Protea susannae explained

Protea susannae, also known as stink-leaf sugarbush,[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] is a flower-bearing shrub of the genus Protea. The plant is endemic to the southwestern Cape Region of South Africa.[1] [6]

Other vernacular names are stink-leaf protea. In the Afrikaans language it is known as stinkblaarsuikerbos.[7]

The tree's national number is 98.1.[4]

The species can grow up to three metres in height. The plant is monoecious, both sexes occur in each flower. It blooms from April to September.[3]

Protea susannae is endemic to the Western Cape province of South Africa.[1] [6] It occurs from Stanford to Stilbaai.[3]

Ecology

During the periodic wildfires which pass through its habitat adult plants die, but the seeds can survive such an event. Pollination occurs through the action of birds. The seed is stored in the old, dry infructescence which remains persistently attached to the plant. The seed is eventually dispersed by means of the wind. The plant grows in calcareous and pH-neutral soil at altitudes from sea level to 200 metres.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rebelo . A.G. . Mtshali . H. . von Staden . L. . Stink-leaf Sugarbush . Red List of South African Plants . version 2020.1 . 31 March 2006 . . 23 September 2020.
  2. Web site: Protea susannae (Stink-leaf sugarbush) . Biodiversity Explorer . Iziko - Museums of South Africa . 23 September 2020.
  3. Web site: Spoon-bract Sugarbushes - Proteas . 11 March 1998 . Protea Atlas Project Website . 23 September 2020.
  4. Web site: National List Of Indigenous Trees.
  5. Web site: Protea susannae | PlantZAfrica. pza.sanbi.org.
  6. Web site: Protea susannae E.Phillips . 2017 . . . 23 September 2020.
  7. Web site: Identifying Sugarbushes - Protea . . 2013 . Protea Atlas Project Website . 23 September 2020.