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Banksia integrifolia - L.f.

Common Name Coast Banksia
Family Proteaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Basalt and red sand areas[154], usually by the coast but also found at higher elevations where it can be very gnarled and stunted[167].
Range Australia - New South Wales, S. Queensland, Victoria.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Banksia integrifolia Coast Banksia


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Banksia integrifolia Coast Banksia
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Banksia integrifolia is an evergreen Tree growing to 9 m (29ft 6in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from August to December. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

B. spicata.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Nectar
Edible Uses:

The flowers are rich in nectar and this is sometimes harvested as a food. It is best harvested in the morning before birds and evaporation deplete the yields[193]. The flowers can be sucked or soaked in water in order to obtain the nectar[193].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Rootstock  Tannin  Wood

The bark contains about 10% tannin[46, 154]. Used as a rootstock for other members of this genus[200]. Wood - soft, easily worked, pinkish with a prominent grain. It is highly decorative but the plants tend to be gnarled and irregular thus limiting its use. Used for veneers, furniture etc[154, 167].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils[157]. Requires a lime-free soil[1]. Thrives in acid sandy loams[167]. Prefers a pH between 6.3 and 6.5[200]. If this species is to be successfully cultivated, the soil should be low in nutrients, especially in nitrates and phosphates[200]. Quite resistant to wind and salt spray, it grows well by the coast[166, 200]. Plants growing in exposed positions have entire leaves whilst those in sheltered positions have serrated leaves[154]. Plants require greenhouse protection in most parts of Britain[1] but they succeed outdoors on a sheltered wall in the mildest areas of the country[166]. Plants in Australian gardens tolerate temperatures down to at least -7°c[157], but this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer colder and wetter winters. A polymorphic species, there are many named varieties selected for their ornamental value[200]. A good bee plant[154, 167].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - surface sow in an ericaceous compost as soon as the seed is ripe or as soon as it is obtained and do not exclude light. Seal the pot in a plastic bag until germination takes place, which can take 1 - 3 months or more at 20°c[134]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in sand in a frame[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Coast banksia, honeysuckle, white banksia, white bottlebrush, white honeysuckle and honeysuckle oak

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Banksia marginataSilver BanksiaTree9.0 8-11  LMNM203
Pinus banksianaJack PineTree12.0 2-7 FLMNDM223
Rosa banksiaeBanksia RoseShrub10.0 6-9 FLMHNM211

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.f.

Botanical References

154200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Marco Vendetti   Mon Jan 26 2009

This species contains three subspecies: B. integrifolia subsp. integrifolia, B. integrifolia subsp. compar and B. integrifolia subsp. monticola. It is worthy to point out that B. integrifolia subsp. monticola is the most frost tolerant, it grows at altitudes between 650-1200 (1500 m) above sea level, given its montane distribution B. integrifolia subsp. monticola tolerates colder temperatures than those described in this text, there is healthy plant of this subspecies has bloomed and is growing outdoors at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, England.

Chantalle Pollard   Tue Apr 28 2009

Why is it resistant to wind and salt spray?

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