Banksia marginata Silver Banksia PFAF Plant Database

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Banksia marginata - Cav.

Common Name

Silver Banksia

Family

Proteaceae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Usually found in sclerophyll forest from the coast to mountainous areas[260].

Range

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

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Banksia marginata is a TREE growing to 9 m (29ft 6in).
It is hardy to zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from Aug to December. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs)

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. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.


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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Banksia_marcescens-(marginata)_crop.jpg

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

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Nectar. Edible Uses: Drink. The flowers are filled with a sweet nectar which can be sucked directly or washed out with water to make a refreshing beverage[183, 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
The bark contains 10% tannin. This species has been used as a rootstock for propagating other members of the genus. 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.

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained lime-free soil and a sunny position[1, 200]. Thrives in acid sandy loams[167, 200]. Prefers a pH between 6.3 and 6.5[200]. Plants are tolerant of damp soils and sea winds[260]. If this species is to be successfully cultivated, the soil should be low in nutrients, especially in nitrates and phosphates[200]. This species is not very cold-hardy, possibly tolerating temperatures down to around -5°c[260]. Plants require greenhouse protection in most parts of Britain[1] but high-altitude forms could succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country[200]. This species hybridizes in the wild with B. integrifolia and B. conferta penicillata[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
Cav.

Botanical References
200

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]).

[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.

[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.

[183]Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.

Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[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.

[260]Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2

Excellent photos of over 1,100 species and cultivars with habits and cultivation details plus a few plant uses. Many species are too tender for outdoors in Britain though there are many that can be grown outside.

Readers comment

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