Leucadendron sheilae

Leucadendron sheilae, the Lokenberg conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus Leucadendron and forms part of the fynbos, a South African biogeographical region. The plant is native to the Western and Northern Capes, where it occurs at Lokenberg in the Bokkeveld Mountains [af].^[2] The plant grows mainly in hard sandstone sand on level crests at altitudes of 600 to 900 metres (2,000–3,000 ft).^[1] In Afrikaans it is known as Lokenberg-tolbos.^[3]

Description

L. sheilae is a small shrub with narrow leaves which are widest near their tips (oblanceolate). The male flowers are small and green, with a foetid scent. The female flowers, also green, are roughly spherical (or "globose") florets which cluster together in larger inflorescences borne on hairless stems.^[4]

Distribution and habitat

Reproduction

The shrub is dioecious (individual plants have either all male or all female flowers), with unisexual flowers which are pollinated by insects.^[1]

Spread

L. sheilae plants die after fire; the seeds survive. The seeds are borne in cones on the female plant and are released when ripe. Rodents collect the ripe seed and store in underground caches, which protects the seed from fire.^[1]

Ecology and threats

Leucadendron sheilae
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Proteales
Family:	Proteaceae
Genus:	Leucadendron
Species:	L. sheilae
Binomial name
Leucadendron sheilae (Salisb.) I.Williams

References

1. Rebelo, A.G; Mtshali, H.; von Staden, L. (5 July 2020). "Leucadendron sheilae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2020-3.rlts.t113170717a185565099.en. S2CID 240724099. Leucadendron sheilae is listed as Near Threatened under criteria B1b(iii)+2b(iii).
2. Rebelo, A.G.; Mtshali, H.; von Staden, L. "Leucadendron sheilae (I.Williams)". National Assessment: SANBI Red List of South African Plants. 2020.1. South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI): Threatened Species Programme. Retrieved 8 March 2022. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
3. Protea Atlas-projek.
4. Protea Atlas Project Office. "Identifying Conebushes - Leucadendron". www.proteaatlas.org.za. Kirstenbosch, Cape Town: National Botanical Institute.

External links

• Iziko – Museums of South Africa. "Leucadendron sheilae (Lokenberg conebush)". biodiversityexplorer.info. Department of Arts and Culture. Webpage features photos of Leucadendron sheilae (by Colin Paterson-Jones).
• Protea Atlas-projek. "Sleutel vir dir Leucadendron Genus". www.proteaatlas.org.za (in Afrikaans). Kirstenbosch, Cape Town: Nasionale Botaniese Instituut.