Leucospermum cordifolium (South Africa flowers)

            Leucospermum cordifolium belongs to the protea family and is indigenous to South Africa. It grows in acid, nutrient poor soils in a fairly small area in the South Western Cape, from the Kogelberg to the Soetanysberg near Bredasdorp. It is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom and occurs only in the winter rainfall area with its wet winters from May to September and hot, dry summers from December to the end of February.  
An added attraction during flowering time are the numerous birds found near the plants. In the early hours of the morning the abundant nectar flow attracts a variety of small insects, which in turn attract the Cape Sugar bird and three species of Sunbird. These insectivorous birds consume the small insects as well as the nectar, and in the process transfer pollen from one flower to the next. The flowers are not self-pollinating and depend on the small Scarab beetles and the birds for pollination. The birds are accustomed to the visitors in the Gardens and provide great photo opportunities when feeding on the flowers.
Leucospermum cordifolium is a rounded spreading shrub up to 2 m in diameter and about 1,5 m high, with a single main stem and horizontally spreading stems, hard green leaves and 1 to 3 large inflorescences borne at the end on the stem. The inflorescences consist of a large number of small flowers. It is the stiff protruding styles of the flowers which are the source of the common name "pincushion" for this genus. Only a few large, hard, nut-like seeds are produced by each inflorescence. In their natural environment the seeds are collected by ants, stored in the soil, and germinate only after a fire has killed the mature plants and returned the nutrients back to the soil.

Leucospermum cordifolium appartiene alla famiglia delle proteaceae ed è originaria del Sud Africa. Famiglia numerosa alla quale appartengono circa 1200 specie .
Sono piante molto antiche: in Egitto sono state trovate nei fossili del periodo Cretaceo.
   

Taken in: Italia / Sicilia / Taormina (show map)

Taken on: February 3, 2010

Tags:

Flowers

Fiori

Fleurs

Blumen

Protea

Leucospermum cordifolium

Proteaceae

South Africa flowers

South Africa

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Flori

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Sets appears in: • Tropical and Exotic Flora

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Camera: Panasonic DMC-FX7, f/5.6, 1/160 sec, 5.8mm, ISO 80 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Panasonic DMC-FX7
Aperture:	f/5.6
Exposure Time:	0.006 sec (1/160)
Focal Length:	5.8mm
ISO:	80
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Auto, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	picnik.com
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