Leucospermum Flowers
Name : Leucospermum Flowers
Latin Name : Genus:Leucospermum, (L. patersonii)
Leucospermum Description
Leucospermum is a genus comprising of about 50 species of flowering plants in the family Proteaceae, native to Zimbabwe and South Africa. The genus occupies a variety of habitats, including scrub, forest, and mountain slopes. Leucospermum first appeared in Paul Hermann's publication, Paradisi Batavi Prodromus in 1689 in which he called it Salix conophora Africana, meaning cone-bearing willow tree from Africa. Leucospermum varieties are commercially grown in Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Israel and the United States (Hawaii and California).
Common names for Leucospermum include Pincushion, Pincushion Protea, Luisiesboom, Luisiesbosor and Leucospermum.
Leucosperma are evergreen shrubs that grow to be 0.5-5 m tall. Leucospermum or Pincushion flowers are produced in dense inflorescences, which usually resemble a pin cushion with numerous pins in it, and that is how the flower derives its common name. Leucospermum thrives in well-drained acidic and nutrient poor soils. Pincushions are known to attract birds due to their nectar and thus including these in your garden will further beautify it. Leucospermum cultivars or hybrids are propagated by cuttings taken from November to March. The flowers are commercially available all year round, although their natural blooming season is from July to November.
Pincushion flowers are usually pale yellow to deep red, orange or reddish orange in colour according to their age. Leucosperma leaves are spirally arranged and are tough and leathery in texture.
Leucospermum varieties are excellent garden plants and look great as focal points in your garden or planted in groups. Pincushions or Leucospermum is a popular, long-stemmed cut flower and the unusual, exotic blossoms add texture to floral designs. Leucospermum flowers like heat and humidity and are long lasting cut flowers with a vase life of 2-3 weeks. Pincushions can be dried easily without shedding leaves or petals and used in dried flower arrangements, which can last for several years.
Popular pincushion varieties include: L. patersonii or Tiara, which is available from October through November and has a rich golden colour. L. cunieforme also known as Wart-stemmed pincushion or Goldie, is available from November through January, with bright lemon-yellow blossoms. L. conocarpodendron is commonly called California Gold or Hawaii Gold and is another variety which is available from November through January. It has golden-yellow flowers with tints of pink. L. cordifolium or Nodding Pincushion is available from November through January and colours include red, orange and yellow. L. reflexum, Rocket Pincushion or Red Rocket is available from October through November in earth-tone red shade.
Leucospermum Meaning
Leucospermum takes its name from the Greek word, leukos, meaning white, and sperma, meaning seed, referring to the white or light-coloured seeds of many Leucospermum species.
Leucospermum Mythology
