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Afrikaanse Inligting
Broadleaf Conebush Berggeelbos - Leucadendron gandogeri
The Broadleaf Conebush is the dominant protea on the upper slopes of the Kleinriver Mountain. It replaces the similar-looking Laurelleaf Conebush of the plains (which hides its cones), and the smaller Sickleleaf Conebush (with silver leaves) of the mid-slopes. Flowering occurs during August and September - during this period the Broadleaf Conebush colours the mountain a brilliant yellow. During the growing season - October to April the leaves tend to be a dull, dark green.
The Broadleaf Conebush can be identified by its broad leaves. The large cones often have a dark brown coating, and are never concealed by boat-shaped leaves. It differs from the very similar Spearleaf Conebush, which is a multi-stemmed resprouter, in having only a single main stem. With about half of its known populations recorded from nature reserves, the Broadleaf Conebush can be considered relatively well conserved. Some picking for the wild flower trade occurs, but this is relatively unimportant. Alien plants are the biggest threat to this species, but only 5 per cent of populations are seriously threatened.