Willow-leaved hakea

Hakea salicifolia is a fast-growing upright shrub or small tree to 3–5 m (10–20 ft) tall. Smaller branches are smooth with obvious dark red longitudinal ribbing. Young shoots have sparse silky hairs or may be totally hairless. Leaves are narrowly oval shaped, widest in the middle up to 12 cm long and 5–20 mm (0.2–0.8 in) wide tapering to a point or occasionally rounded at the apex. The pale green leaves are smooth, occasionally bluish-green with a powdery film. Young leaves are darker with sparse flattened silky white and rusty coloured hairs quickly becoming smooth. The inflorescence consists of a single umbel of 16–28 white to pale yellow flowers on a short stalk 1–1.5 mm (0.04–0.06 in) long. The young flower bracts are 3 mm (0.1 in) long and slightly hairy externally. The pedicel is 4.5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long. The perianth is smooth, bluish-green with a powdery film and 2.3–3.5 mm (0.09–0.1 in) long. The style 6–6.5 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long. Egg-shaped fruit are 2.3–3.5 cm (0.9–1 in) long and 1.3–3 cm (0.5–1 in) wide narrowing gradually to a slightly upturned beak with small horns. The fruit surface is covered with black blister-like warts 1–5 mm (0.04–0.2 in) high.

Hakea salicifolia is a widespread species growing mainly from Kempsey to the Shoalhaven River, Dorrigo, Whian Whian and the Blue Mountains. Also found near the Queensland and New South Wales border. Grows in wet sclerophyll forest often near rainforest.

Willow-leaved Hakea is an invasive plant species in New Zealand and is listed by the New Zealand Department of Conservation as one of about 300 environmental weeds. It is also invasive in Portugal. An attractive ornamental tree adaptable to most soils and aspects from sub-tropical to temperate zones creating issues with over abundance of the species in some localities. Planted on tea plantations in Tanzania as a wind-break and boundary hedge.