The Pincushion
ExplorePlants
The Pincushion
leucospermum cordifolium
The Pincushion is a bright and colorful plant known for its unique, spiky flower heads that look like pincushions! It attracts many birds and insects with its sweet nectar.
Habitat: Fynbos regions of South Africa, often found in sandy or rocky soils.
Appearance
The Pincushion is a striking evergreen shrub with stiff, leathery leaves and globe-shaped flower heads. Its vibrant flowers burst forth like colorful pincushions, typically in shades of orange, red, or yellow, each composed of numerous stiff styles resembling pins.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderProtealesFamilyProteaceaeGenusLeucospermum
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It thrives in the Cape Floristic Region, a biodiversity hotspot in South Africa.
Its scientific name, Leucospermum, means 'white seed' in ancient Greek!
Pincushions are global cut flower celebrities, grown for bouquets everywhere.
The 'pins' of the flower are actually individual flower parts called styles.
Special abilities
Ability
Fire Survivor
The Pincushion can regrow quickly from its woody rootstock after bushfires, helping it thrive in fire-prone landscapes.
Ability
Nectar Beacon
Its brightly colored, nectar-rich flowers attract sunbirds, ensuring efficient pollination as birds transfer pollen between plants.
Ability
Ant Alliance
The Pincushion's seeds have a special fatty coat called an elaiosome, encouraging ants to carry and bury them.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 50-150 cm
- Spread
- 100-200 cm
- Flower Size
- 8-12 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring-Summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Bird
Ecological connections
pollinates
Orange-breasted Sunbird
Anthobaphes violacea
drinks nectar from its vibrant flowers
symbiotic with
Common Pugnacious Ant
Anoplolepis custodiens
disperses its seeds in exchange for a fatty reward
eats
Cape Grysbok
Raphicerus melanotis
browses on young leaves and shoots in fynbos
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
Fireball Flower
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is The Pincushion?
50-150 cm
How wide does The Pincushion spread?
100-200 cm
How big are the flowers on The Pincushion?
8-12 cm
When does The Pincushion bloom?
Spring-Summer
Is The Pincushion edible?
No
Is The Pincushion toxic?
None
What is The Pincushion's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is The Pincushion pollinated?
Bird
Snap Map
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