not apply to Salisbury's species names, and in addition, Brown did not describe the Hermanus pincushion. Rudolf Schlechter described Leucospermum stenanthum in 1900. John Patrick Rourke in 1967, regards both names as synonymous, and recognised that the new combination Leucospermum gracile needed to be created. L. gracile has been assigned to the section Crinitae. The species name gracile means graceful. Distribution, habit and ecology Leucospermum gracile can be found on Shaw's Mountain between Caledon in the north and Hermanus and through the Onrus Mountains and Kleinrivier Mountains, eastwards to the hillsides near Napier, usually at 100–300 m (300–1000 ft) altitude, sometimes reaching 900 m (3000 ft). It always grows in very well drained locations, particularly in the sandy surface layers of weathered and crumbling Table Mountain Sandstone. The location further to the north near Bot River where Schlechter collected, probably went extinct as a result of agricultural introduction. The species is pollinated by birds. The ripened fruit falls to the ground approximately two months after flowering. Native ants carry them to their underground nests to eat the elaiosome. The seed remains dormant until a fire has destroyed the above-ground biomass. Conservation The Hermanus pincushion is considered a near threatened species, because its population has decreased by about 30% due to competition of invasive species and urban expansion. References External links several photos gracile Endemic flora of South Africa Plants described in 1809