Sometimes called “Sugarbush,” the Protea flower is named after the Greek god Proteus because, like the god, this flower takes on so many different forms. The flower has its origins in South Africa and Asia and was brought to Hawaii to be grown and exported in the exotic flower trade.
In Hawaii today, you can find a wide variety of protea flowers from the grocery store to landscaping to large flower farms. They are used in bouquets and often featured in hotel and resort gardens.
This picture shows the center bloom of a soft, “furry” variety grown in Hawaii. The fur helps in pollination and reproduction, as does the strong yellow and white coloring.
