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Range Extension for the Hairless Sandveld Conebush Leucadendron galpinii


Protea Atlas LogoRichard Cowling reports a population of Leucadendron galpinii near Cape Infanta, east of the Potberg. Since the nearest record is Steenkoolfontein near Stilbay, this is a range extension of some 30 km. Unfortunately, Richard, as a passenger, was unable to get his chauffeur to stop, but a quick lunge at a nearby bush enabled a positive identification.

Richard also suspects that Leucadendron coniferum might occur here, but as it was not flowering he cannot be certain that the plants were not Ld eucalyptifolium. This would be a range extension of some 80 km - quite a sensational jump, but perhaps to be expected if the plants on the south coast possibly once had distribution ranges some 150 km further south than at present (when sea levels were some 120 m lower 18 000 years ago).

We will try to organize a trip to this region in September 1992, possibly based at the Potberg Environmental Centre or De Hoop. This will offer walks up the Potberg in addition to a ride around the mountain. Watch page 3!


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