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Longleaf Sugarbush Langblaarsuikerbos - Protea longifolia
No other protea maps the extent of the Caledon district better than the Long-leaf Sugarbush. The importance of this species in the area is reflected in its myriad of common names: seven English & six Afrikaans names have been recorded for this species. Among them are Begrafnisblom, Wolkop, Erminetail Sugarbush, and Swartbaardprotea. Do you know of any others? Pollinated by Sunbirds and Sugarbirds, the flowerheads are stunning and varied. Bracts may be green, cream, white, pink or red - colour is of no value in identifying this species. It is the distinctive long leaves and the cone (or tail or beard) with the black tip (rarely it may be brown or white) which is so distinctive. Flowering begins in April and is largely over by October. The plants then start producing new growth, which lasts from October to April. This pattern of making new leaves in the heat of summer is a feature of our proteas. In this they are totally out of synchrony with all our other Fynbos plants. It appears that the deep roots of proteas allow them to tap water even in the heat of summer. Fruit are stored in the seedheads, for release after fire has killed the plants. Seeds germinate after the first heavy rains. Plants may take 3-5 years to flower and set seed, but at higher altitudes plants may take 8 years before they flower for the first time. Any fires which occur at shorter intervals will eliminate this species.