pincushion protean. any of various southern African shrubs or small trees constituting the genus Leucospermum (family Proteaceae), which have heads of tubular flowers with protruding styles.
ΚΠ
1957 L. G. GreenBeyond City Lights 214 Caledon has the rarest and choicest wildflowers;..the coral-red pincushion protea.
2003 Los Angeles Times (Nexis) 15 June l4 Dad made small talk with an Aptos flower farmer selling pincushion proteas for $1.50 a stem.