Hakea lehmanniana

Hakea lehmanniana, commonly known as the blue hakea,[2] is a shrub in the family Proteacea. It has needle-shaped prickly leaves and blue flowers during winter months. It is endemic to an area in the southern Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions of Western Australia.

Blue hakea
Hakea lehmanniana (cultivated)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Hakea
Species:
H. lehmanniana
Binomial name
Hakea lehmanniana
Occurrence data from AVH

Description

Hakea lehmanniana is a prickly, dense shrub typically growing to a height of 0.6 to 1.8 metres (2 to 6 ft) and does not form a lignotuber. It blooms from June to August and produces attractive purple-blue fading to blue or white flowers in dense clusters in upper leaf axils. The leaves are glabrous, terete, 2–7 cm (0.8–3 in) long by 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) thick and ending in a sharp point at the apex. The fruit are 3 dimensional, 2–3 cm (0.8–1 in) long by 1.5–2 cm (0.6–0.8 in) wide with a very rough prickly surface a unique feature which identifies this species.[3][4]

Distribution and habitat

Blue hakea grows from Pingelly ranging south to Albany and east to Ravensthorpe. Grows in heath or shrubland on gravelly-loam, sand or sand over laterite in sun or semi-shade. An adaptable species frost and drought tolerant and may be used as a ground cover and wildlife habitat.[3]

Taxonomy and naming

Hakea lehmanniana was first formally described in 1845 by Swiss botanist Carl Meisner and the description was published in Plantae Preissianae.[5][6] The species was named in honour of the German botanist, Johann Georg Christian Lehmann.[3]

Conservation status

Hakea lehmanniana is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government.[2]

References
  1. "Hakea lehmanniana". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  2. "Hakea lehmanniana". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  3. Young, J A. Hakeas of Western Australia: A Field and Identification Guide. J A Young. ISBN 0-9585778-2-X.
  4. Holliday, Ivan. Hakeas: A Field and Garden Guide. Reed New Holland. ISBN 1-877069-14-0.
  5. "Plantae Preissianae". Biodiversity Heritage Library. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  6. "Hakea lehmanniana". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
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