ex Hort. Harvest: February 2025