Protea scolymocephala 01

The Fynbos contains some 7,700 plant species and is characterized by the presence of three main plant families (see The Cape Floral Kingdom). One of these families is the Proteaceae (Protea Types) i.e.: Proteas, Conebushes, Pincushions and Bottlebushes/Pagodas.

While doing the Rooikrans Hill Summit Hike on 03 July 2005 I came across this exquisite specimen of the Thistle Sugarbush (Protea scolymocephala) beside the jeep track en route to Rooikrans Hill. It belongs to the group known as the Rose Sugarbushes (Pinifolia).

The classification of the Thistle Sugarbush is as follows:

Kingdom:		Plantae
Division:		Magnoliophyta
Class:		Magnoliopsida
Order:		Proteales
Family:		Proteaceae
Genus:		Protea
Species:		scolymocephala

The Thistle Sugarbush grows into a small shrub 1.5m tall and flowers from July to November. Growth follows flowering. The seeds are stored in the old flowerheads until the plant is killed by fire. The seed is then spread by the wind.

Once abundant, the Thistle Sugarbush is now only common in a few localised areas due to the extermination by man.

The Protea Atlas Project is an essential resource for further reading.