Banksia serrata
Saw banksia | |
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Tree of Banksia serrata at Villa Durazzo-Pallavicini | |
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. Banksia |
Species: | B. serrata
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Binomial name | |
Banksia serrata L.f.[1] | |
Range of Banksia serrata in green | |
Synonyms[1] | |
Alphabetical list
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Banksia serrata, commonly known as the saw banksia,
B. serrata is one of the four original Banksia species collected by
Description
Banksia serrata usually grows as a gnarled and misshapen tree up to 16 m (50 ft) tall, although in some coastal habitats it grows as a shrub of 1–3 m (3–10 ft), and on exposed coastal cliffs it has even been recorded as a prostrate shrub. As a tree it usually has a single, stout trunk with warty, knobbly grey bark up to 3 cm (1.2 in) thick. Trunks are often black from past bushfires, and ooze a red sap when injured. New growth appears in spring, summer and autumn. New branchlets are hairy, remaining so for two to three years. Leaves are usually crowded together at the upper end of branches, giving the canopy a thin, sparse appearance. The leaves themselves are dark glossy green above and light green below, 7 to 20 centimetres (2.8 to 7.9 in) (rarely up to 26 centimetres (10 in)) long by 2 to 4 cm (0.8 to 1.6 in) (rarely up to 4.5 cm (1.8 in)) wide, and oblong to obovate (egg-shaped) in shape. The leaf margins are serrated, except near the base, with lobes between 1 and 3 millimetres (0.04 and 0.12 in) deep.[4][5]
Cylindrical flower spikes, or inflorescences, grow from the ends of 1- to 2-year-old branchlets and have leaves at their base. The spikes are generally 9 to 12 centimetres (4 to 5 in) wide with hundreds of individual flowers arising from an upright woody axis. The woody axis is 7 to 15 centimetres (3 to 6 in) high and 0.9 to 1 centimetre (0.35 to 0.39 in) wide. The flowers are cream-grey in colour with cream styles. Old flower spikes develop into "cones" that consist of up to thirty follicles that develop from the flowers that were pollinated. Old withered flower parts remain on the cones, giving them a hairy appearance. Each follicle is oval in shape, wrinkled in texture, covered with fine hair and 2.5–3.5 cm (1.0–1.4 in) long, 2.0–2.5 cm (0.8–1.0 in) thick, and 1.5–2.2 cm (0.6–0.9 in) wide.[4]
The obovate seed is 3–3.4 cm (1.2–1.3 in) long, fairly flattened, has a papery
Taxonomy
Banksia serrata was first collected at
German botanist Joseph Gaertner described Banksia conchifera in 1788 in the first volume of his work De Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum.[13] Alex George noted this description was taken from Linnaeus' original and was hence a nomen illegitimum (illegitimate name).[4] Joseph Knight described Banksia mitis and Banksia serræfolia in his 1809 On the cultivation of the plants belonging to the natural order of Proteeae, both later determined to be B. serrata and hence superfluous. In 1830, John Lindley wrote of a plant in cultivation in England with short wavy leaves in Edwards's Botanical Register, giving it the name Banksia undulata "wavy-leaved banksia" but conceding it may have been a variety of B. serrata.[14]
Under
In 1891,
Current placement
Alex George published a new taxonomic arrangement of Banksia in his 1981 monograph "The genus Banksia L.f. (Proteaceae)".[4] Endlicher's Eubanksia became B. subg. Banksia, and was divided into three sections. B. serrata was placed in B. sect. Banksia, and this was further divided into nine series, placing B. serrata in B. ser. Banksia (formerly Orthostylis).[21][a]
In 1996,
Under George's taxonomic arrangement of Banksia, B. serrata is placed in the Genus Banksia, Subgenus Banksia, Section Banksia and Series Banksia along with B. aemula, B. ornata, B. baxteri, B. speciosa, B. menziesii, B. candolleana and B. sceptrum.[21]
In 2002, a molecular study by Austin Mast again showed that the three eastern species formed a natural group, or clade, but they were only distantly related to other members of the series Banksia. Instead, they formed a sister group to a large group comprising the series Prostratae, Ochraceae, Tetragonae (including Banksia elderiana), Banksia lullfitzii and Banksia baueri.[23]
In 2005, Mast, Eric Jones and Shawn Havery published the results of their cladistic analyses of
Intraspecific variation
Banksia serrata is a fairly uniform species, showing little variation between different habitats other than occasionally occurring as a shrub in coastal areas. No subspecific taxa are recognised.[4] In 1896, Richard Thomas Baker found a clump of B. serrata at Kelgoola on the Central Tablelands with large leaves, with hairs on leaves and stems, further west of any other collection of the species. He named it B. serrata var. hirsuta.[26] In his 1981 monograph, George was unable to locate a collection that corresponded with the report.[4]
Distribution and habitat
Banksia serrata occurs on the Australian mainland from
Throughout its range, Banksia serrata is found on well-drained sandy soils that are low in nutrients, and is often found on stabilised soil near the coast but just behind the main dune system. In the Sydney region it is found with other typical woodland species, including yellow bloodwood (Corymbia eximia), red bloodwood (C. gummifera), silvertop ash (Eucalyptus sieberi), blue-leaved stringybark (E. agglomerata) and Sydney peppermint (E. piperita).[29]
In the Upper Myall River region, B. serrata grows in dry sclerophyll forest on sandy soils that have recently formed (in the Holocene) or in shallow soils over differing substrates, while its close relative B. aemula grows on dry heath forest that occurs on ancient Pleistocene sands that have not been disturbed in 125,000 years. In intermediate communities both species are found.[30]
Banksia serrata is a component of the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub (ESBS), designated an endangered ecological community. This community is found on windblown sands which are younger than the heathlands to the north.[31]
Ecology
This species is a food source for several bird species. Nectar-eating birds that have been observed feeding at the flowers include bell miner (Manorina melanophrys), noisy miner (Manorina melanocephala), white-cheeked honeyeater (Phylidonyris nigra), New Holland honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae), white-eared honeyeater (Nesoptilotis leucotis), brown honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta), tawny-crowned honeyeater (Gliciphila melanops), white-naped honeyeater (Melithreptus lunatus), white-plumed honeyeater (Ptilotula penicillata), crescent honeyeater (Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus), yellow-tufted honeyeater (Lichenostomus melanops), eastern spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris), red wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata), little wattlebird (A. chrysoptera), noisy friarbird (Philemon corniculatus), spangled drongo (Dicrurus bracteatus), and rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus).[5][29] The immature follicles are eaten by yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus).[32]
A 1988 field study found that most flowers of B. serrata opened at night, and recorded the brown antechinus (Antechinus stuartii), sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps), eastern pygmy possum (Cercartetus nanus), and bush rat (Rattus fuscipes) as nocturnal mammalian visitors and pollinators.[33] Other mammals recorded eating the flowers include the grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), little red flying fox (P. scapulatus) and common blossom bat (Syconycteris australis).[29] Banksia serrata is a host plant for the larval and adult stages of the banksia jewel beetle (Cyrioides imperialis).[34] Native bees and European honey bees visit the flowers.[5]
Banksia serrata has a central taproot and few lateral roots. Clusters of fine branched proteoid roots up to 15 cm (6 in) long arise from larger roots.[35] These roots are particularly efficient at absorbing nutrients from nutrient-poor soils, such as the phosphorus-deficient native soils of Australia.[36]
Banksia serrata has shown a variable susceptibility to dieback from the pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi, the plants in sandier soils showing more resistance than those in heavier soils. Plants from Wilsons Promontory were sensitive. The resistance of plants from Flinders Island is unknown. The small size of the stand renders it vulnerable to eradication.[37]
Response to fire
Banksia serrata plants generally become fire tolerant by five to seven years of age in that they are able to resprout afterwards.
As with other species in the genus, B. serrata trees are naturally adapted to the presence of regular bushfires and exhibit a form of
Seeds are also released spontaneously in the absence of fire. The degree to which B. serrata trees exhibit bradyspory seems to depend on the nature of the site where they grow. One study recorded plants at coastal sites having more than 30% of their follicles open, compared to those further inland having fewer than 5% open. Follicles also open when part of the tree dies.[43]
Uses
Use in horticulture
The gnarled lumpy bark, saw-toothed leaves and silvery-yellow spikes in bud are horticultural features of B. serrata.[44] It can be grown readily from seed, collected after heating the "cone". A sterile, free-draining seed-raising mixture prevents damping off.[45] In cultivation, though relatively resistant to P. cinnamomi dieback, it grows best in a well-drained soil, preferably fairly sandy with a pH from 5.5 to 7.5, and a sunny aspect.[44] Summer watering aids in growth. The plant may take several years to flower, although plants grown from cuttings may flower in two years.[44] Banksia serrata is also used in bonsai.[46]
Use in construction
Red-pink in colour, the timber resembles English oak.[44] It has been used in boatbuilding and is strong, durable and distinctively patterned.[8]
Cultivars
- Banksia 'Pygmy Possum' – originally propagated by Austraflora Nursery, this is a prostrate form originally from the Green Cape area on the New South Wales far south coast. Similar plants are seen in nurseries called simply B. serrata (Prostrate) collected from the same area. This plant is suitable for rockeries and small gardens.[47]
- Banksia 'Superman' – selection from large-flowered (spikes to 27 centimetres (11 in) high) and large-leaved population from Scotts Head on New South Wales mid north coast. As yet, it is not in commercial cultivation, though is registered with ACRA.[48]
Notes
References
- ^ a b "Banksia serrata". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
- ^ a b Harden, Gwen J. "Banksia serrata". Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
- ^ "Old man banksia". NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
- ^ S2CID 196677407.
- ^ ISBN 0-644-07124-9.
- ^ Walters, Brian (November 2007). "Banksia aemula". Australian Native Plants Society. Archived from the original on 23 September 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
- ISBN 0-86840-302-4.
- ^ ISBN 0-207-17277-3.
- ^ William J. L. Wharton, ed. (1893). . London: E. Stock.
- ^ Banks, 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. p. 126.
- ^ Gaertner, Joseph (1788). De Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum (in Latin). Vol. 1. Stuttgart: Sumtibus Auctoris, Typis Academiae Carolinae. p. 221.
- ^ Lindley, John (1830). "Banksia undulata". Edwards's Botanical Register. 16: 1316.
- ^ Meissner, Carl (1856). "Proteaceae". In de Candolle, A. P (ed.). Prodromus systematis naturalis regni vegetabilis, pars decima quarta (in Latin). Paris: Sumptibus Victoris Masson.
- ^ Bentham, George (1870). "Banksia". Flora Australiensis: A Description of the Plants of the Australian Territory. Vol. 5: Myoporineae to Proteaceae. London: L. Reeve & Co. pp. 541–62.
- ^ 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.
- ^ ISBN 0-643-06454-0.
- .
- PMID 21665734.
- doi:10.1071/SB04015.
- doi:10.1071/SB06016.
- .
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- ^ "Wingaroo Conservation Area Management Plan 2000". Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ a b c d Benson, Doug; McDougall, Lyn (2000). "Ecology of Sydney Plant Species Part 7b:Dicotyledon families Proteaceae to Rubiaceae". Cunninghamia. 6 (4): 1017–1202 [1038]. Archived from the original on 28 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- .
- ^ "Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub in the Sydney Basin Bioregion" (PDF). National Parks and Wildlife Service, New South Wales Government. February 2004. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
- ISBN 0-643-05006-X.
- JSTOR 3545409.
- ^ Hawkeswood, Trevor J. (2007). "A review of the biology and a new larval host plant for Cyrioides imperialis (Fabricius, 1801)(Coleoptera: Buprestidae)" (PDF). Calodema. Supplementary Paper No. 25: 1–3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 April 2012.
- .
- S2CID 32550881.
- ISBN 978-0-9922694-3-2.
- .
- ^ .
- ISBN 978-1-74232-091-5. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
- ^ .
- doi:10.1071/BT96116.
- .
- ^ ISBN 978-1-876473-68-6.
- ^ "Growing Banksias from seed". Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ "Australian Native Plants as Bonsai". Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 14 November 2006.
- ISBN 0-7333-0791-4.
- ^ Australian Cultivar Registration Authority (ACRA) (5 August 2002). "Banksia 'Superman'". Australian National Botanic Gardens. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
External links
- Data related to Banksia serrata at Wikispecies
- Media related to Banksia serrata at Wikimedia Commons
- Works related to Transactions of the Linnean Society of London/Volume 10/On the Proteaceae of Jussieu/Banksia#Banksia_serrata at Wikisource
- Works related to Flora Australiensis/Volume V/CIV. Proteaceae/28. Banksia#Banksia serrata at Wikisource
- "Banksia serrata L.f." Flora of Australia Online. Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australian Government.