Leucospermum
(from leukos, white, and sperma, a seed; in allusion to the downy seeds). SYNS. Diastella, Leucadendron (of Salisbury). ORD. Proteaceoe. This genus comprises about twenty-four species of greenhouse evergreen shrubs or small trees, natives of South Africa. Flowers solitary under each bract, sessile, capitate. Leaves sessile, coriaceous, often toothed at the apex, and generally covered with silky hairs. For culture, see Protea. L. grandiflorum (large-flowered). fl. yellow; style longer than the very villous flower; stigma equal-sided, oblong. May to July. l. oblong-lanceolate, three-toothed and entire. Branches very hairy. h. 4ft. 1800. L. lineare (linear-leaved). fl. yellow; style longer than the hairy flower; stigma gibbous on one side; involucre downy. August and September. l. linear, entire. h. 4ft. 1774.
L. medium (intermediate). fl. orange; drooping style nearly twice as long as the hairy flower; stigma gibbous. May and June. l. linear-oblong, entire, two or three-toothed. h. 3ft. 1794. SYN. Protea formosa (under which name it is figured in A. B. R. 17).