Bird beak hakea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bird beak hakea |
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| Hakea orthorrhyncha flower Maranoa Gardens Balwyn, Victoria | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Hakea
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| Species: |
orthorrhyncha
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
The Bird Beak Hakea, also known as Hakea orthorrhyncha, is a special kind of shrub. It is found only in the Murchison River area of Western Australia. This means it is endemic to that region, growing naturally nowhere else in the world.
Contents
What Does the Bird Beak Hakea Look Like?
The Bird Beak Hakea is a shrub that spreads out as it grows. It can reach a height of about 1 to 3 meters (3 to 10 feet). It also spreads out about the same distance.
Flowers and Leaves
- This plant has bright red flowers.
- They grow in groups along the branches.
- You can see these flowers from early winter to early spring.
- The leaves of the Bird Beak Hakea can look different.
- Some are like needles, while others are flat.
- They can be straight or curved, and some even fork into two.
- Each leaf ends in a sharp point.
- They are usually between 7 to 18 centimeters (3 to 7 inches) long.
Fruits of the Hakea
- After the flowers, the plant grows smooth, woody fruits.
- These fruits are shaped like an egg or are oval.
- They are about 4 to 5 centimeters (1.5 to 2 inches) long.
- Each fruit is about 2 centimeters (0.8 inches) wide.
How Did the Bird Beak Hakea Get Its Name?
The Bird Beak Hakea was first officially described in 1868. A botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller gave it its scientific name, orthorrhyncha.
Meaning of the Name
- The name orthorrhyncha comes from two Greek words.
- Orthos means "straight."
- Rhynchos means "beak."
- This name refers to the straight, beak-like shape of the seed capsules (the part that holds the seeds).
- The common name, "bird beak hakea," might be a bit confusing. It seems to mix up the Greek words for "straight" and "bird."
Different Types of Bird Beak Hakea
There are two main types, or varieties, of this plant. They are different because of how their leaves look:
- Hakea orthorrhyncha var. filiformis: This type grows into a rounded shrub up to 3 meters (10 feet) tall. Its leaves are thin and needle-like, often divided, and can be up to 16 centimeters (6 inches) long. They have a groove on the underside. This variety grows near the Murchison River and Mingenew areas.
- Hakea orthorrhyncha F.Muell. var. orthorrhyncha: This type is a rounded shrub that grows up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall. It has flat, long, and narrow leaves that feel leathery. These leaves are about 2 to 3 millimeters (0.08 to 0.12 inches) wide and up to 14 centimeters (5.5 inches) long. You can find this variety only in the sandy northern plains of the Kalbarri region.
Where Does the Bird Beak Hakea Grow?
The Bird Beak Hakea grows in the sandy plains near Geraldton. It likes to grow in grey sand, loam (a type of soil), and soil that contains granite.
