Iconic Proteas Relocate

Climate: Half of Flower's Species Face Extinction Because of Pressures in the Cape

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On his farm in Cullinan, east of Pretoria, Nico Thuynsma gestured towards thousands of orange, yellow and pink proteas in flower and thriving 1,500km from their natural home in the Western Cape.

"They're all different," the farmer said of the assorted blooms from the diverse Proteaceae family that has more than 350 species in South Africa, from firework-like "pincushion" varieties to delicate "blushing brides".

He picked out a majestic pink and white crown, nearly the size of his head, that has taken four years to reach its impressive size.

"The king proteas are very slow to grow," Thuynsma said.

The largest of the proteas, the king protea, is South Africa's national flower.

It has lent its name to the national cricket team and countless brands. It features on the currency and is the logo for South Africa's presidency this year of the G20 group of leading economies, which convenes a summit in November.