Hakea platysperma

Hakea platysperma, commonly known as the cricket ball hakea or woody peach, is a shrub of the family Proteaceae native to south western Western Australia. It is most notable for its large woody fruit which are used in the cut flower industry, and resembling cricket balls gives the species its common name.

Fruit of H. platysperma

Cricket ball hakea
Hakea platysperma in the ANBG
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Hakea
Species:
H. platysperma
Binomial name
Hakea platysperma
Occurrence data from Australasian Virtual Herbarium

Description

Sweetly scented creamy pink to yellowish flowers appear in profusion in axillary racemes. The leaves are terete reasonably thick to 3 mm (0.1 in) diameter and 3–15 cm (1–6 in) long. The fruit are the largest of all Hakea species. The globose - cricket ball shaped fruit 4.5–7.5 cm (2–3 in) long by up to 6.5 cm (3 in) in diameter, with a smooth surface.[1]

Taxonomy and naming

The species was first formally described by Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1842.[2] Its species name is derived from the Ancient Greek platy - wide, and sperma - seed, referring to the large, circular fruit.[3]

Distribution and habitat

Hakea platysperma is found in the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Geraldton Sandplains and Mallee biogeographic regions of Western Australia.[4]

Conservation status

Hakea platysperma is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government.[2]

Cultivation

The main horticultural appeal of this species is the giant woody seed pods, which have been used in cut flower arrangements. H. platysperma can be grown in a sunny position in well-drained soil.[5]

Notes
  1. Holliday, Ivan. Hakeas: A Field and Garden Guide. Reed New Holland.
  2. "Hakea platysperma". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  3. Young, J A. Hakeas of Western Australia:A Field and Identification Guide. J A Young. ISBN 0-9585778-2-X.
  4. http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/help/ibra/
  5. Wrigley, John; Fagg, Murray (1991). Banksias, Waratahs and Grevilleas. Sydney, New South Wales: Angus & Robertson. p. 395. ISBN 0-207-17277-3.
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