Leucospermum conocarpodendron (L.) H.Buek subsp. viridum

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The largest of the pincushion group of proteas, the green tree pincushion is absolutely spectacular when in flower. The large rounded bushes are then covered with bright yellow pincushion flowers which glow among the deep green leaves and are further decorated by the antics of the Cape Sugarbirds which feast on the plentiful nectar.

Although more shrub-like than tree-like, this species — because the plant has a single trunk and grows up to 5 m tall and 6 m across — has been given tree status. The trunk, which may reach 400 mm in diameter, has corky bark up to 50 mm thick and the mature branches have a dense covering of hairs.

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Leucospermum conocarpodendron (L.) H.Buek subsp. viridum

The largest of the pincushion group of proteas, the green tree pincushion is absolutely spectacular when in flower. The large rounded bushes are then covered with bright yellow pincushion flowers which glow among the deep green leaves and are further decorated by the antics of the Cape Sugarbirds which feast on the plentiful nectar.

Description

Although more shrub-like than tree-like, this species — because the plant has a single trunk and grows up to 5 m tall and 6 m across — has been given tree status. The trunk, which may reach 400 mm in diameter, has corky bark up to 50 mm thick and the mature branches have a dense covering of hairs.

The leaves are deep green and smooth when mature, although sometimes with a slightly hairy fringe on the edges. They vary in shape and the tips may be pointed or rounded with 3-10 reddish glandular teeth, 60-115 mm long and 25-50 mm wide; they are stalkless and closely packed along the branches. (In autumn young leaves are covered in grey hairs, which may cause identification difficulties between the two subspecies, as Leucospermum conocarpodendron subsp. conocarpodendron, the grey tree pincushion, retains a constant covering of grey hairs throughout the year.)

The flower heads are often borne in groups of 3 and each is 70-90 mm across. Each globose to ovoid flower head bears a large number of flowers closely packed together to form the 'pincushion'. Because all the flowers are so tightly packed together the whole compound flower head is often mistakenly called the flower. These flowers are not made up of the usual petals and sepals with which we are familiar when speaking about flowers; rather, each flower is made up of 4 outer floral parts called the perianth, which in this species is coloured yellow. (Collectively these are the parts that form the 'cushion' portion of the flower head.) The conspicuous style or 'pin', which ends in a  'pollen presenter', is released from the perianth to which the anthers are attached. As the style bearing the stigma uncurls from the perianth it passes the anthers and collects the pollen on the pollen presenter, from where the pollen is easily rubbed off onto bird pollinators such as the Cape Sugarbird.

The green tree pincushion flowers from August to December, releasing its seeds 1 or 2 months after flowering. The seed is a hard ovoid nut which is covered by a white elaiosome, a nutritious attachment which is very attractive to ants.

Conservation Status

Near threatened (NT). It has lost an estimated 24% of its habitat over the past 60 years, due to agricultural and urban expansion, afforestation and alien plant invasion.

Distribution and habitat

This species occurs on the Cape Peninsula, then eastward across the Cape Flats (where it has been largely decimated by development) to the Hottentots-Holland, Franschhoek and Kogelberg mountains, and then on to Kleinmond and further east to Stanford. It grows mainly in the lowlands on well drained, sandstone-derived soils, often in fairly dense stands.

Leucospermum conocarpodendron subsp. viridum | PlantZAfrica (sanbi.org)

Cape Peninsula

Cape Peninsula - Wikipedia

Cape Flats

Cape Flats - Wikipedia

Hottentots-Holland

Hottentots Holland Mountains - Wikipedia

 

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