Banksia robur
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| Banksia robur Cavanilles(1800) |
Known as the Swamp Banksia or, less commonly, Broad-leaved banksia, B. robur, grows in sand or peaty sand in coastal areas from Cooktown in north Queensland to the Illawarra region on the New South Wales south coast. It is often found in areas which are seasonally inundated.
Though it was one of the original banksias collected by Joseph Banks around Botany Bay in 1770, it was not named until 1800 by Cavanilles, with a type collection by Luis Née in 1793.
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[edit] Description
It is a spreading shrub to 2.5 metres, though can get a little larger in cultivation. It has very large, leathery tough green leaves with serrated margins up to 30cm long and 10cm wide. New growth is colourful, with shades red, maroon or brown with a dense felt-like covering of brown hairs. Plants from different areas seem to flower at different times, some spring-summer, others predominantly autumn. The stunning large flower spikes, up to 15cm high and 5-6cm wide, are metallic green with pinkish styles in bud, becoming cream-yellow and fading to golden-brown.In the golden stage ,the flowers give off an intoxicating caramel fragrance. The old flowers turn grey and persist on old cones, concealing the small follicles. The plant is lignotuberous, regenerating from the ground after fire.
Hybrids with its close relative, Banksia oblongifolia can be sometimes found where both species occur (such as near Bulli in the Illawarra), with features intermediate between both species.
[edit] Cultivation
As Banksia robur naturally occurs in wet areas (hence the common name) on sandy soils, these make the best growing conditions. It appreciates a sunny aspect and extra water, especially when actively growing and during dry spells. Propagation from seed is reliable. Hardened pencil-thickness stems have been struck successfully as cuttings.
[edit] Gallery
 Blooms in various stages on a trunk |
 Banksia robur in cultivation, Concord, New South Wales |
 young developing bud |
[edit] References
- George, A. S. (1981). "The Genus Banksia". Nuytsia 3 (3): 239–473.
- 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, 175–251. ISBN 0-643-06454-0.
