Family: Proteaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Leucospermum cordifolium (red pincushion protea) is a flowering shrub native to the southwestern Cape Province of South Africa, where it grows in nutrient-poor, sandy soils in fynbos habitats. It is well known for its striking, round flower heads made up of bright red to orange styles that resemble a pincushion, giving the plant its common name. The shrub typically has leathery, evergreen leaves and a naturally rounded form. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in mild, Mediterranean-type climates and is especially valued in the cut flower industry for its long-lasting, highly decorative blooms. In gardens and landscapes, it is used as a focal shrub and also supports pollinators such as birds and insects.

Risks & Threats
This species is considered to have low risk in Hawaiʻi. It is not known to be invasive or to form self-sustaining populations in the wild under local conditions. While it is adapted to well-drained, nutrient-poor soils and can be successfully grown in cultivation, it does not currently show traits associated with aggressive spread in the Hawaiian Islands. As with many ornamental imports, ongoing monitoring is still important in case of changes in behavior over time, but at present Leucospermum cordifolium is regarded as a low concern species for naturalization or ecological impact.

High Risk Traits:

• Reported to be naturalized and/or a weed but evidence is inconclusive
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• May be able to hybridize with other Leucospermum species
  
• Reaches maturity in 3 years
  
• Seeds dispersed by ants and intentionally by people
  
• Seeds may form a persistent seed bank
  
• Tolerates pruning (but killed by fire)

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Ornamental
  
• Requires bird pollination (may limit seed set in cultivation)
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Relatively large, ant-dispersed seeds limit potential for long distance dispersal