Dagger Hakea

Hakea teretifolia is a prickly shrub that can reach 4 m (13 ft) in height. It has spirally arranged, thick, tough, succulent spike-tipped leaves. Flowering occurs in summer though some may be seen in winter. The small white inflorescences occur on branches and consist of 4–8 individual small flowers. These are followed by sharp pointed (dagger-shaped) seed pods from where the plant gets its common name.

Hakea teretifolia grows on damp or wet low-nutrient soil, in sandstone soil-based heathland, and can form dense thickets with the heath banksia (Banksia ericifolia) and scrub she-oak (Allocasuarina distyla). It grows in moist to wet locations in heath and woodlands east of Melbourne and a disjunct population in the Grampians. It is found in woodland alongside scribbly gum (Eucalyptus haemastoma), peppermint gum (E. piperita) and red bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera).

Hakea teretifolia is killed by bushfire and regenerates by seed, though plants with lignotubers have been recorded.

Hakea teretifolia is rarely cultivated but is an easy plant to grow provided it has a sunny aspect. Unlike many other proteaceae it can be tolerant of poor drainage. Its extremely prickly foliage can make a good deterrent. When planted in clumps, this species provides an excellent shelter for small birds such as superb fairywrens (Malurus superbus) and the smaller sized honeyeaters. It can also prove a prickly deterrent for burglars.

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