Leucospermum conocarpodendron
Encyclopedia
Leucospermum conocarpodendron (Commonly called the Tree Pincushion) is the largest of the Pincushion Proteas (Leucospermums). Their natural habitat is the area around Cape Town
, in the Western Cape
, South Africa
.
There are two main subspecies, viridum and conocarpodendron:
Subspecies conocarpodendron is endangered and confined to a few spots on the granite slopes of Table Mountain. It came close to extinction when the slopes of Table Mountain were commercially planted with invasive Pine trees, however since the partial removal of these plantations it is making a slow comeback. It is distinguished by its gray leaves (caused by them being covered in velvety hair)
Subspecies viridum is classed as "Near Threatened" and has a much wider range, extending eastwards along the Cape coast. It has green, hairless leaves.
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, in the Western Cape
Western Cape
The Western Cape is a province in the south west of South Africa. The capital is Cape Town. Prior to 1994, the region that now forms the Western Cape was part of the much larger Cape Province...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
There are two main subspecies, viridum and conocarpodendron:
Subspecies conocarpodendron is endangered and confined to a few spots on the granite slopes of Table Mountain. It came close to extinction when the slopes of Table Mountain were commercially planted with invasive Pine trees, however since the partial removal of these plantations it is making a slow comeback. It is distinguished by its gray leaves (caused by them being covered in velvety hair)
Subspecies viridum is classed as "Near Threatened" and has a much wider range, extending eastwards along the Cape coast. It has green, hairless leaves.