Giant or King Protea Protea cynaroides
The Giant or King Protea is widely distributed in the south-western and southern areas of the Western Cape, from the Cederberg up to just east of Grahamstown. The artichoke-like appearance of the flower-heads of the King Protea lead to the specific name 'cynaroides', which means 'like cynara' (the artichoke). The name does not do justice to the beautiful flower-heads of this protea, which is the largest in the genus. A number of varieties in colour and leaf shapes are found, but the most spectacular is the pink coloured flower.