Banksia caleyi
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Banksia caleyi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Banksia
Species: B. caleyi
Binomial name
Banksia caleyi
[Link].
Synonyms
Sirmuellera caleyi ([Link].) Kuntze
Banksia caleyi, commonly known as the red lantern banksia or banksia, is a species of woody
shrub of the family Proteaceae native to Western Australia. It generally grows as a dense shrub up to
2 m (7 ft) tall, has serrated leaves and red, pendent (hanging) inflorescences which are generally
hidden in the foliage. First described by Scottish naturalist Robert Brown in 1830, Banksia caleyi
was named in honour of the English botanist George Caley. No subspecies are recognised. It is one
of three or four related species with hanging inflorescences, which is an unusual feature within the
genus.
Found south and east of the Stirling Ranges through to the vicinity of Jerramungup, Banksia caleyi
grows in a habitat burnt by periodic bushfires. Plants are killed by fire and regenerate by seed
afterwards. The species was classified as "Not Threatened" under the Wildlife Conservation Act of
Western Australia. In contrast to most other Western Australian banksias, it appears to have some
resistance to dieback from the soil-borne water mould Phytophthora cinnamomi, and is
comparatively easy to grow in cultivation.
Contents
• 1 Description
• 2 Taxonomy
• 3 Distribution and habitat
• 4 Ecology
• 5 Cultivation
• 6 References
• 7 External links
Description
Cream and pink flowers
Banksia caleyi grows as a many-branched bushy shrub to 2 m (7 ft) in height, with crumbly grey
bark.[1] Rarely, plants of up to 4 m (13 ft) have been found.[2] The new growth is hairy,[1] and
generally occurs in summer.[2] The branchlets become smooth after around two years. The stiff
leaves are narrowly wedge-shaped (cuneate) and measure 5–14 cm (2–5 1⁄2 in) in length by 1.3–
2.4 cm (1⁄2–1 in) wide. The leaf margins are serrated, with many teeth measuring 0.4–0.6 cm (1⁄8–
1⁄ in) each.[1]
4
Flowering takes place between September and January.[2] The inflorescences hang down from the
ends of three- to five-year-old branchlets deep within the shrub and measure 5–9 cm (2–3 1⁄2 in) in
length and roughly 7 cm (2 3⁄4 in) in diameter. The flowers are cream at the base and deep pink to
red in the upper half, and are brightest before anthesis and then gradually fade with age.[1] The
inflorescences eventually turn grey, the old flowers remaining as up to 25 large woody follicles
develop. Oval in shape and covered with fine hair, the follicles can reach 4 cm (1 5⁄8 in) long,
2.5 cm (1 in) high, and 2.5 cm (1 in) wide.[3]
The obovate seed is 4.3–4.7 cm (1 3⁄4–1 7⁄8 in) long and fairly flattened, and is composed of the
wedge-shaped seed body proper, measuring 1.4–1.5 cm (1⁄2–5⁄8 in) long and 1.6–1.7 cm (5⁄8 in)
wide, and a papery wing. One side, termed the outer surface, is dark brown and wrinkled, while the
other is black and smooth. Both surfaces sparkle slightly. The seeds are separated by a sturdy dark
brown seed separator that is roughly the same shape as the seeds with a depression where the seed
body sits adjacent to it in the follicle. Seedlings have cuneate cotyledons which measure 1.1–1.3 cm
(3⁄8–1⁄2 in) long and 1.3–1.4 cm (1⁄2 in) wide. These are dull green with three veins, and the margin
of the wedge may be red and crenulated (lined with small teeth). The hypocotyl is red and measures
1.5–2 cm (5⁄8–3⁄4 in) high. Seedlings have hairy stems and leaves that are oppositely arranged
(arising from the stem in pairs) that are obovate with triangular-lobed serrate margins.[1]