Leucadendron muirii, the silver-ball conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus Leucadendron and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape, where it is found on the Elim, Bredasdorp and Riversdale plains. The shrub grows to 2.0 m in height and bears flowers from November to December.

Leucadendron muirii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Leucadendron
Species:
L. muirii
Binomial name
Leucadendron muirii
E.Phillips

Fire destroys the plant but the seeds survive. The seeds are stored in a toll on the female plant and are released after a fire and possibly spread by the wind. The plant is unisexual and there are male and female plants that reproduce through the activities of small towers. The plant grows in limestone soil at elevations of 0–200 m.

In Afrikaans it is known as kruiphout.

References

edit
  1. ^ Rebelo, A.G.; Mtshali, H.; von Staden, L. (2020). "Leucadendron muirii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T113169112A157949404. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T113169112A157949404.en. Retrieved 20 March 2022.