Candle hakea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Candle hakea |
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| Hakea ruscifolia in the ANBG | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hakea
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| Species: |
ruscifolia
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| Occurrence data from Australasian Virtual Herbarium | |
The Candle Hakea (Hakea ruscifolia) is a special type of shrub. It belongs to the Proteaceae family of plants. This plant is known for its sweet-smelling white flowers. It also has branches that arch gracefully and leaves that look a bit spiky. You can only find the Candle Hakea growing naturally in certain parts of Western Australia. These areas include the Peel, Wheatbelt, South West, Great Southern, and Goldfields-Esperance regions.
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What Does the Candle Hakea Look Like?
The Candle Hakea is a thick, bushy shrub. It usually grows to be about 0.5 to 3 meters (1.6 to 9.8 feet) tall. It can also spread out to be 1.5 to 2 meters (4.9 to 6.6 feet) wide. This plant has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps it regrow after fires.
Its branches often grow straight upwards, like columns. The flowers grow all around these stems. The Candle Hakea blooms from December to June. During this time, it produces many white flowers that smell very sweet. These flowers grow where the leaves meet the stem.
The leaves of the Candle Hakea are small and grow very close together. They are shaped like an oval or a wider oval. Each leaf ends with a sharp, fine point. Most leaves are about 2 to 4 centimeters (0.8 to 1.6 inches) long. They are usually less than 1 to 2 centimeters (0.4 to 0.8 inches) wide.
After the flowers, the plant produces small fruits. These fruits are smooth and somewhat flat. They are shaped like an egg and are about 1 to 2 centimeters (0.4 to 0.8 inches) long. They are less than 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) wide. Each fruit has a small, pointed tip, like a tiny beak.
How Was the Candle Hakea Named?
The Candle Hakea was first officially described in 1805. A scientist named Jacques Labillardiere gave it its scientific name. He published his description in a book called Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen.
The name ruscifolia comes from two words. "Ruscus" is a genus of plants in the lily family. "Folium" is a Latin word meaning "leaf." So, the name means "with leaves like a Ruscus plant."
Where Does the Candle Hakea Grow?
The Candle Hakea is a common plant found along the coast and inland areas of Western Australia. You can find it from Eneabba in the north to Augusta in the south. It also grows east towards Esperance.
This shrub prefers to grow in heathlands and scrublands. These are areas with low-growing plants and bushes. It can grow in sandy soil, gravelly clay, and a type of soil called laterite. The Candle Hakea is a tough plant that can handle moderate frost. It makes a good plant for gardens, especially as a shrub that grows under taller trees.
Is the Candle Hakea Endangered?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at the Candle Hakea. They have classified it as "not threatened." This means the plant is not currently in danger of disappearing.
