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Malmesbury Conebush Swartveldknoppiesbos - Leucadendron thymifoliumThe Malmesbury Conebush is a shale species. It occurs on the edge of the Renosterveld, most of which has been ploughed up for wheat fields. It is thus Endangered with extinction. Apart from a population at Klipheuwel, most of the remnants of this species can only be found in the road verge of the National Road (N7) between Milnerton and Malmesbury. The Malmesbury Conebush flowers in October. The fruits are released when ripe in December and lie on the ground. Germination normally takes place after fires. The Malmesbury Conebush is a member of the Sandveld Conebushes - all have hairy seeds and small cones. Three other Sandveld Conebushes occur around Mamre: The Star Conebush - which is multi-stemmed, the Cape Flats Conebush (also Endangered) - which stores its seeds in the cones on the plant, and the Scraggly Conebush - with long hairy leaves. |