Leucospermum gerrardii Stapf

A dwarf soboliferous shrub 0.0-0.0 cm in height, multiple stemmed at the base, with a subterranean rootstock from which arise numerous short, erect branches; forming dense mats up to 1.0 m in diam. Flowering stems slender, erect, 2.0-3.0 mm in diam., arachnoid at first becoming glabrous later. Leaves linear to oblanceolate, occasionally falcate, 5.0-9.0 cm long, 0.8-2.0 cm wide, narrowed to a distinct petiole at base; usually entire with an apiculate callous tip, occasionally 3 or 4 toothed; puberulous at first, soon glabrous; the veins very prominently raised on the leaf surface, reticulate to parallel. Inflorescences ovoid, 4.0-7.0 cm in diam.; pedunculate, peduncle 1.0-2.0 cm long; inflorescences usually single, occasionally with up to 3 per flowering shoot. Involucral receptacle cylindric 1.5-2.5 cm long, 3.0-4.0 mm wide. Involucral bracts ovate-acuminate, 0.0 mm long, 5.0 mm wide, very densely tomentose, cartilaginous, 2-3 seriate. Bracteoles ovate-acuminate, 0.0 mm long, 3.0 mm wide, clasping the perianth; thickly lanate proximally, villous distally, cartilaginous. Perianth 3.0-3.5 cm long, yellow on opening becoming orange to scarlet. Perianth claws coiled subterminally on opening; the median adaxial claw puberulous, the lateral and abaxial claws thickly villous. Perianth limbs lanceolate-acute, 5.0 mm long, densely beset with long straight trichomes. Anthers sessile, 3.0 mm long, lanceolate acute. Style 5.0 cm long, tapering subterminally, slightly adaxially arcuate. Pollen presenter narrowly conical acute, 2.0-2.5 mm long, stigmatic groove terminal. Hypogynous scales subulate, 2.0 mm long. Flowering takes place erratically throughout the year but chiefly from September to November.