Hakea epiglottis Labill.

Taxonomic Name and Height

Hakea epiglottis Labill. typically grows to 3 metres (10 feet) tall.

Leaf Structure

This species has needle-like leaves that are 1.5 to 11 centimetres (0.6 to 4 inches) long and 1 to 2 millimetres (0.04 to 0.08 inches) wide.

Distinguishing Leaf Trait

Young leaves are covered in rust-coloured hairs, a trait that distinguishes Hakea epiglottis from the similar species Hakea megadenia.

Reproductive System

It is a dioecious species with unisexual flowers, and populations can consist of entirely unisexual individuals or bisexual individuals.

Unisexual Population Traits

In unisexual populations, male plants produce pollen-bearing flowers and do not produce fruit, while female plants produce fruit and do not produce pollen.

Bisexual Population Traits

Bisexual populations have plants that produce both fruit and pollen-bearing flowers.

Inflorescence Size

The inflorescence of male plants holds 2 to 8 flowers, while inflorescences on female plants hold 1 to 3 flowers.

Bract Characteristics

Bracts measure 3 to 4 millimetres (0.3 to 0.4 centimetres) long, growing from a stem that is about 1 millimetre (0.04 inches) long.

Flower Stem Traits

Flower stems are 3.5 to 5 millimetres (0.4 to 0.5 centimetres) long and covered in flat white silky hairs that extend onto the sepals.

Sepal Characteristics

Sepals are 2.5 to 4 millimetres (0.1 to 0.2 inches) long and pale yellow on the inside.

Pistil Characteristics

The recurved pistil is 5.5 to 6.5 millimetres (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long.

Style and Pollen Disc Traits

The style bears a small pollen disc, which is concave in male flowers, but has a conical protuberance in female flowers.

Fruit Characteristics

After flowering, plants produce S-shaped fruits that are 1.4 to 2.6 centimetres (0.6 to 1 inch) long.

Flower Appearance and Timing

Clusters of flowers ranging in color from white to bright yellow appear in leaf axils during spring.

Cultivated Specimen Details

A 1989 publication by John Wrigley and Murray Fagg notes that specimens grown at Wakehurst Place, an annexe of London's Kew Gardens, are believed to be 60 to 70 years old, and measure 3 metres (9.8 feet) high and wide.

Distribution and Habitat

Hakea epiglottis is a common species that is found in all parts of Tasmania except the north-east coast, where it grows in peaty heath.