Brownbract Conebush

Observed by tony rebelo
iSpot TeamBotanical Society of South Africa A-teamCape Bird ClubEntomological Society of Southern AfricaFriends of Tokai ParkProtea Atlas ProjectSenior Scout AdventureSouth African National Biodiversity InstituteSouth African National Parks Honorary RangersToyota Enviro OutreachWestern Leopard Toad Volunteer
Plants expert on 17th June 2013
Brownbract Conebush
Brownbract Conebush
Brownbract Conebush
Brownbract Conebush differences in branching!
Brownbract Conebush
Brownbract Conebush
Brownbract Conebush
Brownbract Conebush old female cone

Almost impossible to distinguish Ld laureolum and microcephalum from 100m away: one has to get up close.
Up close it is trivial: the huge brown bracts hide the heads until flowering.
The function of the brown varnish is not known: it is sticky-slimy (not sticky-gluey), and persists on the female cones. (Ld gandogeri also has it). - antipredation or attraction for pollinators?

Location: Riviersonderened n lower slopes Skilpadsberg
Identifications
Species interactions

No interactions present.

Other observations of Brownbract Conebush (Leucadendron microcephalum)

Comments

brown blotches on involucral leaves

The brown marks on the involucral leaves are superficially similar to the marks on Ld laureolum. Another observation from the Peninsula hints that these are scale insects: wonder if they are shared? Wonder if they are perhaps part of the display to attract pollinators?
We need to know more about pollinators!!