Common Name:
Leucodendron (some refs. say Leucadendron)
Botanical Name:
Leucadendron spp. or Leucodendron spp., loo-ka-DEN-dron or loo-ko-DEN-dron
Decorative Life:
From 2-3 to six weeks depending on species, cultivar and/or whether one is measuring flower or foliage life. Regardless, this species will generally outlive most other flowers or greens in an arrangement.
Harvest when the leaves and bracts are coloring but before flowers open. Do not harvest wet as Botrytis can easily result.
Family Roots:
Member of the Proteaceae (protea family).
Native of South Africa.
Common relatives include Banksia, Grevillea, macadamia and protea.
Personality:
Flower head is composed of stiff, colorful bracts surrounding a cone-like flower (female) or inconspicuous flower (male).
Stems are covered with closely-packed leaves, 2-3 feet long.
Plant is a woody, evergreen shrub, classed as a dicotyledon. The most common species (L. argenteum or Silver Tree) can grow to 30-35 feet. Fruits in the form of nuts can be retained for years, only released at maturity.
Flowers are not fragrant.
Storage Specifics:
If held dry in a vapor barrier and pulsed with sugar prior to storage at 34-36F, can be stored for up to 6 weeks. According to Faragher et al. (2000), two cultivars that store well are ‘Safari Sunset’ and ‘Silven Red’.
Tidbits:
Scientific name is from the Greek words “leukos” (white) and “dendron” (tree), referring to the silvery colored foliage.
Varieties available include L. discolor ‘Flame Tip’ (yellow bracts), L. hybrid ‘Safari Sunset’ (burgundy bracts/foliage), L. linifolium ‘Tortum’ (ball shaped cones), L. salignum ‘Yellow’ (yellow, spreading bracts).
More noted for foliage color. One common name indicating its interesting foliage use is silver-tree.
Leaves can turn black due to low light and especially due to lack of carbohydrate. Therefore, make sure a fresh flower food containing sugar is used.
Personal Experience:
The picture is Led. Pisa. Good for cut flower production. Has Silvery green foliage. I believe you have a picture of the male flower. The female of this variety has a 3/4 to 1 inch silvery green cone. It grows very fast and has a tendency to get top heavy , causing it to fall over. This will give some unusual growth habits that floral designers love. – Ben Gill
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