Fan-leaved hakea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fan-leaved hakea |
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| Hakea flabelliflora in Kings Park Botanic Garden | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hakea
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| Species: |
flabellifolia
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
The Fan-leaved Hakea (scientific name: Hakea flabellifolia) is a special type of shrub. People also call it the Wedge Hakea. It belongs to the Proteaceae plant family.
This plant only grows in a specific part of Western Australia. You can find it along the west coast in areas called the Mid West and Wheatbelt. This means it's endemic to that region, found nowhere else naturally!
Contents
What Does the Fan-leaved Hakea Look Like?
This shrub usually stands upright and spreads out. It can grow to be about 0.3 to 1 meter (1 to 3 feet) tall. It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the plant regrow after a fire.
The Fan-leaved Hakea has many stems that grow straight up. Its leaves are thick and flat, shaped like a fan. They are about 3 to 8 centimeters (1 to 3 inches) long. The leaves also have small, bumpy teeth along their edges.
Flowers and Fruit
This plant blooms from October to November. Its flowers are green, red, and brown. They have a strong smell and grow where the leaves meet the stem. You can also find them on older branches.
After the flowers, the plant produces large fruits. These fruits are about 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) long. They are widest at the top, about 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) wide. The fruit tapers down to a narrow base and has a small, hard point.
How the Fan-leaved Hakea Got Its Name
The Fan-leaved Hakea was first officially described in 1855. A Swiss scientist named Carl Meisner gave it its scientific name, Hakea flabellifolia.
The name flabellifolia comes from two Latin words. Flabellum means "small fan," and folium means "a leaf." This name perfectly describes the plant's unique fan-shaped leaves!
Where Does the Fan-leaved Hakea Grow?
This plant likes to grow in sandy soil, loam, and gravelly areas. You can find it in heathland environments. It grows from the northern sand plains near Eneabba down to Dandaragan.
The Fan-leaved Hakea needs a lot of sunlight. It also needs soil that drains water well. This helps it stay healthy and grow strong.
Is the Fan-leaved Hakea Protected?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at this plant. They have classified Hakea flabellifolia as "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
