Plant Profile

Botanical Name: Leucadendron spp, hybrids & cvs – Leucadendron salignum, L. laureolum, L. discolour, L. salicifolium, L. orientale, L. argenteum.

Common Name: Leucadendron, Christmas Cones.

FAMILY NAME: PROTEACEAE

Species and cultivars of special interest: Leucadendron and Alatosperma – ‘Pisa’, ‘Jubilee Crown’, ‘Safari Sunset’, ‘Safari Red’, ‘Inca Gold’, ‘Discolour (Male & Female)’.

Origin: South Africa

Availability: Generally all year round, depending on species, cultivar or hybrid.

Foliage Characteristics: Leucadendrons are composed of stiff, colourful terminals leaves, accurately called BRACTS, which abundantly surround the stem. They are a very hardy, robust and protective type of foliage and extend so far up the flower that they shield the woody flower cone centre. The benefits the customer thus, receives from this plant material having ‘bracts’, is that it contributes to a long vase life and quality moisture intake. Cold weather tends to improve the intensity of the colour of the bracts and release a richer and silvery texture to the Leucadendrons.

Floral Characteristics: Instead of a petal arrangement at the flower head, the Leucadendron has modified bracts. They are a modified leaves as within most species of the Leucadendron, the bracts are arranged around the actual flower are frequently a diverse colour to the stemmed leaves. They surround the centre of the flower head which is woody cone with tiny arranged florets. Normally, as each species of Leucadendron matures late in their seasons and reach their final size, the central woody cones become more prominent.

Special features and characteristics of special interest: It is quite interesting that species of Leucadendrons such as the Discolour, have female or male genders. If the cones of the flower heads are developed and more visible, they are most likely female. The more discreet type of flower heads are usually male. The Leucadendron grows as quick growing, large evergreen shrubs and produce hundreds of stems per year each when mature. They come in many nature varieties ranging from a stark and dramatic look to a slender and bushy look and range in colours of single and bi-colours of orange, red, yellow, pink, plum and green. Sprays are also a common characteristic with the Discolour, Jubilee Crown and Maui Sunset species. As Leucadendrons are a large flower grown within Australia, the cities where they are most grown are in the hills of Melbourne and Sydney. Additionally, Leucadendrons are not sensitive to ethylene gasses, can range from 40cm and 100cm tall and are very drought tolerant.

Maintenance, Cultural requirements and Post-Harvest Treatments: It is important and beneficial to utilize a floral preservative within the post-harvest treatment of Leucadendrons. This will ensure the freshness of the plant and allow a long vase life. Always re cut stems at least 2cm from their original cut to maximise water intake, never bashing or splitting them and place into clean water immediately. Minimise drying out and excessive exposure to heat, so therefore, always try and keep the Leucadendrons within a cool and dry place. Do not refrigerate.

Pest and Diseases: Mainly exposed to the bracts and stems, botrytis and fungi can become apparent within related pests and diseases of Leucadendrons. Botrytis is one of the most common diseases that will degrade and deteriorate the cut flowers health and greatly shorted their vase life. Rotting and fungible stems can evidently occur due to unclean/polluted water in vases as well as in their planted growing soil. Additionally, insects can be very common in damaging the Leucadendron’s vase life and threating wholesale and retail selling.

Use In Floristry: Leucadendrons are widely used within the floristry industry and are a very reliable/multi-tasking cut flower. They can be either line or transitional and are extensively employed in hand-tied bouquets, bunches, bowls, medium based arrangements and more! They especially are suitable for wildflower designs. Long-stemmed cultivars such as Red Safari and Inca Gold are exceptionally utilized as line material in large/tall arrangements such as sheafs. They are able to be wired for accessories such as hair pieces and are able to be cut quite short for arrangements such as floral wreaths.

Customer advice: Firstly, when purchasing Leucadendrons, always look out for soft bracts, this will reveal that the plant is too young and not fully matured. Purchase the Leucadendrons with straight stems and avoid bunches with yellow or browning tipped bracts. They can last for up to 3- 4 weeks if properly looked after. This includes stripping the foliage below their imminent water line, immediately placing them into water with a preservative, re cutting their stems and changing their water every 2 days.

References:

www.marketfresh.com.au/flowers/a-z-flower-search/item/1660-leucadendron.html

www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1418315.htm

‘What Cut Flower Is That? The essential care and handling guide to cut flower professionals.’ – Delwyn Thomas and Bettina Gollnow.