Starting as a tight cone, the King Protea slowly opens to share its magnificence with the world.  Ageless, dating back 300 million years, Greek legend tells us the protea flowers were named after Proteus, the son of Poseidon, who could change his shape at will to avoid prophesising the future for those who would seek his insight.  With this mythological association to change and transformation, the Protea has become a symbol of diversity and courage.