Hakea brachyptera explained

Hakea brachyptera, commonly known as the short-winged hakea, is a shrub in the family Proteaceae native to an area in the southern Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions of Western Australia.

Description

Hakea brachyptera is a low, dense, rounded shrub to 1sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 tall with interweaving rusty coloured branchlets. The leaves are rounded, fine and stiff NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. Leaves are densely covered with finely matted hairs ending with a very sharp erect point. Clusters of flowers appear in racemes of 1-5 individual flowers in the leaf axils. The white pedicel is NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long with flat matted silky hairs. Fruit are rounded, at right angles to the stalks and are 2sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and about 2sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide, slightly flattened and with a rough surface.[1] [2]

Taxonomy and naming

Hakea brachyptera was first formally described by Carl Meisner in 1856 and published in de Candolle's Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis.[3] The specific epithet (brachyptera) is derived from the Ancient Greek words brachys meaning "short"[4] and pteron meaning "wing" or "fin" referring to the seed structure.

Distribution and habitat

Hakea brachyptera is found in southwest Western Australian, from near Wagin to Lake Magenta and south near the Stirling Range. Hakea brachyptera requires a well-drained site with a sunny aspect and sandy loam, clay or gravel.

Conservation status

Hakea brachyptera is classified as "Priority Three" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife, meaning that it is rare or near threatened, due to its restricted distribution.[5]

Use in horticulture

Hakea brachyptera is a frost-tolerant species.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Holliday . Ivan . Hakeas: A Field and Garden Guide . 2005 . Reed New Holland . 1-877069-14-0 .
  2. Web site: Hakea brachtyptera . Flora of South Australia:Online . South Australian Government . 10 February 2019.
  3. Book: Meissner . Carl . de Candolle . Alphonse . Prodromus systematis naturalis regni vegetabilis, sive, Enumeratio contracta ordinum generum specierumque plantarum huc usque cognitarium, juxta methodi naturalis, normas digesta . 1856 . Sumptibus Sociorum Treuttel et Würtz . Paris . 396 . 7 July 2024.
  4. Book: Brown. Roland Wilbur. The Composition of Scientific Words. 1956. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C..
  5. Web site: Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna. Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. 21 January 2019.
  6. Book: Young . J A . Hakeas of Western Australia:A Field and Identification Guide . 2006 . J A Young . 0-9585778-2-X .