PROTEA REPENS / RED SUIKERBOS /RED SUGARBUSH HONEY PROTEA - 10 SEEDS

The True Sugarbush or Suikerbossie, Protea repens, is so well-known that it barely needs any introduction. After the King Protea, Protea cynaroides, it is probably the most familiar of the proteas. It got its common name from the quantity of nectar that the flowers produce. So much in fact that in the early days of Dutch occupation of the Cape, the nectar was collected and reduced into a syrup, bossiestroop. Cape sugarbirds are also very familiar with Protea repens nectar and are often seen to be chasing one another from one bush to the next. It is quite easy to try this nectar for yourself. Just find a fresh flower and dip your finger down to the base. It should be covered in a watery liquid but deliciously sweet. (Warning: while perfectly safe to eat, do check the flower first for bees, which dont like fat fingers competing with them for the nectar.