Banksia serrata

Saw Banksia
Conservation status
Secure
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Proteales
Family:	Proteaceae
Genus:	Banksia
Subgenus:	Banksia subg. Banksia
Section:	Banksia sect. Banksia
Series:	Banksia ser. Orthostylis
Species:	B. serrata
Binomial name
Banksia serrata L.f.

Banksia serrata, commonly known as Old Man Banksia, Saw Banksia, Saw-tooth Banksia and Red Honeysuckle, is one of the most common species of Banksia along the east coast of Australia.

Description

old cone with follicles

Banksia serrata usually grows as a gnarled and misshapen tree up to 15 metres tall, although in some coastal habitats it grows as a shrub of one to three metres, and on exposed coastal cliffs it has even been recorded as a prostrate shrub. As a tree, it usually has a single, stout trunk with the rough grey bark characteristic of Banksia. The fire-retardant bark itself can be up to six centimetres thick and is cork-like in texture. Trunks are often black from past bushfires, and ooze a red sap when injured. The leaves a dark glossy green above and light green below, eight to twenty centimetres long, and two to four centimetres wide. Except near the base of the leaf, the margins are serrated with lobes between one and three millimetres deep. Leaves occur crowded together at the upper end of branches, giving the canopy a thin, sparse appearance. The flowers are a silvery grey colour, with cream or golden styles, and occur in Banksia's distinctive cylindrical flower spikes. "Cones" may have up to 30 follicles, and usually appear hairy due to the retention of old withered flower parts. This tree also possesses a lignotuber, which is an underground structure that stores energy that the plant can use to regenerate after severe bushfire. The species is not to be confused with B. aemula, which has slightly smaller anthers.

Distribution and habitat

Banksia serrata occurs on the Australian mainland from Wilsons Promontory in Victoria to the south, north to Maryborough, Queensland. There is also a large population at Sisters Creek in Tasmania Also, another exists in the south west corner of the Wingaroo Nature Reserve in the northern part of Flinders Island. The Wingaroo NR Conservation Plan (2000) reports that the population comprises around 60 to 80 individual trees, the majority of which are believed to be quite old. It adds there is evidence of slow and continuous regeneration, which appears to be occurring in the absence of fire.

Throughout its range, Banksia serrata is found on well-drained sandy soil, and is often found on stabilised soil near the coast but just behind the main dune system.

Banksia serrata is a fairly uniform species, showing little variation between different habitats other than occasionally occurring as a shrub in coastal areas. No subspecific taxa are recognised. A member of the Orthostylis series, its closest relatives are Banksia aemula and Banksia ornata.

Cultivation

In cultivation, though relatively resistant to 'dieback', it does require a well drained soil, preferably fairly sandy and a sunny aspect. Summer watering is also helpful. Note that the plant may take several years to flower.

Cultivars

• Banksia 'Pygmy Possum' - originally propagated by Austraflora Nursery, this is a prostrate form originally from Green Cape area on the NSW far south coast. Similar plants are now seen in nurseries called simply B. serrata (Prostrate) collected from the same area. This plant looks great in half a wine barrel.
• Banksia 'Superman' - selection from large flowered (spikes to 27cm high) and large leaved population from Scotts Head on NSW mid north coast. As yet, not in commercial cultivation, though is registered with ACRA.

Other Uses

Banksia serrata is also used in bonsai.

Gallery

• 
  Closeup of an old cone, with follicles open.
• 
  broadening inflorescence in bud
• 
  Banksia serrata by Edward Minchen (1862–1913). Published 1895 in "The Flowering Plants and Ferns of New South Wales - Part 3" by Joseph Maiden.
• 
  Banksia serrata [detail] by John Lewin. From a series of botanical illustrations by artist, C. 1803-1808.
• 
  Old gnarly trunk, Kirrawee, Sydney
• 
  old cone with follicles closed, on plant, Randwick
• 
  Colour variants in bud

References

• Boland, D. J.; et al. (1984). Forest Trees of Australia (Fourth edition revised and enlarged). Collingwood, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. ISBN 0-643-05423-5. {{cite book}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)
• George, Alex S. (1981). "The Genus Banksia L.f. (Proteaceae)". Nuytsia. 3 (3): 239–473.
• George, Alex S. (1999). "Banksia". In Wilson, Annette (ed.) (ed.). Flora of Australia: Volume 17B: Proteaceae 3: Hakea to Dryandra. CSIRO Publishing / Australian Biological Resources Study. pp. 175–251. ISBN 0-643-06454-0. {{cite book}}: |editor= has generic name (help)
• Taylor, Anne; Hopper, Stephen (1988). The Banksia Atlas (Australian Flora and Fauna Series Number 8). Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 0-644-07124-9.
• Liber C (2004). "Update on Eastern Cultivars". Banksia Study Group Newsletter. 5 (1). [ASGAP]: 3–5. ISSN 1444-285X.

External links

• "Banksia serrata L.f." Flora of Australia Online. Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australian Government.
• "Banksia serrata L.f." Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.