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Afrikaanse Inligting
Worcester Conebush - Leucadendron flexuosum
The Worcester Conebush is endemic to the Breede River Valley just west of Worcester. Like the Common Sunshineconebush, it is a resprouter: it has an underground stem which survives fires, and from which new shoots grow after a fire.
Like the other Sunshine Conebushes (the group to which it belongs) it stores its seeds in cones on the female plants. These seeds are only released after a fire has killed the parent plants. The Worcester Conebush flowers in April and May, well before the Common Sunshineconebush has begun to flower. It is also distinct in having a very spindly growth habit (hence "flexuose"), and leaves "spaced-out" along the stem.
Historically this species is only recorded from around the Hartebeest River. Some atlassers claim that it extends a little to the south, near the Brandvlei Dam. If you know where this species occurs, please contact us. Better still, join the Protea Atlas Project, and help to map our proteas.