Lebeckia plukenetiana

Image: iNaturalist hof59 2012

Description

This is a yellow flowered shrub with needle-shaped leaves, flowering June to January. They occur in disturbed areas and some species proliferate after fire. Species from this genus occur in sandy, rocky, loamy and sandstone soils.

L. plukenetiana is distributed from the Cape Peninsula to Piquetberg, Hex River and Worcester and favours mountain slopes. It has unarticulated leaves, wing petals that are longer than the keel petals and is one of only two species that have a narrowly winged upper suture of the pod (the other is L. meyeriana).

Not presently cultivated but likely similar to Aspalathus, Liparia and Podalyria.

Propagation instructions - cuttings

As Lebeckia species are not usually cultivated, details on growing them are unavailable. However, the conditions will likely be similar to those used for other fynbos legumes that are presently in cultivation, e.g. Aspalathus, Liparia and Podalyria. These are largely grown in well-drained soil and need water during winter in summer-rainfall areas.

Propagation instructions - seeds

Seeds of Lebeckia must germinate readily after scarification.

Sources and references

Scientific name

Lebeckia plukenetiana

Common name(s)

Vegetation types

Genus

Lebeckia

Family

Fabaceae