There are several different species of Pin Cushion Protea, all falling within the Leucospermum family. Their flowers range from pale yellow to bright orange to fire red and from July to November, the mountain slopes around Hermanus are splashed in colour as the Pin Cushions erupt into bloom. They have a really fascinating method of seed dispersal. The seeds they produce are covered in a sweet sugary coating, much loved by a specific species of ant. The ants collect the fallen seeds and take them back down into their nests where they lick the coating away. The now bare seed is as smooth and slippery as glass and the ants are unable to remove them from the nest. The seeds lie dormant and protected in the ant’s nests – sometimes for years – until a fire passes overhead. The heat from the fire activates the seeds and they begin to sprout, emerging above the ground in time to take advantage of the rich ash covered soil.

This Linocut is delivered rolled in a tube, ready for framing. If you are interested in purchasing more than one item, please contact us at macbred@icloud.com so we can arrange a consolidated shipping quote.

Size: 400mm x 280mm