About Protea roupelliae Meisn.
Protea roupelliae Meisn. is a small tree that reaches an average height of three to five metres. It is distributed in eastern South Africa, occurring on the quartzite ridges of Johannesburg and within the Waterberg Biosphere, and extends northwards into Zimbabwe. It grows in grasslands and hilly terrain. The subspecies hamiltonii is restricted to leached clay quartzite soils at an altitude of 1300 metres. The nominate subspecies roupelliae is more adaptable, can grow in a variety of soils across a wide range of altitudes from 0 to 2400 metres, and has a broader distribution. This species, particularly the nominate subspecies P. roupelliae roupelliae, can flower at any time of year, but flowering occurs most commonly between February and April, directly after the summer rains. Protea roupelliae is pollinated by a variety of species including beetles, bees, and sunbirds, and Gurney's sugarbird shares a close ecological relationship with this plant. This plant can be cultivated in gardens, valued for its beauty and its ability to attract wildlife.
