Blyde Protea
Protea laetans L.E.Davidson
Protea laetans, known as Blyde Protea, is a flowering plant in the Proteaceae family. Endemic to the Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga, South Africa, it was first described in 1970. The species can grow up to 5 meters tall and flowers during mid to late summer. Its closed flower heads have shiny, silvery bracts. The plant is named for its association with the Blyde River and the Latin 'laetans,' meaning joyous.
Description
Protea laetans is a slender, tall plant species native to the Mpumalanga escarpment. It is found specifically in the Blyde River Canyon, where it is most visible near the F.H. Odendaal camp in the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. The plant's flowering period occurs during the summer months, and its distinguishing feature is the silvery sheen of the bracts surrounding its closed flower heads. The species name 'laetans' reflects its connection to 'Blyde,' meaning joy in Afrikaans, and is used in both the scientific and common names.
Other common names
Blyde ProteaBlyde Sugarbush
Distribution
Global · Northern Provinces
Synonyms
Protea gaguedi subsp. laetans
