Banksia grandis

Bull Banksia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Banksia
Subgenus: Banksia subg. Banksia
Section: Banksia sect. Banksia
Series: Banksia ser. Grandes
Species: B. grandis
Binomial name
Banksia grandis
Willd.

Banksia grandis, commonly known as Bull Banksia, Giant Banksia or Mangite, is a common and distinctive tree in South West Western Australia. The Noongar peoples know the tree as Biara, Boongura or Peera.[1]

Bull Banksia usually grows as a tree between 5 and 10 metres high, but may attain heights of up to 15 metres. It is also found in the form of a stunted, spreading shrub, near the south coast and whenever it occurs among granite rocks. Its trunks are short, stout and often crooked, with the rough grey bark characteristic of Banksia. The leaves are very distinctive; they are very large, being up to 45 cm long and 11 centimetres wide, and consist of a series of triangular lobes that go right back to the prominent midrib. Shiny dark green on top, they have a soft white tomentum underneath. New growth is a paler lime green and very attractive. Flowering is in Summer. The large cylindrical flower spikes, which can reach up to 35 cm high, are yellow, with a cream style. The "cones" shed their old flower parts early, so do not have the hairy appearance of the "cones" of many other Banksia species. Old cones are often varnished or cut and the typical banksia species used in decorative woodwork.

Banksia grandis, developing follicles, with new growth behind

Bull Banksia is common throughout south west Western Australia, occurring from Jurien (30°17′S) in the north, south to Cape Leeuwin (34°22′S) and east to Bremer Bay (34°23′S 119°22′S E). It has been found inland as far as Badgedup and Dongolocking Nature Reserve. It is very common on the lateritic soils of the Darling Range, where it forms an understory in Jarrah and Marri forests. It will grow on nearly all soils of the coastal sandplain, but is somewhat less common there.

Banksia grandis is a member of Banksia ser. Grandes, a series containing only B. grandis and the closely related species B. solandri. No subspecific taxa are recognised, as it shows little variation except that it grows as a spreading shrub near the south coast. A seed from the south coast raised in Kings Park has retained its spreading habit.

The flowers of Banksia grandis were known as mangyt, pulgarla or Bool gal la by the Indigenous peoples who live within its range. The flowers were steeped in water or sucked to obtain nectar [2][3]

Ecology

Species of nectarivorous birds that have been observed feeding on B. grandis include Anthochaera carunculata (Red Wattlebird). Purpureicephalus spurius (Red-capped Parrot) has also been recorded feeding upon the seed, as have Black Cockatoos, though it is not clear which species of black cockatoo was observed, Calyptorhynchus baudinii (Baudin's Black Cockatoo) or C. latirostris (Carnaby's Black Cockatoo).[4]

Cultivation

Bull Banksia is very sensitive to dieback and is difficult to grow in regions of summer humidity. It requires a well drained sandy soil. Seeds do not require any treatment, and take 22 to 42 days to germinate.[5]

Notes

  1. ↑ "Noongar names for plants". kippleonline.net. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  2. ↑ Plants used by south western aborigines - Western Australian Museum pamphlet, no author, no date
  3. ↑ The Perth Gazette Vocabulary of Aboriginal Language of Western Australia 31 August 1839 author:Lieutenant Grey, HM 83 regiment
  4. ↑ Barker, R. D.; Vestjens, W. J. M. (1984). The Food of Australian Birds. Melbourne University Press. pp. 1:331, 365; 2:183, 458. ISBN 0-643-05006-X.
  5. ↑ Sweedman, Luke; Merritt, David (2006). Australian seeds: a guide to their collection, identification and biology. CSIRO Publishing. p. 203. ISBN 0-643-09298-6.

References

  • Boland, D. J. (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, A. S. (1999). "Banksia". In Wilson, Annette (ed.). Flora of Australia: Volume 17B: Proteaceae 3: Hakea to Dryandra. CSIRO Publishing / Australian Biological Resources Study. pp. 175–251. ISBN 0-643-06454-0. 
  • Powell, Robert (1990). Leaf and Branch: Trees and Tall Shrubs of Perth. Perth, Western Australia: Department of Conservation and Land Management. 
  • Taylor, Anne; Hopper, Stephen (1988). The Banksia Atlas (Australian Flora and Fauna Series Number 8). Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 0-644-07124-9. 

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