kids encyclopedia robot

Banksia facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Banksia
Banksia prionotes 1 gnangarra.jpg
Banksia prionotes
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Division:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Banksia

Diversity
about 170 species
B menziesii gnangarra 21
Banksia flower spike
Banksia books
Books on Banksia

Banksia is a genus of plants common to Australia, they were named after Joseph Banks. The Banksia are noted for their unique flowering.

It is a genus of around 170 species in the plant family Proteaceae. As Australian wildflowers and popular garden plants, they are easily recognised by their characteristic flower spikes and fruiting "cones". They can vary from woody shrubs to trees up to 30 metres tall. They are generally found in a wide variety of landscapes: (occasionally) rainforest, shrubland, and some more arid landscapes, though not in Australia's deserts.

They produce plenty of nectar,and are a vital part of the food chain in the Australian bush. They are an important food source for all sorts of nectariferous animals, including birds, bats, rats, possums and a host of invertebrates. Also, they are of economic importance to Australia's nursery and cut flower industries.

Banksia plants are threatened by land clearing, frequent burning and disease, and a number of species are rare and endangered.

  • Boland D.J. (1984). Forest trees of Australia, 4th ed, revised and enlarged. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria, Australia. ISBN: 0-643-05423-5..
  • George A.S. 1999. "Banksia". In Wilson, Annette (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.
  • Harden, Gwen (2002). "Banksia". In Harden, Gwen (ed). Flora of New South Wales: volume 2 (revised edition). New South Wales University Press, Kensington. pp. 82–86. ISBN: 0-86840-156-0.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Banksia para niños

kids search engine
Banksia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.