Cricket ball hakea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cricket ball hakea |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| In the ANBG | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hakea
|
| Species: |
platysperma
|
 |
|
| Occurrence data from Australasian Virtual Herbarium | |
The Hakea platysperma, also known as the cricket ball hakea, is a special type of shrub. It belongs to the plant family called Proteaceae. This plant has long, pointy, needle-like leaves. It also grows sweet-smelling flowers that are cream or reddish in color. You can see these flowers in groups from July to October. The cricket ball hakea only grows naturally in the southwest part of Western Australia.
Contents
What Does the Cricket Ball Hakea Look Like?
The cricket ball hakea is a bush that usually grows with one main stem. It can spread out and reach about 1 to 2 meters (3 to 6.5 feet) tall and wide. Its young branches and new leaves have soft, rusty-colored hairs.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves are thick and stiff, shaped like needles. They are about 3 to 15.5 centimeters (1 to 6 inches) long. Each leaf is yellowish near its base and ends with a very sharp point. The flowers are a creamy-reddish or yellow color. They have a lovely sweet smell. These flowers grow in clusters where the leaves meet the stem.
Amazing Fruit
One of the most interesting things about this plant is its fruit! The cricket ball hakea has the biggest fruit of all hakea plants. The fruit is round, just like a cricket ball. It can be about 4.5 to 7.5 centimeters (1.8 to 3 inches) long. It can also be up to 6.5 centimeters (2.5 inches) across. The surface of the fruit is smooth.
How It Got Its Name
The cricket ball hakea was first officially described in 1842. A scientist named Joseph Dalton Hooker wrote about it in his book Icones Plantarum.
Meaning of Platysperma
The second part of its scientific name, platysperma, comes from Ancient Greek words. Platy means "wide," and sperma means "seed." This name refers to the plant's large, round seeds found inside its unique fruit.
Where the Cricket Ball Hakea Grows
You can find the cricket ball hakea in several natural areas of Western Australia. These areas include the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Geraldton Sandplains, and Mallee regions.
Is It Endangered?
Good news! The cricket ball hakea is considered "not threatened" by the government of Western Australia. This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
Growing Cricket Ball Hakea
People sometimes grow this plant in gardens. The main reason is its giant, woody seed pods. These pods look really cool and are often used in flower arrangements. If you want to grow a cricket ball hakea, it likes a sunny spot. It also needs soil that drains water well.
