Sugarbush, Angola protea, Northern Protea
Protea angolensis
Family: Proteaceae
What it is like
A small straggling tree. It grows up to 3 m high. The bark is black and fissured. The leaves are long and oblong. They are 10-16 cm long by 2-8 cm wide. They are light green and taper to both ends. The flower heads are up to 10 cm across. The bracts are pale green and the flowers generally white. Both can be tinged with pink. The fruit is a nut which is hairy.
There are 100-130 Protea species. Variety divaricata in Zimbabwe.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in open wooded grassland.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Central Africa, East Africa, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The young tips are chewed especially by children. The nectar rich flowers are used to produce a syrup by simmering them in water.
Edible parts
Sap, tips, nectar
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Estimende, Murrualo