What's that called?

What’s that called?

As the new kid on the block, I thought Jeanne was testing me when she asked me the name of a type of foliage that I was tucking into a lobby piece. I admitted that I was stumped. Jeanne just laughed that she could never remember it either. We went to the invoice to remind ourselves. Here at Park Florist we like to carry unusual types, textures, colors and fragrances of flowers and foliages…and, we like to know their NAMES.

It is with this thought in mind I begin my blog to share with you our new and old favorites, and a little something about them

This foliage is grown in South Africa and is named leucodendron coniferum. It is a member of the Protea family.

These cones arise from the flowers, which remain on the plant and turn into hard woody “cones”. The seeds are stored in these cones, which protect them from hungry mice and birds. After the plant has been killed by fire, the cone opens up and releases the seeds. The young plants germinate and grow, fertilized by the ash from the fire and with no competition from older plants. Because thousands of seeds are released at one time, the birds and mice are unable to eat all of them. Many seeds survive, germinate and grow.

People call this strategy of storing seeds on the plant serotiny.

Clever strategy for survival in a difficult environment isn’t it? Hope you found this as fascinating as I did. Just thought you’d like to know…

Donna