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Banksias belong to the Proteaceous family and are mostly endemic to
Australia. They are characterized by their flower spikes, fruiting
"cones" and heads. Banksias grow along the coasts in sand, gravel or
clay soils with good drainage. It is named in honour of Sir Joseph
Banks, who collected the first Banksia specimens in 1770 during the
voyage of Captain Cook.
Banksia plants can tolerate extended drought, medium sized frosts and
fire. The flowers are mostly elongated with dozens of stamens arranged
around a woody cone and produce copious supplies of sweet nectar.
Banksias growing in Western Australia have more vivid coloured flowers,
but often fall prey to root rot fungus Phytophthora, which is a lesser
threat to the eastern variety. Banksias have been endangered in the
recent years through a number of man-made processes including land
clearing and frequent burning.
Types of Banksias
Banksias are found in myriads of varieties. These may be classified as:
- Banksia Collina Dwarf is a hard variety with an erect
bushy dwarf shrub growing up to 1 meter. They bear yellowish bronze
coloured flowers.
- Banksia Giant Candles is a hybrid of Ericifolia and
Spinulosa with extra long burnt orange flowers and growing up to 4
meters. Hardy and vigorous, these flowers stay from autumn to
spring.
- Banksia ericafolia is the hardiest variety tolerant
of humidity, salt laden winds, cold-dry climates and frost.
These Banksia flowers are orange brown in colour with long
spikes growing up to 2 meters.
- Banksia grandis grows up to 5 meters in sandy light
soils and can tolerate frosts down to -4 degrees. Flowering from
spring to early summer they appear like giant candles with
shining green jagged leaves and grey under felting.
- Banksia integrifolia Rollercoaster is a ground
cover version of Banksia integrifolia suited for covering
clay or sandy banks. This species of Banksia is a strong
grower.
- Banksia blechnifolia is a ground cover western
species with serrated leaves and large reddish flowers. Best
suited to coastal sands tolerating frosts up to -5 degrees
it spreads about 4 meters.
Banksias are a great source of food for all sorts of Nectariferous
animals, including birds, bats, rats, butterflies, possums, sting less
bees and a host of invertebrates. They are of economic importance to
Australia's nursery and cut flower industries too.
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