Hakea prostrata

{{Short description|Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to the south-west of Western Australia}}

{{Speciesbox

|name = Harsh hakea

|image = Hakea prostrata - Flickr - Kevin Thiele (1).jpg

|image_caption =

|genus = Hakea

|species = prostrata

|status = LC

|status_system = IUCN3.1

|status_ref = {{cite iucn |author=Keighery, G. |author2=George, A. |year=2020 |title=Hakea prostrata |volume=2020 |page=e.T118133120A121862330 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T118133120A121862330.en |access-date=6 December 2024}}

|authority = R.Br.{{cite web |title=Hakea prostrata |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/116066 |website=Australian Plant Census |access-date=30 September 2019}}

|synonyms = Hakea glabella R.Br.

|range_map = Hakea prostrataDistMap113.png

|range_map_caption = Occurrence data from Australasian Virtual Herbarium

}}

Hakea prostrata, commonly known as harsh hakea,{{cite web |last1=Archer |first1=William |title=Hakea prostrata |url=http://esperancewildflowers.blogspot.com/2010/01/harsh-hakea-hakea-prostrata.html |website=Esperance Wildflowers |access-date=30 September 2019}} is a species of shrub that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a low-lying shrub with prickly leaves and groups of white or cream-coloured flowers in late winter and early spring.File:Hakea prostrata habit.jpg

Description

Hakea prostrata is a shrub which grows to between {{convert|1-3|m|ft|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} in height with spreading branchlets. The oblong-obovate stem-clasping leaves have prickly edges and a central vein. Plentiful sweetly scented white or cream flowers are produced in axillary racemose inflorescences between July and October in its native range.{{FloraBase|name=Hakea prostrata |id=2197}}{{cite book |last1=Young |first1=J A |title=Hakeas of Western Australia:A Field and Identification Guide |publisher=J A Young |isbn=0-9585778-2-X}}{{cite book |last1=Holliday |first1=Ivan |title=Hakeas:A Field and Garden Guide |year=2005 |publisher=Reed New Holland |isbn=1-877069-14-0}}

==Taxonomy and naming==

Hakea prostrata was first formally described in 1810 by botanist Robert Brown and published the description in Transactions of the Linnean Society of London.{{cite web|title=Hakea prostrata|url=https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/550940|publisher=APNI|access-date=15 October 2018}} The specific epithet (prostrata) is a Latin word meaning "down flat", "overthrown" or "laid low",{{cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Roland Wilbur|title=The Composition of Scientific Words|date=1956|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press|location=Washington, D.C.|page =481}} referring to the low growing, coastal form of this plant.

Distribution and habitat

Harsh hakea is found from Geraldton to Esperance. It grows on hillsides, in shallow soil on granite outcrops, and stabilised sand dunes.

Conservation status

Hakea prostrata is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government.

References