Banksia laricina

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Rose Banksia
B. laricina Moore Rvr National Park
B. laricina
Moore Rvr National Park
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Banksia
Subgenus: Banksia subg. Banksia
Section: Banksia sect. Oncostylis
Series: Banksia ser. Abietinae
Species: B. laricina
Binomial name
Banksia laricina
C.A.Gardner

The Rose-Fruited Banksia (Banksia laricina) is a species of shrub in the plant genus Banksia. It derives its specific Latin name from larix or larch, which its foliage is said to resemble. The common name comes from the striking fruits which resemble wooden roses. Other common names are Rose Banksia and Pom-Pom Banksia.

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[edit] Description

young follicles, Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne Annexe
young follicles, Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne Annexe

A woody shrub to 2 metres high and wide with fine green foliage, narrow linear leaves to 1.5cm long, flowering occurs in winter. The small yellowish inflorescences are unremarkable, resembling pom-poms, and are often hidden within the foliage. These are followed by the characteristic fruiting bodies, the follicles of which are bright green when young (pictured), before fading to a brown-grey colour.

Some plants produce old cones with attractive wavy follicles.

[edit] Distribution and habitat

It occurs within a range of only 35 square kilometres east of Lancelin, Western Australia, occurring on sany soils within Moore River National Park, which straddles the Brand Highway to the north of Perth. It grows as an understorey shrub in open dry sclerophyll eucalypt forest.

Unfortunately, because of its distinctive fruiting bodies, it is under threat as many of these are wild-picked for use in horticulture.

[edit] Taxonomy

Banksia laricina belongs in the series Abietinae. On Thiele's morphological analysis[1], its closest relatives appear to be Banksia incana and B. tricuspis. B. incana is its sister clade in Mast's analysis as well.

[edit] Cultivation

Rarely cultivated, Banksia laricina will grow on sandy well drained soils in a sunny position. It may require extra water during summer dry periods and take some time (up to 18 months) to establish well.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Thiele, Kevin; Pauline Y. Ladiges (1996). "A Cladistic Analysis of Banksia (Proteaceae)". Australian Systematic Botany 9 (5): 661–733. doi:10.1071/SB9960661. 
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