Protea repens (L.) L.

Shrub, erect, branched, 0.7-4.5 m high. Leaves ascending, linear-spathulate to oblanceolate, 50-150 x 5-18 mm, acute to rounded, glabrous. Flower head oblong to obconic, 100-160 x 70-90 mm. Involucral bracts 5-or 6-seriate, imbricate, cream-coloured to pink to red, glabrous, outer surface with sticky nectar, acute; outer series ovate, 10-20 x 10-12 mm; inner series lanceolate, 80-110 x 6-20 mm. Flowers 70-100 mm long, tube 10 mm long, awns with beard; style 70-90 mm long, slightly bent, base hairy; pollen presenter 20 mm long, linear. Flowering time Sept.-Mar.

Mountain slopes to 300 metres. Although it mostly occurs on the flats, coastal forelands, lower and middle mountain slopes, it has also been found at altitudes up to 1500 metres.

The nectar collected from the flowers can be boiled down to form a thick syrup and sugar. It can also be eaten directly.

Can be grown by cuttings or seedlings.