Hakea bakeriana explained

Hakea bakeriana is a shrub in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to the Central Coast of New South Wales. It is a dense shrub with sharply pointed, cylinder-shaped leaves and pink to crimson flowers in groups of between four and twelve. The fruit is a rough, wrinkled follicle which terminates in a short beak.

Description

Hakea bakeriana is a dense, bushy, many-branched shrub growing to NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 high and wide. It has a lignotuber from which it can resprout after fire. Smaller branches are densely covered in matted soft hairs. Simple leaves are cylindrical in shape, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and about NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 in diameter, ending in a sharp point NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. Between 4 and 12 fragrant flowers appear on a short, hairy, upright stem NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. Flowers often appear below the leaves or from old wood. The pink to crimson perianth is NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. The style is about 40sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. Pinkish-white to deep pink flowers appear from late autumn to early spring. Woody fruit have a rough and deeply wrinkled surface with paler blister-like protuberances. Fruit are approximately NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. Fruit terminate in a beak either small and smooth or obscure.[1] [2] [3] [4]

Taxonomy and naming

This species was first formally described by Ferdinand von Mueller and Joseph Maiden in 1892 from a specimen collected on "a barren patch of ground close to the bank of a creek at Wallsend". The description was published in the Macleay Memorial Volume of the Linnean Society of New South Wales.[5] [6] The specific epithet honours Richard Thomas Baker, teacher, economic botanist and later a curator of Sydney's Technological Museum.[7] [8]

Distribution and habitat

Hakea bakeriana grows in heath, sclerophyll forest and in dry forests on the coast and nearby ranges of New South Wales between Newcastle and Glenorie.[7]

Use in horticulture

Hakes bakeriana has been grown for many years by native plant enthusiasts and is hardy in a range of soils and climates although does best in a sunny position. It is easily grown from seed but because of the species' restricted distribution, seed may be difficult to obtain.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hakea bakeriana F. Muell. & Maiden . 5 May 2013 . PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online . Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia.
  2. Web site: Hakea bakeriana. Australian Native Plants Society. 6 July 2024.
  3. Web site: Barker . Robyn M. . Haegi . Laurence A.R. . Barker . William R. . Hakea bakeriana . Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra . 7 July 2024.
  4. Book: Wilson . Annette . Barker . Robyn M. . Haegi . Laurence A. . Barker . William R. . "Flora of Australia" Vol.3 Hakea to Dryandra . 1999 . ABRS-Department of Environment & Heritage . 0-643-06454-0.
  5. Web site: Hakea bakeriana. APNI. 26 November 2018.
  6. Book: von Mueller . Ferdinand . Maiden . Joseph . Fletcher . Joseph James . The Macleay Memorial Volume . 1893 . Linnean Society of New South Wales . Sydney . 226 . 26 November 2018.
  7. Book: Holliday . Ivan . Hakeas:A Field and Garden Guide . 2005 . Reed New Holland . 1-877069-14-0.
  8. Web site: BAKER, Richard Thomas (1854 - 1941) . Australian National Botanic Gardens . 26 November 2018.