This variable large shrub to small tree has a greyish white trunk with spreading branches that form a rounded crown. It has leathery grey green oblong leaves and the greenish white, large flower head appears amongst the foliage from autumn to winter.

Hardiness zones 9 to 10

Protea nitidaiis naturally found in South Africa growing on the dry slopes of the Bokkeveld escarpment to the Cape peninsula and extending to the Winterhoek Mountains in the Eastern Cape, from sea level to an altitude of 1,200 m (3,937 ft).

It prefers an open to expose sunny position and grows in very well drained moderately fertile sandy stony to clay soils that are tending acidic. It is drought tolerant but frost tender and after fire it re-shoots from the base.

Wagon Tree is grown for its flowers, bushy habit and its timber. It is planted in parks and gardens along borders for screening or used as a specimen. It is also grown in semi-arid gardens and is suitable coastal or low-mountain regions. It establishes in 4-6 years and is long-lived. The flowers are commonly used in floral arrangements and timber is used in the manufacturing furniture. Other uses include the bark that is used to tanning leather and the leaves are used for making ink. ID 3716

Protea(PROH-tee-uh) nitida(NI-ti-duh)

Note:
In its natural habitat this tree is threatened due to the harvesting of the reddish timber for furniture or utensil manufacturing and for the production of charcoal. Another threat comes from the collection of bark which is used in a tanning process that has seen thousands of trees destroyed.

Proteaceae (pro-tee-AY-see-ee)
Protea Family