Hakea propinqua facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hakea propinqua |
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| Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Australia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hakea
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| Species: |
propinqua
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| Occurrence data from Australasian Virtual Herbarium | |
Hakea propinqua is a common shrub. It grows in heathlands near Sydney, Australia. This plant has sharp, needle-like leaves. Its flowers are white and don't smell very nice. It also grows large, bumpy fruits.
Contents
Hakea propinqua: The Warty-Fruited Shrub
What it Looks Like
Hakea propinqua is a bushy plant. It can grow from about 3 to 13 feet (1 to 4 meters) tall. Its small flowers are pale yellow or white. They have an unpleasant smell. These flowers grow in clusters along the branches.
The leaves are thin and round. They are about 1.2 inches (3 cm) long and 0.04 inches (1 mm) wide. Each leaf ends with a sharp tip. This tip is about 0.04 inches (1 mm) long. The leaves are softer than those of a similar plant called the Needlebush.
The fruit of Hakea propinqua is quite unique. It is egg-shaped and bumpy, like it has warts. Each fruit is about 1.4 to 1.8 inches (3.5 to 4.5 cm) long. They are also about 1 to 1.2 inches (2.5 to 3 cm) wide. Each fruit has two small horn-like points at its end.
How it Got its Name
The plant Hakea propinqua was first officially described in 1825. A botanist named Allan Cunningham gave it its scientific name. The description was published in a book called Geographical Memoirs on New South Wales.
The name propinqua comes from a Latin word. It means "near" or "similar." This name was chosen because the plant looks a lot like another species, Hakea nodosa.
Where it Lives
Hakea propinqua grows in different places. You can find it from the coast to the mountain ranges. It prefers sandy soil or light loam over sandstone. It often grows in woodlands and heathlands. Its main home is in the Sydney region. It also grows as far west as the Blue Mountains.
