''Leucadendron xanthoconus'' is a species of

plant Plants are predominantly Photosynthesis, photosynthetic eukaryotes of the Kingdom (biology), kingdom Plantae. Historically, the plant kingdom encompassed all living things that were not animals, and included algae and fungi; however, all curr ...

in the family Proteaceae native to

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 ...

. The 1–2 m shrub is quite common and dominant in regions of South Africa, specifically in mountain fynbos in the south-western Cape. With the species being

serotinous Serotiny in botany simply means 'following' or 'later'. In the case of serotinous flowers, it means flowers which grow following the growth of leaves, or even more simply, flowering later in the season than is customary with allied species. Havi ...

, it accumulates seeds into woody cones for 2-3 years, which are then released all together after burning, ultimately killing the plant. Seeds released during the inter-fire interval, which is between 10 and 20 years, do not form persistent seedbanks in the soil, making inter-fire recruitment insignificant. According to Bond and Maze, this allows for populations to consist of even aged plants dating from the previous burn. With the appropriate conditions and the necessary nutrients and water during the first six months, Leucadendron xanthoconus can grow at a very fast rate. Leucadendron xanthoconus productivity is positively impacted by an increase in water. It can also be impacted by droughts as the overall weight of the leaves and roots is reduced.

Gallery

Leucadendron xanthoconus 1DS-II 1-C4463.jpg Leucadendron xanthoconus Potberg group.jpg Leucadendron xanthoconus 1DS-II 3-5476.jpg Leucadendron xanthoconus RBGK.JPG Leucadendron xanthoconus 1DS-II 3-5479.jpg Leucadendron xanthoconus 1DS-II 3-5480.jpg

References

xanthoconus Endemic flora of the Cape Provinces {{proteaceae-stub