Leucospermum cordifolium (Salisb. ex Knight) Fourc.
Pincushion protea, red pincushion-protea
This south African plant is not native to North America, but is popular with gardeners in warm climates.
Plants: Evergreen shrubs at up to 5′ (1.5 m) high.
Leaves: Alternate, stiff, leathery and sharp-tipped. They are oval or heart-shaped, with smooth edges, except for six teeth at the tip. Each leaf is ¾–3″ long ⨉ ¾–1¾″ wide (2–8 ⨉ 2–4.5 cm).
Flowers: Pincushion proteas are named for their pincushion-like appearance—flowerheads are globular, 4–4½″ (10–12 cm) around, with many thin styles resembling pins. Styles are 1¾–2″ (4.5–6 cm) long. Flowers appear from July to November.
Fruits: Achenes covered by a fleshy pellicle called an elaiosome, which attracts ants that spread the seeds.
Habitats: Open, hilly terrain, in acid soil, at elevations of 98–1476′ (30–450 m).
Online References:
Forest and Kim Starr’s Starr Environmental site (Leucospermum)
ProteaFlora (Leucospermum cultivars)
Leucadendron nutans Kuntze
3/2/2001 · Kula Botanical Garden, Maui, Hawaii 
| Parents | Unknown | Genus is not in the current taxonomy |
| Genus | Leucospermum | From Green leukos, “white,” and sperma, “seed” |
| Species | cordifolium | From Latin cordis, “heart,” and folium, “leaf,” for the heart-shaped leaves |
Leucospermum cordifolium description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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