PROTEA, the SILVER-TREE: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the tetrandria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 47th order, Stellata. There is one quadrifid petal surrounding the germ; there is no proper calyx; the receptacle is paleaceous. There are 36 species, all natives of the Cape of Good Hope; of which the most remarkable are, 1. The conifera, with linear, spear-shaped, entire leaves, grows to the height of 10 or 12 feet, with a straight regular stem. The branches naturally form a large regular head. The leaves are long and narrow, of a shining silver colour; and as they remain the whole year, make a fine appearance in the greenhouse. 2. The argentea, commonly called silver-tree, has a strong upright stem covered with purplish bark, dividing into several branches which grow erect, garnished with broad, shining, silvery leaves, which make a fine appearance when intermixed with other exotics. Through the whole year it exhibits its glossy white or silvery leaves. It has at first a very uncommon and beautiful appearance, and sometimes in the course of 12 or 15 years reaches the height of 20 feet, which it never exceeds. In a rich soil it grows twice as quick, and is by far the largest of the protea kind. They are generally planted near some firms, and very seldom grow wild; Mr Sparman* thinks it was probably brought to the Cape of Good Hope from Anamaqua; for he had travelled over the whole north-east side of Hottentot's Holland, without finding it either in its wild state or planted. 3. The nitida, or wageboom, greatly resembles the second sort: the leaves are very silky and white, with erect purple branches.
All these plants, being tender exotics, require to be continually kept in the greenhouse during winter. The first may be propagated by cuttings, which should be cut off in April, just before the plants begin to shoot; the second and third sorts may be propagated by seeds.