Hakea candolleana is a shrub in the family Proteaceae native to areas along the west coast in the Wheatbelt and Mid West regions of Western Australia. A cream-white winter flowering species, useful as a garden ground cover.
Hakea candolleana is a dense low growing lignotuberous multi-stemmed shrub. Typically growing to a height of 0.15to generally wider than tall. Smaller branches are densely covered in short matted hairs or flattened fine silky hairs either white or rusty coloured. Occasionally branches quickly become smooth and a bluish-green with a powdery film. The inflorescence consists of 6-8 very small white or cream flowers with a pink to greenish tinge on a stem NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. The pedicel is NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, white or cream-yellow and covered in long furry soft matted hairs or flattened silky hairs extending onto the lower part of the flower. The cream-white perianth is NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. Faintly scented flowers appear in leaf axils from June to August. Leaves are alternate, flat and linear, sometimes needle-shaped ending in a hard blunt point. Length may be variable from NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNmm wide more or less the same length the entire leaf. Young leaves covered in soft matted hairs becoming smooth with age. Large, S-shaped fruit are smooth NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide aging to rough and pitted on the surface ending with an incurving beak.[1] [2] [3]
Hakea candolleana was first formally described by Carl Meissner in 1848. Hakea candolleana was named in honour of the Swiss botanist, Augustin Pyramus de Candolle.[1]
Hakea candolleana grows in heath or shrubland on sand, loam and clay and requires an open sunny aspect. Often found in low lying seasonally wet areas. It grows from the northern sand plains at the Murchison River to Perth and an outlying community at Tammin.[1] [2]
Hakea candolleana is presently listed as "not threatened" by Western Australian Government, Department of Parks and Wildlife.