View allAll Photos Tagged protea
THE MEANING & SYMBOLISM OF Protea.
One of 1000 species!!
Among the oldest families of flowers on earth, dating back 300 million years, Greek legend tells us that protea were named after Proteus, the son of Poseidon. A sea god who had the power to know all things past, present and future, Proteus was defiant and preferred to nap on the island of Pharos rather than prophesize. To deter those seeking his insights, he would change his shape at will, and it’s said that the protea flower was named after him because it, too, presents itself in an astounding variety of shapes, sizes, hues and textures to make up more than 1,400 varieties.
With its mythological associations to change and transformation, it’s not surprising that in the language of flowers, protea symbolizes diversity and courage.
My Blog: Ariston Floral Boutique
My blog read more on Banana Power
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!!
PLEASE READ THIS: MY PHOTOS ARE ONLY FOR SALE DIRECTLY FROM ME!
Leucospermum (Pincushion, Pincushion Protea) is a genus of about 50 species of flowering plants in the family Proteaceae, native to Zimbabwe and South Africa, where they occupy a variety of habitats, including scrub, forest, and mountain slopes.
They are evergreen shrubs (rarely small trees) growing to 0.5-5 m tall. The leaves are spirally arranged, tough and leathery. The flowers are produced in dense inflorescences, which have large numbers of prominent styles, which inspires the name.
I can absolutely see why this is called the 'PINCUSHION' PROTEA.
Die enige eg SUIKERBOSSIE (ZA).
Protea flowers normally remain closed, (with the style curved, and the stigma within the mass of tepals), until an insect, bird, or rodent disturbs the flower. At that point, the flower snaps open, the style straightens and the stigma is held some distance above the bloom.
Thanx for your visits and comments, greatly appreciated, M, (*_*)
For more of my other work visit here: www.indigo2photography.co.uk
Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved
The genus Protea was named in 1735 by Carl Linnaeus, possibly after the Greek god Proteus, who could change his form at will, possibly because they have such a wide variety of forms.
Le nom « Protea » a été donné en 1771 par Carl von Linné (Protée en français). il a recouru au nom du dieu grec, Protée, qui pouvait changer de forme à volonté, car à partir de la même fleur de base, ce genre montre une étonnante variation de formes et de couleurs suivant l’espèce.
Leucospermum
Commonly known as the pincushion due to its cluster of needle-like flower heads, Leucospermum is a shrub that produces flowers in orange and red. Leucospermum takes its name from the Greek words leukos and sperma, which mean white and seed respectively, a reference to the white seeds of many Leucospermum species.
Description
As its common name suggests, the flowers of the Leucospermum resemble a pincushion with a rounded head of springy hooks that curl upright. It is an evergreen shrub that grows to a height of between 0.5m and 5m. The leaves of the plant are tough and leathery and grow in spirals around the stem.
Habitat
The Leucospermum is native to South Africa and Zimbabwe, where they grow in a variety of different habitats including mountain slopes, forest and scrubland. When they flower their nectar attracts a variety of insects, which in turn attract a large number of insectivore birds, making it popular attraction wherever it is grown. These birds help the pollen transfer between the plants and are vital for them to reproduce.
Availability
Leucospermum is propagated by cuttings that are taken from November to March and then placed in a growing house until they are ready to be planted out. The flower heads appear from August to October. Leucospermum can be grown from seed but it is a fairly complicated process that involves a lot of preparation because the seeds need very specific conditions for germination, namely a smoke seed primer that contains substances that stimulates seed germination.
Species
Leucospermum comes from the Protea family and is a genus that contains around 50 different species. The common feature of members of this family is the inflorescences of small flowers that are densely packed into a compact head.
It was freezing cold in the Langeberg Mountains - brrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!
© Cosmopolitan Photography | All rights reserved.
Do not use, copy or edit any of my images without my written permission.
Leucospermum cordifolium - Veldtfire Protea, caught in the early afternoon winter sun on Fishpen Road, Merimbula, NSW.
San Francisco, California.
Protea cynaroides (King Protea) is a sparsely branched Evergreen shrub prized for its huge bowl-shaped flower heads, 6 to 12 inches, 15 to 30 centimeters. Each spectacular flower head features a central bouquet of inner flower surrounded by stiff, pointed, colorful bracts. The flower can be wide open, like dinner plates or narrowly funnel shaped. Their color ranges from greenish white to silky silvery pink to red color call from color.