Leucospermum cordifolium from above

The stem below the Leucospermum cordifolium flowerhead is sturdy enough for sugarbirds and the other, smaller pollinators to land safely for their brief stopovers. Touching the flower does the trick: it ensures the receiving and depositing of pollen during visits, attaching to feathers and other body parts during nectar feasting (Matthews and Carter, 1993; Manning 2007).