Leucadendron linifolium new and old fruiting cones

This female Leucadendron linifolium shrub seen near Hermanus in November is laden with stem-tip cones, shortly after its normal blooming season. The whitish cones are closed, no more floral tissue or stigmas visible above the bract margins.

As these cones mature, the bracts harden, fuse, and take on the pale, bone‑grey colour typical of serotinous leucadendrons, the ones that release their seeds only after fire.  Seed-holding cones have to be woody and strong to retain their seeds until the next fire cause release, which may be several years away. In this bush older cones from earlier years are positioned lower down among the branches, all waiting for the moment when the single-stemmed plant will die in flames, but its numerous seeds will be released in dispersal.

L. linifolium is one of the Sandveld conebushes bearing pointed fruits in small cones that are from 13 mm to 24 mm in diameter (Bean and Johns, 2005; Mustart, et al, 1997; Rebelo, 1995; iNaturalist).