Leucospermum tomentosum

Leucospermum tomentosum or the Saldanha pincushion is a multi-stemmed shrub of about 1 m in height.

Tomentose means plant hairs that are bent and matted, forming a woolly coating; the hairs often being silver or grey-coloured. This describes the appearance of the leaf surfaces of this plant with specific name of tomentosum well.

The flower-heads of this species, usually only a little more than 3 cm in diameter, are small compared to many other Western Cape leucospermums.

The species distribution is small distribution area on the west coast of the Western Cape from Hopefield to Bokbaai.

The habitat is dune strandveld, sandy fynbos and granitic renosterveld. The species is considered vulnerable in habitat early in the twenty first century, due to habitat degradation and loss, alien vegetation invasion and pollution.

The Red List in the Threatened Species Programme of SANBI serves to motivate all concerned to care for indigenous species. It is vital for humanity itself to care for all indigenous species with skill and dedication (Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist; www.redlist.sanbi.org).