Banksia dentata

L.f

Bottle brush, Swamp Banksia, Tropical Banksia, Northern Banksia

Proteaceae Edible: Nectar 240 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Banksia dentata, commonly known as the tropical banksia, is a species of tree in the family Proteaceae. It occurs across northern Australia, southern New Guinea and the Aru Islands. Growing as a gnarled tree to 7 m (23 ft) high, it has large green leaves up to 22 cm (8.7 in) long with dentate margins. The cylindrical yellow inflorescences, up to 13 cm (5.1 in) high, appear between November and May, attracting various species of honeyeaters, sunbirds, the sugar glider and a variety of insects. Flowers fall off the ageing spikes, which swell and develop follicles containing up to two viable seeds each. Banksia dentata is one of four Banksia species collected by Sir Joseph Banks in 1770, and one of the four species published in 1782 as part of Carolus Linnaeus the Younger's original description of Banksia. Within the genus, it is classified in the series Salicinae, a group of species from Australia's eastern states. Genetic studies show it is a basal member within the group. Banksia dentata is found in tropical grassland known as savanna, and associated with Pandanus and Melaleuca. It regenerates from bushfire by regrowing from its woody base, known as a lignotuber.

Description

A small tree. In the forest it is often a straggling miss-shapen tree. It grows to 8 m tall and spreads to 4 m wide. The stem is erect. The bark is dark grey and rough. It has a widely branching crown. The leaves are coarsely toothed along the edge, blue green on top and whitish underneath. They are wedge shaped and 25 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. The flowers are yellow when young then turn brown, dry and hard. Flower spikes can be 15-20 cm long. The flowers are in cylindrical spikes. Seeds are black and winged. These are in large woody fruiting cones. The seed are expelled from the cone.

Edible Uses

Banksia dentata is used as a nectar source in the honey bee industry. Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory would light old seed cones and use them as firebrands, these lasting for up to two hours. The nectar was consumed by indigenous people. A hot smoking flower spike was used to cauterise leprosy sores, and people suffering from diarrhea would squat over smoking cones in the hope this would relieve their symptoms. The thin woody spikes that did not develop follicles were used as nasal ornaments by aboriginal women, and flower spikes were used as combs.

Traditional Uses

The flowers at the yellow stage are broken off and the sweet sap which drips out is collected and eaten. CAUTION Cribb in Wild Foods in Australia suggests headaches and nausea can result from sucking too much bottle brush sap.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It occurs in dry coastal areas. It is suited to warm areas in sandy acid soil. It often grows near the edges of swamps. It is drought and frost resistant. It can grow on poor soils. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, SE Asia,

Cultivation

Seeds grow easily. Young seedlings transplant easily. Under good conditions young plants grow rapidly.

Production

Flowers are produced irregularly throughout the year but with a main season in mid June.

Other Information

A minor incidental food in Papua New Guinea.

Notes

There are about 75 Banksia species. They are mostly in Australia.

References (23)

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Cronin, L., 1989, The Concise Australian Flora. Reed. p 164
Dunlop, C.R., Leach, G.J. & Cowie, I.D., 1995, Flora of the Darwin Region. Vol 2. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin No 20. p 119

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IRVINE,
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IRVINE