Hakea cycloptera

{{short description|Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to South Australia}}

{{speciesbox

|name=Elm-seed Hakea

|image = Hakea cycloptera.jpg

|genus = Hakea

|species = cycloptera

|authority = R.Br.{{APNI | name = Hakea cycloptera R.Br. | id = 39403}}

|range_map = Hakea cyclopteraDistMap33.png

|range_map_caption = Occurrence data from Australasian Virtual Herbarium

}}

Hakea cycloptera, commonly known as elm-seed hakea, is a shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to South Australia. It is a small spreading shrub with an abundance of pale pink or white flowers from December to August.

Description

Hakea cycloptera is a straggly bush or shrub {{convert|0.3-1.3|m|ft|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} tall. Smaller branches and young leaves are white and smooth. Needle-shaped leaves are covered with soft silky hairs or are smooth, usually {{convert|5-15|cm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|1.1-1.9|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} wide ending in a sharp point {{convert|1-2.8|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long. The inflorescence consists of 1-14 white or pale pink flowers and appear in axillary racemes. The flower stem is {{convert|0.5-3|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long with flattened white hairs. The smooth pedicels are {{convert|2.5-6|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long. The perianth is either pink or white and {{convert|4-6.5|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long, smooth, bluish-green with a powdery film. The style {{convert|7-12|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long. The warty or wrinkled fruit are broadly elliptic to circular {{convert|2.5-4|cm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|2-3.4|cm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide ending in a coarse short oblique beak.{{cite web |title=Hakea cycloptera |url=http://www.flora.sa.gov.au/efsa/lucid/Hakea/key/Australian%20Hakea%20species/Media/Html/Hakea_cycloptera.htm |website=Flora of South Australia |publisher=Government of South Australia-Department of Water, the Environment & Water Resources |access-date=24 February 2019}}{{cite book |last1=Holliday |first1=Ivan |title=Hakeas a Field and Garden Guide |date=2005 |publisher=Reed New Holland |isbn=1-877069-14-0}}{{cite book |editor-last1=Wilson |editor-first1=Annette |last1=Barker |first1=Robyn M. |last2=Haegi |first2=Laurence A. |last3=Barker |first3=William R. |title="Flora of Australia" Vol.17B Proteaceae 3 Hakeas to Dryandra" |date=1999 |publisher=ABRS-Department of Environment & Heritage |location=Canberra/Melbourne |isbn=0-643-06454-0}}{{cite book |last1=Wrigley |first1=John W. |last2=Fagg |first2=Murray |title=Banksias, Waratahs & Grevilleas and all other plants in the Australian Proteaceae family |date=1989 |publisher=Collins Australia |isbn=0-7322-0020-2}}

Taxonomy and naming

Hakea cycloptera was named by botanist Robert Brown in 1810 and published in Transactions of the Linnean Society of London.{{cite book |last1=Brown |first1=Robert |title=Transactions of the Linnean Society of London |date=1810 |volume=10 |publisher=Biodiversity Heritage Library |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/13720#page/190/mode/1up}} The specific epithet (cycloptera) is derived from the Ancient Greek words kyklos meaning "circle"{{cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Roland Wilbur|title=The Composition of Scientific Words|date=1956|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press|location=Washington, D.C.}}{{rp|248}} and pteron for "wing",{{rp|859}} referring to the shape of the seed wing.

Distribution and habitat

Confined to the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. Grows in sandy soil in mallee scrub and withstands moderate frosts. A useful, dense shrub for dry conditions and wildlife habitat.

References