About Hakea oleifolia (Sm.) R.Br.
Hakea oleifolia, also known as olive-leaved hakea, is an upright, rounded shrub or tree that typically grows between 2 and 10 metres (6.6 to 32.8 ft) tall. It blooms from August to October, producing large, strongly sweetly scented white flowers on short racemes that grow from leaf axils. Each raceme can hold up to 28 showy flowers. Its leaves are elliptic and olive-like, measuring 3–9 cm (1–4 in) long and 0.5–2.5 cm (0.2–1 in) wide, with either smooth edges or sparse teeth. The fruits are ovoid, horned woody capsules, 2–3 cm (0.8–1 in) long and 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) wide, tapering to two prominent horns. This species grows in the wet south-western tip of Western Australia, ranging from Busselton to Bremer Bay. It is an understorey plant found in woodland and coastal locations, where it tolerates salt-laden winds. It grows in clay, sand, loam, and gravelly soils. It is frost tolerant and requires a well-drained growing site.
