King dryandra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids King dryandra |
|
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Banksia
|
| Species: |
proteoides
|
The Banksia proteoides, also known as the king dryandra, is a type of shrub that grows only in Western Australia. For a long time, it was called Dryandra proteoides. But in 2007, scientists Austin Mast and Kevin Thiele moved all Dryandra species into the Banksia group.
What it Looks Like
The king dryandra is a thick, bushy plant that can grow up to two meters (about 6.5 feet) tall. It has long, thin leaves, about 20 to 26 centimeters (8-10 inches) long and 1 to 2 centimeters (less than an inch) wide. The edges of the leaves are jagged.
Its flowers are yellow-brown, but they are hidden by long, reddish-brown leaves that look like petals. This makes the flower head look a lot like a flower from a plant called Protea.
How it Got its Name
This plant was first found and collected in the 1830s by a botanist named James Drummond. He found it near the Swan River in Western Australia.
John Lindley officially named it Dryandra proteoides in 1840. He wrote about it in his book, A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony. Lindley thought its flowers looked a lot like Protea flowers from South Africa. The name 'proteoides' means 'like Protea', because its flower heads look similar to plants in the Protea family.
In 2007, scientists Austin Mast and Kevin Thiele moved all plants from the Dryandra group into the Banksia group. This is why the plant's official name changed to Banksia proteoides.
Where it Grows
The king dryandra grows in sandy or gravelly soils, often on hills with laterite rock. You can find it in woodlands with Wandoo or Powderbark trees. It grows between Toodyay and the Dryandra Woodland, and also west of Kojonup. This area is part of the Avon Wheatbelt and Jarrah Forest regions in the Southwest Botanic Province of Western Australia.
Growing King Dryandra
The king dryandra is not a common plant to grow in gardens. It needs soil that drains water very well, because it doesn't like to sit in wet soil. It grows best in full sunlight and can handle dry weather and frost once it's settled.
It can be grown from seeds, but this can be tricky. The seeds should not be older than a year, and even then, they don't always sprout easily or quickly.
