Bushy Needlewood- native (Hakea decurrens subsp. physocarpa)

Family: Proteaceae (Protea family).

Native.

Widespread.

Identification:

• it is a prickly shrub with sharp wire-like leaves
• it has white to pink spider-flowers
• it has hard woody fruit.

The fruit can remain unopened on the plant for many years. They open after a fire, or when the parent dies, to release the seeds.

When not in flower, Bushy Needleood can be confused with Spreading Wattle. Both have sharp, needle leaves. Some differences:

• Bushy Needlewood has cylindrical leaves; those of Spreading wattle are slightly angular.
• the stems of Bushy Needlewood are often red
• unlike the wattle, leaves of Bushy Needlewood taper to an extended point
• Hakeas have persistent woody fruit; wattles have pods.