Banksia integrifolia Coast Banksia PFAF Plant Database

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Banksia integrifolia - L.f.

Common Name

Coast Banksia

Family

Proteaceae

Synonyms

B. spicata.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Basalt and red sand areas[154], usually by the coast but also found at higher elevations where it can be very gnarled and stunted[167].

Range

Australia - New South Wales, S. Queensland, Victoria.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Banksia integrifolia is an evergreen Tree growing to 9 m (29ft 6in).
It is hardy to zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Aug to December. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs)It is noted for attracting wildlife.

Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Banksia_integrifolia_watercolour_from_Banks'_Florilegium_(cropped).jpg

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Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Nectar. Edible Uses: The flowers are rich in nectar and this is sometimes harvested as a food. It is best harvested in the morning before birds and evaporation deplete the yields[193]. The flowers can be sucked or soaked in water in order to obtain the nectar[193].

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. None known

Other Uses
Rootstock; Tannin; Wood. The bark contains about 10% tannin[46, 154]. Used as a rootstock for other members of this genus[200]. 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[154, 167].

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils[157]. Requires a lime-free soil[1]. Thrives in acid sandy loams[167]. Prefers a pH between 6.3 and 6.5[200]. If this species is to be successfully cultivated, the soil should be low in nutrients, especially in nitrates and phosphates[200]. Quite resistant to wind and salt spray, it grows well by the coast[166, 200]. Plants growing in exposed positions have entire leaves whilst those in sheltered positions have serrated leaves[154]. Plants require greenhouse protection in most parts of Britain[1] but they succeed outdoors on a sheltered wall in the mildest areas of the country[166]. Plants in Australian gardens tolerate temperatures down to at least -7°c[157], but this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer colder and wetter winters. A polymorphic species, there are many named varieties selected for their ornamental value[200]. A good bee plant[154, 167].

Propagation

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[134]. 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[200].

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Expert comment

Author
L.f.

Botanical References
154200

Links / References

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[46]Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants.

An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.

[134]Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2.

Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. An interesting article on Ensete ventricosum.

[154]Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.

A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.

[157]Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants.

A lovely book, written in order to encourage Australian gardeners to grow their native plants. A little bit of information for the plant project.

[166]Taylor. J. The Milder Garden.

A good book on plants that you didn't know could be grown outdoors in Britain.

[167]Holliday. I. and Hill. R. A Field Guide to Australian Trees.

A well illustrated and very readable book, but it does not contain much information for the plant project.

[193]Low. T. Wild Food Plants of Australia.

Well presented, clear information and good photographs. An interesting read for the casual reader as well as the enthusiast

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
Marco Vendetti	Mon Jan 26 2009

This species contains three subspecies: B. integrifolia subsp. integrifolia, B. integrifolia subsp. compar and B. integrifolia subsp. monticola. It is worthy to point out that B. integrifolia subsp. monticola is the most frost tolerant, it grows at altitudes between 650-1200 (1500 m) above sea level, given its montane distribution B. integrifolia subsp. monticola tolerates colder temperatures than those described in this text, there is healthy plant of this subspecies has bloomed and is growing outdoors at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, England.

Elizabeth H.
Chantalle Pollard	Tue Apr 28 2009

Why is it resistant to wind and salt spray?

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