Banksia fasciculata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Banksia fasciculata |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Banksia
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| Species: |
fasciculata
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| Synonyms | |
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Dryandra fasciculata A.S.George |
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Banksia fasciculata is a unique type of plant that looks like a tall, narrow bush. It grows only in Western Australia, which means it's endemic there. This plant has stems covered in tiny hairs, and its leaves are packed together and feel a bit prickly. When it blooms, you'll see bright yellow flowers, and later, it grows hairy fruits.
Contents
About the Banksia Fasciculata
Banksia fasciculata is a shrub that often grows to be about 1.5 to 2.5 meters tall. That's like a tall person or a small tree! Unlike some other plants, it doesn't have a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This swelling helps some plants regrow after a fire.
Leaves and Stems
The stems of this plant are covered in fine hairs. Its leaves are long and narrow, like a line. They can be from 60 to 180 millimeters long and 7 to 10 millimeters wide. Each leaf sits on a short stalk called a petiole, which is about 10 to 40 millimeters long. The edges of the leaves are not smooth; they have between five and fifteen sharp, pointed teeth on each side.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of Banksia fasciculata grow in a special cluster called a head. Each head holds between forty and sixty individual flowers. At the bottom of each flower head, there are many narrow, leaf-like parts called involucral bracts. These bracts are about 25 to 33 millimeters long and are covered in soft, rusty brown hairs.
The flowers themselves have a creamy yellow outer part, known as a perianth, which is about 18 to 22 millimeters long. Inside, there's a yellow pistil, which is the part of the flower that receives pollen. It's a bit longer, about 23 to 31 millimeters. This plant usually flowers from late May to August. After the flowers, it produces egg-shaped fruits called follicles, which are about 6 to 9 millimeters long and also hairy.
Naming and History
Every plant has a scientific name, and understanding how it got its name is part of taxonomy. Taxonomy is like a big family tree for all living things.
Original Discovery
This particular banksia was first officially described in 1996. A scientist named Alex George found specimens of it near a place called Harrismith. He wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia and gave it the name Dryandra fasciculata.
Changing Names
Later, in 2007, two other scientists, Austin Mast and Kevin Thiele, did more research. They decided that all the plants previously called Dryandra should actually be part of the Banksia group. So, Dryandra fasciculata officially became Banksia fasciculata.
What the Name Means
The second part of its name, fasciculata, comes from a Latin word. It means "clustered" or "in bundles." This name perfectly describes how the leaves and flower heads of this plant grow very close together, almost in bundles.
Where It Lives
Banksia fasciculata is found only in a specific part of Western Australia. It grows in areas known as mallee and kwongan.
Habitat Types
- Mallee: This is a type of bushland where many eucalyptus trees grow as multi-stemmed shrubs.
- Kwongan: This refers to a type of heathland or shrubland, often with sandy soils and many different kinds of wildflowers.
You can find this plant growing between the towns of Corrigin and Kukerin. These areas are part of the Avon Wheatbelt and Mallee biogeographic regions. These regions are special areas defined by their unique plants, animals, and environment.
How It's Protected
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of plants like Banksia fasciculata. They classify its conservation status as "Priority Three."
What "Priority Three" Means
Being "Priority Three" means a few important things:
- Poorly Known: Scientists don't know everything about where this plant grows or how many there are.
- Few Locations: It's only found in a small number of places.
- Not in Immediate Danger: Even though it's rare and not well-known, it's not currently facing a big threat that would make it disappear soon.
This classification helps people know which plants need more attention and protection to make sure they continue to thrive in the wild.
