Hakea prostrata

Harsh hakea
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Proteales
Family:	Proteaceae
Genus:	Hakea
Species:	H. prostrata
Binomial name
Hakea prostrata R.Br. [2]
Occurrence data from Australasian Virtual Herbarium
Synonyms
Hakea glabellaR.Br.

Hakea prostrata, commonly known as harsh hakea, ^[3] is a species of shrub that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a low-lying shrub with prickly leaves and groups of white or cream-coloured flowers in late winter and early spring.

Harsh hakea habit

Description

Hakea prostrata is a shrub which grows to between 1–3 m (3–10 ft) in height with spreading branchlets. The oblong-obovate stem-clasping leaves have prickly edges and a central vein. Plentiful sweetly scented white or cream flowers are produced in axillary racemose inflorescences between July and October in its native range. ^{[4] [5] [6]}

Taxonomy and naming

Hakea prostrata was first formally described in 1810 by botanist Robert Brown and published the description in Transactions of the Linnean Society of London . ^[7] The specific epithet (prostrata) is a Latin word meaning "down flat", "overthrown" or "laid low", ^[8] referring to the low growing, coastal form of this plant. ^{[4] [5]}

Distribution and habitat

Harsh hakea is found from Geraldton to Esperance. It grows on hillsides, in shallow soil on granite outcrops, and stabilised sand dunes. ^{[4] [5]}

Conservation status

Hakea prostrata is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government. ^[4]

References

1. Keighery, G.; George, A. (2020). "Hakea prostrata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020 e.T118133120A121862330. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T118133120A121862330.en . Retrieved 6 December 2024.
2. "Hakea prostrata". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
3. Archer, William. "Hakea prostrata". Esperance Wildflowers. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
4. "Hakea prostrata". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
5. Young, J A. Hakeas of Western Australia:A Field and Identification Guide. J A Young. ISBN   0-9585778-2-X.
6. Holliday, Ivan (2005). Hakeas:A Field and Garden Guide. Reed New Holland. ISBN   1-877069-14-0.
7. "Hakea prostrata". APNI. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
8. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 481.