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Banksia ericifolia ssp. ericifolia
This is an impressive Banksia species with probably the largest flower spikes of any banksia I have ever seen. The largest were upwards of 30 cms in length, and that's pretty big for a banksia. It is a medium to large shrub that can reach 6 m (20 ft) high and wide. Flowering is in autumn, or in winter in cooler areas. The spikes are red or gold in overall colour, with styles golden, orange, orange-red or burgundy. Some unusual forms have striking red styles on a whitish perianth. Very occasionally, forms with all yellow inflorescences are seen.
Forest track at Mangrove Creek Dam, on the NSW Central Coast. Heavily forested area with native vegetation. Chiefly occurs in soils of sandy loam, deep sand, or sand over sandstone in well drained areas. These specimens in full-sun for most of the day. Distributed widely on the Central Coast, the Sydney region, Jervis Bay to the south, and up towards the Blue Mountains in the west.
Banksia ericifolia was one of the original banksia species collected by Joseph Banks around Botany Bay in 1770. May Gibbs story - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snugglepot...
Spotted on May 18, 2016
Submitted on Jun 4, 2016
2 Comments
Too right! Is it any wonder Proteaceae is my favourite plant family? Banksias, grevilleas, hakeas, proteas, etc... all so bizarre and awesome!
Thanks for the link to this Neil. It's not at all what I was picturing. It's better!