Hakea repullulans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Furze hakea |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hakea
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| Species: |
repullulans
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
The Furze Hakea (scientific name: Hakea repullulans) is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the Proteaceae plant family. You can find it growing naturally in parts of Victoria and South Australia in Australia. It is also sometimes called the furze hakea.
What it Looks Like
The Furze Hakea is a shrub that grows upright. It can reach a height of about 1.2 to 4 meters (4 to 13 feet) tall. This plant is special because it can regrow from a thick, woody base called a lignotuber. It can also sprout new plants from its roots that spread sideways.
Its young branches are covered with soft, tangled hairs. These hairs disappear as the plant gets older and starts to flower. The leaves can be shaped like a narrow egg or be long and thin. They are often twisted at their base. These leaves are usually 4 to 14 centimeters (1.6 to 5.5 inches) long. They are also 3 to 12 millimeters (0.1 to 0.5 inches) wide. Each leaf typically has 3 to 5 clear lines, or veins, running along it.
When it flowers, the plant produces groups of 10 to 36 cream-white flowers. These flowers grow where the leaves meet the stem. After flowering, the plant forms fruits. These fruits are shaped like an egg but are a bit slanted. They are also slightly curved at the top, like a small beak. The fruits are about 1.5 to 2.6 centimeters (0.6 to 1 inch) long. They are also 0.8 to 1.3 centimeters (0.3 to 0.5 inches) wide.
Naming the Plant
The Furze Hakea was first officially described in 1984. A scientist named H.M. Lee gave it its scientific name, Hakea repullulans. This description was published in a scientific paper called the Australian Journal of Botany.
The name repullulans comes from a Latin word. It means "sprouting again." This name was chosen because the plant can regrow from its woody base (lignotuber). It also sprouts new plants from its roots.
Where it Grows
You can find the Furze Hakea in several areas of Australia. It grows from southeastern South Australia. It also appears in western Victoria, including places like Grampians National Park. You can find it as far east as the Otway Ranges. There are also some groups of these plants near Sale in South Gippsland.
This plant prefers to grow in sandy soil that is a bit acidic. It is often found in special types of forests called sclerophyll forests. You might also see it in scattered groups in areas known as mallee-heath.
