Banksia
Banksia is a genus of plants common to Australia, they were named after Joseph Banks. The Banksia are noted for their unique flowering.
| Banksia | |
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| Banksia prionotes | |
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| Genus: | Banksia |
| Diversity | |
| about 170 species | |
It is a genus of around 170 species in the plant family Proteaceae.[1] As Australian wildflowers and popular garden plants, they are easily recognised by their characteristic flower spikes and fruiting "cones". They can vary from woody shrubs to trees up to 30 metres tall. They are generally found in a wide variety of landscapes: (occasionally) rainforest, shrubland, and some more arid landscapes, though not in Australia's deserts.
They produce plenty of nectar,and are a vital part of the food chain in the Australian bush. They are an important food source for all sorts of nectariferous animals, including birds, bats, rats, possums and a host of invertebrates. Also, they are of economic importance to Australia's nursery and cut flower industries.
Banksia plants are threatened by land clearing, frequent burning and disease, and a number of species are rare and endangered.
Further reading
- Boland D.J.; et al. (1984). Forest trees of Australia, 4th ed, revised and enlarged. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria, Australia. ISBN 0-643-05423-5..
- George A.S. (1999). "Banksia". In Wilson, Annette (ed.). Flora of Australia: Volume 17B: Proteaceae 3: Hakea to Dryandra. CSIRO Publishing / Australian Biological Resources Study. pp. 175–251. ISBN 0-643-06454-0.
- Harden, Gwen (2002). "Banksia". In Harden, Gwen (ed.). Flora of New South Wales: volume 2 (revised ed.). New South Wales University Press, Kensington. pp. 82–86. ISBN 0-86840-156-0.
- Thiele, Kevin; Ladiges, Pauline Y. (1996). "A cladistic analysis of Banksia (Proteaceae)". Australian Systematic Botany. 9 (5): 661–733. doi:10.1071/SB9960661.
Banksia Media
Young Banksia inflorescence showing flower buds developing in pairs
B. marginata flower spike before and after anthesis
Seed separator of a silver banksia (Banksia marginata) with winged seeds still cohering
Infructescence of B. integrifolia, with non-persistent flowers; and B. marginata, with persistent flowers
Rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus) feasting on B. integrifolia subsp. integrifolia, Waverley NSW
Banksia prionotes seedlings after fire, Burma Road Nature Reserve, WA
Banksia serrata seedlings and cone after fire, Beacon Hill, NSW
Banksia attenuata resprouting after fire, Burma Road Nature Reserve, WA
A dwarf form of B. media (Southern Plains Banksia), a popular garden plant, cultivated Maranoa Gardens, Victoria
B. baxteri (Birds Nest Banksia), a species used in the cut flower trade, cultivated near Colac, Victoria
References
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Wikispecies has information on: Banksia. |
- ↑ George A.S. 1981. The genus Banksia. Nuytsia 3 (3): 239–473.
Other websites
- The Banksia Page Archived 2007-09-01 at the Wayback Machine of ASGAP
- Banksia Study Group Archived 2007-09-01 at the Wayback Machine of ASGAP