protea

/ ˌprəʊtɪˈeɪʃəs; ˈprəʊtɪə /

noun

1. any shrub or small tree of the genus Protea, of tropical and southern Africa, having flowers with coloured bracts arranged in showy heads: family Proteaceae

Derived Forms

• proteaceous, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of protea¹

C20: from New Latin, from Proteus , referring to the large number of different forms of the plant

Example Sentences

The prop stylist had ordered more than 100 wildflowers as well as proteas, tulips and artificial flowers so that the comedian Seth Rogen, the subject of a cover shoot, could lie down in them.

From New York Times

Bunny tail grass or globe amaranth will lend interesting shapes, and protea and banksia make nice statement options.

From New York Times

Her expressive arrangements — which contain striking elements such as king proteas, lotus leaves, purple amaranth flowers and ornamental pincushions — can be delivered along with a live serenade by Piccinni herself.

From New York Times

She aims to include at least a few unique flowers that you can’t easily find at grocery stores, plus one big, focal flower — think sunflowers, pincushion proteas, zinnias and peonies.

From Washington Post

The spine of Church Street is graced with more than a dozen Cape Dutch buildings, some draped in bougainvillea and adorned with tropical plants — fynbos, protea or cactus flowers.

From New York Times