The middle part where at least one of the lobes becomes free when the flower opens (called claws), is pale yellow in color, curves back near its upper end and is powdery hairy.

The style is initially pale yellow, but becomes orange when older, 3.8–4.8 cm (1.5–1.9 in) long and bending towards the centre of the head.

[5] L. praecox can be found in a relatively small area between Mossel Bay in the east to the mouth of the Gouritz River a little west of Albertinia and from the line between these locations southwards to the coast.

At Mossel Bay L. praecox grows on weathered Table Mountain Sandstone, but elsewhere the species can only be found on deep stabilised white Tertiary to recently deposited, acidulous sands on the fore coast.

L. praecox has an unusual flowering period, that begins in April, the southern hemisphere fall, until the early spring in September.

[2][6] The Mossel Bay pincushion is considered vulnerable because it is under thread by alien Hakea species, habitat destruction by agricultural development and the growing and harvesting of large Restionaceae for thatching reeds.