What is Protea cynaroides?
{{italictitle}} '''''Protea cynaroides''''' (also known as king protea, giant protea, royal sugar bush, or honey pot) is a [[flower]]. <ref>{{Cite web|title=Threatened Species Programme {{!}} SANBI Red List of South African Plants|url=http://redlist.sanbi.org/species.php?species=799-31|access-date=2020-08-14|website=redlist.sanbi.org}}</ref> It is the largest member of the [[Protea]] genus and is part of the fynbos. The plant mainly grows in South Africa, particularly from the Cederberg to Port Elizabeth. The king protea is the national flower of South Africa. <ref>{{Cite web|title=Protea cynaroides {{!}} PlantZAfrica|url=http://pza.sanbi.org/protea-cynaroides|access-date=2020-08-14|website=pza.sanbi.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=King Sugarbushes|url=https://www.proteaatlas.org.za/sugar7.htm#prcyna|access-date=2020-08-14|website=www.proteaatlas.org.za}}</ref> [[File:King Protea (Protea cynaroides) flower (30353071576).jpg|thumb|King protea in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town]] The shrub has more than one stem and grows up to 2 m in diameter and also up to 2 m high. It blooms throughout the year. The plant sprouts again after a fire. The seeds are dispersed by the wind and the plant is [[Flowering plant sexuality|unisexual]]. The activities of birds are responsible for its [[pollination]]. The plant grows in [[sandstone]] soil at altitudes of 0 - 1 500 m. == References == <references />{{Break}} [[Category:Proteaceae]] {{biology-stub}}