Red swamp banksia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red swamp banksia |
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| Banksia occidentalis in the ANBG | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Banksia
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| Species: |
occidentalis
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The Banksia occidentalis, also known as the red swamp banksia, is a special type of shrub or small tree. It grows only in the southern coastal areas of Western Australia. This plant has smooth bark, long, thin leaves, and beautiful golden flowers that grow in a cylinder shape. After flowering, it produces many seed pods.
Contents
What Does the Red Swamp Banksia Look Like?
The red swamp banksia is a shrub or a small tree. It usually grows to be about 1 to 7 meters (3 to 23 feet) tall. It has smooth bark and does not have a special woody base called a lignotuber.
Leaves and Flowers
Its leaves are long and narrow, like lines, and grow in a circle around the stem. They are about 40 to 130 millimeters (1.6 to 5.1 inches) long and 2 to 3 millimeters (0.08 to 0.12 inches) wide. The leaves have a few small teeth along their edges.
The flowers grow in a cylindrical (tube-like) spike. This spike is about 40 to 140 millimeters (1.6 to 5.5 inches) long and 65 to 75 millimeters (2.6 to 3.0 inches) wide when the plant is in bloom. The flowers are golden yellow, and their long, thin parts (called styles) are red.
When Does It Flower?
The red swamp banksia can flower at different times of the year. You might see its blooms from April to May, or from August to November, or even in January.
Seed Pods
After the flowers fade, they are replaced by seed pods, which are called follicles. These pods are oval-shaped and are about 1 to 18 millimeters (0.04 to 0.71 inches) long. Each flower spike can produce up to sixty of these seed pods.
Where Does the Red Swamp Banksia Grow?
The red swamp banksia lives along the southern coast of Western Australia. You can find it between the towns of Augusta and Cape Arid National Park. It usually grows in areas with shrubs or woodlands. It often prefers the edges of swamps, but sometimes it can also be found on sandy areas near the coast.
How Does It Grow and Reproduce?
The seeds of the red swamp banksia do not need any special treatment to grow. They usually take about 21 to 47 days to sprout.
Pollination
In a study done in 1980, scientists observed that birds help pollinate this plant. The New Holland honeyeater and the white-cheeked honeyeater birds visit the flowers and help them make seeds.
Is the Red Swamp Banksia Protected?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has listed this banksia as "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
See also
In Spanish: Banksia occidentalis para niños
