Ironcap Banksia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Banksia sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Proteales |
| Family: | Proteaceae |
| Genus: | Banksia |
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B. s. var. dolichostyla
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| Trinomial name | |
| Banksia sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla A.S.George
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The Ironcap Banksia (scientific name: Banksia sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla) is a special plant. Some scientists think it's a type of Banksia sphaerocarpa, while others believe it's its own unique species. It grows naturally in the southwest part of Western Australia. Its seeds are easy to grow. They don't need special care and usually sprout in about 33 days.
What it Looks Like
The Ironcap Banksia is a woody shrub that spreads out. It can grow about 3 to 4 meters (10 to 13 feet) tall and up to 4 meters (13 feet) wide. Its leaves are a pale blue-grey color, which is called 'glaucous'. When new leaves grow, they are bright green.
In autumn, it grows golden-yellow flowers. These flower clusters, called inflorescences, are roundish to long. They are larger and longer than the flowers of other Banksia sphaerocarpa types. The plant gets its name from its very long pistils (the female part of the flower), which are 50–65 mm long. These are the longest of any banksia. The old grey flowers stay on the plant after they have dried up.
How it was Named
The Ironcap Banksia was first found by a botanist named Alex George in 1978. It was officially described in 1981 as a variety of Banksia sphaerocarpa.
Its scientific name, dolichostyla, comes from two Ancient Greek words. Dolichos means "long," and stylos means "pillar." This name refers to the plant's very long pistils, which are like pillars.
Scientists have studied this plant to decide if it should be its own species or a variety.
- In 1996, botanist Kevin Thiele suggested it should be a separate species. He noticed its old flower parts were different from other Banksia sphaerocarpa types.
- However, Alex George disagreed in 1999. He felt that one difference was not enough to make it a separate species. He thought it was mostly just a larger version of another variety.
- Later, in 2002, a study by Austin Mast looked at the plant's DNA. This study showed that the Ironcap Banksia might be more closely related to other banksia species, like B. violacea, than to the other sphaerocarpa varieties.
Conservation
The Ironcap Banksia is considered a Rare flora by the government of Western Australia. This means it is either rare, in danger of disappearing, or needs special protection. Its status is officially recognized to help protect it in the wild.
