Genus of 115 species. The genus is named after the Greek god Proteus, who was able to change his shape at will, an indication of the diversity and variety to be found in the Protea family. It bears red-pink, open flower heads about 5″ across for most of the year, but they are at their showiest in spring.Heavy black fur on the bract tips with bracts pale green, tan, and cream. The bracts are 5″ tall, 2 1/2 ” across. Height 5′. The common names for different proteas promise extravagance, and proteas deliver. Their “flowers” (actually a head or cluster of long, narrow, tubular flowers, often surrounded by colorful petal-like leaves or bracts) come in unbelievable sizes, shapes, textures, and color ranges