Synonymy

Hakea corymbosa R.Br., Suppl. Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holl. 28 (1830)

T: King George Sound, [W.A.], 1823 [1828/9], W.Baxter; syn: BM, K, NY p.p.

Description

Single-stemmed, usually very densely branched flat-topped shrub, 0.3–2 m tall, non-sprouting. Leaves in lower parts alternate, flat and linear, usually whorled in flowering parts, concave, narrowly obovate, extremely rigid, 2.8–12 cm long, 2.5–10 mm wide, entire, acuminate, mid-green; longitudinal veins prominent at least on underside, 1 above (sometimes obscure), 1–3 below; pinnate veins visible but obscure.

Inflorescence with 12–18 flowers; pedicels 3.5–5 mm long, glabrous. Perianth pale yellowish green, split to base abaxially only. Pistil 30–35 mm long; gland obovoid.

Fruit 1–3 per axil, obliquely broadly ovate in lateral view, 2–2.7 cm long, 1.3–1.8 cm wide, shortly apiculate, not or shortly beaked, not corky. Seed obliquely ovate, 12–17 mm long, 6.5–11 mm wide; wing extending down both sides of body, blackish brown, sometimes with paler streaks.

Distribution and ecology

Widespread in south-western W.A. from Mt Caroline south to Wagin and Denmark and east to Israelite Bay. Sometimes a common component of heath and scrub-heath in sandy, often gravelly, soil.

To plot an up to date distribution map based on herbarium collections for this species see Australia's Virtual Herbarium. Localities outside the native range may represent cultivated or naturalised records.

Flowering time

Flowers May–Sept.

Derivation of name

From corymbus, Latin for corymb, in which flowers are grouped into a flat-topped or convex inflorescence.

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Relationships

Part of Sect. Conogynoides recognised by Bentham (1870) and characterised by a conical pollen presenter, veined leaves, glabrous perianth and fruits without horns.

Within this section 5 species were assigned to the informal Corymbosa group by Barker et al. (1999). This group has yet to be tested for monophyly but can be recognised morphologically by whorled, rigid leaves in the flowering branches and erect fruits.

Members of the group are H. acuminata, H. cinerea, H. corymbosa, H. eneabba and H. victoria , all from SW WA.

Notes

Considerable variation in leaf width occurs in this species, but as yet a pattern suggesting taxonomic correlation has not been recognised. Broad-leaved populations are restricted in occurrence but appear not to occur to the exclusion of narrow-leaved plants. Plants from the sand plain region north of Perth previously included under H. corymbosa have been recognised as the distinct species, H. eneabba .

Representative specimens

W.A.: between Mt Bland and Middle Mt Barren, G.Keighery 497 (PERTH); Frank Hann Natl Park, Monk 298 (PERTH); near base of Mt Gibbs, c. 35 km NE of Lake King, K.Newbey 5488 (PERTH); 8 km NE of Kalgan R. along Albany–Borden road, P.Short 2281 & L.Haegi (AD, MEL, PERTH).

Weblinks

Link to FloraBase treatment of this species for WA.

For further information and images of this species in the Esperance region of Western Australia see William Archer’s Hakea page in Esperance Wildflowers

Link to the Australian Native Plants Society (Australia) pages on Hakea. This species is covered here with an image, cultivation notes and brief notes.

More photographs of this species can be seen on the Australian National Botanic Gardens site.

Further illustrations

J.W.Wrigley & M.Fagg, Banksias, Waratahs & Grevilleas 366 (1989);

J.Young, Hakeas of W. Australia, Botanical District of Avon 14, 40 (1997)

I. Holliday, Hakeas. A Field and Garden Guide 48-49 (2005)

J.A..Young, Hakeas of Western Australia. A Field and Identification Guide 28 (2006)

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