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

Expand all

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

Cross Section(s)

Flat

Incurved

Recurved

Flat,

Incurved,

Recurved

Venation(s)

Pinnate

Arrangement

Whorled

Apice(s)

Truncate

Base(s)

Attenuate

Attachment

Sessile

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

Flower Size(s) Width

90-100mm

Petal Shape(s)

Linear

Aroma(s)

Sweet-slight

Arrangement(s)

Solitary

Fruit Properties

Type

Cone Simple

Outer Colour(s)

Dull, Grey-brown

Dull,

Grey-brown

Outer Texture

Hairs-Stiff

Length

90-100mm

Seed Properties

Colour(s)

Black, Dull

Black,

Dull

Shape(s)

Oblanceolate

Seed Length

1-2mm

Seed Number

Many

Root Properties

Type

Fibrous

Shallow , Spreading

Shallow,

Spreading

Texture

Rough / Scabrous

Colour(s)

Brown Dark

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

Carbon Sequestration Potential

Low

Wood Density

Low 200 - 400 kg/c.m.

Edible(s)

None

Fire Regeneration(s)

Seed, Ligno-tuber

Seed,

Ligno-tuber

Fire Retarding

Moderate

Drought Tolerance

Moderate

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

Snow Tolerance

Light

Smog Tolerant

Poor

Indigenous Use(s)

Flower, Fruit, Nectar

Flower,

Fruit,

Nectar

Landscape Use

Moderate

Street Use

None

Commercial Use(s)

None

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

Propagation

Fresh Seed, Soft Wood Cuttings, Tip Cuttings

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.

Propagation Notes

Expand all

Smoke Stratified Seed

Flowering

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Seed Collecting

Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Sowing

Aug, Sep, Apr, May, Jun

Cutting

Aug, Sep, Oct

Material Preparation

Snip off the dried cones and dry fully in a warm place and the seed will full out of the capsule. Clean. Store in a cool dark place until sowing time.

Viability:- short, after extraction from cone.

Seeds/gram:-

Propagating Mix

3 parts Seed Raising Mix + 1 part washed sand

Treatment

Sow seed, cover well with mix, fine gravel, water in with smoked water, place outside.

Viable seeds/gram:- 16 - 25

Germination time:- 2 – 8 weeks

Pricking out:- 5 – 8 weeks into tubes after germination

Tube Mix:- 3 parts Seed Raising Mix + 1 part washed sand

Notes

Best germination seems to occur with temps. around 15-20°C. Higher temps. in the weather when sowing may cause dormancy.

Depending upon the plants locality, ie Tas., high areas Vic., cold storage, stratification 2 -3 mths. helps germination.

Smoke treatment increases the germination rate.

Used as a root stock plant for grafting less hardy Banksia species.

Enough seed for direct seeding may only be obtained every 4-10 years. For direct seeding, sow from mid-winter in low rainfall areas and spring in higher rainfall areas about 10mm below soil level.

Hardwood Cuttings

Flowering

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Seed Collecting

Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Sowing

Aug, Sep, Apr, May, Jun

Cutting

Aug, Sep, Oct

Material Preparation

Firm wood tip / stem cuttings: Wash off any soil from ground contact in a mild solution of Phosacid bath to kill any Phytopthera etc, from the field collection. Drain. Mist frequently to keep hydrated.

Propagating Mix

1 part Cocopeat + 1 part Perlite

Treatment

Can be slow. Keep hydrated during prep.. Water tray of mix and thoroughly wet with Previcur fungicide. Cutting approx. 20 - 30mm long. Firm softwood tip, stem cuttings, dip in Easiroot. Press gently into tray of mix. Mist frequently while continuing cutting process. Place on 21° heated bed with misters. Maintain hothouse environment between 50-75% humidity and temperature between 20-30° C. Spray fortnightly with fungicide. Keep in bright but indirect light.

Striking Time:- Field Stock 20-30 %

Nursery Stock 60-80 %

Rooting Time:- Field Stock 6-8 weeks

Nursery Stock 4-6 weeks