hakea

n. the scientific name given, in honourof Baron Hake of Hanover, to «a large Australian genus ofplants belonging to the follicular section of the Proteaceae, tribe Grevilleae, and distinguishedfrom Grevillea by its axillary inflorescence and samaroidseeds. The species, nearly 100 in number [Maiden's index to`Useful Native Plants' gives sixteen], are all evergreenshrubs, or small trees, with alternate coriaceous, variouslylobed, often spiny leaves. They are ornamental in cultivation,and several have acquired special names – – H. ulicina,Native Furze; H. laurina, Cushion-flower; H. acicularis ( Lissosperma), Native Pear; H. flexilis, Twine-bush.» (`Century.')

1877. F. v. Muller, `Botanic Teachings,' p. 50:

« Proteaceae are more extensively still represented inVictoria by the well known genera Grevillea and Hakea, theformer dedicated to the Right Hon. C. F. Greville, ofPaddington, the latter genus named in honour of Baron Hake, ofHanover, both having been alike patrons of horticulture at theend of the last century.»

1897. `The Australasian,' Jan. 30, p. 226, col. 3:

«Recently, according to `Nature,' Mr. G. M. Thomson, an eminentauthority on New Zealand botany, has shown that one of thegenera, namely Hakea, though absent at present from the islands[of New Zealand], formerly existed there. Plant remains werefound at St. Bathans, in a bed of clay, which have beenidentified by him as Hakea. The question of the identificationof fossil plants is always a difficult one, but as Mr. Thomsonannounces that he has obtained fruit capsules and leaves therecan be but little doubt as to the correctness of hisdeterminations. Hitherto the genus has been regarded asAustralian only, and about 100 species are known, of which noless than 65 are West Australian. It would seem then that theHakeas had obtained a footing in Eastern Australia before theconnection with New Zealand had disappeared, and that probablythe genus is a far older one than had been anticipated. Why,after finding its way to New Zealand, it should have died outthere is a question to which no answer can as yet be supplied.»