Hakea linearis explained

Hakea linearis is a shrub or tree in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It has smooth branches, mostly linear leaves and white flowers.

Description

The shrub or tree typically grows to a height of 0.6to. The branches are glabrous as are the thin evergreen leaves which have a linear to narrowly elliptic shape and are 2to in length with a width of 2to.[1] It blooms from January to May or October to December and produces cream-white flowers. Each simple inflorescence contain 16 to 20 flowers with a white glabrous perianth that is 3to in length. The rugose to black-pusticulate fruits have an obliquely obovate shape with a curved apex. Each fruit is 1.5to in length with a width of 0.7to and have 2to long horns. The seeds within have an obliquely obovate shape and a wing down one side.[1]

Taxonomy and naming

The species was first formally described by the botanist Robert Brown in 1810 and the description was published in Transactions of the Linnean Society of London.[2] [3] The specific epithet is taken from the Latin word linearis meaning "linear", which refers to the shape of the leaves.[1] It can be confused with Hakea varia and related species.[1]

Distribution and habitat

It is endemic to an area along the coast in the South West and Great Southern regions of Western Australia between Busselton in the west, Wagin to the north and Albany to the south. It is often found among granite outcrops and seasonally damp areas like swamps growing in sandy or sandy-clay soils and is usually part of sandy heathland or Eucalyptus woodland communitities.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hakea linearis. 15 October 2018. Electronic flora of South Australia. Government of South Australia.
  2. Web site: Hakea linearis . Australian Plant Name Index . 22 December 2019.
  3. Web site: Transactions of the Linnean Society of London . Biodiversity History Library . 22 December 2019.