Hakea recurva subsp. arida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hakea recurva subsp. arida |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Proteales |
| Family: | Proteaceae |
| Genus: | Hakea |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
H. r. subsp. arida
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| Trinomial name | |
| Hakea recurva subsp. arida (Diels) W.R.Barker & R.M.Barker
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Hakea recurva subsp. arida is a special type of plant. It belongs to the plant family called Proteaceae. This plant is found only in the south-west part of Western Australia. When a plant or animal is found only in one specific area, it is called endemic.
What Does It Look Like?
This plant is a tall, bushy shrub. It can grow from about 1.7 to 5 meters (5.6 to 16.4 feet) high. Its bark can be smooth or a bit rough and is usually grey.
The leaves are dark green and feel thick and stiff. They are about 2.5 to 4 centimeters (1 to 1.6 inches) long. Each leaf ends with a very sharp point. The leaves can be straight or curve upwards.
This plant produces many white or cream-colored flowers. They grow in thick bunches where the leaves join the stem. These flowers also have a nice smell. After the flowers, the plant grows fruits. These fruits are egg-shaped and about 0.7 to 1 centimeter (0.3 to 0.4 inches) wide. They have a smooth or slightly rough surface and a small pointed tip.
How It Got Its Name
This plant was first officially described in 1904. A scientist named Ludwig Diels gave it the name Hakea arida. He wrote about it in a science journal.
Later, in 1999, two other scientists, William Barker and Robyn Barker, changed its name. They renamed it Hakea recurva subsp. arida. The word arida comes from Latin and means "dry." This name was chosen because the plant grows in dry, semi-desert areas.
Where It Grows and Lives
This Hakea plant grows inland in Western Australia. You can find it from Mount Augustus down to Wubin. It likes to grow on hills made of sandstone. It also grows along river banks and in flat areas.
It can be found in sandy, loamy, or stony soils. Sometimes, these soils have quartzite and laterite rocks. This plant is good for gardens because it can handle frost. It needs a lot of sunshine and soil that drains water well. Because it grows thick and prickly, it provides a good home for many small animals.
Conservation Status
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife checks on plants and animals. They have classified Hakea recurva subsp. arida as "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
