Maize

Maize

Panicoideae

Date 2021 Origin South Africa Size 8mm x 5mm x 4mm Acquired March 2021 From Woolworths Price R21.99

Protea

“Protea. Name given to a considerable group of shrubs and trees found mainly in the Cape Peninsula and the South-Western Cape Province, although a few species also occur in the Transvaal and Orange Free State. The Proteaceae, deriving their name from the many-shaped Greek god, Proteus, boast of some 300 species. Famed for their beauty and richness in honey, Proteas flower mostly at the beginning of the winter in the Western Cape Province. Although claims have been made for other plants, the Protea is generally recognized as the South African national flower. The individual flowers are all of similar structure but grouped in so many ways as to make a wide range of species. Flower generally a head surrounded by a cup-like involucre or leathery bracts as in the Suikerbos or Sugar Bush (Protea mellifera); or a spike, as in the Wild Almond (Brabeium stellatifolium). Four sepals, bearing the four stamens, petal modified into a pappus of hairs, often golden-brown. Superior ovary. Very large and persistent stigma and style, especially noticeable in Kreupelhout (Leucospernum Bolusii). Fruit, a nut dispersed by wind, or, as in the Wild Almond, by wind and water. Pollinated by bees and long-billed birds, e.g. Sunbirds (q.v.). The plentiful nectar of the Sugar Bush is used medicinally. Among many magnificent species are the rarer Giant Protea (P. cynaroides) and the fine-leaved Blushing Bride (Serruria florida), the Mountain Rose (q.v.), Marsh Rose (q.v.) and the Silver Tree (q.v.) of which the flowers are less ornamental than the shimmering leaves (Rosenthal 1967:433-434).