Family: Proteaceae

This genus comprises around 80 species of dioe­cious, evergreen trees and shrubs from South Africa. All have stiff, leathery, upright leaves, and the flower heads are surrounded by bracts (mod­ified leaves) which are often very colourful.

Species

L. argenteum, silver tree, grows to 9 m (30 ft) and has long, velvety, silvery leaves.

L. grandiflorum, which grows to about 2 m (6 ft), has reddish flower heads, surrounded by pink bracts, in late summer.

L. salignum is a shrub, to 1 m (3 ft) high, with golden yellow flower heads on the male trees and greenish ones on the female trees, surrounded by yellow bracts, in summer. Many species and cultivars are grown for the cut flower market.

Cultivation

In climates which are prone to frost, grow in an airy, intermediate conservatory or greenhouse. Grow in pots of acid potting com­post; add extra grit and peat or peat substitute. Give maximum light. Keep the atmosphere dry. Outdoors grow in full sun in perfectly drained, acid soil which should be low in nutrients, especially phosphorus. Propagate from semi-ripe cuttings in summer, rooted in a heated propagating case.

Climate

Zone 10.