Proteas are the poster species for fynbos (pronounced fane-boss). They are indigenous evergreen shrubs with large showy flower heads prized by florists and plant collectors all over the world. The king protea is South Africa's national flower.
For more information and excellent pictures of the Protea and other beautiful South African, Fauna and Flora, visit www.southafricatourismonline.com
Did you know that there are six floral kingdoms in the World and in a small region of the Western Cape lies one of the six floral kingdoms, the Fynbos Biome. This area has over 9,000 species of ants, making it one of the richest regions on the planet when it comes to floral diversity. Most of these plants are evergreen hard leaf, and have fine, needle like leaves. One of these is the well known sclerophyllous plant. Another plant that is uniquely and unmistakably South African is the protea genus. These are flowering plants and South Africa has about 130 different species of these.
The reason that the South African Cricket team is called the Proteas, emanated after the first Free and Democratic Elections were held in 1994, which heralded the abolition of Legislative Apartheid,(Racial discrimination).
Prior to that, all South African Sports Teams were called the Springboks, however, this was seen as racist, as prior to 1994, generally only White people were eligible to represent South Africa.
Consequently, nearly every South African Sports Team, is now known by a different name except the South African Rugby Team.
This concession was largely due to the then President of South Africa, Mr Nelson Mandela, who in the interests of reconciliation of the various race groups in South Africa, allowed the name to remain and wore the now Famous number six, Green and gold Rugby jersey in 1995, when South Africa Hosted and won the World Rugby Championships.
To this day many still say thank you Mr Mandela, South Africa's most famous son.
Thank you and as usual I really want to hear from you
Arnold
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