| Cayley's Banksia | |
|---|---|
| Banksia caleyi with red flowers | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| Order: | Proteales |
| Family: | Proteaceae |
| Genus: | Banksia |
| Species: | B. caleyi |
| Binomial name | |
| Banksia caleyi R.Br. |
|
Banksia caleyi, commonly known as the red lantern banksia or Cayley's banksia, is a species of shrub in the plant genus Banksia. It occurs in southern Western Australia south and east of the Stirling Ranges through to around Jerramungup. It grows as a dense shrub to 2 m (7 ft), with serrated leaves and red upside-down inflorescences generally hidden in the foliage. It is relatively resistant to phytophthora, unlike many Western Australian banksias.
Contents |
Banksia caleyi grows as a bushy shrub to 2 m (7 ft) in height, with grey bark and finely hairy new growth. The stiff leaves are narrowly wedge-shaped (cuneate) and measure 5 to 14 cm (2–6 in) in length by 1.3–2.4 cm (0.5–1 in) wide. The leaf margins are serrated, with many teeth measuring 0.4 to 0.6 cm (0.2 in) each. Flowering typically occurs between October and December. The inflorescences hang down from branchlets deep within the shrub and measure 5–9 cm (2–3.6 in) in length. Although formally described as having flowers that are cream at the base and deep pink to red in the upper half,[1] in reality, flowers, even on the same plant, can be mainly creamy yellow, mainly red, or any combination in between. The inflorescences turn grey as they age, and the old flowers remain as up to 25 large woody follicles develop. Oval in shape and covered with fine hair, they can reach 4 cm long 2.5 cm high, and 2.5 cm wide.[2]
Banksia caleyi was formally described by Robert Brown and was named in honour of the English botanist George Caley. The type specimen was collected by William Baxter, inland from King George Sound, in 1929.[3]
George placed B. caleyi in B. subg. Banksia because its inflorescence is a typical Banksia flower spike; in B. sect. Banksia because of its straight styles; and B. ser. Tetragonae because of its pendulous inflorescences. He considered its closest relative to be B. aculeata, which has narrower leaves with fewer, larger lobes; longer perianths, which grade from red to cream rather than from cream to red; shorter pistils; and also differences in the follicles, seeds and flowering time.[1]
In 1996, Kevin Thiele and Pauline Ladiges published the results of a cladistic analysis of morphological characters of Banksia. They retained George's subgenera and many of his series, but discarded his sections. George's B. ser. Tetragonae was found to be monophyletic, and therefore retained; and their analysis of the relationships within the series supported the placement of B. caleyi alongside B. aculeata.[4]
B. caleyi's placement in Thiele and Ladiges' arrangement may be summarised as follows:[4]
The arrangement of Thiele and Ladiges was not accepted by George, and was discarded in his 1999 revision. Under George's 1999 arrangement, B. aculeata's placement was as follows:[2]
Since 1998, Austin Mast has been publishing results of ongoing cladistic analyses of DNA sequence data for the subtribe Banksiinae. His analyses suggest a phylogeny that is rather different to previous taxonomic arrangements, but support the placement of B. aculeata alongside B. caleyi in a clade corresponding closely with B. ser. Tetragonae.[5][6][7]
Early in 2007 Mast and Thiele initiated a rearrangement by transferring Dryandra to Banksia, and publishing B. subg. Spathulatae for the species having spoon-shaped cotyledons; in this way they also redefined the autonym B. subg. Banksia. They foreshadowed publishing a full arrangement once DNA sampling of Dryandra was complete; in the meantime, if Mast and Thiele's nomenclatural changes are taken as an interim arrangement, then B. caleyi is placed in B. subg. Banksia.[8]
Banksia caleyi is found near the southern coast of Western Australia, from South Stirling to the West River and northeast to Pingrup. Some of its population lies within Fitzgerald River National Park. It is found in mallee woodland on white sand, gravel, and sandy clay.[9]
Banksia caleyi is killed by fire and regenerates from seed. In the wild, seedlings take at least three to four years to reach flowering afterwards.[9] It has been shown to have a low susceptibility to dieback from the soil-borne water mould Phytophthora cinnamomi, unlike many Western Australian banksias.[10]
The upside down flower spikes drip nectar onto the ground or lower leaves, suggesting pollination by nonflying mammals which are attracted to the scent.[11]
Banksia caleyi is a medium- to slow-growing plant, taking four to five years to flower from seed.[3] The flowers are attractive but are obscured by the foliage. This species can grow in a range of soil types so long as they provide good drainage. The nominal pH range is from 6 to 7.5. It grows in full sun and partly shaded situations, and tolerates light pruning. Unlike many other Western Australian banksias, has had some degree of success in growing in more humid areas, such as Australia's east coast. It attracts honey and pygmy possums in the garden.[3]
Seeds do not require any treatment, and take 23 to 50 days to germinate.[12]
Data related to Banksia caleyi at Wikispecies