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Image Credit: Anna Povey – with permission
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Image Credit: Anna Povey – with permission
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Image Credit: Anna Povey – with permission
Scientific Name: Hakea lissosperma
Common Name: mountain needlebush
Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots
Family: Proteaceae
Form Description: Shrub or small tree with many stout branches.
Height (m): 2 – 6
Flowers: White/cream clustered in leaf axils on stalks 4-6mm long.
Fruit: Seed follicles – brownish-purple, hard woody, warty with small beak. Seeds winged, usually two per fruit.
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Widespread, especially on mountains to 1200m and to sea level in areas of high rainfall.
Site Tolerance
Moist, Shady
Soil Tolerance
Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Well-drained
Frost Tolerance
Hardy
General Notes
Bird attracting. Provides protection for native birds and animals and nectar for birds. Resistant to wildlife browsing due to its unpalatability.
Propagation Calendar
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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 Information
Seed Collection
Collect only the older fruit (usually grey-brown) as immature seed will not ripen off the plant. Dry fruit which will usually open in 2-3 weeks or place in a hot oven 80-100°C for 30 mins with the door partially open.
Seed Treatment Method
Leaching Some species require extended time in nature weathering prior to germination as chemical inhibitors are broken down in the seed coat. Replicate this process by flushing away the inhibitor with frequent washing e.g. place the seeds in a stocking in a toilet cistern and drape it over the top for easy handling.
Seed Treatment Notes
Leaching, stratification or a combination of both improves results, or moist stratify seed for 4 months in fridge for good germination.
Germination Time
6 months