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| Acorn Banksia | |
|---|---|
| |
| Banksia prionotes, Reabold Hill, Bold Park Floreat, WA | |
| Conservation status | |
| Secure | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida |
| Order: | Proteales |
| Family: | Proteaceae |
| Genus: | Banksia |
| Subgenus: | Banksia subg. Banksia |
| Section: | Banksia sect. Banksia |
| Series: | Banksia ser. Crocinae |
| Species: | B. prionotes |
| Binomial name | |
| Banksia prionotes Lindl. | |
The Acorn Banksia (B. prionotes) is a species of tree in the genus Banksia of the genus Banksia in the Proteaceae family native to Western Australia. Widely distributed, it is found from southeast of Perth to Shark Bay, generally on on sandy soils in low scrubland or heathland where it is the dominant plant.
It is also known as the Orange Banksia, though this name is also applied to B. ashbyi. It was described in 1839 by John Lindley from material collected by James Drummond in the vicinity of the Swan River that same year.
The Acorn Banksia is pollinated by and provides food for a wide array of vertebrate and invertebrate animals in the autumn and winter months. It has been widely used as a street tree and amenities planting in Perth, though its large size precludes use in small gardens. A dwarf form has been released which has considerable horticultural potential.
Description
It can be a tree to 10 metres or lower spreading 1-3 metre shrub (typically in the more northern area of its range). Banksia prionotes is killed by fire and regenerates from seed. It has a smooth grey trunk and serrated green leaves to 27 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. Flowering is terminal although leaves can obscure the inflorescences. Flowering is in autumn - the striking spikes are up to 15 cm high and begin as cream or white buds before opening to a bright or pale orange. Old flowers soon fall, leaving bare cones which can have up to 60 follicles.
Distribution and habitat
Banksia prionotes is widespread in Western Australia, from near Shark Bay down through Perth and southeast to the vicinity of Jerramungup. It grows exclusively on white or yellow sands, and is not found in heavier soils.
Taxonomy
It is closely related to Banksia hookeriana, with which it hybridizes, Banksia burdettii and Banksia victoriae. Together they have been placed in the series Crocinae by George.
A hybrid with Banksia menziesii has also been recorded.
Cultivation
The plant is fairly easy to grow in a mediterranean climate with good drainage and a light (sandy) soil, however it is sensitive to dieback, so will be unreliable in conditions with summer humidity or poor drainage. However, it has been grafted successfully onto Banksia integrifolia, which is highly adaptable to a wide range of soil types and conditions and resistant to dieback.
References
- George, Alex S. (1981). "The Genus Banksia L.f. (Proteaceae)". Nuytsia. 3 (3): 239–473.
- ^ Taylor, Anne; Hopper, Stephen (1988). The Banksia Atlas (Australian Flora and Fauna Series Number 8). Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 0-644-07124-9.
- George, Alex (1999). "Banksia". In Wilson, Annette (ed.) (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.
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External links
- "Banksia prionotes Lindl". Flora of Australia Online. Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australian Government.
- "Banksia prionotes Lindl". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- "Banksia prionotes Lindl". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.