Leucadendron are indigenous to southern Africa. There are around 80 species. The genus includes evergreen shrubs and small trees which have green, often waxy, leaves which are arranged in spirals on the stem, dense flower inforescences, and woody conical seed pods. Leucadendrons are dioeceous plants. That is, they male and female plant parts are produced in separate flowers on separate plant species of all species in this genus. Male flowers occur as sessile heads (i.e. no stalk on flowers), on the growth tips. Female flowers are also on the growth tips but are cone-like with woody bracts. The fruit is a nut.