Banksia saxicola
| Banksia saxicola | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Proteales |
| Family: | Proteaceae |
| Genus: | Banksia |
| Subgenus: | Banksia subg. Banksia |
| Section: | Banksia sect. Banksia |
| Series: | Banksia ser. Salicinae |
| Species: | B. saxicola
|
| Binomial name | |
| Banksia saxicola | |
Banksia saxicola, the rock banksia or Grampians banksia, is a species of tree or shrub in the
Near the coast, B. saxicola grows as a tree to 13 m (43 ft) high, while in alpine areas it is a shrub that grows up to 5 m (16 ft) high, or 2 m (6.6 ft) in exposed areas. It has leathery green leaves and grey-yellow inflorescences (flower spikes) which appear in summer and early autumn. The old flowers fall off the spikes, followed by the development of finely furred follicles.
Description
Banksia saxicola grows as a tall upright tree to 13 metres (43 ft) high at Wilsons Promontory, or as a sprawling shrub in the Grampians.[1] At the latter location, plants maintain their spreading habit even in more sheltered parts, reaching around 5 metres (20 ft) high there but restricted to 2 metres (7 ft) high in more exposed areas. New growth appears in summer.[2] The 2–4 mm thick bark is brown on younger plants and grey—and often covered with lichen—on older plants. The leathery dark green leaves are roughly oval and measure 4 to 10 centimetres (2 to 4 in) long by 1 to 3.5 centimetres (0.39 to 1.4 in) wide. They are arranged in whorls along the stems on 5–10 mm long petioles.[1] The flowering period is from January to March, with some occasional late flowers in May.[2] The cylindrical flower spikes, known as inflorescences, arising from two- to six-year-old branches. They are 3.5 to 8 centimetres (1.4 to 3.1 in) high and 5 to 6 centimetres (2 to 2 in) wide at anthesis. Flower parts fall off the ageing spikes, leaving them bare. They swell and develop 20 to 60 follicles that are covered in fine fur and open only when burnt in fire.[1]
Taxonomy
Long held to be a form of
B. saxicola's placement within Banksia may be summarised as follows:
- Genus Banksia
- Subgenus Isostylis
- Subgenus Banksia
- Section Oncostylis
- Section Coccinea
- Section Banksia
- Series Grandes
- Series Banksia
- Series Crocinae
- Series Prostratae
- Series Cyrtostylis
- Series Tetragonae
- Series Bauerinae
- Series Quercinae
- Series Salicinae
- B. dentata – B. aquilonia – B. integrifolia – B. plagiocarpa – B. oblongifolia – B. robur – B. conferta – B. paludosa – B. marginata – B. canei – B. saxicola
Since 1998, American botanist
Early in 2007, Mast and Thiele rearranged the genus Banksia by merging Dryandra into it, and published B. subg. Spathulatae for the taxa having spoon-shaped cotyledons; thus B. subg. Banksia was redefined as encompassing taxa lacking spoon-shaped cotyledons. They foreshadowed publishing a full arrangement once DNA sampling of Dryandra was complete; in the meantime, if Mast and Thiele's nomenclatural changes are taken as an interim arrangement, then B. saxicola is placed in B. subg. Spathulatae.[8]
Distribution and habitat
In The Grampians, Banksia saxicola grows on exposed summits and slopes as well as gullies in scrub or woodland on a loamy soil, generally among sandstone boulders, with such species as brown stringybark (Eucalyptus baxteri).[1] Plants have been recorded on Mt William, Major Mitchell Plateau, Mt Lubra, Mt Rosea, Mt Difficult, Stony Peak, Mt Thackeray and Chimney Pots Gap. The northernmost populations are on the margins of Mt Difficult Plateau, 9 km southeast of Wartook.[2] It is found at altitudes above 600 m (2000 ft). It is found in taller forest at altitudes of 200 to 300 metres (700 to 1,000 ft) at Wilsons Promontory.[1]
Ecology
Banksia saxicola plants are killed by bushfire and regenerate from seed.[1] Plants flower four to five years after germinating.[2]
Banksia flower spikes are important sources of nectar for mammals, insects and birds, particularly honeyeaters.[9] Birds observed visiting flower spikes of B. saxicola include the New Holland honeyeater and crescent honeyeater.[2]
Cultivation
Banksia saxicola adapts readily to cultivation, particularly in cooler climates, and has been grown outside in the United Kingdom, Tasmania and at Lees in the Netherlands.[10] Its attractive foliage and furry follicles (which can look as if snowed on) are its horticultural features. It flowers in 3 to 4 years from seed.[10]
References
- ^ S2CID 196677407.
- ^ ISBN 0-644-07124-9.
- ISBN 0-304-52257-0.
- doi:10.1071/SB97026.
- PMID 21665734.
- doi:10.1071/SB04015.
- PMID 23957450.
- doi:10.1071/SB06016.
- ISBN 0-207-17277-3.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-876473-68-6.
- ISBN 0-643-06454-0.
External links
- "Banksia saxicola". Flora of Australia Online. Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australian Government.
