Shell-leaved hakea
Hakea conchifolia (photo: K.R.Thiele)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Hakea
Species:
H. conchifolia
Binomial name
Hakea conchifolia
Occurrence data from Australasian Virtual Herbarium

Hakea conchifolia, commonly known as the shell-leaved hakea[2] is a shrub in the family Proteaceae native to an area in the west coast of the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. An attractive small species with unusual rigid leaves that encircle the flowers.

Description

Hakea conchifolia is a small to dwarf lignotuberous shrub growing to a height of 0.3 to 1 metre (1.0 to 3.3 ft) with erect smaller branches. The branch surface varies they may be covered with red-brown long soft hairs, coarse rough longish hairs or densely covered in short soft matted hairs fading at flowering. The shell like rigid leaves are 3–7.5 cm (1–3 in) long and 30–70 mm (1–3 in) wide when opened, growing alternately on branches. Grey-green leaves are hairless, widest near the stem divided both sides of a central stalk in a feather-like appearance. Most leaves are broadly egg-shaped or heart-shaped with sharply scalloped edges, doubled over encircling the flowers. The inflorescence appears in the leaf axil and consists of 15–18 flowers. The pedicel is 2.7–3 mm (0.1–0.1 in) long and smooth. The perianth is creamy white rarely pale pink and the style 24–28 mm (0.9–1 in) long. The egg-shaped fruit are 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) long and 10–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) wide tapering to a short beak. Creamy-white rarely pink flowers appear in winter from June to August.[2][3][4][5]

Taxonomy and naming

Hakea conchifolia was first formally described by the botanist William Jackson Hooker in 1842 as part of the work Icones Plantarum.[1][6] The only synonyms are Hakea cucullata and Hakea cucullata var. conchifolia.[7] The specific epithet (conchifolia) is derived from the Latin words concha meaning "snail" or "shell"[8]: 226  and folium meaning "leaf"[8]: 340  referring to the resemblance of the leaves to sea shells.[3]

Distribution and habitat

Shell-leaved hakea grows in the northern sand plains of Irwin south to the foothills of the Darling Ranges of Perth. Hakea conchifolia grows in sand, loam and gravelly soils in heathland or low woodland in areas of good drainage.[3]

Conservation status

Hakea conchifolia is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 "Hakea conchifolia". APNI. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 "Hakea conchifolia". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  3. 1 2 3 Young, J A. Hakeas of Western Australia: A field and Identification Guide. J A Young. ISBN 0-9585778-2X.
  4. ↑ "Hakea conchifolia". Flora of Australia:Online. Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  5. ↑ "Hakea conchifolia". Flora of South Australia. South Australian Government. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  6. ↑ Hooker, William Jackson (1842). Icones Plantarum. London. p. t.432. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  7. ↑ "Hakea conchifolia Hook". Atlas of Living Australia. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  8. 1 2 Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
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