Protea susannae, also known as stink-leaf sugarbush,[3][4][5][6][7] is a flower-bearing shrub of the genus Protea. The plant is endemic to the southwestern Cape Region of South Africa.[3][8]

Protea susannae
Protea susannae cultivated at Rondevlei near Sedgefield, on the Garden Route, South Africa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Protea
Species:
P. susannae
Binomial name
Protea susannae

Other vernacular names are stink-leaf protea. In the Afrikaans language it is known as stinkblaarsuikerbos.[9]

The tree's national number is 98.1.[6]

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.[5]

Protea susannae is endemic to the Western Cape province of South Africa.[3][8] It occurs from Stanford to Stilbaai.[5]

Ecology

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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.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Rebelo, A.G.; Mtshali, H.; von Staden, L. (2020). "Protea susannae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T113221424A185583684. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T113221424A185583684.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Protea susannae". International Plant Names Index. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries and Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Rebelo, A.G.; Mtshali, H.; von Staden, L. (31 March 2006). "Stink-leaf Sugarbush". Red List of South African Plants. version 2020.1. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  4. ^ "Protea susannae (Stink-leaf sugarbush)". Biodiversity Explorer. Iziko - Museums of South Africa. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d "Spoon-bract Sugarbushes - Proteas". Protea Atlas Project Website. 11 March 1998. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  6. ^ a b "National List Of Indigenous Trees".
  7. ^ "Protea susannae | PlantZAfrica". pza.sanbi.org.
  8. ^ a b "Protea susannae E.Phillips". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Identifying Sugarbushes - Protea". Protea Atlas Project Website. 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2020.