Leucadendron is an ornamental flower in the Protea family

Leucadendron is the most widely distributed variety in the Protea family, able to adapt to different soil types, from sea level to mountains at 2000 m. Leucadendron varies greatly in the size and color of its leaves and bracts. Leucadendron is dioecious, which is very rare in the Protea family. Its flowering period is very long (from May to December), and together with its richly colored leaves and the bracts surrounding the flower buds, it makes a very attractive garden tree species.

Leucadendron is a multi-stemmed shrub with very strong rhizomes, which enables it to sprout and grow quickly after being damaged by fire. Under natural conditions, Leucadendron can grow to a height of 0.75-2 m. The changes in growing climate conditions, from the warm winter climate of the plains to the ice, snow and frost of the high mountains, as well as the variation in leaves and bracts, from yellow-green to bright orange-red, make Leucadendron a leading choice for horticultural planting. In addition, this variety can tolerate aggressive pruning, which allows it to meet the needs of large-scale fresh cut flower production.

These characteristics make Leucadendron the preferred variety for the wild flower industry. Among these varieties that are widely cultivated, there are great differences in growth form, leaf and bract color, flowering time and so on. Some varieties are obtained through hybridization. 'Sunshine' is the most famous Leucadendron hybrid variety and has become an export flower of some countries. It is a tall, upright, vigorously growing multi-stemmed shrub that can grow to a height of 2.5 m. From autumn all the way to late spring, on long stems, Sunshine produces dark red bracts, and when it blooms these bracts open to set off the cream-colored flower center.