Family:

Proteaceae

Hakea leucoptera

Needlewood

(syn. H. leucocephala plus several others)

Other Names: Needle Hakea, Silver Needlewood, Silver Needle Bush, Pin Bush).

First Nations Name(s): Booldoobah (from Hay area).

Name Origin:

leucoptera — from Greek leucos, white and pteron, wing, referring to ashy-white seed wings (although they may be brownish-grey).

Common name refers to leaves which have very sharp points.

Regional Subspecies:

Hakea leucoptera subsp. leucoptera

Similar Species:

Distinguish from Hooked Needlewood (H. tephrosperma) by its silvery leaves with straight points and glabrous flowers.

Occurrence:

Regional:

Noted south-west of the Olympic Highway, in the areas: Simmons Creek-North west Culcairn; Burrumbuttock-West Hume; Long Plain-West Hume and Urana-Rand-Corowa.

Australia:

Mainland states and territories.

Habitat:

Coarse-textured soils. Individual trees or dense thickets of shrubby plants.

Habit:

Bushy shrub to about 2 m high or small tree to about 5 m high. Open-branched crown, straight, rigid branches and rigid cylindrical leaves 2-9 cm long.

Site Preference:

Tolerates relatively heavy soil and partial shade. Hardy and moderately frost tolerant.

Characteristics:

Long-lived.

Flowering:

Creamy white, late spring-summer. Sometimes profuse.

Seed Collection:

Throughout year, as seeds generally retained.

Propagation:

From fresh seed (± 300 viable seeds per gram) which generally germinate in 3-6 weeks. Suitable for direct seeding into pots (2 seeds per pot) or into field.

Regeneration:

Root suckers.

VALUES:

Wildlife:

Good habitat. Flowers are a nectar source for native birds and insects. Foliage good nesting sites for small birds.

Fuel:

Easily split.

Timber:

Timber reddish-brown, close-grained, hard and tough, with small oak-like appearance. Used in small turnery work, and takes good polish. Smoking pipes were made from roots.

First Nations:

Roots a source of water. Roots dug up and one end placed in slow fire, forcing water out other end.

Ornamental:

Ornamental. Decorative woody fruit. Plant in full sun. Adaptable in cultivation.

Other:

Light producer of fair quality honey.