Hakea polyanthema

Hakea polyanthema is a dense multi-branched shrub that typically grows to a height of 1 to 2 metres (3.3 to 6.6 ft) with hairy branchlets. The new leaves and branchlets are covered with rusty coloured flattened, short, silky hairs. The smooth, needle-shaped leaves are arranged alternately, 0.8–1.2 mm (0.031–0.047 in) long and 0.8 to 1.5 mm (0.031 to 0.059 in) wide. The leaves may be either curving or straight and end in a sharp upright point. The inflorescences consists of 2, 4 or 6 small white, pink or deep red flowers in leaf axils. The over-lapping bracts are 1.3 mm (0.051 in) long, pedicels 1.5–2.5 mm (0.059–0.098 in) long and densely covered in silky flattened, white-creamish hairs. The perianth is 3.5–4.2 mm (0.14–0.17 in) long with cream-yellow or white hairs near the base but those further along a rusty colour. The pistil is 5 mm (0.20 in) long. The erect ovate shaped fruit are 25 to 35 mm (0.98 to 1.38 in) long and 1.5 to 1.9 mm (0.059 to 0.075 in) wide with a corky texture, no beak and ending in a sharp pointed tip 3.5 mm (0.14 in) long. The seeds within are around 25 mm (0.98 in) in length with a wing surrounding the seed's body. Flowering occurs from August to September.[2][3][4]

Hakea polyanthema was first formally described in 1904 by Ludwig Diels as part of the work by Diels and Ernst Georg Pritzel and published in Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie.[5][6] The specific epithet polyanthema is taken from the Greek poly- meaning "many", and anthemon meaning "flower", possibly in reference to the apparent density of the flowers.[3]

This species is endemic to a small area on the west coast, Mid West and the Wheatbelt regions of Western Australia between Geraldton and Dandaragan. It grows in sandy soils, loam and gravel in scrubland and heath.[2][3][4]