Banksia serrata
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| Banksia serrata L.f. |
Banksia serrata, commonly known as Old Man Banksia, Saw Banksia, Saw-tooth Banksia and Red Honeysuckle, is one of the most common species of Banksia along the east coast of Australia.
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[edit] Description
Banksia serrata usually grows as a gnarled and misshapen tree up to 15 metres tall, although in some coastal habitats it grows as a shrub of one to three metres, 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 the rough grey bark characteristic of Banksia. Trunks are often black from past bushfires, and ooze a red sap when injured. The leaves a dark glossy green above and light green below, eight to twenty centimetres long, and two to four centimetres wide. Except near the base of the leaf, the margins are serrated with lobes between one and three centimetres deep. Leaves occur crowded together at the upper end of branches, giving the canopy a thin, sparse appearance. The flowers are a silvery grey colour, with cream or golden styles, and occur in Banksia's distinctive cylindrical flower spikes. "Cones" may have up to 30 follicles, and usually appear hairy due to the retention of old withered flower parts.
[edit] Distribution & habitat
Banksia serrata occurs on the Australian mainland from Wilsons Promontory in Victoria to the south, north to Maryborough, Queensland. There is also a large population at Sisters Creek in Tasmania Also, another exists in the south west corner of the Wingaroo Nature Reserve in the northern part of Flinders Island. The Wingaroo NR Conservation Plan (2000) reports that the population comprises around 60 to 80 individual trees, the majority of which are believed to be quite old. It adds there is evidence of slow and continuous regeneration, which appears to be occurring in the absence of fire.
Throughout its range, Banksia serrata is found on well-drained sandy soil, and is often found on stabilised soil near the coast but just behind the main dune system.
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. A member of the Orthostylis series, its closest relatives are Banksia aemula and Banksia ornata.
[edit] Cultivation
In cultivation, though relatively resistant to 'dieback', it does require a well drained soil, preferably fairly sandy and a sunny aspect. Summer watering is also helpful. Note that the plant may take several years to flower.
[edit] Cultivars
- Banksia 'Pygmy Possum' - originally propagated by Austraflora Nursery, this is a prostrate form originally from Green Cape area on the NSW far south coast. Similar plants are now seen in nurseries called simply B. serrata (Prostrate) collected from the same area. This plant looks great in half a wine barrel.
- Banksia 'Superman' - selection from large flowered (spikes to 27cm high) and large leaved population from Scotts Head on NSW mid north coast. As yet, not in commercial cultivation, though is registered with ACRA.
[edit] Other Uses
Banksia serrata is also used in Bonsia.[1]
[edit] Gallery
 Closeup of an old cone, with follicles open. |
 broadening inflorescence in bud |
 Banksia serrata by Edward Minchin (1862–1913). Published 1895 in "The Flowering Plants and Ferns of New South Wales - Part 3" by Joseph Maiden. |
 Old gnarly trunk, Kirrawee, Sydney |
 old cone with follicles closed, on plant, Randwick |
 Colour variants in bud |
[edit] References
- ^ Australian Native Plants as Bonsai. Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved on 2006-11-14.
- Boland, D. J. et. al. (1984). Forest Trees of Australia (Fourth edition revised and enlarged). Collingwood, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. ISBN 0-643-05423-5.
- George, Alex S. (1981). "The Genus Banksia L.f. (Proteaceae)". Nuytsia 3 (3): 239–473.
- George, Alex S. (1999). “Banksia”, Wilson, Annette (ed.): Flora of Australia: Volume 17B: Proteaceae 3: Hakea to Dryandra. CSIRO Publishing / Australian Biological Resources Study, 175–251. ISBN 0-643-06454-0.
- Taylor, Anne, Hooper, Stephen D. (1988). The Banksia Atlas (Australian Flora and Fauna Series Number 8). Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 0-644-07124-9.
- Liber C (2004). "Update on Eastern Cultivars". Banksia Study Group Newsletter 5 (1): 3–5. ISSN 1444-285X.
