Harsh hakea | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Proteales |
Family: | Proteaceae |
Genus: | Hakea |
Species: | H. prostrata
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Binomial name | |
Hakea prostrata | |
Occurrence data from Australasian Virtual Herbarium | |
Synonyms | |
Hakea glabella R.Br. |
Hakea prostrata, commonly known as harsh hakea, [2] 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.
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. [3] [4] [5]
Hakea prostrata was first formally described in 1810 by botanist Robert Brown and published the description in Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. [6] The specific epithet (prostrata) is a Latin word meaning "down flat", "overthrown" or "laid low", [7] referring to the low growing, coastal form of this plant. [3] [4]
Harsh hakea is found from Geraldton to Esperance. It grows on hillsides, in shallow soil on granite outcrops, and stabilised sand dunes. [3] [4]
Hakea prostrata is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government. [3]