Banksia ericifolia
Banksia ericifolia | |
---|---|
Banksia ericifolia, cultivated at Colac, Victoria | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Proteales |
Family: | Proteaceae |
Genus: | Banksia |
Species: | B. ericifolia
|
Binomial name | |
Banksia ericifolia L.f.[2] | |
Subspecies | |
| |
Distribution map of Banksia ericifolia | |
Synonyms[2] | |
|
Banksia ericifolia, the heath-leaved banksia,[3] or lantern banksia,[4] is a species of woody shrub of the family Proteaceae native to Australia. It grows in two separate regions of Central and Northern New South Wales east of the Great Dividing Range. Well known for its orange or red autumn inflorescences, which contrast with its green fine-leaved heath-like foliage, it is a medium to large shrub that can reach 6 m (20 ft) high and wide, though is usually half that size. In exposed heathlands and coastal areas, it is more often 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft).
Banksia ericifolia was one of the original Banksia species collected by Joseph Banks around Botany Bay in 1770 and was named by Carl Linnaeus the Younger, son of Carl Linnaeus, in 1782. A distinctive plant, it has split into two subspecies: Banksia ericifolia subspecies ericifolia of the Sydney region and Banksia ericifolia subspecies macrantha of the New South Wales Far North Coast which was recognised in 1996.
Banksia ericifolia has been widely grown in Australian gardens on the east coast for many years, and is used to a limited extent in the cut flower industry. Compact dwarf cultivars such as Banksia 'Little Eric' have become more popular in recent years with the trend toward smaller gardens.
Description
Banksia ericifolia grows as a large shrub up to 6 metres (20 feet) in height, though often smaller, around 1–2 metres (3.5–6.5 ft), in exposed places such as coastal or mountain heathlands. The grey-coloured bark is smooth and fairly thin with
Flowering is in autumn, or in winter in cooler areas; the inflorescences are flower
Old flower spikes fade to brown and then grey with age; old flower parts soon fall, revealing numerous small dark grey to dull black finely furred follicles. Oblong in shape and 15–20 mm (9⁄16–13⁄16 in) in diameter, the follicles are ridged on each valve and remain closed until burnt by fire.[5] Banksia ericifolia responds to fire by seeding, the parent plant being killed. As plants take several years to flower in the wild, it is very sensitive to too-frequent burns and has been eliminated in some areas where these occur. With time and the production of more cones with seed-containing follicles, however, plants can store up to 16,500 seeds at eight years of age.[8] Some plants produce multiple flower spikes, possibly of varying sizes, from a single point of origin.[9][10]
Taxonomy
B. ericifolia was first collected at
While many Banksia species have undergone much taxonomic change since publication, the distinctive B. ericifolia has remained largely unchanged as a species concept. Consequently, the species has no
A recent change to the species' taxonomy is the recognition, in 1981, of an
Placement within Banksia
Banksia ericifolia has traditionally been described as lying within
but this was not supported by George.Under George's taxonomic arrangement of Banksia, B. ericifolia's placement may be summarised as follows:[7]
- Genus Banksia
- Subgenus Banksia
- Section Banksia
- Section Coccinea
- Section Oncostylis
- Series Spicigerae
- B. spinulosa - B. ericifolia - B. verticillata - B. seminuda - B. littoralis - B. occidentalis - B. brownii
- Series Tricuspidae
- Series Dryandroidae
- Series Abietinae
- Series Spicigerae
- Subgenus Isostylis
- Subgenus Banksia
Molecular research by American botanist Austin Mast suggests that B. spinulosa and B. ericifolia may be more closely related to Banksia ser. Salicinae, with includes Banksia integrifolia and its relatives.[25]
In 2005, Mast, Eric Jones and Shawn Havery published the results of their cladistic analyses of
Hybrids with B. spinulosa var. spinulosa have been recorded in the wild, at Pigeon House Mountain in Morton National Park.[5] Banksia 'Giant Candles' was a chance garden hybrid between B. ericifolia and B. spinulosa var. cunninghamii.[28]
Subspecies
Two geographically distinct forms are recognised:
- Banksia ericifolia subsp. ericifolia
- The nominate race is found in the Sydney basin, south to the Illawarra and north to Collaroy, as well as the Blue Mountains. The seedling leaves have 2–6 teeth on each margin, while the perianths are 19–22 mm (3⁄4–3⁄4 in) long and pistils are 30–35 mm (1+1⁄4–1+1⁄2 in) long. Salkin noted that this subspecies often grew in association with Banksia spinulosa var. cunninghamii and that there were plants with longer leaves some 20–25 mm (3⁄4–1 in) long with entire, curled margins. He gave them the name "longifolia" and suspected these may have been hybrids.[22]
- Banksia ericifolia subsp. macrantha
- The northern race is found on the New South Wales north coast, from Crowdy Head northwards to the Queensland border. Described as a distinct subspecies in 1996 by Alex George from material he collected at Byron Bay in 1975, it is distinguished by finer foliage, more crowded leaves and larger flowers, with the perianths 26–28 mm (1.0–1.1 in) long and pistils 46–48 mm (1+3⁄4–2 in) long. The seedling leaves have one, or occasionally two teeth on each margin. Salkin observed that the inflorescences tended to be terminal rather than axial,[22] and others have noted them to be sometimes taller than the nominate subspecies. Crowdy Bay, in particular, hosts specimens with spikes up to 26 cm (10 in) in height.[6]
Name and symbolism
In 1992, B. ericifolia was adopted as the official plant of
Distribution and habitat
In nature, the variety ericifolia is found on acidic
The northern subspecies macrantha is found in two distinct regions on the far north coast of New South Wales; the first from Crowdy Bay on the Mid North Coast northwards to Hat Head National Park north of Port Macquarie, and then from Yuraygir National Park north to Kingscliff just south of the Queensland border. This variety is more strictly coastal with most populations being found within two kilometres of the coast,[6] or in swampy areas.[7] It may be associated with Banksia oblongifolia.[23]
Ecology
Like other banksias, B. ericifolia plays host to a wide variety of pollinators and is a vital source of nectar in autumn, when other flowers are scarce. It has been the subject of a number of studies on pollination. A 1998 study in Bundjalung National Park in Northern New South Wales found that B. ericifolia inflorescences are foraged by a variety of small mammals, including marsupials such as yellow-footed antechinus (Antechinus flavipes), and rodents such as pale field rat (Rattus tunneyi) and grassland mosaic-tailed rat (Melomys burtoni). These animals carry pollen loads comparable to those of nectarivorous birds, making them effective pollinators.[32] A 1978 study found bush rat (Rattus fuscipes) to bear large amounts of pollen from B. ericifolia and suggested the hooked styles may play a role in pollination by mammals.[33] Other visitors recorded include Western honey bee (Apis mellifera).[32]
A great many bird species have been observed visiting this Banksia species. A 1985 study in the Sydney area of B. ericifolia var. ericifolia found numerous birds visiting the inflorescences, including the
Insects recovered from inflorescences include the banksia boring moth (
Like most other
Banksia ericifolia depends on fire for regeneration; if fires are too infrequent, populations age and eventually die out.[37] However, too-frequent fires also threaten this species, which takes around six years to reach maturity and flower. One study estimated an optimum fire interval of 15–30 years.[38] For a large part of its distribution Banksia ericifolia grows near areas of human habitation on Australia's eastern coastline. Bushland near urban areas is subject to both arson and prescribed burns, drastically reducing fire intervals and resulting in the disappearance of the species from some areas.[39][40] The hotter a fire the more quickly seed is released; timing of rains afterwards is also critical for seedling survival.[37]
Banksia ericifolia is listed in Part 1 Group 1 of Schedule 13 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974; this means that as a common and secure species it is exempted from any licensing or tagging requirements under the 2002–2005 management plan to minimise and regulate the use of protected and threatened plants in the cut-flower industry in New South Wales.[41]
Cultivation
Banksia ericifolia was one of the first Banksia species to be cultivated, having been introduced into cultivation in England in 1788.[42] By 1804, it had flowered in several collections. That year a painting of the plant by Sydenham Edwards was featured in Curtis's Botanical Magazine, accompanied by text describing the species as "a handsome shrub [that] thrives freely".[43]
Banksia ericifolia inflorescences attract a variety of birds to the garden.
Flowering may take some years from seed; a minimum of four years is average. Buying an advanced plant may hasten this process, as will getting a cutting-grown plant. Banksia ericifolia can be propagated easily by seed, and is one of the (relatively) easier banksias to propagate by cutting.[47] Named cultivars are by necessity propagated by cuttings as this ensures that the plant produced bears the same attributes as the original plant.
Regular pruning is important to give the plant an attractive habit and prevent it from becoming leggy. Hard-pruning below green growth is not advisable with this banksia; since it lacks a lignotuber, it does not have dormant buds below the bark that respond to pruning or fire and therefore is unable to sprout from old wood as readily as commonly cultivated lignotuberous species, such as B. spinulosa and B. robur.[3]
Cultivars
For many years the horticulture industry focussed on registered selections of Banksia spinulosa, but since the late 1990s more and more cultivars of Banksia ericifolia have come on the market, including colour variants and dwarf forms. The latter are particularly attractive as the original plant may reach 6 metres in height, and the new cultivars help enthusiasts choose a plant that is right for their conditions and tastes.[48] Banksia ericifolia is also grown for the cut flower industry in Australia, though not to the degree that the western Australian species such as B. coccinea and B. menziesii are.[49]
There are a number of commercial varieties available from Australian retail nurseries; however none have yet been registered under plant breeders' rights legislation, and only one ('Limelight') is registered with the Australian Cultivar Registration Authority. The lack of official names has led to some varieties bearing several different names.
- Banksia ericifolia 'Bronzed Aussie' is a white-budded terminal-flowering form to 2 m with bronzed foliage; the inflorescences have honey-coloured pistils. It has been propagated by Victorian nurseryman Rod Parsons of Carawah Nursery in Hoddles Creek. A new release in 2003, its provenance is unknown; seed had been given to Rod's father by an SGAP member many years ago.[48]
- Banksia ericifolia 'Golden Girl' is a golden yellow-flowered form which grows to 1.5–1.8 m (4.9–5.9 ft) in height with blue-grey foliage. It has hidden wide fat flowers to 8 cm high and has been propagated by Rod Parsons of Carawah Nursery. Released in 2003, its provenance is unknown (seed donated to Rod's father by an SGAP member many years ago.)[48]
- Banksia ericifolia 'Kanangra Gold', propagated by Kuranga Nursery in Melbourne, is a gold flowered form to 4 m (13 ft) from the Kanangra-Boyd region of the Blue Mountains. It is bushy and flowers are much paler than the regular orange or red forms.[48]
- Banksia ericifolia 'Limelight', registered with Australian Cultivar Registration Authority (ACRA) in 1987, is a large plant to 5 m (16 ft) with bright lime green foliage and orange blossoms. It is seldom seen due to the current focus on smaller forms for smaller gardens.[3][48]
- Banksia ericifolia 'Little Eric' is a dwarf form reaching 1 or 2 m (3.3 or 6.6 ft); the inflorescences have maroon styles and whitish perianth. It is propagated by Richard Anderson of Merricks Nursery on the Mornington Peninsula southeast of Melbourne, the original having arisen as a chance garden seedling.[48]
- Banksia ericifolia 'Purple Pygmy', also called B. 'Port Wine', is a dwarf form propagated by Kuranga Nursery that grows to 1 m (3.3 ft) with purplish foliage with claret flowers. It only flowers rarely and is difficult to propagate. Also, due to low demand it is only propagated in low numbers.[50][51]
- Banksia ericifolia 'Red Rover' is a dwarf cultivar reaching 1.8 m (5.9 ft) with a more open habit than other forms of similar size. This form has lime green foliage and scarlet-red flowers and was propagated by Rod Parsons of Carawah Nursery from a garden selection and released in 2004.[48]
- Banksia ericifolia 'St Pauls' is a dwarf form that grows to 2 m (6.6 ft) with conspicuous red inflorescences which has been available from time to time from Cranebrook Nursery in Sydney's western suburbs. It was originally propagated from a plant cultivated at St Pauls' secondary school (a local high school).[48]
- Banksia ericifolia 'White Candles/Christmas Candles', also known as B. ericifolia 'Ruby Clusters', originated from a plant growing in the Sutherland Shire in Sydney's south. It has an unusual red style/white body colour combination somewhat reminiscent of B. coccinea. The buds are white and contrast with the red styles that emerge through them. It is an open shrub to 3–4 m (9.8–13.1 ft).[48]
- Banksia ericifolia macrantha 'Creamed Honey', so called because its flowers are the colour of creamed honey, is a pale flowered variant originally found at Crowdy Head on the New South Wales north coast. Propagated by Kuranga nursery, it grows to 4 or 5 m (13 or 16 ft) with a more open habit. It is notable in that it is the only cultivar of the northern subspecies of Banksia ericifolia currently available.
References
- doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T112522332A113306561.en. Retrieved 25 March 2022.)
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ^ a b "Banksia ericifolia". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
- ^ ISBN 0-86417-006-8.
- ^ "Heath-leaved Banksia, Lantern Banksia". Water Corporation. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-86840-156-0.
- ^ ISBN 0-644-07124-9.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-643-06454-6.
- doi:10.1111/j.1442-9993.1992.tb00812.x. Archived from the original(abstract) on 31 January 2009.
- ISSN 0728-2893.
- ISSN 0728-2893.
- ^ William J. L. Wharton, ed. (1893). . London: E. Stock.
- ^ Banks, Sir Joseph. "29 April 1770". Banks's Journal. Archived from the original on 8 October 2006. Retrieved 25 October 2006.
- ^ Diment, Judith (1984). "Catalogue of the Natural History drawings commissioned by Joseph Banks on the Endeavour Voyage 1768-1771 held in the British Museum (Natural History) Part 1: Botany: Australia". Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Historical Series. 11: 1-184 [149].
- Carolus Linnaeus the Younger (1782). Supplementum Plantarum. Brunsvigae: Orphanotrophei.
- ^ "Banksia ericifolia L.f." Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
- ^ Salisbury, Richard Anthony (1796). Prodromus stirpium in horto ad Chapel Allerton vigentium. London: na.
- ^ "Banksia phylicaefolia Salisb". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
- ^ Kuntze, Otto (1891). Revisio generum plantarum. Vol. 2. Leipzig: Arthur Felix. pp. 581–582.
- ^ Britten, James (1905). Banks, Joseph; Solander, Daniel C. (eds.). Illustrations of Australian plants collected in 1770 during Captain Cook's voyage round the world. Vol. 3. London, United Kingdom: Printed by order of the Trustees of the British Museum. p. 84.
- JSTOR 4107078.
- JSTOR 4111642.
- ^ a b c Salkin, Abraham Isaac (1979). Variation in Banksia in Eastern Australia: An Investigation Using Experimental Methods. Clayton, Victoria: Monash University. p. 239.
- ^ a b c George, Alex S. (1981). "The Genus Banksia L.f. (Proteaceae)". Nuytsia. 3 (3): 239–473.
- ^ .
- PMID 21665734.
- doi:10.1071/SB04015.
- doi:10.1071/SB06016.
- ^ Australian Cultivar Registration Authority. "Banksia 'Giant Candles'". Descriptions of registered cultivars. Retrieved 15 November 2006.
- ^ Sydney City Council. "Sydney's Official Flower". Sydney City Council. Archived from the original on 31 August 2007. Retrieved 20 June 2007.
- ISBN 978-0-646-11015-8.
- ISBN 978-0-7318-1031-4.
- ^ doi:10.1071/BT00004.
- S2CID 189826442.
- ^ .
- ISBN 978-0-86417-565-6.
- .
- ^ .
- .
- ^ Bryant, CJ; Willis, M (6–9 June 2006). Human Caused: Reducing the Impact of Deliberately Lit Bushfires (PDF). Brisbane: Australian Institute of Criminology. pp. 1–6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2012.
- ^ Cheney, P (1995). Bushfires – an integral part of Australia's environment. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics.
- ^ "National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974". New South Wales Consolidated Acts. Australasian Legal Information Institute. Archived from the original on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
- ISSN 0728-2893.
- ^ . Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 19.
- ISBN 978-1-86436-411-8.
- .
- ISBN 978-0-85091-143-5.
- ISSN 0728-2893.
- ^ ISSN 1444-285X. Archived from the original(PDF) on 14 April 2008.
- ^ Sedgley, M (1998). "The New Rural Industries: A handbook for Farmers and Investors". Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation. Archived from the original on 13 June 2007. Retrieved 28 June 2007.
- ISBN 978-0-85091-659-1.
- ISSN 0728-2893.
External links
- "Banksia ericifolia L.f." Flora of Australia Online. Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australian Government.
- Banksia ericifolia L.f., PlantNET: The Plant Information Network System of the Botanic Gardens Trust
- "Banksia ericifolia". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
- Growing Native Plants – Australian National Botanic Gardens – Banksia ericifolia