Hakea divaricata

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Needlewood
Hakea divaricata Alice Springs.jpg
Hakea divaricata near Alice Springs
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Hakea
Species:
H. divaricata
Binomial name
Hakea divaricata
Hakea divaricataDistMap38.png
Occurrence data from AVH

Hakea divaricata, commonly known as needlewood, [2] corkbark tree [3] or fork-leaved corkwood, [4] is a tree or shrub in the family Proteaceae native to an area in central Australia. A slow growing species with up to 120 showy cream to greenish-yellow flowers in long racemes from June to November.

Contents

The Alyawarr peoples know the plant as ntywey-arrengk, the Eastern Arrernte as untyeye and the Western Arrernteas ntyweye. The Kaytetye know it as ntyarleyarle or ntyeye, the Pintupi Luritja as piruwa, the Pitjantjatjara as piruwa or ularama and the Warlpiri as kumpalpa, piriwa or yarrkampi. [5]

Hakea divaricata habit Hakea divaricata habit.jpg
Hakea divaricata habit

Description

Hakea divaricata is lignotuberous upright shrub or tree typically growing to 2 to 7 metres (6.6 to 23.0 ft) high with a dark coloured corky furrowed trunk. Smaller branches are red and smooth, on occasion sparsely or densely covered in soft short hairs. The prickly compound leaves are rigid, arranged alternately and are 7 to 20 centimetres (2.8 to 7.9 in) long and 0.8 to 2.3 millimetres (0.03 to 0.09 in) wide ending a sharp point. They are thinly covered with soft hairs quickly becoming smooth. Most leaves divide from a needle-shaped leaf stem 2.5–9 cm (0.98–3.5 in) long into segments 0.3–12 cm (0.12–4.7 in) long and 0.8–2.3 mm (0.031–0.091 in) wide. The inflorescence is on a stem 5–14 cm (2.0–5.5 in) long and consists of 65-120 cream, greenish-yellow or bright yellow flowers each on a stalk 4 to 10 millimetres (0.2 to 0.4 in) long. The stems are covered in white or dark brown hairs, rarely smooth. The hairy perianth is 5.5 to 9 millimetres (0.22 to 0.35 in) long. The style is more or less straight or slightly recurved and 21–26 mm (0.83–1.0 in) long. The fruit are oblong to egg-shaped 2.3 to 4 cm (0.91 to 1.57 in) long with a long tapering beak sometimes curved. The seeds inside take up much of the valve and have a wing halfway down one side. [2] [3] [6] [7] [8]

Taxonomy

Hakea divaricata was first formally described by the botanist Lawrence Alexander Sidney Johnson in 1962 and published in Contributions from the New South Wales National Herbarium. [9] The species was often thought to be Hakea eyreana . Synonyms include; Hakea intermedia, Hakea ivoryi and Hakea ivoryi var. glabrescens. Hakea divaricata belongs to the corkwood group which are often found in drier areas of Australia. Other members include Hakea chordophylla , Hakea ednieana , Hakea eyreana , Hakea fraseri , Hakea ivoryi and Hakea pulvinifera . The specific epithet (divaricata) is derived from the Latin word divaricatus meaning "spread apart", [10] referring to the spreading of the segments of the leaves. [6] [11]

Distribution and habitat

The needlewood hakea is mostly found in the south of the Northern Territory, the Pilbara and northern Goldfields of Western Australia, south west Queensland and the Far North of South Australia. It is found on red sand plains, around bases of hills and rockholes, on dune swales and along watercourses and grows well in sandy soils around sandstone or limestone. It is often part of open woodland communities, especially mulga woodlands, and chenopod rich plains. [2] [3] [5] [6]

Uses in horticulture

Hakea divaricata is planted as an ornamental or street tree and is particularly suited to arid areas as it is both frost and drought tolerant. The needlewood hakea is able to resprout epicormically from the lignotuber following fire. Indigenous Australian peoples have used the plant as a food source especially the fruit flesh, the roots are used as a water source. The gum can be extracted from the tree and the wood used to make weapons, implements and traps. They also extracted honey from the flowers or soaked the flowers in water to produce a sweet drink. [4] [5] [12] [13]

Related Research Articles

<i>Hakea</i> Genus of plants in the family Proteaceae endemic to Australia

Hakea is a genus of about 150 species of plants in the Family Proteaceae, endemic to Australia. They are shrubs or small trees with leaves that are sometimes flat, otherwise circular in cross section in which case they are sometimes divided. The flowers are usually arranged in groups in leaf axils and resemble those of other genera, especially Grevillea. Hakeas have woody fruit which distinguishes them from grevilleas which have non-woody fruit which release the seeds as they mature. Hakeas are found in every state of Australia with the highest species diversity being found in the south west of Western Australia.

<i>Hakea decurrens</i> Species of plant in the family Proteaceae from Australia

Hakea decurrens, commonly known as bushy needlewood, is a species of shrub or small tree in the family Proteaceae.

<i>Hakea gibbosa</i> Species of shrub of the family Proteaceae endemic to south eastern Australia

Hakea gibbosa, commonly known as hairy hakea or needlebush hakea, is a shrub of the family Proteaceae, and is endemic to south eastern Australia. It has very prickly foliage, cream-yellowish flowers from April to July, and provides shelter for small birds. It has become an environmental weed in South Africa and New Zealand, where it had been introduced for use as a hedge plant.

<i>Hakea lorea</i> Species of shrub or small tree in the family Proteaceae found in central and northern Australia

Hakea lorea, commonly known as bootlace oak or cork tree, is a species of shrub or small tree in the family Proteaceae found in central and northern Australia. It has needle-shape leaves, yellow, white or green flowers and hard corky bark.

<i>Hakea chordophylla</i> Species of shrub or small tree in the family Proteaceae from central and northern Australia

Hakea chordophylla, commonly known as bootlace oak, bootlace tree, corkwood, or bull oak, is a species of shrub or small tree in the family Proteaceae found in central and northern Australia. Bares very showy golden yellow, pale green or cream nectar rich flowers in winter.

<i>Hakea tephrosperma</i> Species of plant

Hakea tephrosperma commonly known as hooked needlewood, is a shrub or small tree species in the family Proteaceae. It has cream flowers, needle-shaped leaves and is one of the taller species adaptable for dry to temperate locations.

<i>Hakea pandanicarpa</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to south-west Western Australia

Hakea pandanicarpa is a shrub species in the family Proteaceae. It is endemic to south-west Western Australia.

<i>Hakea leucoptera</i> Species of plant in the family Proteaceae endemic to Australia

Hakea leucoptera, commonly known as silver needlewood, needle hakea, pin bush or water tree and as booldoobah in Koori language, is a shrub or small tree with rigid, cylindrical, sharply pointed leaves and white, cream-coloured or yellow flowers in late spring and early summer. It is widespread and common in central parts of the Australian mainland.

<i>Hakea trineura</i> Species of shrub of the family Proteaceae endemic to Queensland Australia

Hakea trineura is a flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to Queensland. The branches and leaves are covered with rusty hairs and the pendulous flowers are greenish-yellow.

<i>Hakea lissosperma</i> Species of plant in the family Proteaceae from south eastern Australia

Hakea lissosperma, commonly known as needle bush and mountain needlewood, is a species of Hakea native to parts of south eastern Australia.

<i>Hakea candolleana</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae native to Western Australia

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.

<i>Hakea conchifolia</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae native to Western Australia

Hakea conchifolia, commonly known as the shell-leaved hakea is a shrub in the family Proteaceae native to an area in the west coast of the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. An attractive small species with unusual rigid leaves that encircle the flowers.

<i>Hakea loranthifolia</i> Species of shrub of the family Proteaceae endemic to Western Australia

Hakea loranthifolia is a shrub of the family Proteaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It has an open growth habit, stiff egg-shaped leaves with longitudinal veins, smooth grey bark and white flowers from July to September.

<i>Hakea recurva</i> Species of plant in the family Proteaceae endemic to Western Australia

Hakea recurva, commonly known as jarnockmert, is a flowering shrub or small tree in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to an area in the Mid West, northern Wheatbelt and the Goldfields-Esperance regions of Western Australia. It has creams-white to yellow flowers and thick, prickly, curved leaves.

<i>Hakea stenophylla</i> Species of plant in the family Proteaceae endemic to Western Australia

Hakea stenophylla is a shrub or tree in the family Proteacea, with sweetly scented creamy-white flowers. It is endemic to Western Australia.

<i>Hakea eyreana</i> Species of tree in the family Proteacea endemic to arid parts of inland Australia

Hakea eyreana, commonly known as straggly corkbark, is a tree in the family Proteacea and is endemic to arid parts of inland Australia. It has needle-shaped leaves, greenish-yellow flowers and oblong to egg-shaped fruit.

<i>Hakea vittata</i> Species of shrub of the family Proteaceae endemic to South Australia and eastern Victoria

Hakea vittata, commonly known as the striped hakea, hooked needlewood, is a shrub of the family Proteaceae. Restricted to an area on the Eyre Peninsula and the Gawler Range in South Australia and small areas in eastern Victoria.

<i>Hakea ivoryi</i> Species of shrub or small tree in the family Proteaceae endemic to Queensland and New South Wales

Hakea ivoryi, commonly known as Ivory's hakea, corkwood or the corkbark tree, is a shrub or small tree in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to an area in the South West region of Queensland and the north west of New South Wales.

<i>Hakea fraseri</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to northern New South Wales

Hakea fraseri, is a species of shrub or small tree commonly known as the corkwood oak, is a shrub in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to northern New South Wales. It has furrowed bark, pendulous foliage and creamy-white flowers in spring.

<i>Hakea macrorrhyncha</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae native to Australia

Hakea macrorrhyncha is a shrub in the family Proteaceae native to Australia. A restricted species of north-eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland.

References

  1. "Hakea divaricata". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 "Hakea divaricata". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  3. 1 2 3 "Hakea divaricata (Proteaceae) Corkbark Tree". Seeds of South Australia. Government of South Australia. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Hakea divaricata". Alice Springs Town Council . Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 "Hakea divaricata". NT Flora. Northern Territory Government . Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 "Factsheet - Hakea divaricata". Government of South Australia . Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  7. Young, Jennifer (2006). Hakeas of Western Australia:A Field and Identification Guide. J.A. Young. ISBN   0-9585778-2-X.
  8. Wilson (ed), Annette; Barker, William R.; Haegi, Laurence A.; Barker, Robyn M. (1999). "Flora of Australia" Vol 17B-Proteacea 3 Hakeas to Dryandra. Canberra/Melbourne: ABRS-Department of Environment & Heritage. ISBN   0-643-06454-0.{{cite book}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  9. "Hakea divaricata". APNI. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  10. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 274.
  11. "Hakea divaricata L.A.S.Johnson". Atlas of Living Australia. Global Biodiversity Information Facility . Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  12. "Fire responses of Hakea divaricata". Northern Land Manager. 2005. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  13. "Fork-leaved Corkwood". Alice Springs Desert Park. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.