Home
Mission
Overview of Project
Project Staff
Sponsors
Achievements
Checking, Illustrations
Upcoming Activities
Id and Species Lists
Protea Information
Protea Gallery
Growing Proteas
Interim Dist. Maps
Publications
Afrikaanse Inligting
Blackrim Sugarbush Sederbergroos - Protea acuminata
The Blackrim Sugarbush has a peculiar distribution. This species likes hot dry conditions, and is relatively common in the Nieuwoudtville Bokkeveld, Wuppertal and Cederberg areas. And yet, there is a population around Villiersdorp, from Wolfieskop to Stettynskloof Dam and the N1, which grows in some of the wettest places in the region. The Blackrim Sugarbush is characterised by its medium-sized, upright flowerheads and the black rim on the edge of the flowerhead bracts. It is a Rose Sugarbush and is replaced by the Thistle Sugarbush on the west coast, and the Grooveleaf Sugarbush in the Little Karoo Mountains. We know nothing about the pollination of these Rose Sugarbushes. They produce a peculiar nectar (rich in xylose - a sugar which cannot be digested) in very small quantities. They do not appear to be visited! So what pollinates them? Of the Villiersdorp populations, 96% are threatened by alien invader plants - Hakeas and Pines! What if we lose this gem before we find out what its pollinator is?