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 m. 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 cm long and 16 to 43 mm 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 cm long and 1.5 to 1.9 cm 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" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife, meaning that it is rare or near threatened.