protea
UK[ˈprəʊtɪə]US[ˈproʊtiə]
n
A South African shrub or small tree with large, cone-like flower heads surrounded by brightly colored bracts.
n
Any plant of the genus Protea, native to southern Africa.
Etymology
The name was bestowed by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1735. He chose the name 'Protea' for this genus of diverse and variable plants, drawing a direct analogy to Proteus, the Greek god of the sea who could change his form at will. This naming reflects the remarkable variety in the appearance of the flowers and leaves found within the genus. Thus, the modern botanical term carries the ancient mythological concept of protean changeability and diversity.
Analysis
The word 'protea' is a modern Latin formation used as a genus name. It is not productively segmented into smaller, meaningful morphemes within English spelling. It is derived directly from the name of the Greek sea-god Proteus.
Examples
The national flower of South Africa is the king protea.
The protea's unusual structure makes it a favorite among florists for exotic arrangements.
Botanists study the fynbos biome to understand the ecology of various protea species.