Hakea mitchellii explained

Hakea mitchellii, commonly known as desert hakea,[1] is a shrub species in the family Proteaceae.

Description

Hakea mitchellii is a dense rounded medium to large shrub between NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 high and wide and does not form a lignotuber. Leaves vary from terete, linear to ovate are NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. Profuse showy white or cream flowers appear in racemes in the leaf axils between October and January in the species' native range. Ellipsoidal to ovoid shaped fruit NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long by NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide tapering to a small beak.[2] [3] [4]

Taxonomy and naming

The species was first formally described in 1856 by Swiss botanist Carl Meissner and the description was published in Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis.[5] [6] The type specimen was collected near Pyramid Hill during Thomas Livingston Mitchell's 1836 expedition.[4] [7] Hakea mitchellii was named after Mitchell to honour the collector of the species.[3]

Distribution and habitat

Desert hakea grows in mallee-heath vegetation on calcareous sandy soil. Mainly a South Australian species occurring on Eyre, Yorke and Fleurieu Peninsulas, Kangaroo Island and south of the Murray River to Naracoorte, extending into western Victoria.[3]

Notes and References

  1. https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/flora/taxon/7dbbee74-92d1-445b-aa30-861adea62273 VicFlora Flora of Victoria: Hakea mitchellii Miesn. Desert Hakea.
  2. Book: Holliday . Ivan . Hakeas:A Field and Garden Guide . 2005 . Reed New Holland . 1-877069-14-0.
  3. Web site: Hakea mitchellii . Flora of South Australia . 19 November 2018 .
  4. Book: Wilson . Annette . Barker . Robyn M. . Haegi . Laurence A. . Barker . William R. . "Flora of Australia" . 1999 . ABRS-Department of Environment and Heritage . 0-643-06454-0.
  5. Web site: Hakea mitchellii. 30 April 2012. Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra.
  6. Web site: Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis . Biodiversity Heritage Library . 3 February 2020.
  7. Web site: Proteaceae Hakea mitchellii Meisn. (possible holotype). C. V. Starr Virtual Herbarium. New York Botanical Garden. 30 April 2012.