Hakea epiglottis
Introduction '''''Hakea epiglottis''''' is a shrub commonly known as '''beaked hakea''' or '''needlebush hakea''' and is endemic to Tasmania where populations consist of functional unisexual plants. In a 1989 publication by John Wrigley & Murray Fagg states specimens at Wakehurst Place, an annexe of Kew Gardens London are specimens believed to be 60-70 years old measuring  high and wide.
Description ''Hakea epiglottis'' grows to   tall. The inflorescence on male plants have 2-8 flowers whereas female plants  1-3 flowers. The bracts are   long on a stem about   long. The flower stems are  long with flat white silky hairs extending on to sepals that are  long and pale yellow inside. The pistil is  recurved  long. The style has a small pollen disc which is concave in male flowers but with a conical protuberance in female flowers. Fruit are shaped like the letter 'S' and  long. Needle-like leaves are   long and  wide. The young leaves are covered in rust-coloured hairs, which distinguishes this species from the similar ''Hakea megadenia''.Unisexual populations have male plants which do not produce fruit but flowers that produce pollen. Female populations have fruit with no pollen. There are recorded populations of bisexual plants where the fruit occur together with flowers producing pollen. Clusters of white through to bright yellow flowers appear in leaf axils in spring.
Taxonomy and naming The species was first formally described by Jacques Labillardière in ''Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen'' in 1805.The specific epithet ''(epiglottis)'' is derived from the Ancient Greek words ''epi'' meaning "upon" or "on" and ''glottis'' meaning "mouth of the windpipe" perhaps a reference to "a perceived resemblance of the fruit to the upper respiratory system". There are two recognised subspecies:*''Hakea epiglottis'' subsp. ''epiglottis''  has white hairs on the stalks and base of the flower. A more widely spread subspecies found in all but the north-eastern part of Tasmania. *''Hakea epiglottis'' subsp. ''milliganii'' has yellowish white hairs on the stalk  but has rusty coloured hairs near the base of the flower. Has a more restricted distribution, confined to the west coast of Tasmania between Zeehan and Macquarie Harbour.
Distribution and habitat ''Hakea epiglottis'' is a common species found in all but the north-east coast of Tasmania growing in peaty heath.
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