Banksia marginata

Common name(s): Silver Banksia

Family: Proteaceae Synonym(s): Banksia patula, Banksia microstachya, Banksia australis

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington on 14th August, 2012

Leaves

Taken by Ken Harrington

Flowers

Taken by Ken Harrington on 4th April, 2016 at Cromer, South Australia

Seeds

Taken by Ken Harrington

Fruit

Taken by Unknown Photographer

Fruit

Taken by Ken Harrington on 12th October, 2020 at Cromer, South Australia

Bark (Lower)

Taken by Ken Harrington on 11th September, 2019

Bark (Upper)

Taken by Ken Harrington on 12th October, 2020

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Plant Properties

Origin(s)

Australia

NSW: NC, CS, CT, CC, SS, ST, SC
SA: EP, NL, SL, MU, YP, KI, SE
TAS: ML, NE, BL, WC, CH, EC, SW, MF, MW, KI, FU
VIC: WI, WA, MI, VP, OP, OR, EH, GP, GH, PR, EG
WA: DA

Plant Type

Evergreen Shrub

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Temperate Cool

Aspect Range(s)

Sun - Full, Shade - Dappled

Sun - Full,

Shade - Dappled

Habitat Range(s)

Coastal, Open Woodlands, Sclerophyll Forest - Dry, Sclerophyll Forest - Wet

Coastal,

Open Woodlands,

Sclerophyll Forest - Dry,

Sclerophyll Forest - Wet

Habitat Zone(s)

Moist areas, Sandy Moist, Scattered, Well drained

Moist areas,

Sandy Moist,

Scattered,

Well drained

Mature Height

5-6m

Plant Shape

Bun - Narrow

Growth Rate

Moderate

Life Span

15-30yrs

Leaf Properties

Colour (front)

Green

Shape(s)

Linear

Oblong

Obovate

Linear,

Oblong,

Obovate

Aroma

None

Texture (back)

Canescent

Leaf Length(s)

70-80mm

Leaf Width(s)

10-15mm

Margin

Dentate

Bark / Stem / Culm Properties

Colour(s) Upper

Brown Light , Grey-brown

Brown Light,

Grey-brown

Texture(s) Upper

Lumpy / Papillate / Papillose

Rough / Scabrous

Lumpy / Papillate / Papillose,

Rough / Scabrous

Hairs-Straight

Trunk / Stem Construction(s)

Wood Fibres / Solid

Flower Properties

Gender: Bisexual

Time(s)

Winter - Summer

Flower Colour(s)

Yellow-golden

Flower Shape(s)

Brush or Spike

Aroma(s)

Sweet-slight

Fruit Properties

Type

Cone Simple

Outer Colour(s)

Dull, Grey-brown

Dull,

Grey-brown

Outer Texture

Hairs-Stiff

Root Properties

Type

Fibrous

Shallow , Spreading

Shallow,

Spreading

Soil Properties

Type(s)

Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand

Clay-loam,

Loam,

Sandy-loam,

Sand

pH Range(s)

Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline

Acid,

Slightly Acid,

Neutral,

Slightly Alkaline

Condition(s)

Moist

Dry

Moist,

Dry

Poor , Deep , Shallow , Well Drained

Poor,

Deep,

Shallow,

Well Drained

Salinities

Slight

Other Properties / Uses

Bee Attraction

Moderate

Bird Attraction

Nectar, Insect, Seed

Nectar,

Insect,

Seed

Butterfly Attraction

None

Frog Habitat

None

Edible(s)

None

Fire Retarding

Moderate

Drought Tolerance

Moderate

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

Snow Tolerance

Light

Landscape Use

Moderate

Maintenance(s)

Pruning - Periodical, Pruning - Shaping

Pruning - Periodical,

Pruning - Shaping

Pests/Diseases

Borers

Special Purpose(s)

Cut Flowers, Fire Retarding, Floral Art, Hedge-formal, Phytophthora Susceptible, Sand Binder, Screen, Shade Tolerant, Shady Dry, Shady Moist, Soil Binder, Specimen, Sunny Moist, Windbreak

Cut Flowers,

Fire Retarding,

Floral Art,

Hedge-formal,

Phytophthora Susceptible,

Sand Binder,

Screen,

Shade Tolerant,

Shady Dry,

Shady Moist,

Soil Binder,

Specimen,

Sunny Moist,

Windbreak

General Notes

A very variable plant from prostrate through to a small tree. Important to the bio-habitat and a great natural source of food for the Black cockatoo.

Aboriginal, (Wurundjeri People) called the species WAR-Rak and would soak the flower heads in water to make a sweet drink, use the dry cones as stainers and to carry smouldering fire and single flowers used as paint brushes.