Protea parvula Beard

Growth Form and Size

Protea parvula Beard is a low-growing, creeping, shrubby groundcover that reaches a maximum height of 16cm.

Wildfire Survival Discrepancies

Different sources disagree on how this species survives wildfires. One source says it is long-lived, with individual plants living over a century, and that it can regrow after fire from an underground bole or rootstock. Another source states the plant is killed by fire.

Seed Release and Dispersal

Seeds are released by the plant as soon as the woody fruit ripens, between April and July, and are dispersed by wind.

Seed Characteristics

The seeds are fire-resistant and remain on the ground until conditions are right for germination.

Flowering Period

Protea parvula flowers in summer, from December to March.

Reproductive Biology

This species is monoecious, meaning each individual flower contains both male and female reproductive structures. Its flowers are pollinated by birds.

Geographic Distribution

Protea parvula occurs on the slopes of the Drakensberg Mountains, ranging from Mariepskop, through Mpumalanga and eSwatini, to Vryheid in central northern KwaZulu-Natal.

Habitat and Elevation

It grows in rocky, exposed grassland on acid soils, at elevations between 1,300 and 2,150 meters.