Hakea psilorrhyncha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hakea psilorrhyncha |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hakea
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| Species: |
psilorrhyncha
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| Occurrence data from Australasian Virtual Herbarium | |
Hakea psilorrhyncha is a shrub in the family Proteacea native to a small area on the west coast in the Wheatbelt and Mid West regions of Western Australia.
Description
Hakea psilorrhyncha is an erect very prickly shrub typically growing to a height of 1 to 4 metres (3.3 to 13.1 ft) with a slender growth habit and does not form a lignotuber. The terete leaves grow alternately on branchlets and are 2–10 cm (0.8–4 in) long and 1.5–2.5 mm (0.059–0.098 in) wide ending with a very sharp point. The branchlets and new leaf growth is a rusty colour. The inflorescence consists of 6-8 sweetly scented brown-yellow clusters of flowers in the leaf axils on a stem 5–5.5 mm (0.20–0.22 in) long. The pedicel is 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) long and thickly covered in cream-white to deep yellow, flattened silky hairs. The perianth 6.5–9 mm (0.26–0.35 in) long and the pistil 10–11 mm (0.39–0.43 in) long. The large ovoid fruit are rough and corky 3–5 cm (1–2 in) long by 1.5–2.5 cm (0.6–1 in) wide ending with a curving short beak. Flowering occurs from September to October.
Taxonomy and naming
Hakea psilorrhyncha was first formally described by Robyn Mary Barker in 1990 and published the description in Flora of Australia. It was named from the Greek psilos (smooth) and rhynchos (snout) referring to the beak of the fruit.
Distribution and habitat
Grows in mallee or open heath on deep sand, loam or clay from Geraldton and south to Moore River National Park.
Conservation status
Hakea psilorrhyncha is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
