Leucospermum (Pincushion, Pincushion Protea or Leucospermum) is a genus of about 50 species of flowering plants in the family Proteaceae, native to Zimbabwe and South Africa, where they occupy a variety of habitats, including scrub, forest, and mountain slopes.
They are evergreen shrubs growing to 0.5-5 m tall. The leaves are spirally arranged, tough and leathery, simple, linear to lanceolate, 2-12 cm long and 0.5-3 cm broad, with a serrated margin or serrated at the leaf apex only. The flowers are produced in dense inflorenscences, which have large numbers of prominent styles, which inspires the name.
The genus is closely related in appearance to the Australian genus Banksia.
Wow ! Such gorgeous flowers ! That’s amazing garden !
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Thanks, it is in my friend’s great garden
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Wonderful shots. Australian and South African natives can be so spectacular!
Many thanks for contributing to Floral Friday Fotos.
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Thank you Nick! Yes they are spectacular!
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I was very surprised to see proteas here in NZ. Never thought of them because I lived in the Bosveld and they do not really grow there. Then I also realized that they grow in Australia also. Ha ha shows you I did not know much about them. Thanks for sharing this information again
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Your’e welcome!
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how cool!
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Thank you Yvette!
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I do like its unique shapes.
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Thanks, yes their name fits them perfectly!
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Great photos. 😀
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Thank you Raewyn!
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You are making me anxious for my trip to Maui. Love Pincushions! Tom The Backroads Traveller
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I am glad you enjoyed them! Enjoy your trip to Maui, I have never been there before!
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Such a special flower! I have never seen it in this part of the country. Beautiful photos, Aletta!
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Thank you Amy, they are really beautiful flowers!
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BEAUTIFUL! Is this your garden? (jealous jealous jealous)
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Thank you! No I wish they were in my garden! Took these photo’s in your hometown!
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I love the shape of this flower.
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Yes, they are amazing!
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Lovely photos.
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Thank you for visiting!
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I would love to see your painting! By all means you must try to grow some!
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I love the sight of the Protea so much that I made a 24 x 24 inch painting of this flower. Now I see your pics, I wonder if I could grow it – live in N. California (and have no green thumb!) What do you think – should I give it a try?
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