Protea nitida

"Protea nitida has been known as:

Blousuikerbos (the leaves have a bluish tinge, referred to as "glaucus",

Bobbejaansuikerbos (baboons may climb the trees to feed on the nectar in the flowerheads, or even to use as sentry posts),

Brandhout (a name commonly given to firewood,

Suikerbos (the Afrikaans for proteas), and

Waboom (it was used for the wheel rims and brake blocks of wagons). Waboom was first recorded in 1720, so that the common name has been in use a lot longer than the scientific name.

The English name "Wagon Tree" was obtained from the "National List of Trees"

The wood was popular for ornamental furniture because of its reticulated grain and reddish colour.
It also makes excellent charcoal, which probably resulted in large-scale destruction of Wagon Tree forests on Table Mountain in the 19th century.

However, the Wagon Tree's fame lies in its use as wagon wheels "fellies" (rim pieces, five on fore and seven on rear wheels). It was also apparently used for brake blocks.

The leaves were used for making ink."



Beautiful and versatile.