List of Banksia species facts for kids

Banksias are special native Australian plants famous for their unique, often spiky, flower heads. They come in many shapes and sizes, from small shrubs to tall trees. This list shows all the different types, or species, of Banksia that scientists officially recognize as of March 2020. It also includes some very old fossil Banksia species, which are types of Banksias that lived long ago and are now found as fossils.

What are Banksia Plants?

Banksias are a type of plant found mostly in Australia. They are known for their beautiful and unusual flowers. These flowers are actually made up of hundreds of tiny individual flowers packed together. After the flowers fade, they often turn into woody "cones" that hold the seeds.

Banksias are important for Australian wildlife. Many animals, like birds, bats, and insects, feed on their nectar. They are also popular garden plants because they are tough and look great.

Why Do Scientists List Species?

Scientists create lists like this to keep track of all the different kinds of plants. This helps them understand how plants are related to each other. It also helps in protecting plants that might be rare or endangered.

When you see names like "A.S.George" or "R.Br." next to a Banksia species, these are the initials of the botanists (plant scientists) who first described or named that particular plant. The letters in brackets, like (W.A.) or (Qld.), tell you where the plant naturally grows in Australia:

• W.A. = Western Australia
• Qld. = Queensland
• N.S.W. = New South Wales
• Vic. = Victoria
• S.A. = South Australia
• N.T. = Northern Territory
• Tas. = Tasmania
• A.C.T. = Australian Capital Territory

Understanding Fossil Banksias

Some Banksia species on this list are called fossil species. This means they are not alive today. Instead, scientists have found their remains, like leaves or cones, preserved in rocks. These fossils help us learn about plants that lived millions of years ago. They also show us how Banksias have changed over a very long time.

List of Banksia Species

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Especies de Banksia para niños

• Taxonomy of Banksia