What is the name of the red flower that grows only after a fire in the cape, south africa?

It belongs to the genus Cyrtanthus and the family Amaryllidacae and encompasses 60 species and is native to South Africa.

The name Cyrtanthus is derived from Greek,kyrtos meaning curved and anthos meaning flower

Many members of this genus are noted for their fast flowering response after fires (hence the name Fire lily)and some will flower in just over a week after been exposed to a fire.

Cyrtnathus Odorus and Cyrtanthus Guthrieae are found in the southern cape and Cyrtanthus Ventricosus in the south western cape and these are winter growing whilst the summer growing variety are found mostly in the northern and eastern parts of the country

What is the name of the red flower that grows only after a fire in the cape, south africa?
The plant is called the Fire Lily, Cyrtanthus ventricosus and is nothing at all to do with Proteas!



Quote:

Several members of the genus are noted for their extremely rapid flowering response to natural bush fires, hence the common name, fire lily for several species. Indeed, species like Cyrtanthus contractus, widespread in the eastern half of South Africa, as well as C. ventricosus from the south western Cape, and C. odorus from the southern Cape, only flower after fires. The flowers of C. ventricosus are known to reach full flowering stage in just nine days following a fire!
Reply:hi yes its of the family proteacea named after the God Proteus who could change his form at will, because proteas have such different forms.
Reply:Almost certainly belongs to the genus Protea, could be Protea cynaroides (King Protea) or Protea barbigera (Giant Wooly Protea).



Proteas grow all over the dry southern cape and their seeds are only released from the seed pods by the charring effects of fire (heat causes seed pods to expand and rupture, allowing seeds to escape). Although this fire kills the parent plant, the seeds drop into ash-rich soil which has been purged of competing plants by the fire and so have an excellent start in life.