About Leucadendron xanthoconus (Kuntze) K.Schum.
Leucadendron xanthoconus (Kuntze) K.Schum. is a plant species in the Proteaceae family, native to South Africa. It is a 1 to 2 meter tall shrub that is common and dominant in South African mountain fynbos of the south-western Cape. This species is serotinous: it stores seeds in woody cones for 2 to 3 years, then releases all seeds together after a fire event. The parent plant is killed by this fire. Seeds released during the 10 to 20 year inter-fire interval do not form persistent seedbanks in the soil, so recruitment between fires is negligible. As documented by Bond and Maze, this pattern results in populations made up of even-aged plants that all established after the previous fire. When provided with appropriate conditions, including sufficient nutrients and water during the first six months of growth, Leucadendron xanthoconus grows very quickly. Higher water availability increases its productivity. Drought negatively impacts the species, reducing the total weight of both its leaves and roots.
