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Silkyruff Conebush Syblaartolbos - Leucadendron nervosumThe Silkyruff Conebush was thought to be a Riviersonderend endemic until a small population was discovered high in the Langeberg Mountains at Boosmansbos. However, it is in the Riviersonderend Mountains that it is widely cultivated as a cut flower. With its stunning silver leaves and shaggy-haired flowerheads it is a stunning vase flower. The Silkyruff Conebush is not very closely related to any of the other Conebushes. Its closest relatives are the Silver Conebushes, of the which Silver Tree is the most famous. Like them it stores its fruit in the female cones, where they are protected from fires. The seeds which look like those of Sugarbushes, are only released after the fires. This is one of the many species discovered by William John Burchell, who is also remembered for the birds, zebras and other plants which bare his name. Flowering is from September to November, but little information on flowering and growth are recorded in the literature. |