Banksia petiolaris

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Banksia petiolaris2 email.jpg


Plant Characteristics
Habit   shrub

Height: 1 ft"ft" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 1.
Width: 7 ft"ft" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 7.
Lifespan: perennial
Origin: Australia
Bloom: early spring, mid spring, late spring, early summer, mid summer, late summer
Cultivation
Exposure: sun
Water: moderate, dry
Features: flowers, cut flowers
USDA Zones: 9 to 10.5
Flower features: yellow
Scientific Names

Proteaceae >

Banksia >

petiolaris >


Banksia petiolaris is a species of shrub of the genus Banksia in the Proteaceae family. It is a prostrate banksia, a group of several closely related species all with horizontal stems and thick, leathery upright leaves. No varieties have been subsequently described. It bears yellow inflorescences in spring. It is found in sandy soils in the south coastal regions of Western Australia in the vicinity of Esperance. It is nonlignotuberous, regenerating by seed after bushfire. Banksia petiolaris adapts readily to cultivation, and is suitable for rockeries and as a groundcover.

Banksia petiolaris is a prostrate shrub which can spread to a diameter of 2 metres (7 ft), its thick stems grow horizontally on the ground and are covered in fine hair. The new growth is more densely covered with velvety orange brown hair. The large leathery upright leaves arise vertically on petioles up to 15 cm (6 in) high. The adaxial surface faces north and is inclined at around 15 degrees off vertical.[1] The leaf laminae can reach 60 cm (24 in) in length and 4 cm (1.6 in) wide. They are dull green with serrated margins and a white undersurface. Dead leaves remain on the plant.[1] Flowering occurs in late spring. The cylindrical inflorescences are yellow in overall colour and range from 9 to 16 cm (3.6–6.2 in) high. As the flower spikes age, they fade to a greyish colour, the old flowers persisting. Up to 20 follicles may appear on each spike. Covered with a fine grey fur, they are elliptical in shape and measure 2.8–3.8 cm (1.1–1.7 in) in length, and 1.5–2 cm (0.6–0.8 in) in width.[2]

It is nonlignotuberous, regenerating by seed after bushfire.

Cultivation

Requires a well drained soil, preferably fairly sandy. Like other banksias, it grows best in full sun. It makes an attractive prostrate groundcover, and can be used in embankments and to reduce soil erosion,[3] as well as rockeries. It is tolerant of alkaline soils, with one cultivated specimen recorded tolerating a pH of 9.5.

Propagation

Seeds do not require any treatment, and takes about 18 to 49 days to germinate.[4]

Pests and diseases

Although somewhat resistant to dieback, it does require a well drained soil, preferably fairly sandy.

Varieties

Gallery

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Witkowski, E.T.F.; Lamont, Byron B.; Walton Craig S.; Radford, Sue (1992). "Leaf Demography, Sclerophylly and Ecophysiology of Two Banksias With Contrasting Leaf Life Spans". Australian Journal of Botany 40 (6): 849–62. doi:10.1071/BT9920849. 
  2. Template:Cite encyclopedia
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  4. Sweedman, Luke; et al. (2006). Australian seeds: a guide to their collection, identification and biology. CSIRO Publishing. p. 203. ISBN 0643092986. 

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