Banksia marginata
Silver Banksia
a perennial woody member of the Banksia genus in the family Proteaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Proteaceae
- Genus
- Banksia
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 9 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The flowers are filled with a sweet nectar which can be sucked directly or washed out with water to make a refreshing beverage[5][6].
- Product or use
- Drink
- Product or use
- Nectar
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The bark contains 10% tannin. This species has been used as a rootstock for propagating other members of the genus. Wood - soft, easily worked, pinkish with a prominent grain. It is highly decorative but the plants tend to be gnarled and irregular thus limiting its use. Used for veneers, furniture etc.
Environment
- Range
- Australia - New South Wales, S. Queensland, Victoria.
- Habitat
- Usually found in sclerophyll forest from the coast to mountainous areas[8].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 9+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind
- Wind
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - surface sow in an ericaceous compost as soon as the seed is ripe or as soon as it is obtained and do not exclude light. Seal the pot in a plastic bag until germination takes place, which can take 1 - 3 months or more at 20°c[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in sand in a frame[7].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a well-drained lime-free soil and a sunny position[1][7]. Thrives in acid sandy loams[4][7]. Prefers a pH between 6.3 and 6.5[7]. Plants are tolerant of damp soils and sea winds[8]. If this species is to be successfully cultivated, the soil should be low in nutrients, especially in nitrates and phosphates[7]. This species is not very cold-hardy, possibly tolerating temperatures down to around -5°c[8]. Plants require greenhouse protection in most parts of Britain[1] but high-altitude forms could succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country[7]. This species hybridizes in the wild with B. integrifolia and B. conferta penicillata[7]. A good bee plant[3][4].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00
Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.
Holliday. I. and Hill. R. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller Ltd. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-85179-627-3
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Low. T. Wild Food Plants of Australia. Angus and Robertson. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-207-14383-8
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5