Leucadendron spissifolium subsp. spissifolium

Leucadendron spissifolium subsp. spissifolium, the common spear-leaf conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub belonging to the genus Leucadendron and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape where it occurs on the Gifberg and from the Cederberg to the Cape Peninsula and Kogelberg to Kampscheberg in the Langeberg.[2]

Leucadendron spissifolium subsp. spissifolium
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Leucadendron
Species:
(Salisb. ex Knight) I.Williams
Subspecies:
L. s. subsp. spissifolium
Trinomial name
Leucadendron spissifolium subsp. spissifolium

The shrub grows to 1.3 m tall and sprouts again after a fire. The shrub blooms from September to October, there are separate plants with male and female flowers (unisexual), which are pollinated by small beetles.[3] The seeds are stored in a toll on the female plant and only fall to the ground after a fire. The seeds have wings and are spread by the wind. The plant grows mainly on southern slopes in moist sandstone soil at altitudes of 0 – 1500 m.[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ Rebelo, A.G.; Mtshali, H.; von Staden, L. (2020). "Leucadendron spissifolium subsp. spissifolium". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T185424633A185552961. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T185424633A185552961.en. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Threatened Species Programme | SANBI Red List of South African Plants". redlist.sanbi.org. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Sunshine Conebushes". www.proteaatlas.org.za. Retrieved 15 December 2021.