Leucadendron argenteum

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Leucadendron argenteum

Conservation status

Vulnerable (IUCN)

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Proteales
Family:	Proteaceae
Genus:	Leucadendron
Species:	L. argenteum

Binomial name

Leucadendron argenteum
(L.) R.Br.

Leucadendron argenteum (Silver tree, Silver leaf tree, Witteboom, or Silwerboom) is an endangered species in the family Proteaceae, endemic to a small area of the Cape Peninsula, Stellenbosch, and Paarl in South Africa, notably the Lion's Head area and the Kirstenbosch gardens.

It is a small evergreen tree growing up to 5-7 m tall, exceptionally to 16 m tall. The leaves are lanceolate, 8-15 cm long and 2 cm broad, with a distinct silvery tone produced by dense silky hairs. The flowers are produced in dense globose inflorescences 4-5 cm diameter; it is dioecious, with separate male and female plants. The fruit is a woody cone-like structure, containing numerous small seeds; the seeds have a silky-haired parachute, enabling them to disperse by wind.

An estimated 40 to 50 percent of the entire world's native population of these trees was destroyed between 26 January and 27 January in the 2006 Table Mountain fire [1].

1 Conservation
2 Heraldry
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Conservation

A major deterrent to conservation of the silver leaf tree is its short life span. Most individuals don't live more than 20 years.

[edit] Heraldry

[S]tylized twigs of the silver tree [sic] appear in the arms of the South Peninsula Municipality of South Africa.[2]

[edit] References

Hilton-Taylor, C. et al. (1998). Leucadendron argenteum. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Listed as Vulnerable (VU D2 v2.3)