Leucadendron laureolum in winter flowering colour

Leucadendron laureolum flowers in winter. The flowers, both the male and female ones, are completely covered by the involucral leaves that surround them. All the pincushions produce male and female flowers on separate bushes. L. laureolum reaches a size of around 2 m in height and spreads to about the same width.

The photo was taken in August in the De Hoop Nature Reserve south of Swellendam, among richly varied fynbos. The Reserves plant list comprises about 1500 species for visitors to explore on foot, mountain bike or car. The Leucadendron species count on this list is currently 16. They add to an exciting experience of veld diversity among many other fynbos plants such as Erica, Protea and Leucospermum.