Banksia dentata

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Tropical Banksia

Banksia dentata, young follicles.

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Proteales
Family:	Proteaceae
Genus:	Banksia
Subgenus:	Banksia subg. Banksia
Section:	Banksia sect. Banksia
Series:	Banksia ser. Salicinae
Species:	B. dentata

Binomial name

Banksia dentata
L.f.

The Tropical Banksia (Banksia dentata) is a species of small tree in the plant genus Banksia.

1 Distribution and habitat
2 Description
3 Taxonomy
4 Cultivation
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Distribution and habitat

It occurs throughout northern Australia, and also extends into New Guinea and the Aru Islands. It is the only Banksia species not endemic to Australia.

[edit] Description

The Tropical banksia is generally a small tree to 5 metres, with large green dentate leaves and yellow inflorescences. Though not closely studied, reports suggest it does not vary significantly over its range.

[edit] Taxonomy

There has been debate on which species it is most closely related to. The inflorescences are similar to Banksia integrifolia, while the leaves are reminiscent of Banksia robur. In any case it is clearly a member of the Salicinae series.

[edit] Cultivation

The plant has been seldom cultivated, though isolated reports suggest it is in fact frost hardy.

[edit] References

George, Alex S. (1981). "The genus Banksia L.f. (Proteaceae)". Nuytsia 3 (3): 239–473. ISSN 0085-4417.
George, Alex (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.
Taylor, Anne and Stephen Hopper (1988). The Banksia Atlas (Australian Flora and Fauna Series Number 8). Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 0-644-07124-9.