Leucadendron levisanus
Description
Leucadendron levisanus is an erect, 2 m tall, well-branched shrub developing from a single stem at ground level. The slender branches bear very small oblanceolate to spoon-shaped leaves. Leucadendrons are dioecious, i.e. separate male and female plants. The male flowerhead bears bright yellow flowers with a faint sweet odour. These flowers can cover the entire plant to produce a beautiful flowering display in spring and early summer. The mature female flowerhead forms globose cones. These cones retain the seed, a small, hard-shelled nut, 3-4 mm long, until environmental conditions are conducive for the seed to be released. This normally happens after a fire. This species first flowers after 3 years and is mature at the age of 10 years and senesces at 30 years.Propagation instructions - cuttings
Leucadendron levisanus is reproduced from tip and heel cuttings taken in spring and autumn. Cuttings are rooted in a 50:50 mixture of fine, milled pine bark and polystyrene balls. Applying a rooting hormone will stimulate rooting. Rooting can take place from 6 weeks onwards. Rooted cuttings are removed from the mist benches and hardened off for 3 weeks before being potted. Rooting can only take place if you have sufficient underfloor heating and mist benches set up in a good propagation greenhouse. The rooted cuttings are potted in a soil medium made for fynbos plants. A suitable mixture would consist of sand, composted pine bark and loam or topsoil. The potted cuttings should be grown in a well-ventilated and lit area and should be watered in the morning. They could be fed every second week with an organic-based, seaweed fertilizer.
Sources and references
Scientific name
Leucadendron levisanus
Common name(s)
Features
- Attracts butterflies
- Good potplant
- Suitable for clay soil
- Suitable for wet sites
- This will attract honey bees