Banksia densa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Banksia densa |
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Banksia
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densa
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The Banksia densa is a special type of shrub found only in Western Australia. It grows tall and narrow, like a column. This plant has unique leaves with deep, jagged edges. It also produces beautiful creamy yellow flowers that grow in groups of up to seventy-five. After flowering, it forms small, hairy seed pods called follicles.
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What Does It Look Like?
The Banksia densa is usually a tall, narrow shrub. It can grow up to 2.5 meters (about 8 feet) high. Unlike some plants, it doesn't have a special woody base called a lignotuber that helps it regrow after a fire.
Its leaves are long and thin, about 50 to 150 mm (2 to 6 inches) long and 8 to 15 mm (0.3 to 0.6 inches) wide. They grow on a short stem called a petiole, which is up to 10 mm long. Each side of the leaf has eight to thirteen sharp, pointed lobes. The underside of the leaves feels soft because it's covered in white, woolly hairs.
The flowers grow in round or oval groups. Each group has between forty and seventy-five flowers. At the base of these flower heads are rusty-colored, hairy or velvety leaf-like parts called involucral bracts. The flowers themselves are creamy yellow and have a hairy outer part called a perianth. This perianth can be 15 to 18 mm or 21 to 25 mm long, depending on the plant's type. The central part of the flower, called the pistil, is mostly smooth and can be 16 to 26 mm or 25 to 30 mm long.
Banksia densa usually flowers from May to October. After the flowers, it produces hairy, egg-shaped or oval seed pods called follicles, which are about 9 to 13 mm long.
How It Got Its Name
This plant was first officially described in 1870 by a scientist named George Bentham. He first called it Dryandra conferta. The word conferta comes from Latin and means "crowded," likely referring to how its flowers or leaves are arranged.
Later, in 1996, another scientist named Alex George identified two different types, or varieties, of this plant:
- Dryandra conferta var. conferta: This type has longer perianths (21–25 mm) and pistils (25–30 mm). Its flowers can smell like a mouse or honey!
- Dryandra conferta var. parva: This type has slightly shorter perianths (15–18 mm) and pistils (16–26 mm).
In 2007, scientists Austin Mast and Kevin Thiele moved all Dryandra species, including this one, into the Banksia group. Since there was already a plant named Banksia conferta, they had to give this one a new name. They chose Banksia densa. The new names for the varieties are now:
Where It Lives
Banksia densa grows in many inland areas of southwestern Western Australia. You can find it in different types of plant communities, like kwongan (a type of shrubland), woodlands, and other shrublands. It grows in a wide area, from places like Miling and Cadoux down to the Porongorups, and across to Bodallin and Mount Holland. The parva variety tends to grow more in the southern parts of this region.
Its Future and Climate Change
Scientists have studied how climate change might affect this plant. They found that the area where Banksia densa can grow might shrink significantly. By the year 2080, its habitat could become 50% to 80% smaller. This depends on how much the climate changes.
Protecting This Plant
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has classified Banksia densa as "Priority Two". This means that not much is known about this plant, and it has only been found in a few places. Because of this, it needs special attention to make sure it is protected.
