Broad habitat

Banksia integrifolia is thought of as a coastal plant, but it occurs between Victoria and Central Queensland in a broad range of habitats, from coastal dunes to mountains. It is recorded from D’Aguilar National Park – Southern. It is highly variable in form, but is most often encountered as a small tree to 10 metres. Its leaves have strikingly contrasted dark green upper surfaces and white undersides.  The large flowers are filled with nectar eaten by honeyeaters and lorikeets. Tim Low writes in Bush Tucker that Aboriginal people “sucked the honey straight from the flowers or soaked the banksia cones in bark troughs to make drinks” and in Bush Medicine “sometimes brewed alcohol by soaking the cones in water”.

Photo: Robert Whyte

Named after Joseph Banks

It is one of the four original Banksia species collected by Sir Joseph Banks in 1770, and one of four species published in 1782 as part of Carolus Linnaeus the Younger’s original description of the genus. Three subspecies are now recognised: B. integrifolia subsp. integrifolia, B. integrifolia subsp. compar and B. integrifolia subsp. monticola. Widely planted in Australian gardens, leading to concerns about its potential to become a weed outside its natural habitat.

Photo: Robert Whyte

Seed collecting and propagation

Collect cones in late summer and extract seed in paper bag in warm place. Seed viability is 70%. Seed is viable for at least one year in fridge at 4°C. Surface sow or with light covering of seed-raising mix. Push the point of the seeds into the surface of the seed-raising mix (or sand) with the winged part protruding above the surface. Sow and grow in open tray. Germination in 2-3 weeks.