''Leucadendron'' is a genus of about 80 species of

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. They include all forbs (flowering plants without a woody stem), grasses and grass-like plants, a vast majority of ...

s in the family Proteaceae,

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found els ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring count ...

, where they are a prominent part of the fynbos

ecoregion An ecoregion (ecological region) or ecozone (ecological zone) is an ecologically and geographically defined area that is smaller than a bioregion, which in turn is smaller than a biogeographic realm. Ecoregions cover relatively large areas o ...

and vegetation type.

Description

Species in the genus ''Leucadendron'' are small

tree In botany, a tree is a perennial plant with an elongated stem, or trunk, usually supporting branches and leaves. In some usages, the definition of a tree may be narrower, including only woody plants with secondary growth, plants that are ...

s or shrubs that are erect or creeping. Most species are shrubs that grow up to 1 m tall, some to 2 or 3 m. A few grow into moderate-sized trees up to 16 m tall. All are

evergreen In botany, an evergreen is a plant which has foliage that remains green and functional through more than one growing season. This also pertains to plants that retain their foliage only in warm climates, and contrasts with deciduous plants, which ...

. The leaves are largely elliptical, sometimes needle-like, spirally arranged, simple, entire, and usually green, often covered with a waxy bloom, and in the case of the Silvertree, with a distinct silvery tone produced by dense, straight, silky hairs. This inspired the generic name ''Leucadendron'', which literally means "white tree". The

flower A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants (plants of the division Angiospermae). The biological function of a flower is to facilitate reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism ...

s are produced in dense

inflorescence An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Morphologically, it is the modified part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed ...

s at the branch tips; plants are

dioecious Dioecy (; ; adj. dioecious , ) is a characteristic of a species, meaning that it has distinct individual organisms (unisexual) that produce male or female gametes, either directly (in animals) or indirectly (in seed plants). Dioecious reproducti ...

, with separate male and female plants. The seed heads, or

infructescence Infructescence (fruiting head) is defined as the ensemble of fruits derived from the ovaries of an inflorescence. It usually retains the size and structure of the inflorescence. In some cases, infructescences are similar in appearance to simple fr ...

s, of ''Leucadendron'' are woody cone-like structures. This gave rise to their generic common name cone-bush. The cones contain numerous

seed A seed is an embryonic plant enclosed in a protective outer covering, along with a food reserve. The formation of the seed is a part of the process of reproduction in seed plants, the spermatophytes, including the gymnosperm and angiosper ...

s. The seed morphology is varied and reflects subgeneric groupings within the genus. A few such as the Silvertree, '' Leucadendron argenteum'' have a silky-haired parachute, enabling the large round nut to be dispersed by wind. A few are rodent dispersed, cached by rats, and a few have elaiosomes and are dispersed by ants. About half the species store the seeds in fire-proof cones and release them only after a fire has killed the plant or at least the branch bearing the cone. Many such species hardly recruit naturally except after fires.

Cultivation

''Leucadendron'' plants are conventionally propagated through seedlings as well as cuttings. The seeds reach maturity over a duration of a year. This time of germination and emergence depends on the species. When using cuttings as propagating material, the season as well as the type of material used can affect the success rate of the cultivation. Cuttings are preferred as propagating material because it provides uniform offspring, whereas seedlings produce genetic variability in the offspring. The genus ''Leucadendron'' is more prone to

genetic variation Genetic variation is the difference in DNA among individuals or the differences between populations. The multiple sources of genetic variation include mutation and genetic recombination. Mutations are the ultimate sources of genetic variation, b ...

than a genus that tends to self-fertilize, because of its cross-pollinating nature. In the natural habitat, ''Leucadendron'' grows exceptionally well, but in the case of cultivation the specific needs of the plant have to be readily available to allow optimal production to produce high quality

cut flowers Cut flowers are flowers or flower buds (often with some stem and leaf) that have been cut from the plant bearing it. It is usually removed from the plant for decorative use. Typical uses are in vase displays, wreaths and garlands. Many ga ...

and foliage. Steps for cultivation include soil evaluation, clearing, drainage, chemical correction, and the physical preparation should be critically considered five months prior to planting ''Leucadendrons''. The selection criteria for cultivating ''Leucadendron'' species is of great importance and should be based on the agricultural ability of the plant as well as the current market standards.

Selected species

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Leucadendron album ''Leucadendron album'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae The Proteaceae form a family of flowering plants predominantly distributed in the Southern Hemisphere. The family comprises 83 genera with about 1,660 known ...

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Leucadendron arcuatum ''Leucadendron arcuatum'', the red-edge conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape, South Africa. Description The shrub grows tall an ...

'' *'' Leucadendron argenteum'' *''

Leucadendron barkerae ''Leucadendron barkerae'', the Swartberg conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape, South Africa. Description The shrub grows tall a ...

'' *''

Leucadendron bonum ''Leucadendron bonum'', the Gideonskop conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos Fynbos (; meaning fine plants) is a small belt of natural shrubland or heathland vegetat ...

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Leucadendron brunioides ''Leucadendron brunioides'', the foetid conebush, is a species of plant in the family Proteaceae The Proteaceae form a family of flowering plants predominantly distributed in the Southern Hemisphere. The family comprises 83 genera with abo ...

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Leucadendron burchellii ''Leucadendron burchellii'', the Riviersonderend conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos Fynbos (; meaning fine plants) is a small belt of natural shrubland or heathland ...

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Leucadendron cadens ''Leucadendron cadens'', the Witteberg sunbush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos Fynbos (; meaning fine plants) is a small belt of natural shrubland or heathland vegetat ...

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Leucadendron chamelaea ''Leucadendron chamelaea'', the Witsenberg conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape, South Africa. Description The shrub grows tall ...

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Leucadendron cinereum ''Leucadendron cinereum'', the scraggly conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus ''Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape where it occurs from Hopefield and on the Cape Flats fro ...

'' *''

Leucadendron comosum ''Leucadendron'' is a genus of about 80 species of flowering plants in the family Proteaceae, endemic to South Africa, where they are a prominent part of the fynbos ecoregion and vegetation type. Description Species in the genus ''Leucadend ...

'' *''

Leucadendron concavum ''Leucadendron concavum'', the Pakhuis conebush , is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus Leucadendron and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape where it occurs at the Pakhuis Pass in the Cederberg. The sh ...

'' *'' Leucadendron conicum'' *''

Leucadendron coniferum ''Leucadendron coniferum'', also known at the dune conebush, is an evergreen, dioecious shrub or small tree of up to 4 m (13 ft) high, that has been assigned to the family Proteaceae. It has a whorl of conspicuous yellow leaves subtend ...

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Leucadendron cordatum ''Leucadendron cordatum'', the droopy conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus ''Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape and is rare. It occurs in the Langeberg between Koo and Bar ...

'' *''

Leucadendron coriaceum ''Leucadendron coriaceum'', the rosette conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs the genus ''Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape, South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic ...

'' *'' Leucadendron corymbosum'' *''

Leucadendron cryptocephalum ''Leucadendron cryptocephalum'', the concealed conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos Fynbos (; meaning fine plants) is a small belt of natural shrubland or heathland v ...

'' *''

Leucadendron daphnoides ''Leucadendron daphnoides'', the Du Toit's Kloof conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub in to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos Fynbos (; meaning fine plants) is a small belt of natural shrubland or heathland vegetati ...

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Leucadendron diemontianum ''Leucadendron diemontianum'', the Visgat 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 foothills of the Great Winterhoek M ...

'' *'' Leucadendron discolor'' *''

Leucadendron dregei ''Leucadendron dregei'', the summit 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. Description The shrub grows up to tall and f ...

'' *'' Leucadendron dubium'' *''

Leucadendron elimense ''Leucadendron elimense'', the Elim conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub, which belongs to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape, South Africa. Description The shrub grows to tall and ...

'' *''

Leucadendron ericifolium ''Leucadendron ericifolium'', the erica-leaved conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos Fynbos (; meaning fine plants) is a small belt of natural shrubland or heathland ...

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Leucadendron eucalyptifolium ''Leucadendron eucalyptifolium'', the gum-leaved 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 and the Eastern Cape, where it occurs in the Potbe ...

'' *''

Leucadendron flexuosum ''Leucadendron flexuosum'', the Worcester conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub belonging to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos Fynbos (; meaning fine plants) is a small belt of natural shrubland or heathland vegetat ...

'' *'' Leucadendron floridum'' *'' Leucadendron foedum'' *'' Leucadendron galpinii'' *'' Leucadendron gandogeri'' *'' Leucadendron glaberrimum'' *''

Leucadendron globosum ''Leucadendron globosum'', the Grabouw conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub belonging to the genus '' Leucadendron''. It forms part of the fynbos Fynbos (; meaning fine plants) is a small belt of natural shrubland or heathland vegetation ...

'' *''

Leucadendron grandiflorum ''Leucospermum grandiflorum'' is an evergreen, upright shrub of up to 2½ m (7½ ft) high that is assigned to the family Proteaceae. It has elliptic, greyish green, softly hairy leaves and initially egg-shaped heads with yellow flowers, later fl ...

'' *''

Leucadendron gydoense ''Leucadendron gydoense'', the Gydo conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape, South Africa. Description The shrub grows tall and flo ...

'' *''

Leucadendron immoderatum ''Leucadendron immoderatum'', the lollipop 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 at Riviersonderend. The shrub grows 2 m ...

'' *''

Leucadendron lanigerum ''Leucadendron'' is a genus of about 80 species of flowering plants in the family Proteaceae, endemic to South Africa, where they are a prominent part of the fynbos ecoregion and vegetation type. Description Species in the genus ''Leucadend ...

'' *'' Leucadendron laureolum'' *''

Leucadendron laxum ''Leucadendron laxum'', the Bredasdorp conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub A shrub (often also called a bush) is a small-to-medium-sized perennial woody plant. Unlike herbaceous plants, shrubs have persistent woody stems above the ground. S ...

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Leucadendron levisanus ''Leucadendron levisanus'', commonly known as the Cape flats conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos Fynbos (; meaning fine plants) is a small belt of natural shrubland ...

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Leucadendron linifolium ''Leucadendron linifolium'', the line-leaf conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape, South Africa. __NOTOC__ Description The shrub gro ...

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Leucadendron loeriense ''Leucadendron loeriense'', the Loerie conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus ''Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos Fynbos (; meaning fine plants) is a small belt of natural shrubland or heathland vegetatio ...

'' *''

Leucadendron loranthifolium ''Leucadendron loranthifolium'', commonly known as the green-flower sunbush, 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 in the Gifberg, ...

'' *''

Leucadendron macowanii ''Leucadendron macowanii'', the acacia-leaf conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape, South Africa. The flowers of Leucadendron macowan ...

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Leucadendron meridianum ''Leucadendron meridianum'', the limestone 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. Description The shrub grows tall and fl ...

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Leucadendron meyerianum ''Leucadendron meyerianum'', the Van Rhynsdorp conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape and Northern Cape, where it occurs in the Bokke ...

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Leucadendron microcephalum ''Leucadendron microcephalum'', common name oilbract conebrush, is a dioecious, single-stemmed, South African shrub belonging to the family Proteaceae, endemic to the Western Cape and growing from sea level to . It is one of some 200 species in t ...

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Leucadendron modestum ''Leucadendron modestum'', the rough-leaf conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape, South Africa. Description The shrub grows tall and ...

'' *''

Leucadendron muirii ''Leucadendron muirii'', the silver-ball conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus ''Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape, where it is found on the Elim, Bredasdorp and Riversdal ...

'' *''

Leucadendron nervosum ''Leucadendron nervosum'', the silky-ruff conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape, where it occurs on the Jonaskop in the Riviersonder ...

'' *'' Leucadendron nitidum'' *''

Leucadendron nobile ''Leucadendron nobile'' is a species of plant in the family Proteaceae. It is endemic to South Africa. References

Leucadendron, nobile Endemic flora of South Africa Flora of the Cape Provinces Fynbos Least concern plants Least concern bi ...

'' *'' Leucadendron olens'' *'' Leucadendron orientale'' *''

Leucadendron osbornei ''Leucadendron osbornei'', the Laingsburg conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub belonging to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos. The plant was discovered by David Osborne and is native to the Western Cape, South Africa. Des ...

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Leucadendron platyspermum ''Leucadendron platyspermum'', the plate-seed conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub belonging to the genus ''Leucadendron''. It form part of the fynbos Fynbos (; meaning fine plants) is a small belt of natural shrubland or heathland vegeta ...

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Leucadendron pondoense ''Leucadendron pondoense'', the Pondoland conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus ''Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Eastern Cape where it occurs in the Pondoland from Port St. Johns to ...

'' *''

Leucadendron procerum ''Leucadendron procerum'', the ivory conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape, South Africa. Description The shrub grows tall and flo ...

'' *'' Leucadendron pubescens'' *'' Leucadendron pubibracteolatum'' *'' Leucadendron radiatum'' *'' Leucadendron remotum'' *''

Leucadendron roodii ''Leucadendron roodii'', the Gifberg conebush, is a flowering shrub that belongs to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos biome. The plant is endemic to the Western Cape The Western Cape is a province of South Africa, sit ...

'' *''

Leucadendron rourkei ''Leucadendron rourkei'', the Uniondale 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 and Eastern Cape, South Africa. The plant is rare. Desc ...

'' *'' Leucadendron rubrum'' *''

Leucadendron salicifolium ''Leucadendron salicifolium'', the common stream conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub A shrub (often also called a bush) is a small-to-medium-sized perennial woody plant. Unlike herbaceous plants, shrubs have persistent woody stems above the ...

'' *'' Leucadendron salignum'' *''

Leucadendron sericeum ''Leucadendron sericeum'', the Wabooms 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. Description The shrub grows tall and flo ...

'' *''

Leucadendron sessile Leucadendron sessile, the western sunbush, is a flower-bearing shrub belonging to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos Fynbos (; meaning fine plants) is a small belt of natural shrubland or heathland vegetation locat ...

'' *'' Leucadendron sheilae'' *'' Leucadendron singulare'' *''

Leucadendron sorocephalodes ''Leucadendron sorocephalodes'', the woolly 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 and Eastern Cape where it occurs from the Outeniqua Moun ...

'' *''

Leucadendron spirale ''Leucadendron spirale'', the Wolseley conebush, was a flower-bearing shrub belonging to the genus '' Leucadendron'' and formed part of the fynbos. The plant was native to the Western Cape where it was found in the Breede River Valley between ...

'' *''

Leucadendron spissifolium ''Leucadendron spissifolium'', the spear-leaf conebush, is a species of plant in the family Proteaceae The Proteaceae form a family of flowering plants predominantly distributed in the Southern Hemisphere. The family comprises 83 genera wi ...

'' *'' Leucadendron stellare'' *''

Leucadendron stelligerum ''Leucadendron stelligerum'', the Agulhas conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus ''Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape where it occurs from Elim Elim may refer to: Places ...

'' *''

Leucadendron strobilinum ''Leucadendron strobilinum'', commonly called the peninsula conebush, is a plant species in the genus '' Leucadendron''—forming part of the family Proteaceae. Confined to the Cape Peninsula of South Africa, it reaches a height of up to growi ...

'' *''

Leucadendron teretifolium ''Leucadendron teretifolium'', the needle-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, South Africa. Description The shrub grows tall ...

'' *'' Leucadendron thymifolium'' *''

Leucadendron tinctum ''Leucadendron tinctum'', the spicy conebush, is a Flower , flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus ''Leucadendron'' and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is Native species, native to the Western Cape, where it occurs in the Hex River ...

'' *''

Leucadendron tradouwense ''Leucadendron tradouwense'', the Tradouw 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 in the Langeberg Range at the Tradouws P ...

'' *''

Leucadendron uliginosum ''Leucadendron'' is a genus of about 80 species of flowering plants in the family Proteaceae, endemic to South Africa, where they are a prominent part of the fynbos ecoregion and vegetation type. Description Species in the genus ''Leucadend ...

'' *'' Leucadendron verticillatum'' *'' Leucadendron xanthoconus''

Hybridization

The drive behind the production of new ''Leucadendron'' cultivars is the production of a constant supply of new and improved quality products that are available initially from South Africa only. The genus ''Leucadendron'' is popular amongst consumers due to its colourful bracts and long vase life. ''Leucadendron'' hybrids are produced through interspecific hybridization. Crosses made within the same subsection are generally more viable in the hybridization of ''Leucadendrons'' with the quantity of seed set relative to the taxonomic relatedness of the species. Intersectional hybridization produces hybrids that show a unique set of characteristics which are favoured by consumers. One example of a hybrid produced by two ''Leucadendron''

genera Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial ...

is the cultivar ‘Rosette’, a hybrid between ''L. laureolum'' and ''L. elimense''. This interspecific hybrid is however completely sterile due to autopolyploidy and thus have no use in further cultivation. The main aim of interspecific hybridization is to produce large quantities of progeny seed from the best interspecific hybrid parents. In the UK the cultivars ‘Safari Sunset’ and ‘Inca Gold’ have gained the

Royal Horticultural Society The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), founded in 1804 as the Horticultural Society of London, is the UK's leading gardening charity. The RHS promotes horticulture through its five gardens at Wisley (Surrey), Hyde Hall (Essex), Harlow Carr (No ...

’s

Award of Garden Merit The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is a long-established annual award for plants by the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It is based on assessment of the plants' performance under UK growing conditions. History The Award of Garden Merit ...

References

External links

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q159466 Proteaceae genera Endemic flora of South Africa Flora of the Cape Provinces Fynbos Dioecious plants