While the esteemed lens-artist quartet is on a very short sabbatical during which they are singularly pondering the beauty of flowers, the guest host Cee is giving us a single flower 101 class. Okay technically it is edition #101 of the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge and the theme is photos featuring One Single Flower. Anyway Cee is actually more into masterclasses than the 101 variety.
On top of limiting myself to single flowers, I also limit myself to a single genus namely the Protea. But limit is the wrong word. The Protea was named after Poseidon’s son Proteus, who could change his appearance at will in order not to be detected. As the Protea has many varieties of flowers with different sizes and colours, it takes after the multiplicity of his appearance, but unlike Proteus the Protea certainly cannot hide. It is a striking flower and stands out even in the presence of other beautiful flowers.
But the origin I want to ascribe to its name, rather comes from Greek itself. Prōtos “πρῶτος” which means first – first among flowers?
The King Protea has the largest flower of the genus, is South Africa’s national flower and also the emblem of South Africa’s national sport teams. The National cricket team is actually known as the Proteas.
But there is something which bothers me regarding the Latin name for the King Protea, as Cynaroides means like an Artichoke!! Now I will admit visually there is a resemblance between a closed Protea (before they burst into bloom that is) and an Artichoke. I will even admit that my taste buds have not befriended an Artichoke. But as the taste is rumoured to be akin to celery and asparagus I’ll rather eat a Protea. I apologize for this vicious remark as cannibalism is outlawed, even when your national team looses. Just not cricket old chap. I propose an Artichoke to be rather called Cynara Proteades “like a Protea”. Henceforth the official scientific Latin name of the King Protea is Protea Rex, but I will allow Italians to call it Protea Caesar. And by the way those of English Rose descent, it is not pronounced pro-tea and no you cannot brew that liquid with the Rex.
Shaving brush Sugarbush (please do not use it as a shaving brush!)
Bee-utiful Protea Nitida
Climbed Table Mountain on Monday (2 days ago) and being the first hike since February it was totally inspiring. I was tempted to show you some views of Cape Town via the mountain… but in fact you are getting some views as the photos of the Large nut, Shaving brush and Nitida were taken during this hike.
I conclude with the last verse of a poem by Sima Eliovson “The lure of the Protea”. I googled this minutes ago after adding the photos and all remarks. I experienced déjà vu – as if I read a summary of my post!
To some it seems a giant artichoke,
While others link it to the ancient god
for whom tis named –
The ruby glow and allied silky beard
evoke the mystery of primeval days;
A traveller, who ranges far from home,
will quicken at its sight and yearn
And envy sugarbirds,
that dip into the gleaming cup,
while swaying gently in the wind.
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these”. Luke 12:27
Pragtig. Maar wees versigtig op daardie gevaarlike berg
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Vir die hoogtes of die mense wat nie die hoogtes waardeer nie?
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Mmm ek dink albei Abrie!
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Dit is darem maar n pragtige blom!
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Ja en alhoewel in die Kaap eintlik volop is is dit altyd vir my spesiaal om tussen Proteas rond te beweeg
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Dit is waar!
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En aangesien Proteas hoofsaaklik in Suid-Afrika en Australia voorkom is it ook goed om te weet hulle speel tweede viool wat wat hoveelheid spesies aanbetref 🙂
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Ha ha ha, ook weer waar
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Abrie you have outdone yourself: I look at each photograph with awe, thinking it cannot get better – but it DOES. What a delightful post this is.
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Wow thank you Anne for your kind words. It may not appear so, but it did actually take hours to complete
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Interesting flower/plant!
Attractively documented.
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Thank you Nesfelicio. It was quite an education for me as doing research on the topic
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Interesting flower and information.
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Thank you very much Rupali. It was interesting to me as well doing the research
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Loved your creativity this week Abrie, and you’re right about Cee and master class! I remember this flower from our SA visit, it is gorgeous. Don’t think we have them here in the US. But as an aside, I do love artichokes also, as long as they are drenched in butter and lemon 😊
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My research has shown that they are cultivated in Caifornia. http://www.californiaprotea.org/
I love people who love artichokes – opposites attract – ha ha. Master class Cee actually said something pretty amazing about this post on her own website in reply to my comment 🙂
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That is a very beautiful and interesting flower, perfect for a ‘one flower’ challenge!
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Thank you Dawn, it gross much better naturally than in gardens so it is always special to find them in the veld
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Wow dis mooi, sugerbrush beslis my gunsteling
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Maar jy mag dit nie as ‘n skeerborsel gebruik nie !! 🙂 🙂
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Never! Darem is my baard nie te wild nie…😋
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🤣
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This flower is definitely a king in its own right. Wonderful photos ot it in all its forms. Thanks so much for playing along in the Lens-Artist challenge. 😀
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Thanks Cee! And thanks for giving me the opportunity to exhibit the Protea Rex/Caeser 🙂 🙂
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So beautiful Abrie!!!
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Muito obrigado Paulo
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I enjoyed reading your very interesting information on this flower.
They photographs unfolded for our viewing beautifully.
Unique and well photographed entry for the challenge.
Be safe
Isador a 😎
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Thanks for your kind words Isadora
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Intriguing specimens of nature. A real delight to view your photos. ❤
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Thank you very much Olga. It may be the first time that somebody of Ukrainian descent visits my blog👍
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I’m pleased to be the first. You are a wonderful photographer, Abrie.
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So glad you posted these photographs of protea. We saw several representations of this flower when we were in Cape Town — in graphic form. But your macro shots are so very excellent! Great detail.
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Glad South Africa includes the places you see. And thanks for visiting it again via my blog
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What a wonderful post. And fascinating too.
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Thank you Margaret all 21 of you😁
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And thank you very much for the follow!!
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😉
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Great post, Abrie. You see Protea all over in California and they are beautiful. Your images are terrific. Hope all is well with you in SA.
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Hi Jane thank you and great to see you here. I was quiet on the blogging front but trying to get back into it. To me your visit confirms success 🙂
I noticed during my research on the subject that they are grown in California http://www.californiaprotea.org/
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Aha! That’s why they are everywhere.
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I can see some resemblance to the artichoke, but the Protea is magnificent in its variation and coloring. Beautiful, Abrie.
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Thank you very much Patti. In the Western Cape it is really a pleasure to walk among (and photograph) them in the Fynbos areas.
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Sjoe, dit is pragtige foto’s. Mooiste blom op aarde.
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Hi Christa baie dankie vir jou besoek, Ja hierdie kern van die Fynbos areas is inderdaad ‘n pragtige blom. Daar is 3 plantgroepe wat teenwoordig moet wees vir ‘n area om as Fynbos geklassifiseer te word. Dit ander 2 is Erika’s en restio’s. Maar hulle is maar vaal in vergelyking met die Proteas.
Nou moet ek net weer in die pragtigste taal op aarde begin blog: Afrikaans!
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Beautiful photos and I love the quote.
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Thank you very much Ally
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My pleasure, Abrie.
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Fantastic homage to a stunning flower. Only seen it one time and that was in Potsdam Paradise Garden. You have real lifted this flower and made it very interesting. Thank you so much.
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Thanks for visiting my blog and for your kind words Viveka. Yes the Protea is rather special
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What a beautiful, interesting, and unique post, Abrie! Great photos!
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Thanks Amy, it is always inspiring to me to move among Proteas
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All the shots are just perfect! 👍
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Thank you very much Megha. Your comment was lying under pending and I did not notice it. It is a pleasure to have you commenting on my post
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😇
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