Banksia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Banksia |
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| Banksia prionotes | |
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Banksia
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| Diversity | |
| about 170 species | |
Banksia is a genus of plants common to Australia, they were named after Joseph Banks. The Banksia are noted for their unique flowering.
It is a genus of around 170 species in the plant family Proteaceae. As Australian wildflowers and popular garden plants, they are easily recognised by their characteristic flower spikes and fruiting "cones". They can vary from woody shrubs to trees up to 30 metres tall. They are generally found in a wide variety of landscapes: (occasionally) rainforest, shrubland, and some more arid landscapes, though not in Australia's deserts.
They produce plenty of nectar,and are a vital part of the food chain in the Australian bush. They are an important food source for all sorts of nectariferous animals, including birds, bats, rats, possums and a host of invertebrates. Also, they are of economic importance to Australia's nursery and cut flower industries.
Banksia plants are threatened by land clearing, frequent burning and disease, and a number of species are rare and endangered.
- Boland D.J. (1984). Forest trees of Australia, 4th ed, revised and enlarged. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria, Australia. ISBN: 0-643-05423-5..
- George A.S. 1999. "Banksia". In Wilson, Annette (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.
- Harden, Gwen (2002). "Banksia". In Harden, Gwen (ed). Flora of New South Wales: volume 2 (revised edition). New South Wales University Press, Kensington. pp. 82–86. ISBN: 0-86840-156-0.
Images for kids
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Young Banksia inflorescence showing flower buds developing in pairs
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B. marginata flower spike before and after anthesis
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Seed separator of a silver banksia (Banksia marginata) with winged seeds still cohering
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Infructescence of B. integrifolia, with non-persistent flowers; and B. marginata, with persistent flowers
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Rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus) feasting on B. integrifolia subsp. integrifolia, Waverley NSW
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A dwarf form of B. media (Southern Plains Banksia), a popular garden plant, cultivated Maranoa Gardens, Victoria
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B. baxteri (Birds Nest Banksia), a species used in the cut flower trade, cultivated near Colac, Victoria
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Woodworked Banksia grandis cone
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leaf cell structure of a B.ashbyi
See also
In Spanish: Banksia para niños
