Leucodendron – Leucadendron spp. or Leucodendron spp.

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.

Flower Color: Red, Yellow

Availability: Year Round

Harvest when the leaves and bracts are coloring but before flowers open. Do not harvest wet as Botrytis can easily result.

• Member of the Proteaceae (protea family).
• Native of South Africa.
• Common relatives include Banksia, Grevillea, macadamia and protea.

• 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.

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’.

• 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.

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