the dune conebush can be found from the cape peninsula in the west, through the coastal areas of the kogelberg, kleinmond, and groenland, to the klein river mountains in the east near hermanus, where it grows in dense stands on wind-blown sands, between sea level and about 300 m (900 ft) altitude. it is pollinated by small beetles. the seeds remain up to many years in the woody cones on the female plants, until these are released after a fire. the winged seeds are transported by the wind. adult plants do not survive the wildfires that occur every decade or so in the sand fynbos and strandveld in which the dune conebush lives. germination starts quickly after the seed are released and it has been shown that smoke promotes their germination of the seeds. the species, that naturally grows in acid and nutrient-poor environments is relatively sensitive to raised levels of phosphate.