Protea is the name of a genus of flowering plants, which was transplanted from South Africa. Although they are not native to Australia, they have associations with Australian native plants in that Proteas and many Australian native plants, like waratahs, banksias and grevilleas share a common ancestry in a large family known as Proteaceae. It is because millions of years ago Australia and South Africa were joined together, but later this supercontinent broke up and the land masses drifted apart. Their cargoes of plants have developed and changed over time but many retained features of their common ancestry.
The name is derived from a Greek god, Proteus, who is renowned for his ability to change his form at will because they have such a wide variety of forms. It is estimated that the genus comprises hundreds of species greatly diverse in stature, leaves, and flowers. The statures of the Proteas range from tiny shrubs just inches from the ground, to tall trees of 8 meters or more. The shapes of the leathery leaves vary from oval to needle-like, in the different colors like light or dark green, or blue-green, or gray-green. Their impressive and long-lasting flowers appear between autumn and late spring. The bisexual flowers are borne in cone-like heads with a central boss surrounded by tough often rigid outer petals. As shown in the following pictures, the flowers are greatly different in shape, size and color. Pinks, creams, and reds are the common flower colors, though other colors do occur.The beautiful flowers are highly valued for the floral market.
