Coast Banksia Seed Cone and Leaf (Banksia integrifolia)

Botanical Information:

Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Banskia
Species: integrifolia

Meaning of name:
Banksia, after Sir Joseph Banks (1743–1820), an English naturalist and botanist who accompanied (then) Lieutenant James Cook on the Endeavour in 1768–1771, and who did much to bring Australian botany to the European world
integrifolia is from Latin: integer, entire + folium, leaf. A reference to the leaf margins (edges) being entire (smooth)

As its name suggests, the Coast Banksia is distributed along the eastern coast of Australia, from Queensland into New South Wales and Victoria. It is very hardy and readily tolerates wind and salt spray. Banksia integrifolia can range from 5m (16 ft) to 15m or even 25m (49 ft to 82 ft) in height, with a spread of about 3m (10 ft).

There are three subspecies:

• Banksia integrifolia subsp. integrifolia, found from southern Queensland down into Victoria
• Banksia integrifolia subsp. compar, found in northern Queensland
• Banksia integrifolia subsp. monticola, found in the mountain ranges of central and northern New South Wales

Banksia integrifolia produces 12cm (5 inches) long, pale yellow flowers from January to July on two year old growth.

The nectar is an invaluable source of food for many nectar-feeding birds and mammals, especially in autumn when the flowers are at their peak, as few other plants flower during this time. The nectar also made useful bush food for people —  Australian Aborigines would obtain nectar by stroking the flowers and licking their hands, while early European settlers used the nectar for sore throats and colds.

Though honey made from the nectar is medium quality and of low commercial value, beekeepers prize Banksia integrifolia as it flowers over autumn and winter when little else is flowering, and thus helps keep their hives going during this time.

This print features in the Life of a Banksia Flower triptych collection.

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