Idwala's Protea Project

Southern Africa is home to the richest floral kingdom in the word.  The Western Cape is faous for its wide variety of flowering plants.  Known as fynbos, the plant in this region constitutes one of the six floral kingdoms, occupying only 0/04 %  of the earth's surface and is the smallest and riches floral kingdom on earth.

Freshly picked Proteas are ready to be taken to the lodge

Protea is the popular name given to members of the proceaceae, a striking and ancient family of flowering plants which is so characteristic of South Africa.  While Australia, Malaysia and South America also have protea, the largest and most colourful are in South Africa.  Protea takes its name for Proteus, a god from Greek mythology, who was able to assume many forms at will.

Alida made a beautiful wedding bouquet using a Protea

Ernst started a pilot project in 2007 and harvested the first flowers 10 months later.  He has since added more species to the project and has been picking flowers for Idwala and a few neighbours ever since.  Every flower remains a joy to him and he would literally go see them first thing in the morning.  In time, he has also been making cuttings from his plants, and growing some from seed - a delicate task requiring patience.  The seeds have to be 'smoked' before germination and although veld fires that occur naturally can be devastating, it is also a good thing, considering the germination that must follow.

A Protea on display at the lodge

An arrangement of pin cushions

Spring is when the pin cushions start flowering.  The waxy appearance has fooled several guest, thinking that it must be synthetic flowers, only to discover that there is real pollen on them!  The King Protea is the national emblem of the country.

The very special "Red Rex"