Illustration of protea
: any of a genus (Protea of the family Proteaceae, the protea family) of African evergreen shrubs often grown as ornamentals for their showy bracts and dense flower heads
Examples of protea in a Sentence
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Tour properties include dramatic subtropical and desert landscaping, a front yard devoted entirely to succulents, kinetic metal and mosaic art, resident goats and a stop with 17 fruit trees alongside proteas and exotic succulents.
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Martina Schimitschek, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
This is one of our favorite places in Cape Town: a beautiful, serene expanse on the slopes of Table Mountain, with more than 7,000 plant species, most of which are unique to this part of the world (keep an eye out for all kinds of proteas, birds of paradise, wild gardenia, and much more).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
Hartman loves growing crops, and his mother mentioned protea, an ancient type of flowering plant found in South Africa and Australia.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
The panoramic view from the first launch point is unbeatable, though eight acres of dazzling protea blooms unfurl below, nearly stealing the show.
—Maggie Downs, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2025
Behind the beach, subtropical gardens bloom with palms and flame-red proteas—nurtured by Tresco’s rare microclimate.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
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Martina Schimitschek, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
This is one of our favorite places in Cape Town: a beautiful, serene expanse on the slopes of Table Mountain, with more than 7,000 plant species, most of which are unique to this part of the world (keep an eye out for all kinds of proteas, birds of paradise, wild gardenia, and much more).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
Hartman loves growing crops, and his mother mentioned protea, an ancient type of flowering plant found in South Africa and Australia.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
The panoramic view from the first launch point is unbeatable, though eight acres of dazzling protea blooms unfurl below, nearly stealing the show.
—Maggie Downs, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2025
Behind the beach, subtropical gardens bloom with palms and flame-red proteas—nurtured by Tresco’s rare microclimate.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Protea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protea. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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