Hakea oligoneura facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hakea oligoneura |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hakea
|
| Species: |
oligoneura
|
Hakea oligoneura is a special kind of small, rare shrub. It grows only in a few places near Perth along the coast. You can find it on rocky limestone hills. This plant has pretty cream-white flowers and stiff, thick leaves that are yellowish-green.
Contents
About the Hakea Plant
This plant is a small shrub that can grow up to 1.8–2 m (6–7 ft) tall. It can also spread out to 2 m (7 ft) wide. When it's young, its bark is smooth. As it gets older, the bark might get small cracks.
Branches and Leaves
The smaller branches of the Hakea oligoneura are round. They have tiny white or rusty-colored hairs that are 0.2–0.4 mm (0.008–0.02 in) long. These hairs lie flat against the stem. As the branches get older, they become smooth and lose their hairs.
The leaves grow one after another along the stem. They are usually flat, but sometimes they curve inward a little. Each leaf is narrow and shaped like a spear, wider near the top. They are about 21–68 mm (0.8–3 in) long and 4.5–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide. The leaves feel thin and stiff. Their edges have small, sharp teeth, almost like tiny thorns. They also have 1 to 4 lines (veins) running along them.
Fruit of the Hakea
After the flowers, the plant grows fruit. These fruits are about 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) long and 7–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide. They have small, pyramid-shaped bumps on their surface that feel a bit like cork.
How it Got its Name
Hakea oligoneura was first officially described in 2009. Two scientists, Kelly Shepherd and Robyn Barker, gave it this name. They wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia.
Meaning of the Name
The second part of its name, oligoneura, comes from Greek words. "Oligo" means "few" and "neuron" means "nerve" or "vein". This name was chosen because the leaves of this plant do not have many clear side veins. This helps tell it apart from other similar plants.
Where the Hakea Lives
Hakea oligoneura is found in only a few small areas. It grows in Yalgorup National Park, which is between Mandurah and Bunbury on the coast of Western Australia.
Its Home Environment
This plant likes to grow on limestone ridges. It prefers white-brown sand in open areas. These areas are often called "mallee scrubland," which means there are many small, bushy trees.
Protecting the Hakea Plant
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given Hakea oligoneura a special status. It is listed as "Priority Four".
Why it Needs Protection
"Priority Four" means the plant is rare or close to being threatened. This is because it only grows in a few small places. Protecting these areas helps make sure this special shrub can keep growing for a long time.
- [/avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hakea+oligoneura#tab_mapView Occurrence data for Hakea oligoneura, Australasian Virtual Herbarium]
