Eisspeedway

Leucadendron rourkei

Leucadendron rourkei
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Leucadendron
Species:
L. rourkei
Binomial name
Leucadendron rourkei
I.Williams

Leucadendron rourkei, the Uniondale conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub belonging to the genus Leucadendron and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, South Africa. The plant is rare.

Description

The shrub grows 5 m (16 ft) tall and flowers from December to January. The plant dies after a fire but the seeds survive. The seeds are stored in a toll on the female plant and fall to the ground after a fire, possibly spreading by the wind. The plant is unisexual and there are separate plants with male and female flowers, which are pollinated by the wind.

The tree's national number is 81.6.[2]

In Afrikaans, it known as Uniondale-tolbos.

Distribution and habitat

The plant occurs in the Kammanassie Mountains, Kouga Mountains, and eastern Swartberg. The plant grows on southern slopes in shale or rocky soil at altitudes of 1,370 to 1,700 m (4,490 to 5,580 ft).

References

  1. ^ Rebelo, A.G.; Mtshali, H.; von Staden, L. (2020). "Leucadendron rourkei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T113170444A157949867. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T113170444A157949867.en. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  2. ^ "National List of Indigenous Trees in South Africa". 7 January 2019.

Sources