Hakea suberea

Hakea suberea is a tree growing to 5 m tall. The species is hermaphroditic. It adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils, tolerating mildly acidic, neutral, and mildly alkaline pH levels. It grows in semi-shade to full sun and prefers moist soil conditions.

Description

A small tree. It grows 3-9 m tall and spreads 2-5 m wide. The bark is dark and cracked and thick and corky. The trunk is often twisted. The leaves are thin and needle like. They are 12-60 cm long by 0.2-0.3 cm wide. They can have 2-5 segments 30 cm long. The flowering stalks are 4-15 cm long and hang down. The flowers are yellow and clustered on long stalks. They have a honey scent. The fruit are 3-4.5 cm long by 1.7-2 cm wide. They are smooth and have a long curved beak. The seeds are shed each year.

Edible Uses

A sweet drink can be made by crushing the nectar-rich flowers.

Traditional Uses

The nectar is sucked from the flowers. The flowers can also be steeped in water to prepare a drink.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in central Australia. Often it is among rocks on ridges. It suits semiarid climates. The soils must be well drained. They can tolerate light frosts. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed.

Propagation

Seed.

Other Uses

None known Special Uses

Production

Seed grown slowly.

Notes

There are about 130 Hakea species.

Also Known As

Honey hakea, Untjiya

References (15)

• Bindon, P., 1996, Useful Bush Plants. Western Australian Museum. p 157
• Boomsma, C.D., 1972, Native Tree of South Australia. Woods & Forests Department South Australia, Bulletin No.19. p 203
• Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 190
• Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1990, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 5. Lothian. p 233
• Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 365

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