Scientific Name: Hakea epiglottis subsp. epiglottis Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region

Common Name: beaked needlebush

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Proteaceae

Form Description: Erect shrub, often well-branched.

Height (m): 2 – 3

Flowers: White through to bright yellow clusters in the bases of the needles.

Fruit: Seed follicle – woody with a beak which is curved upwards. Seed has terminal wing, slightly sickle-shaped. Two seeds per fruit.

Municipality
Break O’DayCentral HighlandsCircular HeadDerwent ValleyGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyHuon ValleyKingboroughTasmanWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
Alpine and Sub-alpine VegetationCoastal VegetationHeathSedgeland and Wetland
Habitat Notes

Widespread and frequent, especially in peaty heaths, from sea level to about 1000m. Dry rocky sites near the east coast. Damp heaths up to 1000m elsewhere.

Site Tolerance

Dry, Exposed, Moist, Rocky, Waterlogged, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Clay, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Poorly-drained, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

General Notes

Resistant to wildlife browsing due to its unpalatability. The species varies in floral presentation – in some areas it has miniscule flowers but dense flowering forms can be found. Some are very fragrant. The species is sometimes bisexual, sometimes unisexual, so fruit will not be found on every plant. Bird attracting.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed, Cuttings

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Collect only the older fruit (usually grey-brown) as immature seed will not ripen off the plant. Dry the fruits which usually open within 2-3 weeks. If not place in an oven at 80-100°C for 30 mins with door left partly open.

Seed Treatment Method

Standard Scatter seed thinly on to damp potting mix. Hold seed in place by covering with more potting mix to approximately the depth of the seed size.

Seed Treatment Notes

Germinates readily from fresh seed.

Germination Time

3-6 weeks

Cutting & Division Information

Some success has been achieved with cuttings taken late spring.