The "Pincushion Hakea" is a beautiful flowering shrub native to Australia. The name is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ˈpɪnkʊʃən ˈheɪkiə/. The first part of the name, "Pincushion," comes from the shrub's distinctive flower heads that resemble a sewing pincushion. The second part, "Hakea," is the genus name of the shrub. Its unique spelling may be challenging for some to pronounce, but learning the IPA can be helpful in understanding proper pronunciation of botanical and scientific names.
Pincushion Hakea is a commonly used name for the plant species Hakea laurina, a perennial evergreen shrub native to Western Australia. It belongs to the Proteaceae family, which includes other notable plants like banksias and grevilleas. The name "Pincushion Hakea" is derived from the unique appearance of its flower heads, which resemble pincushions or the small cushion-like holders for pins.
The shrub typically grows to a height of 3 to 6 meters, with a dense and bushy habit. It has long, narrow, dark green leaves that are around 8 to 20 cm in length and have serrated edges. The plant produces stunning, rounded flower heads that are usually 7 to 10 cm in diameter. These flower heads consist of numerous small individual flowers that are densely packed together, forming a pincushion-like shape. The individual flowers have red or crimson styles, contrasting with the creamy white or pale yellow color of the perianths.
Pincushion Hakea is a drought-tolerant and hardy shrub that thrives in well-draining soils and prefers full sun exposure. It has become popular in landscaping and gardens due to its striking and long-lasting flowers, which attract birds and insects. The plant also has an impressive response to pruning, making it an ideal specimen for hedging or shaping. However, caution should be exercised when handling Pincushion Hakea as it has sharp, and needle-like leaves.
The word "Pincushion Hakea" derives from a combination of the term "pincushion" and the genus name "Hakea".
The term "pincushion" refers to a small cushion or pad used to hold pins or needles. It is believed to have originated in the late 17th century, derived from the combination of the words "pin" and "cushion". The name "pincushion" was given to this flowering plant due to the unique appearance of its spherical flower heads, which resemble little pincushions.
The genus name "Hakea" comes from the botanical name given to these plants by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century. It honors Baron Christian Ludwig von Hake (1745–1818), a German patron of botany and horticulture.