King Protea

South Africa · giant flowers · fynbos

Massive flower head. The king protea has the largest flower head of any protea plant, making it truly fit for royalty. Its blooms can be as big as a dinner plate and come in shades of pink, red, and cream.

National treasure. This stunning flower is the official national flower of South Africa. It represents the beauty and uniqueness of South African plants.

A bee magnet. The king protea is sometimes called the honeypot because its large flowers are packed with nectar that attracts bees and other insects. The insects help pollinate the flower while they drink the sweet reward.

Home in the fynbos. King proteas grow wild only in the southwestern and southern parts of Western Cape province in South Africa, in a special ecosystem called the fynbos. This region has sandy soil and lots of unique plants that don't grow anywhere else on Earth.

Tough and special. Like other proteas, the king protea has adapted to survive fires that naturally happen in the fynbos. Its thick leaves and sturdy structure help it thrive in this challenging environment.