Hakea sp.

Aranda, ACT

Hakea sp. at Aranda, ACT - 3 May 2024
Hakea sp. at Aranda, ACT - 3 May 2024
Hakea sp. at Aranda, ACT - 3 May 2024
Hakea sp. at Aranda, ACT - 3 May 2024
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Identification history

Hakea sp. 8 May 2024 Tapirlord
Hakea sp. 4 May 2024 MichaelMulvaney
Pinus radiata 3 May 2024 lbradley

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8 comments

lbradley wrote:
   4 May 2024
This one reminded me of

Pinus radiata (Monterey or Radiata Pine)

I submitted it as hakea and Ciaran corrected to pine. I think Ciaran is right. The needles are soft. We have quite a few feral pines in AB because of the mini pine plantation that was removed a while back.
   4 May 2024
Not a pine because leaves are single not bundled together
lbradley wrote:
   4 May 2024
I think I’ll return to each tree and compare them. I need to remove both of them anyway. The hakea, if it is a hakea, is not the species found along the Powerlines track and that hakea species is probably an escapee from ANBG according to Pam McDonald. There aren’t any hakea native to AB.
Tapirlord wrote:
   5 May 2024
Hakea decurrens (Bushy Needlewood) is widespread across Black Mountain and the adjoining reserves that support the BM sandstone community (Bruce Ridge, Gossan Hill), it has also been recorded in Aranda. If this species were to only occur in these areas then one could perhaps make an argument for it being an escapee from the gardens, but Hakea decurrens is also well known from other dry woodland communities in the ACT (Tennant, Lower cotter & other urban reserves). So, I suspect the only viable conclusion is that is Hakea decurrens is endemic to the ACT. It follows then that this particular species will be endemic Black Mountain and presumably also Aranda bushland in some capacity (given they are connected)

I think the point that Pam McDonald is making may be in reference to occurrences of Hakea sericea (Coastal Bushy Needlewood), which is a species that is not endemic to the ACT. Plants of Hakea sericea have been collected (and subsequently removed) from Black Mountain and it is presumed that these wildings have originated from the gardens.

With respect to these plants, the situation remains somewhat unclear. Hakea decurrens and Hakea sericea are morphologically similar taxa that in practice are generally distinguished based upon distribution. Vicflora suggests that H.sericea is lignotuberous whilst H.decurrens is not, which would provide an easy method of separating the two. Lisa, if you are intending to return to these plants I'd recommend checking the base of the shrubs for a large woody growth present just below ground level, this will confirm the species ID. If Hakea decurrens then the plants should not be disturbed, if H.sericea then they may be removed as a non-local native though I doubt this species will be invasive in a local context. The worst that will have is some inter species gene flow.
lbradley wrote:
   5 May 2024
Really interesting. I’m sure that Pam was talking about H. decurrens. I have only seen it along the Powerlines management track where it is prolific. I’ve reviewed sightings and I see that Ned found a plant behind the houses. I’ll check it out. I’ll also talk to Pam again. Anyway, I’ll apply the rule - if in doubt, don’t take it out.
lbradley wrote:
   6 May 2024
The leaves on this plant that I’m trying to ID are soft - like pine needles. Hakea sericea and H decurrens leaves are stiff and sharp. So I return to my original identification - pinus radiata. Perhaps in one of my photos I will bend the longer pine needles to show they are not stiff. I will also show that some of the leaves are bundled together.
Tapirlord wrote:
   8 May 2024
Up to you as to whether or not to check the lignotuber. I agree that it doesn't look like typical H.deccurrens
lbradley wrote:
   8 May 2024
Ok back to check.

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Location information

Sighting information

Additional information

  • False Tree(s) planted
  • False In flower

Species information

  • Hakea sp. Scientific name
  • Common name
  • Not Sensitive
  • Non-local native
  • Minor weed or pest
  • Up to 670.08m Recorded at altitude
  • Machine learning
  • In flower

Record quality

  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Verified by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
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