Fork-leafed Corkwood, Corkbark, Needlewood
Hakea divaricata

Family: Proteaceae

What it is like

A small gnarled tree. It is like Hakea lorea but has shorter, forked leaves. It grows 6-10 m tall and spreads 3-5 m wide. The crown is open and sparse. The trunk is crooked. The bark is grey and deeply cracked. The small branches are red and smooth. The leaves are 7-20 cm long by 0.2 cm wide. They can be simple but are often divided into up to 16 stiff segments. These are 9 cm long. The flowering racemes are 5-14 cm long. They occur in the axils of leaves and are made up of 65-120 flowers. The flowers are yellow. The fruit is 2.3-4 cm long by 1-1.4 cm wide. It has a long curved beak.

There are about 130 Hakea species.

Where it is found

It grows in Central Australia. It grows in open woodland and in rocky sites near water. It suits semiarid regions. It needs an open sunny site and a well-drained soil. It can tolerate heavy frosts. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten without preparation. The nectar from the flowers is soaked in water to make a drink. It is slightly intoxicating.

Edible parts

Seeds, nectar

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Plants are slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Witjinti

Synonyms

Hakea intermedia Ewart & O. B. Davies; Hakea eyreana;