Weeds of Australia - Fact Sheet

Top Scientific Name Synonyms Family Common Names Origin Naturalised Distribution Notes

Scientific Name

Hakea salicifolia (Vent.) B.L. Burtt subsp. salicifolia

Synonyms

Banksia saligna (Andrews) J. Parm.
Conchium salignum (Andrews) Sm.
Embothrium salignum Andrews
Hakea saligna (Andrews) Knight

Family

Proteaceae

Common Names

finger hakea, willow hakea, willow leaf hakea, willow-leaf hakea, willow-leaved hakea

Origin

Native to parts of eastern Australia (i.e. south-eastern Queensland and eastern New South Wales). It is widespread in eastern New South Wales from the Queensland/New South Wales border south to Jervis Bay, and also extends northwards to Springbrook in south-eastern Queensland.

Naturalised Distribution

Naturalised in south-eastern Australia (i.e. in southern Victoria and south-eastern South Australia).

Also naturalised on Norfolk Island and overseas in New Zealand, southern Europe and South Africa.

Notes

Willow-leaved hakea (Hakea salicifolia subsp. salicifolia) is currently only regarded as an environmental weed in Victoria, though it is also naturalised in the Adelaide Hills in South Australia. This species has spread from cultivation as a garden ornamental and, like other hakeas, it regenerates prolifically after fires. Infestations replace indigenous vegetation and prevent the regeneration of locally native species.

Willow-leaved hakea (Hakea salicifolia subsp. salicifolia) became naturalised in the Melbourne area in Victoria as early as the 1880s. It is now a common environmental weed in many parts of southern Victoria and appears on numerous local environmental weed lists in this region (e.g. in Monash City, Knox City, Banyule City, Nillumbik Shire, Yarra Ranges Shire, Cardinia Shire and on the Mornington Peninsula).

This species is also regarded as being invasive in New Zealand, where it has spread into conservation areas (e.g. Abel Tasman National Park). However, being an early successional species, it may eventually be replaced by natives if no further disturbance events (i.e. fires) occur in invaded areas.