Hakea neurophylla
# Hakea neurophylla

Hakea neurophylla, commonly known as the pink-flowered hakea, is a shrub of the genus Hakea native to a small area near Dandaragan in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia.

## Description

An erect non-sprouting shrub typically grows to a height of 0.3 to 2 metres (1 to 7 ft). Racemes of fragrant blooms appear from July to August in profusion in white or pale pink-red along the branchlets in the leaf axils. Inflorescences are solitary with 12 to 18 scented flowers with glabrous pedicels. Blue-grey leaves are obovate to elliptic and sometimes undulate 5 to 11 centimetres (2 to 4 in) long and 16 to 43 millimetres (0.6 to 1.7 in) wide and narrowly cuneate at the base. Leaves have 3 prominent longitudinal veins on both sides ending in a blunt point. Large blackish-brown fruit are obliquely ovate, from 3 to 4 centimetres (1.2 to 1.6 in) long and 1.5 to 1.9 centimetres (0.6 to 0.7 in) wide, obscurely beaked, with a dorsal longitudinal ridge on each valve.

## Taxonomy and naming

Hakea neurophylla was first formally described by Carl Meisner in 1855. Named from the Greek word neuron - nerve and phyllon leaf, a reference to the prominent veins in the leaves.

## Distribution and habitat

Hakea neurophylla is a rare species restricted to the Mt Lesueur - Eneabba area north of Perth in heathland sand over laterite usually on ridge tops.

## Conservation status

Hakea neurophylla is classified as Priority Four - Rare by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.

