Protea repens

(L.) L.

Sugarbush, Honey flower

Proteaceae Edible: Sap, Flower - nectar 9,332 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Protea repens, known as the common sugarbush and in Afrikaans as the suikerbossie, is an erect shrub growing in the southern Cape Provinces of South Africa. This species is relatively adaptable and variable and can be found growing widely in various soils. Due to its showy flowers and adaptability, it is a popular subject for use in wildlife gardens in South Africa.

Description

A shrub. It grows up to 2.5 m tall. The leaves are clustered near the ends of branches. They are narrow and oval. They are 13 cm long by 0.8-1.3 cm wide. It tapers to the ends. The flower heads are slender and 10-13 cm long by 7.5 cm across. The colour can be white to pink or red.

Edible Uses

The nectar from the flowers can be consumed directly or made into a delicious syrup.

Traditional Uses

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

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a warm temperate plant. It grows from sea level to 2000 m altitude in South Africa. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. Hobart Botanical Gardens. Wittunga Botanical Gardens.

Where It Grows

Africa, Australia, South Africa*, Southern Africa, Tasmania,

Propagation

Sow seed as soon as it is ripe in autumn, placing it in individual pots in a greenhouse. Pay attention to soil requirements. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts, and consider providing cold protection for at least their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood can be taken in July/August in a frame.

Other Uses

None known

Synonyms

Protea mellifera Thunb.

Also Known As

Suikerbos

References (16)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 839
Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 835
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1089
De Vynk, J. C., et al, 2016, Indigenous edible plant use by contemporary Khoe-San descendants of South Africa's Cape South Coast. South African Journal of Botany. 102 (2016) 60-69
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 189

Show all 16 references

Fox, F. W. & Young, M. E. N., 1982, Food from the Veld. Delta Books. p 311
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 519
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 240
Lord, E.E., & Willis, J.H., 1999, Shrubs and Trees for Australian gardens. Lothian. p 254
Mant. pl. 2:189. 1771
Palgrave, K.C., 1996, Trees of Southern Africa. Struik Publishers. p 140
Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 164
Ruiters-Welcome, A. K., 2019, Food plants of southern Africa. Ph.D. thesis. Univ. of Johannesburg p 93
Tredgold, M.H., 1986, Food Plants of Zimbabwe. Mambo Press. p 116
van Wyk, Be., & Gericke, N., 2007, People's plants. A Guide to Useful Plants of Southern Africa. Briza. p 110
Welcome, A. K. & Van Wyk, B.-E., 2019, An inventory and analysis of the food plants of southern Africa. South African Journal of Botany 122 (2019) 136–179