Featured Plant

Protea lepidocarpodendron

Blooming a bit out of season for us at the Garden, we decided to focus on this unique specimen for the month of December. Our internal records indicate that this species has produced at least some flowers for us in both March and October in the past. It is not entirely odd to have two separate flowering periods within a given year; several other species in the Garden will bloom in alternate seasons, triggered by day length and favorable weather conditions. This year, with our warm and welcomingly wet fall, several of our magnolias have decided that they cannot wait until the New Year and have decided to grace us with their large, colorful blooms, in some cases a full two months early. 

A native of South Africa, Protea lepidocarpodendron derives its long specific epithet, or species name, from the Greek lepis, karpos, and dendron, translating to scale, fruit, and tree, respectively. We may call it the scaly-fruit tree. The small fruit are dry and exceedingly hairy, and are hidden behind the multiple, yellow-pink, petal-like bracts that comprise each flowerhead. Though the leaves only last a week or so once stems are cut for floral displays, the flowerheads are long-lived and add a unique accent to arrangements. Although the flowerheads on the black bearded sugarbush may not be as striking as others in the genus (at least to us!), they nonetheless serve an important role in their native habitat. Along with other South African proteas that display upright flowerheads, they are an important source of nectar for sugarbirds, protea beetles, and other insects. Drawn to the flowerheads for this nectar, these insects also become an important food source for other birds, who know exactly where to find their next crunchy meal.