Leucadendron is a South African endemic genus in the Protea family, Proteaceae. The genus consists of about 80 species of evergreen shrubs and small trees. They are a prominent part of the fynbos ecoregion and vegetation type. Most species are shrubs that grow up to 1 m tall, some to 2 or 3 m. A few grow into moderate-sized trees up to 16 m tall. The flowers are produced in dense inflorescences; they are dioecious, with separate male and female plants. The seed heads, or infructescences, of Leucadendron are woody cone-like structures. This gave rise to their generic common name cone-bush. They are prized for their exotic-looking attractive flowers, cones and foliage. Leucadendron blossoms make excellent cut flowers, keeping their gorgeous red, burgundy, green or yellow color for up to three weeks. In the garden they do well in rockeries and also make excellent feature plants. Look for a spot that receives bright, direct sunlight for at least six hours each day and offers excellent soil drainage. Leucadendron species perform best when planted on slopes that allow excess water to drain safely away from the plant. Pruning and shaping should be done each year in spring. This will help to keep the plant strong and compact. You should only cut the stems that held the blooms during or after flowering. When you cut, leave about 10-15cm of stem behind on the bush. This is where they will re-shoot. Leucadendron species grow very well in pots. This may be a good option for those with a heavy clay soil or a small garden. Use a potting mix for natives and add a slow-release fertilizer for natives in spring and autumn. As the potting mix is very free-draining regular watering will be required.

Leucadendron elimense ssp elimense is an endangered South African endemic species from the Western Cape Province where it can be found growing in the Bredasdorp area. It is most prominent in Elim Ferricrete Fynbos, in shallow soil that overlies ironstone gravel and prefers heavy soils in wet areas, ± 150 m. Leucadendron elimense subsp. elimense is a single-stemmed, sparsely branched shrub, up to 1.5 m high. The leaves are red, elliptical: on the male plant,13-49 x 5-19 mm; on the female plant, 14-57 x 7-21 mm; hairless, closely spaced with a narrow, firm but flexible margin. The involucral leaves (a rim of leaves surrounding the flower head), are yellow, crowded, and overlap the base of the flower head. The male flower head is 19 mm long and can be up to 46 mm across, depressed, globular shaped and has pungent odour. The female flower head is only 20 mm across compared to that of the male flowerhead. The flowers in the female flower head are closely packed to the upper surface, with the sides closely overlapped by recurved involucral bracts and leaves. It too has a pungent smell. The tiny flowers on the female plant are situated on a seed forming cone. Whereas the male’s flowers are yellow, plentiful, small and fluffy. The cones on these plants are 35 mm in diameter, are hairless above with some hairs below. They have ovate (egg-shapped) bracts and are globular shaped.