Hakea

3. HAKEA

HAKEA IN GLENCAIRN (Photo by Steve Coe)

There are three species of Hakea found in the Cape Peninsula. These are Silky Hakea (Hakea sericea), Rock Hakea (Harige gibbosa) and Sweet Hakea (Hakea suavolens). They are all members of the Australian protea family Proteaceae. The Silky Hakea is most widespread in our area and for our purposes, they are sufficiently similar in appearance that we will not attempt a distinction.

HAKEA IN BLOSSOM (Photo by Steve Coe)

Hakea is an evergreen shrubs, with prickly, needle like grey-green leaves and white flowers. It can grow into a 5 meter high tree, but is usually seen in dense tangles of bushes or shrubs shrubs around 2-3 meters high. Its foliage is extremely inflammable but Hakea have an odd life cycle that depends on fires for propagation. The seed cases are very woody and are adapted to survive the intense heat of the fires, which burn so fiercely that all other completing plants and their seeds are eradicated, After the fires the pods release thousands of winged seeds to re-colonise burnt areas. Hakea is thus extremely invasive.

Hakeas propensity to spread its seeds by air, makes control difficult. The plants are easily killed by low cutting as it does not coppice – but the seed cases remain viable and the cut trash will release the airborn winged seeds soon after being cut. The trash should never be burnt and is best heaped up too reduce the exposure of pods to the wind. On going maintenance is very important to remove the inevitable masses of seedlings.

NOTE : IT IS AN OFFENSE TO HAVE THIS PLANT ON YOUR PROPERTY – ERADICATE IT ON SIGHT.

Click on the specific plant below to see photo and description:

• Port Jackson
• Rooikraans
• Australian Myrtle
• Manotoka
• Gum Tree
• Pampas Grass