Red pokers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red pokers |
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| H. bucculenta, Kings Park |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hakea
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| Species: |
bucculenta
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
The Hakea bucculenta, often called red pokers, is a large shrub. It belongs to the Proteaceae plant family. This plant is native only to Western Australia. It's a beautiful plant with bright red or orange flowers. These flowers grow in long, rod-like shapes. They appear from May to November, making the plant very colorful.
Contents
What Does the Red Pokers Plant Look Like?
The Hakea bucculenta is a rounded, bushy shrub. It usually grows between 1.5 to 4.5 meters (about 5 to 15 feet) tall. Some can even reach up to 7 meters (about 23 feet) high! Its smaller branches have soft, silky hairs. These hairs become smooth as the plant gets older.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the red pokers plant are long and thin. They are about 9 to 20 centimeters (3.5 to 8 inches) long. Each leaf has fine lines and clear veins. They also end in a sharp point.
The plant's flowers are very showy. Each flower cluster, called an inflorescence, has 250 to 450 bright orange or red flowers. These clusters can be up to 15 centimeters (6 inches) long. The main time for flowers is in spring, but they bloom from May to November. The individual flower stems are smooth and bright red. The style (a part of the flower) is about 18 to 21 millimeters long.
Fruit and Seeds
After flowering, the plant produces woody fruits. These fruits are egg-shaped. They are about 1.7 to 2.5 centimeters (0.7 to 1 inch) long. The fruits are grey and smooth. They often grow in groups of 3 to 16. Each fruit has a thick body and a blunt, beak-like end. Inside, there are black or brown seeds. These seeds are about 16 to 18 millimeters long. They also have a single wing, which helps them spread.
Where Do Red Pokers Grow?
The Hakea bucculenta is found only in Western Australia. It grows along the coast in the Gascoyne and Mid West regions. You can find it between Shark Bay and Geraldton. It likes to grow in sandy areas. You might also see it along roadsides. It can grow in sandy, loam, or clay-based soils.
How to Grow Red Pokers Plants
Growing Hakea bucculenta can be a bit tricky. It is sensitive to a plant disease called dieback. This makes it hard to grow in places with high humidity. However, it can be successfully grown by grafting it onto another plant called Hakea salicifolia.
Propagation and Care
Most people grow red pokers from seeds. The seeds usually sprout in about three to four weeks. You can also try to grow them from cuttings. However, cuttings often don't work as well.
This plant grows best in a sunny spot. It needs to be protected from strong winds. The soil should drain water well. Once established, the red pokers plant can handle both dry periods and frost.
See also
In Spanish: Hakea bucculenta para niños
