Leucadendron thymifolium

Leucadendron thymifolium, the Malmesbury 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, South Africa.

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

Description

edit

The shrub grows 2 m (6.6 ft) tall and bears flowers from August to September. Fire destroys the plant but the seeds survive. The seeds are stored in a toll on the female plant and fall to the ground, two months after the plant has flowered. The plant is unisexual and there are male and female plants. It is fertilized by insects.

In Afrikaans, it is known as Katsterttolbos.

Distribution and habitat

edit

The plant occurs on the Malmesbury Plain from Noordhoek to Klipheuwel. The plant grows mainly in sand or gravel over clay at heights of 100 m (330 ft).

References

edit
  1. ^ Rebelo, A.G.; Raimondo, D.; von Staden, L.; van der Merwe, J. (2020). "Leucadendron thymifolium". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T113170898A185571396. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T113170898A185571396.en. Retrieved 8 September 2021.