Piketberg Pincushion

Leucospermum profugum is an evergreen, creeping shrub. It grows up to 8 m (25 ft) in diameter, 4 m (13 ft) across, with an exposed, stern rootstock of 4–12 cm (1.6–4.7 in) thick, from which several unbranched creeping stems extend of 2–4 m (8–16 ft) long, woody and over a considerable length mostly leafless at base, 2–3 cm (¾–1¼ in) thick sometimes covered with same cork, and 4 m across. It grows from a single main stem of up to 10 cm (4 in) thick, and has a smooth, grey bark. The flowering stems often have a bow shape, with the flower heads emerging at a right angle. The soon hairless leaves are inverted lance-shaped to oblong, 3–5½ cm (1.2–2.2 in) long and 6–8 mm (¼–⅓ in) wide, having a rounded or cut-off tip with three or four teeth. At base, it has leafless main branches that trail over the surrounding vegetation and rock. The leaves are usually pointing upwards and often bent somewhat towards the base of the branch. The flattened egg-shaped flower heads of 9–12 cm (3.6–4.8 in) in diameter are set on a stalk of up to 3–3½ cm (1.2–1.4 in) long, and arranged individually at a richt angle to the stem. The common base of the flowers in the same head is cone-shaped with a pointy tip, 2–2½ cm (0.8–1.0 in) long and 1–1⅓ cm (0.4–0.6 in) across. …

The Piketberg pincushion can only be found on the southern slopes of the Piketberg, between Aasvoelkop and Versveld's Pass, at an altitude of 350–750 m (1,150–2,460 ft). The species only occurs in well-drained conditions, like rocky outcrops or small koppies made of Table Mountain Sandstone. It grows alongside low Restionaceae, Diosma vulgaris, Rhus africana, and Leucadendron glaberrimum.