Banksia aculeata

taxobox
name = Prickly Banksia
regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Eudicots
ordo = Proteales
familia = Proteaceae
genus = "Banksia"
species = "B. aculeata"
binomial = Banksia aculeata
binomial_authority = A.S.George|

The Prickly Banksia ("Banksia aculeata") is a species of shrub in the plant genus "Banksia". It occurs only in the Stirling Range area of southwest Western Australia. This particular species is susceptible to dieback [cite web|url=http://www.dieback.net.au/|title=Project Dieback - Susceptible Species of the South Coast Region |year=2005|accessdate=2007-09-18] and is designated as a Priority 2 (Poorly known but not threatened) species by the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act. [cite web|url=http://www.naturebase.net/pdf/plants_animals/threatened_species/flora/wildlife_cons_notice_flora2006.pdf|title=Wildlife Conservation (Rare Flora) Notice 2006|year=2000|accessdate=2007-09-18]

Description

This evergreen shrub has serrated dark green leaves [cite web|url=http://asgap.org.au/APOL30/jun03-4.html|title=Australian Plants Online - Growing Banksias|year=2003|accessdate=2007-09-18] and can grow to a height of convert|2|m|ft|0. The leaf margins are flat with 5-10mm lobes that have angular sinuses. [cite web|url=http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/online-resources/flora/stddisplay.xsql?pnid=3381|title=Flora of Australia Online - Banksia |year=2000|accessdate=2007-09-18] The flowers of this species are the typical flower spike (inflorescence) of Banksias and are yellow, cream or pink in colour. [cite web|url=http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/1798|title=Florabase - Banksia aculeata A.S.George |year=1995|accessdate=2007-09-18] Plants flower between the months of February to March.

Distribution and habitat

Banksia aculeata is native to the Stirling Range region of Western Australia. The species prefers growing well drained sandy soils over laterite. The mediterranean climate with above aveage rainfall of the area provides ideal growing conditions.

References

*The genus Banksia L.f. (Proteaceae)
*cite encyclopedia | author = George, Alex | year = 1999 | title = Banksia | editor = Wilson, Annette | encyclopedia = Flora of Australia | volume = 17B: Proteaceae 3: Hakea to Dryandra | pages = 175–251 | publisher = CSIRO Publishing / Australian Biological Resources Study | id=ISBN 0-643-06454-0
*The Banksia Atlas

External links

*Flora of Australia Online|name=Banksia aculeata|id=3449
*FloraBase | name = Banksia aculeata | id = 1798