Hakea epiglottis
| Hakea epiglottis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Hakea epiglottis, Cape Raoul, Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Proteales |
| Family: | Proteaceae |
| Genus: | Hakea |
| Species: | H. epiglottis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Hakea epiglottis Labill.[1] | |
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Hakea epiglottis is a shrub commonly known as beaked hakea or needlebush hakea[2] and is endemic to Tasmania where populations consist of functional unisexual plants. In a 1989 publication by John Wrigley & Murray Fagg states specimens at Wakehurst Place, an annexe of Kew Gardens London are specimens believed to be 60-70 years old measuring 3 m (9.8 ft) high and wide.
Description
Hakea epiglottis grows to 3 m (10 ft) tall. The
style
has a small pollen disc which is concave in male flowers but with a conical protuberance in female flowers. Fruit are shaped like the letter 'S' and 1.4–2.6 cm (0.6–1 in) long.
Needle-like leaves are 1.5–11 cm (0.6–4 in) long and 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) wide. The young leaves are covered in rust-coloured hairs, which distinguishes this species from the similar Hakea megadenia.
Unisexual populations have male plants which do not produce fruit but flowers that produce pollen. Female populations have fruit with no pollen. There are recorded populations of bisexual plants where the fruit occur together with flowers producing pollen.[3] Clusters of white through to bright yellow flowers appear in leaf axils in spring.[4]
Taxonomy and naming
The species was first formally described by
specific epithet (epiglottis) is derived from the Ancient Greek words epi meaning "upon" or "on"[6]
: 304
and glottis meaning "mouth of the windpipe" perhaps a reference to "a perceived resemblance of the fruit to the upper respiratory system".[4][6]: 538
There are two recognised subspecies:
- Hakea epiglottis subsp. epiglottis has white hairs on the stalks and base of the flower. A more widely spread subspecies found in all but the north-eastern part of Tasmania.
- Hakea epiglottis subsp. milliganii has yellowish white hairs on the stalk but has rusty coloured hairs near the base of the flower. Has a more restricted distribution, confined to the west coast of Tasmania between Zeehan and Macquarie Harbour.
Distribution and habitat
Hakea epiglottis is a common species found in all but the north-east coast of Tasmania growing in peaty heath.[7]
References
- ^ a b "Hakea epiglottis". APC. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
- ^ "Hakea epiglottis". Wildseed Tasmania. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
- ^ "Hakea epiglottis". Understorey Communities. Conservation Volunteers Understorey Network Nursery. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
- ^ a b "Hakea epiglottis". Flora of South Australia, Australian Biological Resources Study. Department of Environment and Energy. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
- ^ "Hakea epiglottis". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
- ^ a b Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
- ^ "Hakea epiglottis". Key to Tasmania-Vascular Plants. University of Tasmania. Retrieved 10 January 2019.