Leucadendron dregei E.Mey. ex Meisn.

Taxonomic Identity and Growth Form

Leucadendron dregei E.Mey. ex Meisn. is a shrub that grows up to 0.6 m (2.0 ft) tall, and its flowering season runs from November to December.

Reproductive Biology

This species is unisexual, with separate male and female individual plants. Pollination of this plant is carried out by small beetles.

Seed Storage

Mature seeds are stored in a cone (tol) on female plants.

Seed Release and Dispersal

When exposed to hot weather, the stored seeds are released, after which they are dispersed by wind.

Fire Response

Fire will kill the adult plant, but its seeds are able to survive wildfire.

Conservation Threat

This rare, slow-growing species is currently experiencing a rate of too-frequent fires that prevents healthy reproduction.

Common Name

In Afrikaans, it bears the common name oranjetolbos.

Distribution Range

It is distributed in the Swartberg mountain range, growing from the area of Touwsberg to Meiringspoort.

Habitat and Altitude

Its primary habitat is on southern-facing mountain slopes, at altitudes between 1,500–2,000 m (4,900–6,600 ft).